Figured I'd post my first review!
Kiki's Delivery Service was released in 1998 (that was over ten years ago!), and was one of the first anime films I had ever seen. Sure, I had seen plenty television episodes of various series, but this was the first anime full-length movie this otaku graced her eyes upon.
Like many quintessential magical girls, Kiki's story involves friendship, romance, and the quest of finding one's self, something that every person goes through. I had enjoyed the dubbed version, but I wanted to see the similarities and differences between the English and Japanese (especially since I've noticed that the Japanese version of things are much more in depth and complex than the cut and translated versions).
Kiki is a thirteen year old girl who decides on a whim to leave her home after hearing how great the weather will be that night on the radio. Her mother is a witch, although her father is not, and Kiki has inherited her mother's witch-like talents (her specialty being flying). Surprisingly, her parents are not as upset with her as I'm sure mine would have been; it's a tradition that a thirteen-year-old witch should leave home and find a new town to live in and offer her services as part of her training.
Kiki leaves her home with her cat Jiji, who provides the majority of the humor throughout the film. I did like his voice a LOT better than the dubbed version; it's way more cute and less harsh than the dubbed. After stopping to sleep for the night in a train, Kiki arrives at the town of Koriko, a gorgeous city overlooking the ocean.
Unfortunately, the townspeople of Koriko aren't used to witches, and Kiki nearly gets arrested by a police officer. She's saved by Tombo, a boy who loves airplanes and anything aeronautical, and despite her dislike of him, he's enchanted by her (aw, puppy love~).
Kiki eventually gets a job at a bakery, delivering packages for customers and helping around the shop in exchange for food and shelter. She meets a wide variety of characters: an old dog named Jeff, a reclusive painter named Ursula, and an old woman who only wants to be kind to her grandchildren and those who help her. All the while, Kiki is struggling with her purpose and what she wants to do, as well as trying to fit in with the other teens.
The film ends on a good note, with Kiki saving Tombo's life and becoming part of his group of friends.
This wasn't your usual coming-of-age film; it felt more like a movie that college kids could relate to more than children. We go off on our own, and are expected to know what we want out of life, but too many of us cave into the majority and just get a regular job. Having to develop a career and do what you're good at or love takes a lot of courage and work, and not a lot of people can understand that. I'm not sure if the emotions expressed in the conversation Kiki has with Ursula were included in the original novel (I highly doubt it, as it was a child's book), but you can tell that it's something Miyazaki and every other artisan has struggled with. Writer's block, artist's block, musician's block, whatever...we all encounter it eventually, and fight to overcome it.
For me, this film was more about finding yourself, and having the courage to follow your dreams and do what you're meant to do, regardless of what any one else may think about you. And I think, if that was the purpose of the story, then it was portrayed very well in this film.
