Kiki's Delivery Service is an
animated movie produced by
Studio Ghibli in 1989. Its
Japanese title was
Majou no Takuubin, or "Witch's Express Delivery". It concerns a young
witch named
Kiki who, as part of her
coming-of-age at 13, has to leave her
parents and find a place for herself in a different city for a year. Her only
magic ability is flying her
broom, which she still hasn't quite mastered, but undaunted, she leaves for
the big city and opens a
delivery service.
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this film is yet another that shows why he's the master. It's a touching, unselfconsious growing-up story, and manages to be sweet and cute without being stupid. Kiki's black cat, Jiji, is a character that Disney should study for their comic relief sidekicks.
All in all, another class act from Studio Ghibli.
It was rereleased in the United States by Disney in a direct-to-video move in 1998, and did quite well. Kirsten Dunst voiced Kiki, and the late Phil Hartman (in his last role!) did Jiji.