Kiki's Delivery Service

This is probably number two in my top three Studio Ghibli movies. Kiki's Delivery Service is about a young teenage witch who has to go out on her own for a year and learn all she can about becoming a witch - as well as finding her special talent. Along with her best friend, a cat named Jiji, Kiki makes her way out of her parents' house and heads to a city near the ocean.

Along the way she gets into some trouble, but is taken in by a couple, Osono (the wife) and the Baker (the husband, whose name we don't know), who are expecting their first child. She and Jiji make their home in the attic above the bakery shop that the couple own and she then takes up the job as their delivery girl since she can fly on her broom and get the job done faster than walking.

Kiki meets a young teenage boy named Tombo and at first doesn't like him, but they become friends over time as Kiki helps him with his flying bicycle. Along the way she also meets a woman by the name of Ursula and stays with her when she loses her magic for a period of time - and when she loses a present she has to deliver!

There are many misadventures that Kiki and Jiji get stuck with, and eventually Kiki loses her magic! She doesn't believe in herself anymore, and so her magic reflects that. She eventually can't talk to Jiji anymore, either! It's up for her to be able to find her inner strength and be able to do what she's meant to do - and set out to do - becoming a witch.

Now, I love this movie. It has a lot of great characters that you can't help but fall in love with, and like all of Hayao Miyazaki directed films, the scenery and characters themselves are very detailed and beautiful, drawing you in even more. The details for every person that is shown is remarkable as you usually see "cookie cutter" characters being used in anime, but each person had their own individual look.

The characters, especially Kiki and Jiji, are very easy to love and connect with. She goes through typical struggles any teen girl goes through: boy troubles, looking nice, getting things done, and following your dreams. Jiji is just her loveable cat companion who she talks with (he can speak to her like another human would, but not to others) and provides much comic relief in the movie.

Tombo, Osono, and even Osono's husband, who doesn't talk much, are loveable characters with much personality to go around. The character, Ursula, is also good to connect with because she keeps a firm stand on the ground and helps to bring joy back into Kiki's life when she loses hope.

All in all this is a great movie for any age to enjoy. The movie itself is rated G. Check out the trailer below to see if you'd want to see it yourself!