Kiki's Delivery Service 1989
Directed by
Hayao Miyazaki
Made by
GKIDS
Plot Summary
Kiki, a spirited young witch, embarks on her journey of independence, a rite of passage for all witches, with her charming talking black cat, Jiji, by her side. With her mother’s insistence, she takes along her trusty old broomstick to navigate the skies. As Kiki sets off into the night, she seeks a new town where she can establish herself. During her travels, she encounters another witch and her cat, whom she finds somewhat pretentious, igniting a curiosity within her about what her own unique abilities might be.
Upon discovering the town of Koriko, Kiki inadvertently disrupts traffic while flying, drawing the attention of a policeman. Fortunately, she is aided by a friendly boy named Tombo who helps her escape the awkward situation.
Eager to find a place to call home and establish a livelihood, Kiki stumbles upon the Gutiokipanja bakery, run by the warm-hearted Osono and her husband, Fukuo, who are soon expecting a child. Osono graciously offers Kiki a room above the bakery, and thus begins her venture into entrepreneurship with the creation of the “Witch Delivery Service,” using her broomstick to deliver goods. Her first task involves delivering a small stuffed toy resembling Jiji. However, as she navigates the winds, a flock of crows attacks, leading her to misplace the toy. With quick thinking, Jiji pretends to be the toy until Kiki can recover it, ultimately finding it in the care of a young artist named Ursula, who returns it after repair.
The next day, Tombo invites Kiki to join his aviation club. Yet, her schedule fills up with deliveries, and a sudden thunderstorm dissuades her from attending. Following this, she falls ill, making her absence from social events even more noticeable. Osono lovingly looks after Kiki until she recovers, even secretly arranging for her to reconnect with Tombo through a special delivery addressed to him. Kiki expresses her regret about missing out on his gathering, and Tombo offers her an exhilarating test ride on his bicycle-turned-flying machine, causing Kiki to develop feelings for him, although she remains put off by his friends.
However, Kiki soon faces a daunting challenge—the inability to understand Jiji and the loss of her flying skills, forcing her to temporarily halt her delivery business. In her time of need, Ursula visits and invites her to spend time at her house. The two share a bond, leading Ursula to recognize that Kiki’s struggles stem from a creative block, urging her to search for new inspiration to reclaim her powers.
An unexpected turn occurs when Kiki witnesses a televised airship accident, where Tombo bravely attempts to secure the dirigible amid strong winds. Spurred by a rush of determination, Kiki rushes to the scene, borrowing a broom from a local shopkeeper. With renewed confidence, she regains her flying abilities, successfully rescuing Tombo. Rejuvenated by this triumph, Kiki resumes her delivery service and joyfully writes a letter home to share that both she and Jiji are content in their new adventure.
Timeline
Kiki's Departure
Kiki, a spirited young witch, embarks on her journey towards independence, which is a significant rite of passage for witches. Alongside her is her charming talking black cat, Jiji, as they set off into the night with Kiki's broomstick in hand, determined to find a new town where she can establish herself.
Encounter with Another Witch
During her travels, Kiki encounters another witch and her cat, leading to a moment of self-reflection. This meeting provokes curiosity within Kiki about her own unique abilities as a witch and what sets her apart in the world.
Arrival in Koriko
Upon discovering the town of Koriko, Kiki finds herself in a bit of trouble when her flying disrupts traffic. Attracting the attention of a policeman, she is fortunately assisted by a friendly boy named Tombo, who helps her navigate this awkward situation.
Finding a Home
Kiki stumbles upon the Gutiokipanja bakery, which is run by the kind-hearted Osono and her husband, Fukuo. They offer her a room above the bakery, providing Kiki with a safe haven and initiating her journey into entrepreneurship with her own 'Witch Delivery Service.'
First Delivery Mishap
Excited about her new service, Kiki's first delivery involves a small stuffed toy that resembles Jiji. However, her delivery goes awry when a flock of crows attacks her, causing her to misplace the toy and leading Jiji to creatively pretend to be it until they can recover it.
Connection with Ursula
Kiki eventually finds the stuffed toy in the possession of a young artist named Ursula, who returns it after repairing it. This encounter marks the beginning of a significant friendship, providing Kiki an opportunity for support during her challenging times.
Tombo's Invitation
The next day, Tombo invites Kiki to join his aviation club, sparking her interest. However, her burgeoning schedule filled with deliveries and a sudden thunderstorm prevents her from attending, leading to missed opportunities for social interaction.
Kiki Falls Ill
Kiki falls ill after overexerting herself, leading to her absence from social gatherings. Osono compassionately looks after her, even arranging for Kiki to reconnect with Tombo through a special delivery, showing the bond they’ve formed.
The Bicycle Test Ride
Kiki's feelings for Tombo deepen when he offers her a thrilling test ride on his bicycle-turned-flying machine. Although she is captivated by this exhilarating experience, Kiki also feels slighted by Tombo's friends, which complicates her emotions.
A Creative Block
Kiki faces a serious challenge when she cannot communicate with Jiji or fly properly, which leads her to halt her delivery business. In her time of adversity, Ursula's invitation to visit her home helps Kiki confront her creative block and find new inspiration.
The Airship Accident
In an unexpected turn of events, Kiki witnesses a televised airship accident where Tombo heroically attempts to secure the dirigible against fierce winds. Motivated by a surge of determination, Kiki rushes to help him using a borrowed broom from a local shop.
Regaining Her Powers
With renewed confidence, Kiki successfully regains her flying abilities and rescues Tombo during the crisis. This moment of bravery revitalizes her spirit and reaffirms her identity as a witch.
Resumption of the Delivery Service
Following her triumphant rescue, Kiki joyfully resumes her delivery service. Her recent experiences imbue her with a sense of accomplishment and confidence, marking a new chapter in her journey.
Letter Home
Kiki writes a heartfelt letter to her mother to share her experiences and update her on her adventures. She expresses that both she and Jiji are content in Koriko, highlighting her growth and independence.
Characters
Kiki
Kiki is a spirited and determined young witch embarking on her journey of independence. Full of creativity and optimism, she faces challenges with resilience, learning the importance of connection and self-discovery along the way. Despite her occasional self-doubt, Kiki’s bravery and compassion shine through her adventures.
Jiji
Jiji is Kiki's charming talking black cat and her loyal companion. With a witty and playful personality, he often provides comic relief amid Kiki's challenges. Jiji's supportive nature and unique perspective help Kiki navigate her journey, enriching the narrative with both humor and heart.
Tombo
Tombo is a friendly boy who becomes an important part of Kiki's life in Koriko. His adventurous spirit and interest in aviation inspire Kiki, and he helps her overcome social obstacles. While he shows interest in Kiki, his enthusiasm for flying embodies the exploration of dreams and aspirations.
Ursula
Ursula is an artist who befriends Kiki and helps her during a time of struggle. With her understanding nature, she recognizes Kiki's creative block and encourages her to find inspiration. Ursula’s supportive friendship plays a pivotal role in Kiki's character growth.
Setting
Time period
The movie takes place in a contemporary setting, characterized by a blend of whimsical elements and everyday life. During this time, themes of independence and self-discovery are prominent as Kiki navigates the challenges of growing up and pursuing her dreams.
Location
Koriko
Koriko is a picturesque town where Kiki sets out to establish her new life. Known for its warm-hearted residents and charming bakeries, Koriko serves as the backdrop for Kiki’s entrepreneurial journey. It becomes a vibrant community where she learns to harness her unique abilities as a young witch.
Themes
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Independence
Independence is a central theme in Kiki's journey as she seeks to find her own place in the world. This rite of passage for young witches highlights the importance of self-reliance and personal growth. Kiki's experiences teach her that overcoming obstacles is essential to establishing her identity.
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Courage
Courage plays a significant role in Kiki's character development. Despite facing various challenges, from losing her flying skills to feeling overwhelmed by expectations, Kiki learns to summon her inner strength. Her determination to help others and regain confidence showcases the bravery inherent in growing up.
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Friendship
Friendship is beautifully depicted in Kiki's interactions with Jiji, Tombo, and Ursula. These relationships are crucial as they provide support during her struggles. Through her bonds with others, Kiki discovers the value of community and collaboration, which ultimately enriches her magical journey.
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