is a 1989 Japanese animated fantasy film written, produced, and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, and is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Eiko Kadono. It was animated by Studio Ghibli for Tokuma Shoten, Yamato Transport (which licensed the trademark for the film) and the Nippon Television Network. The Japanese version stars the voices of Minami Takayama, Rei Sakuma and Kappei Yamaguchi, while the 1998 English dub stars the voices of Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, and Matthew Lawrence. The story follows Kiki, a young witch who moves to the port city of Koriko in order to learn to be independent. While in the city, she meets Osono, who offers to let her stay in her bakery and earn a living by starting a flying courier service. She also interacts with the various citizens of Koriko, which includes a boy named Tombo.
The film was first conceptualized when Group Fudosha asked Kadono's publishers for the rights to the novel to be made into a feature film by either Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata in 1987. However, production began near the release of My Neighbor Totoro. Miyazaki would be chosen as producer, while he initially made Sunao Katabuchi as the director, although he would later take Sunao's place as director because of how much he was involved in the project. Because the original novel is based on a fictional northern European country, Miyazaki and his team traveled to places like Visby to research its landscape. Miyazaki would also alter the story of the original novel for his movie, adding new scenes to emphasize the theme of independence and growing up. According to Miyazaki, the movie portrays the gulf between independence and reliance among teenage Japanese girls.
The film was released in Japan on July 29, 1989, by the Toei Company. The film was the first released by Studio Ghibli to be successful in its initial release, grossing a total of ¥4.3 billion ($31 million). An English dub would be requested by Tokuma Shoten and be distributed by Streamline Pictures in 1989, and Walt Disney Pictures would also produce an English dub, which became the first film under a deal between Tokuma and Disney to be released in English. The film would receive critical acclaim and multiple awards.
Plot
Thirteen-year-old trainee witch Kiki leaves home with her talking black cat Jiji. She flies on her broomstick to the port city of Koriko. While trying to find somewhere to live, Kiki is pursued by Tombo, a geeky boy obsessed with aviation who admires her flying ability.
In exchange for accommodation, Kiki helps Osono, the kind owner of a bakery who is pregnant with her first child. She opens a business delivering goods by broomstick—the "Witch Delivery Service". Her first delivery goes poorly; she is caught in the wind and loses the black cat toy she is supposed to deliver. Jiji pretends to be the toy until Kiki can retrieve the real item. She finds it in the home of a young painter, Ursula, who repairs and returns it to Kiki so she can complete the delivery and rescue Jiji.
Kiki accepts a party invitation from Tombo, but is delayed by her work and, exhausted, falls ill. When she recovers, Osono clandestinely arranges for Kiki to see Tombo again by assigning her a delivery addressed to him. After Kiki apologizes for missing the party, Tombo takes her for a test ride on the flying machine he is working on fashioned from a bicycle. Kiki warms up to Tombo but is intimidated by his friends, so she walks home.
Kiki becomes depressed and discovers she can no longer understand Jiji, who has befriended a pretty white cat named Lilly. She has also lost her flying ability and is forced to suspend her delivery business. Kiki has a surprise visit from Ursula, who determines that Kiki's crisis is a form of artist's block. Ursula suggests that if Kiki can find a new purpose, she will regain her powers.
While Kiki is visiting a customer, she witnesses an airship accident on television. A strong gust leaves Tombo hanging from a rope in mid-air. Kiki regains her flying power and manages to rescue him. She recovers her confidence, resumes her delivery service, and writes a letter home saying that she and Jiji are happy.