Kiki's Delivery Service Reviews

• Beautiful, uplifting, and yes, magical.

  
  By AUS2EQT4NU3BF on 2003-01-16
  I used to believe that Anime was nothing but sex and violence -- stuff for grown-ups only. However, I take it back. And I owe it to this cute little gem called KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE that really turned me around for the better. It introduced me to arguably one of the greatest animators of all time, Hayao Miyazaki, who happens to be dubbed as the Walt Disney of Japan. Having since seen virtually ALL of his films, from CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO to SPIRITED AWAY, I can see why he is such a highly acclaimed artist -- his works (and I mean every one of them) are a stroke of genius.
  
  KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE may have been my first real exposure to Miyazaki, but this happens to be the director's fifth film, which was the highest grossing movie of its year in Japan. Adapted from a children's book by Eiko Kadono (which is to be released in America as of this writing), the film is not a typical good-versus-evil conflicted, dysfunctional story but a gentle, character-driven story with endearing characters, beautiful artistry, and a strong, positive message about confidence and independence that are quite encouraging for all, from the youngest of children to the oldest at heart. (On a side note, it persuaded me to get some exercise! The "fat, fat, FAT!!!" line did it for me.)
  
  The story is about 13-year old Kiki, an adorable witch-in-training, who, on one moonlit night, leaves her hometown to seek her independence and fortune. She's accompanied by her wisecracking and hilarious pet black cat, Jiji, and a little wobbly when it comes to takeoffs and landings while maneuvering her broomstick. Kiki arrives at a luxurious town with an ocean view where she eventually finds work at a bakery run by the generous Osono and her silent, gruff husband. There, she starts a high-flying delivery service which opens up many new relationships for the budding witch -- including a friendly painter, Ursula, a kind old woman, Madame, and a boy named Tombo, who dreams of flying.
  
  The above synopsis may sound dull, but KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE certainly is not. It is a joy to watch from start to finish as we see Kiki slowly grow up and learn to have faith in herself, especially when her powers begin to fade away toward the end of the movie. It's engrossing enough to keep one's attention and there are a number of tear-jerking moments that make it more than just a movie. This is a characteristic you'll only be able to find in Miyazaki, and KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE "delivers" a wonderful movie which shows that movies don't have to be about overcoming evil or action-packed or angst-ridden to be entertaining.
  
  In 1996, Disney struck a deal with Studio Ghibli, Miyazaki's studio, to distribute the director's movies worldwide. KIKI was their first release. It proved to be a very successful release when it was released to video on September of 1998; it sold over a million copies in the US - a record for any Anime video. But since then, the movie has been out of print, and there was never a DVD release. Recently, however, Disney has given this movie its first ever DVD release in America (debuting alongside CASTLE IN THE SKY and SPIRITED AWAY).
  
  The movie was originally dubbed into English by Carl Macek of Streamline Pictures, but Disney redubbed the movie for its initial release with an all-star cast that did a truly excellent job with their roles. Thirteen-year-old Kirsten Dunst is perfect as Kiki, eliciting just the right touch of cuteness, spunkiness, independence, and poignancy to her role. The other actors, which include Debbie Reynolds (Madame), Tress MacNeille - of TINY TOONS and ANIMANIACS fame - (Osono), Jeanane Garofolo (Ursula), and Matthew Lawrence (Tombo), give similarly superb performances. Of the actors, however, it is the late Phil Hartman's witty, sarcastic take on Jiji that steals the show. He added in some new dialogue and proved to be so good at his role that he actually expanded the character. I swear, I just cannot get enough laughs every time I hear his lines. ("First, don't panic! Second, don't panic! And THIRD, did I mention not to panic?!?") The opening and ending songs were replaced by two gorgeous, rollicking numbers from Sydney Forest, but even they seem to suit the story wonderful. In fact, I find myself bouncing to them every time they pop up over the opening and closing credits of the show.
  
  If you've missed your opportunity to catch this wonderful movie, then now's your chance to experience it. Either way, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE is a gem that should not be missed and deserves to be well-known in America as it is in Japan. I highly -- and I do mean VERY HIGHLY -- recommend it.
  
  

• A film that everyone will enjoy. As delightful as they come!

  
  By A1YWUPCT83WY48 on 2004-03-15
  It's great that Americans are finally discovering the dazzling animation of Japanese genius Hayao Miyazaki (whose film "Spirited Away" won the award for Best Animated Film in 2003), and that Disney has started to release excellent DVD editions of his films with both Japanese and English language options. Miyazaki's 1989 film "Kiki's Delivery Service" ("Majo no takkyubin" in Japanese; literally "Witch's Express Mail") is his most easily accessible and the best place to start in watching his movies. "Kiki's Delivery Service" is an honest-to-goodness `family' film. Children will adore it, and adults will find themselves enchanted with its charm, delightful characters, and the sheer beauty of the animation. I once watched the film with a room of twenty and thirty year-olds, a few young children, and an 84 year-old woman, and everybody LOVED it and cheered the heroine on at the end. Simply put, there are few films out there that are as loveable and likable as this.

  In terms of story, it's an odd film: there's not much in the way of `plot.' The film depends strongly on its heroine and the way she learns from the world and the people around her as she grows up. Kiki is a thirteen-year-old witch in training who leaves her home to start her required period of living on her own to discover her talents. Kiki and her cat sidekick Jiji jet out on her broom to a city (vaguely European, with traces of Paris, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam) and settle down at a friendly baker's shop, where Kiki establishes her own broom-powered delivery service (look out, Fed-Ex!). The story follows her troubles and joys, such as her friendship with a local boy inventor Tombo, her meeting with nature-loving artist Ursula, the tricks and difficulties of making deliveries, and the possible loss of her powers when she starts to lose belief in herself. It all climaxes in a thrilling action sequence that Superman would be proud of.

  The movie leaps from wonderful sequence to wonderful sequence: Kiki's passionate farewell to her parents, her first flight over the city, Tombo's wild ride on his experimental flying bike, a dangerous flight through a flock of birds, the action-packed finale, and the many terrific meetings between Kiki and other charming characters. Watching Kiki learn and grow will have an affect on children young and old: everybody can take something away from the lessons Kiki learns about herself. And of course, the animation is dazzling; not only the sweeping visuals, but the nuances of the characters' expressions and movements.

  The DVD offers the film in English and Japanese (oh, and Spanish too). If you watch the film in Japanese, you have the choice to watch it with two different sets of subtitles. One set is a literal translation of the Japanese script. The second are taken directly from the English version, and therefore have a distinctly "American" feel to them. I recommend when watching the Japanese version to stick with the literal subtitles. Since the English dub of the film often adds extra lines to characters (especially Jiji), it can be confusing to see subtitles pop up when nobody is speaking.

  The Americanized dubbed version, however, is fantastic as well, and done with great respect and intelligence. The voice cast is superb: Kirsten Dunst as Kiki, Janeane Garofola as Ursula, and Debbie Reynolds as sweet old Miss Dora. But the scene-stealer is the late Phil Hartman as Kiki's smart-aleck cat companion, Jiji. Hartman is hysterical in every scene, totally nailing down the character, and his performance is a bittersweet reminder of what a great comedian we lost with his premature death. If you're going to watch the film with children or a large, general group of people, stick with the English version. It's quite an achievement, and just as enjoyable as the Japanese version.

  There are some extras, although a lot less than you would expect for a 2-DVD set. John Lassiter (director of "Toy Story") introduces the film, and there's a short documentary about the English language actors. The second disc contains the whole film in storyboard and rough sketch form: this will really only be of interest to animators and hardcore Miyazaki fans.

  Every family should have "Kiki's Delivery" service in their library, although the adults may find themselves returning to it as much as the children; and it's a great introduction to Miyazaki. Make sure you also watch "Castle in the Sky," "Spirited Away," and "Princess Mononoke" (the last one isn't really for kids, however).
  
  

• Kiki Delivers

  
  By A3VQYLZEQGAWOC on 2000-02-25
  Face it: any kids' video you buy will be watched over and over, mostly in your presence. You want to choose carefully, since you will be spending so much quality time with this video. Kiki's Delivery Service won't disappoint you. This sweet, gentle movie is a coming-of-age story about Kiki, a 13-year-old witch-in-training. As part of said training, she is required to spend a year away from home practicing her craft. Her subsequent adventures are the subject of this endearing film by Japanese anime director Hayao Miyazaki. The animation is splendid, the casting mostly inspired (Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Debbie Reynolds, and even the late Phil Hartman as the voice of Kiki's companion cat). Unlike the standard Disney fare, this movie has no violence, no sex, no profanity, and not even a dysfunctional family.

  The themes of Kiki's Delivery Service are noble ones. There are far worse ways to spend a few hours (or a few dozen) than watching a young girl make friends and gain self-confidence, especially one as appealing as Kiki. Buy yourself an extra copy of this video. When you wear the first one out watching it by yourself, you'll need the spare to placate the kids.
  
  

• FIVE STARS IS NOT ENOUGH FOR THIS MASTERPIECE

  
  By on 1998-11-18
  When this movie came out on video, I had heard that it was an animated classic from Japan. Since I had just recently gotten into anime, I decided to check it out. What I wound up seeing would turn out to be one of my favorite films of all time (and, believe me, that's no small order!)! The film is about a young witch-in-training (Kiki) who goes out into the world to learn her craft. Along the way, with the help of her trusty black cat (Jiji) and the many people she meets, Kiki learns that magic comes from the heart. The animation on this production is, in my opinion, simply the best there is, even compared to more modern, domestic releases. The English dub for this version (Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, et al.) is incredible. And, most important, the story is absolutely PERFECT for anyone; the child, the child-at-heart, the full grownup, you name it! Since I first saw this film, I've been recommending "Kiki's Delivery Service" to just about everyone I know; even my parents (I think Mom is leaning towards my side!). This is my first introduction to the works of Studio Ghibli and of director Hayao Miyazaki; more of their creations are supposed to be released in the future, including a theatrical release of "Princess Mononoke" next year. If you get the idea that I'm all set for these to come out, YOU'RE RIGHT! In the meantime, "Kiki's Delivery Service" is way, WAY Up There on my play list!
  
  

• I love this movie, but...

  
  By A39T2UNHZK0D4P on 2003-04-30
  I'm a japanese Miyazaki's fan, and I watched this movie in English today... I was really surprised by Jiji's voice which is like old guy, and he speaks too much. He is not like that in Japanese version. Who chose that voice for Jiji? Who changed his lines? That was really terrible. Another thing that i noticed was music and lines. I don't know why Disney put a lot of additional music and lines, which don't exsist in original. some lines are completely changed. I believe the one of best things of Miyazaki's movie is silent, so I felt those music and lines disturbs many good scenes. I thought this movie(I mean English version) is too much Americanized. If you want to watch real Miyazaki's work, please watch in Japanese with English subtitle, and also you will know additional lines in English ver. However, unfortunately, subtitle is not good enough to show Japanese expression. Those are all Disney's problems. Anyway, I just wanted tell evertbody that English version of Kiki's delivery service is different as original.
  
  
• what is wrong with Buena Vista?
  By A3SUCX5PAKB6CQ on 2000-05-14
  Do they think that american audience cannot watch a movie inits whole integrity without modification and alteration to it? Thejapanese do not do that to american movies so why should we? Do weneed to exerce our american imperialism on everything (it was awful years ago when they truncated some of Nausicaa's scenes)? They may tell that it is because it is aimed at children, but that is not true at all, it is for all the generations. My two star-rating is justified by the fact that KDS is my favorite movie and anime (because sometimes we are Kiki, look at the different angles used, we have some scenes from her point of view)and I cannot stand the american english dubbing. For me, a masterpiece stays a masterpiece when it stays true to its original. In my opinion the american version does not respect the aura of the original. I watched it yesterday while babysitting five kids and boy, it was torture. Having seen the original hundreds of time, I could not recognize the characters I grew to admire. I do not need famous actors to dub a movie, I need actors competent enough to give me a felling of "deja-vu". Kiki, in the original version, does not act japanese, she acts like a european countryside young girl of the mid-50's: respectful, naive, unsecure and still cheerful. The Kiki voiced by Dunstan acts american (the script is at some point typically modern american: do you need to use the word "cop" instead of "policeman"?)and speaks the way american teenagers speak today. I am just like where is "dulce y gentil" Kiki? Furthermore, the choice of Hartman (excuse my spelling) for the part of Jiji is inadequate. ... the character of Jiji completely changed and there I was, watching another movie or let's say a TV sitcom: Sabrina the witch. Jiji and Sabrina' s black cat have nearly the same sarcastic attitude and mature voice. KDS' silent moments filled with artificial music (some being similar to the magic and spell music effect of STW) put me off. They have put Hisaishi's music to the second rank. First of all I could not hear it well so much it was lowered. In the original, it is played loud enough so that it sets the mood for a specific scene (Fox did the same with my neighbor Totoro: compare the versions of the scene of the growing tree). Imagine the impact on me: the emotion I felt was different. All in all, I gave two stars to the american english dubbed version because I think: 1)it is good that we have now the opportunity to let our children dream and be aware of such a marvellous piece of animation, 2) Buena Vista had the courtesy to release it in its original and true version, well subtitled. Please Buena Vista, for Laputa and Porco Rosso, stay true to the original, I do not need to feel at home in a movie, quite on the contrary, I want to be transported in another time, another place, another magic world, I need to feel all the culture difference. I can only get all of these when I watch a movie in the original spirit it was conceived (Even Miramax did a better job with Princess Mononoke).
  
  
• A beautiful, heartwarming story for the whole family!
  By A38XRBTKOV9DP3 on 2002-02-27
  As a fan of Japanese animation in general, I own alot of anime movies that are not child friendly. Being the mother of 2, I wanted to find an anime that would expose my children to the beauty and wonder of Japanese style animation, but with a story that had appropriate content for thier ages. Kiki's Delivery Service does that.

  It's a wonderful story about a young girl who happens to be a witch. It's about how she must discover herself, through the kindness of others, and find that her strength and confidence come from within, not from her magic.

  This is a truely magical story, with stunning animation. If you've never seen the original Japanese version, you won't miss anything. Having never seen the original version, my children and I have fallen in love with this movie, and never tire of watching it. And as an added bonus, unlike American made animated flicks which only give you an hour and a half, Kiki's Delivery Service is a full two hours of quality entertainment!

  Enjoy!!!
  
  

• Not only a great film, but a DVD treasure
  By A302HEZ30DAKOU on 2003-06-29
  Hayao Miyazaki (better known in America for "Princess Mononoke" and "Spirited Away") produced "Kiki's Delivery Service" before either of those films, and by their standards, it might seem tame. However, I rank this at the top of the list of children's films I have seen (a long list, with a 3 year old!), for a myriad of reasons. It is appropriate for even the youngest kids, although its gorgeous animation style and well-paced story will keep adults intrigued as well.

  The 13 year old witch Kiki must, in accordance with tradition, set out for a year on her own to hone a special witching skill. She departs her hometown and her family with her best friend, the traditional black cat Jiji, and finds herself in a seaside city that is reminiscent of both Europe and Japan. This acultural locale is just the first of dozens of breathtaking imaginative achievements; Kiki faces trials along the way that are neither fantastical nor pedestrian. If you accept Miyazaki's universe at its face value, nothing that happens in the film seems the least bit unlikely.

  Owning the film on DVD really opened my eyes - both to the incredible detail in the art, and to the original film as compared to its Disney-produced American version. Kirsten Dunst and Phil Hartman provide the voices of Kiki and Jiji in the American version, and they both do extremely well - but the "traveler and sidekick" Disney formula has been applied to something where it did not originally exist! I saw the film first on the Disney channel and thoroughly enjoyed Hartman's performance as the somewhat neurotic Jiji. However, the DVD contains the original Japanese language track with English subtitles, and the Jiji of Miyazaki's film is a calm and sparingly-employed counterfoil to Kiki's experiences. Note how rarely Jiji is in the frame when Hartman is speaking, or the occasional cases where Jiji speaks but his mouth does not move - all additions of Disney.

  One of the most beautiful things about this film in its original version is its willingness to be silent - to be about a young girl and her cat, alone in a new place, without a constant patter of dialogue. They are allowed to simply "be". Later adaptations of Miyazaki's work for American audiences have been more respectful of this element of his stories. Finally, with this DVD, we have the opportunity to see Kiki as she was meant to be seen.
  
  

• BRILLIANT - BUT NOT IN ENGLISH
  By on 2003-04-15
  Since no one has reviewed the DVD yet, I'll chime in and say that this film has instantly become one of my favorite animated films of all time. Hayao Mayazaki is the real deal - everything about this film shows how bankrupt Disney and other animated films have become. And the real proof of it is in the Disney English version - everything is made crass and obvious (the voice talent is fine - it's the adaptation that's the problem), every sequence where Mayazaki has let silence be as beautiful as his animation has been rescored by Paul Chihara (who should know better), they've added an insipid pop song and they've made cuts in the film. All the scenes where they've Americanized the onscreen text look like like tenth generation dupes. Phil Hartman was a very funny man, but what they've done to the cat in the American version is reprehensible - it's just typical Disney and not anything to do with Mayazaki. So, the trick is, watch the film in Japanese with English subtitles - you will be moved to tears by the end of it, you will be enthralled with its subtleties and you will be in awe of its gorgeous imagery. Then watch the Disney version and you will know exactly what I'm talking about. Anyone who has only seen the American version, doesn't have a clue about the wonders of this simple, heartfelt and wonderful film. Buy it, watch it, but first in Japanese. Trust me on this.
  
  
• A Breezy Adventurous Ride
  By A2F9AGLWLR7PFN on 2001-10-10
  Kiki's Delivery Service, by my favorite anime creator Hayao Miyazaki, is excellent and perfect for carrying a hidden message underneath the light weight action and drama. Kiki is a thirteen year old witch-in-training. As is customs, she is sent to live by herself in a city. Kiki chooses a delightful European city bustling with buzz. She makes an impression on the townfolk by blowing in with a broomstick, along with her wisecracking cat, Gigi. She searches for a job, and finds one as a delivery girl for a local bakery. Kiki encounters what all teenagers go through: insecurity, loneliness, boredom, and eventually loses her greatest talent--flying. From that experience, she learns from a former struggling artist that you need to do what you love from the heart.
  Voice acting is brilliant. Kirsten Dunst sounds believable as Kiki, and Phil Hartman is hilarious as Gigi. Unlike other animes, the voices aren't too squeaky or sound really stupid.
  Also, there is a great message, as I mentioned earlier, underneath this movie. There are wonderful role models and rememberable characters that will stay in your heart, whether you like it, or not.
  
  
• Kiki is Kawaii
  By A3B249FQ2OJBCQ on 2003-01-02
  "Kiki's Delivery Service" is another great movie by the great anime director Hayao Miyazaki. Kiki is a 13-year old girl who's also a witch. Following tradition, she must set out on the night of a full moon to a town (with no witches I gather) and begin her training away from home -- to learn her skills.

  This movie is unique in that there are no bad guys. It is simply a story of a young girl, her cat Jiji, and her coming to the threshold of womanhood. So she has her first "romance" with one of the local boys who's into flying and really digs Kiki because she can fly on a broom. The romance is sweetly done and is nothing more than the romances many of us had at 12-13 -- totally innocent.

  I've not yet seen the Japanese version (though I plan to), so I don't know how well of a job at translation Disney did. I hear it is pretty good though. Certainly, the English dub is very good -- maybe some of the best for anime. Phil Hartman is perfect in the role of Jiji the black cat. There are a few areas where I suspect things didn't translate as well, but that's to be expected since there are things in the Japanese language that don't translate well into English.

  My only problem with the movie is that it really feels rushed at the end. So the ending wasn't very satisfying. However, seeing scenes through the credits (especially of Jiji) helped ease my pain (if you will).

  Bottom line: This is a great kid's movie and one that adults will enjoy as well.
  
  

• SOMEONE SAVE ME FROM JOHN LASSETER!!!!!!!!!!!!
  By A5VI800QMKE8 on 2004-09-04
  first of all, let me be very clear. this is NOT a review of the film "kiki's delivery service". the film undoubtedly deserves five stars but this dvd certainly doesnt.
  
  just couldnt believe it.....i had been watching kiki in its original japanese version for quite sometime and i was absolutely delighted to get a region1 dvd of it with an english track. after watching beautifully dubbed "princess mononoke" my expectations were high but they were all shattered the very moment it started. i was disappointed beyond words to see this sub par-dvd release of such a great film from the greatest animation director hayao miyazaki. what an insult!
  
  the character of jiji was completely lost because of its english voice. it just didnt make sense (after watching it in japanese). all those additional dialogues given to him were rather annoying.
  
  i never expected this one. another big blow came while watching it in japanese track (YES!!!). disney has even changed the song which comes during the end credits. though its in japanese but the tune of this new song has been matched with the same terrible pop song that disney has used in its english track. it was a sheer disappointment as i was so madly fond of that original japanese song played during the end credits! i'm sure, those who have seen the original japanese version know what i'm talking about. i'm sure disney got it recomposed (remember what they did to the english track of "laputa:castle in the sky"?). even in the japanese version, all the end credits were in english too!! ALSO THIS END PART HASNT BEEN DIGITALLY MASTERED AS YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE LOTS OF GRAINS AND POOR PICTURE QUALITY!!!!
  
  lets now look at the extras given in this so called "2disc special edition" release.
  
  it would have been really sensible to add the storyboards of the film on the first disc alongwith the film. giving one disc extra just for the boards doesnt make any sense, that too when there's no angle feature given to switch between the film and boards.
  
  other "extras" on disc one include the ever annoying jahn lasseter's introduction, which you just cant skip and have to bear everytime you see the film. WHAT A TORTURE, INDEED!!! another extra "behind the microphone", features the actors behind the english language track. it has absolutely nothing to do with the making of the film. that too after listening to the terrible english language track, i'm sure none would be interested in knowing how it was done.
  
  it would have been highly appreciated, if disney had included some real good old stuff showing studio ghibli and miyazaki san work!! something like "nippon tv special" which they have included in the extras of spirited away dvd. or at least the same feature on "the painting of ursula' which is available on the japanese dvd release of this film by buena vista itself.
  
  also, watching it in japanese was a real pain as the menus are not quite user friendly. this was never expected from a buena vista dvd. come on disney, grow up! we all know you can never produce something like this or anything that studio ghibli has ever done. insulting these films wont help. its about time the people at disney learnt a lesson or two to respect and honour studio ghibli-miyazaki films rather than just showing off on their own disney special edition dvds (mr lasseter listening??).
  
  lastly here's a very small suggestion for mr john lasseter. if you are so madly in love with yourself, you dont have to show up on every ghibli film that disney releases. disney releases enough of their own titles that can fulfill your desire to be on camera. you dont have to ruin every such film and the viewer's mood right at the very beginning.
  
  
• A review NOT written by an anime fan
  By A2WZON0QPX7C9X on 2003-02-10
  Okay I'll admit it. I've never really been into anime. Although I recognize it as a good form of art and I often admire some of the illustrations I've seen, it's just never been my thing. TV series such as Pokemon just make me roll my eyes and I find the more adult-oriented programs to be a bit too violent. Since I had never really liked the anime I've been exposed to, I thought that I wouldn't be into any kind of anime. Kiki's delivery service proved this little theory wrong.

  Kiki is a witch and like all witches, at 13 she decides to leave home and create a life for herself using her magic. Unfortunately things don't go as smoothly as she plans. When it comes to flying on her broom she's not too good at landings and takeoffs. People aren't all that accepting of witches away from home. And she doesn't have any real special talents as a witch, besides of course flying. Still she had her little black cat Jiji, are going to hit it big. She comes up with the idea of creating a delivery service where she will fly deliveries on her broom. This of course is easier said then done. And as she fumbles through her delivers Kiki faces other problems. She's dealing with her first crush on a unique boy named Tombo that lives in the city she's come to. And she's also dealing with the fact that, as a witch, she doesn't really fit in with the rest of the kids her age. What will happen to Kiki?

  I've always been a fan of kids movies and I found Kiki's delivery service to be great. The idea is original and I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of the things that inspired JK Rowling to create the wizard phenomenon, Quidditch. The characters are all very amusing, especially Jiji the black cat. I'm not sure if I will ever really get into anime, like I said it's not really my thing, but I wouldn't say no to seeing another film by this talented director Hayao Miyazaki. I would recommend this book to movie goers of any age and also to people who are into anime, and people who, like me, aren't really. It's a five star movie!
  
  

• An Excellent Film for the Whole Family
  By A3FXT4UPI30K7S on 2001-11-16
  This classic animated film is the kind of movie that will be treasured for years to come by the whole family. I was enchanted by it's fun-loving, kind-hearted spirit and outstanding animation. The plot of this film revolves around the coming-of-age of a young girl witch named "Kiki", who flies away from her parents to make a go of making a living in a village far from her home.

  With only her pet cat coming with her, Kiki's adventure provides girls and boys with a positive message about having confidence in oneself. Kiki meets new friends when she arrives in her new town where she must figure out what kind of work she can do that people need. She creates a magical delivery service (bringing things fast by broom), and faces the kind of real-life ups and downs we can all relate to. Best of all, Kiki finds out that people love her for just for who she is, even when she's not feeling her best.

  The cinematography in this film is first-rate, and the easy-going pace of the story is a real treat. There aren't any real villains in this film, and so watching this movie is a lot like taking a relaxing vacation.
  
  

• DVD Review
  By A2K97HCY2OLW61 on 2003-12-28
  Kiki's Delivery Service is another masterwork in the canon of the greatest animation director in the world, Hayao Miyazaki. Disney's DVD presentation gives the picture an absolutely beautiful transfer, but is extremely spare in terms of extras. The film is a wonderful family film filled with innocence and charm. Someone said cynicism is the death of art and Kiki is a breath of fresh air to the cynical sarcasm of today's entertainment. The only drawback to the film is that some might find the film a ridiculous fantasy in regard to our violent modern world. As a college student I have found it hard to sell a film to my peer that concerns a teenage witch delivering gifts to friendly townspeople. Much of my generation will be turned off by the content. Even fans of Miyazaki might be put off in the difference between Kiki and Mononoke or Spirited Away. Others including myself love the film and continue to be touched by the universal feelings and details that Miyazaki evokes.

  Picture quality on the DVD release is amazing. The gorgeous print of Miyazaki's breathtaking animation makes this one of the best looking DVDs in my collection. It has to be seen to be believed. The picture's aspect ratio is kept in 1:85:1, giving limited black for small tv users.
  I'm not a sound expert but it sounded just fine. I don't have a home theater set-up, so I can't judge the audio. The Japanese track is vastly superior if only for the original Japanese version of the catching opening and the extremely different vocal performance of Jiji. This track is not in 5.1. The english dub features several celebrities and is fine, but stick with the Japanese. I guess there is Spanish, but I don't remember it being an option on the storyboard disc. The menu design is annoying in that you cannot switch the audio or subs on the fly. You have to go back to the menu and then resume play. Yellow subs are within the frame, not in black. This is good for widescreen tvs, but on my regular tv, it tends to blend with the image and cover stuff.

  Extras is the weak spot on the disc. Lasseter's intros were cool the first time I heard one, but get tiring after more than one Miyazaki film. The film starts with Lasseter's comment if you change to Japanese and select "resume film" to start. The english cast interviews are nothing special, accept for a brief appearance of Toshio Suzuki and a very very young and cute Kirsten Dunst. Be sure to pause and catch the Jiji robe she wears in one scene!
  I didn't finish watching the Japanese trailers, they run one after another, mostly clips with limited Japanese ad flair. Disc Two only has the storyboarding of the whole film with both soundtracks. The storyboards are more completely drawn then other Miyasaki films, but you cannot switch angles to a film comparison which made the Spirited Away disc interesting.
  A total masterpiece of animation, Disney's disc has a mind blowing picture transfer with limited extras.
  Highly recomended.
  
  

• "Kiki" May Not Quite Deliver Depending On How You View Miyazaki
  By A3C6X0DAM87GN4 on 2005-06-28
  Depending on how you view the work of Hayao Miyazaki your reaction to this film could be quite mixed. Some may feel it is another example of Miyazaki's genius. A film that is accessible to children as well as adults. Others may view it as a charming, sweet disappointment. I belong to the latter.
  
  Many people feel Miyazaki (and I am one of them) is one of the greatest animators of all time. What I personally enjoy about his films is the fact his work is more complex then say a Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny cartoon. Mickey and Bugs always remain cartoon characters. We can not relate to them because they do not inhabit our world. Those cartoons are specifically designed for children. Miyazaki on the other hand creates more than just cartoon characters. He simply creates characters. They are complex people. They are motivated by the same emotions as we are and face dilemmas we can understand. Children may enjoy these films but it would be for completely different reasons than adults, who will be able to fully understand what his work is about.
  
  If anyone other than Miyazaki had made this film I would be recommending it. But my failure to do so is not done out of spite, instead it is done out of affection, as odd as that may sound. Because I think Miyazaki has made films that have been far more complex "Kiki's Delivery Service" comes off as "too simple". It doesn't dwell as deeply as some of his other films in offering a social or even slightly political message. "Kiki's Delivery Service" though is made in the tradition of previous Disney classics. And from what I have seen by Miyazaki it is his most accessible to children.
  
  The story is about a young witch, Kiki (voiced in the American version by Kirsten Dunst) who having turned 13 must now leave home and spend a year on her own so she can develop her special powers. She travels to a new town with her cat (Phil Hartman) where she is greeted somewhat coldly. The fact that she literally flies into town does not impress anyone but instead frightens them. Kiki meets a boy, Tombo (Matthew Lawrence) who is fascinated by her, especially the fact that she can fly on a broom since he is interested in aviation. Because of her powers Kiki opens a delivery service working in a bakery.
  
  The movie's message is you should always believe in yourself because when you doubt yourself you can lose your ability to help people. When you believe in yourself you can accomplish anything.
  
  "Kiki's Delivery Service" has all the traits that make a Miyazaki film memorable as well. There is the precocious female character, aviation, and of course magic.
  
  I think I've given you a fair description of the plot and have expressed why I don't think the movie is better than Miyzaki's other works. So it is now up to you to decide if you want to see it. If you have children they will like this movie, and I'll bet you will to. If you've never heard of Miyazaki you may also enjoy the film because if for any other reason, you won't be able to compare it to anything else he has made. Even I have to admit I liked the film. ** 1/2 out of *****
  
  p.s. I would also like to take the time out and tell you if you haven't seen his lastest film "Howl's Moving Castle" please do so. It is not only Miyazaki's best film, but it is also the greatest animated film I have ever seen.
  
  Bottom-line: Enjoyable if slight Hayao Miyazaki film that doesn't quite seem as complex as his other films. From what I have seen from Miyazaki though it is probably his most accessible to children. It is made in the great tradition of Disney cartoons.
  
  
• Magic indeed!
  By A2D0PI4CACTE7I on 2000-03-30
  I have a confession to make. I'm 40 years old and my wife bought this for me for my birthday because I love animation, and because Roger Ebert spoke well of it in his reviews. My wife and Roger Ebert were not wrong. I sat spellbound for the whole film. There is so much to like about this film that it is hard to know where to begin praising it. The animation is exquisite, with attention to tiny details in every scene. The characters are believable and appealing. The American voice actors are exactly right for the parts they play, in particular the late Phil Hartman as JiJi the cat and Janeane Garofalo as the artist Ursula. Of course Kirsten Dunst voices Kiki exactly the right way. The storyline is as strong as the animation, and this video will reward multiple viewings on all levels. Note the details in the animation, as in the dust blowing off the street when Kiki takes off, or Kiki using her feet to bounce her off buildings when she tries her unsteady flying skills. Pay attention to Ursula, the independent, strong and yet kind female artist, who manages to be a great character and a terrific role model, as is Kiki herself, capturing the experience of being 13 without cloying sentimentalism or straining the imagination. Look at the town she settles in and note the details of this mix of all the cities in the world. Wiccans and pagans can also note that this video presents a very positive view of witchcraft and witches, unlike so many other movies that attempt to deal with magic. The storyline is involving and compelling, and oddly enough, quite realistic in the way the characters interact and express themselves. No matter whether you're 4, 14, 24, or 40, this is an unqualifiedly great movie and a masterful work of the animator's art. I would recommend this movie without hesitation to anyone. Any movie that has both witches and zeppelins in it can't go wrong with me, but I know that this movie will appeal to anyone with heart and imagination.
  
  
• There isn't a word great enough to describe this movie.
  By A8K2K0RK5M7K6 on 2001-11-18
  This movie will make you drteam about it for years. Five stars isn't even close to what I'd give it. It just touches your heart and warms you up when you watch it. It truly is a magical movie that's IMPOSSIBLE to forget. I mean, words can't even describe the marvoulous sceneries and the cartooning is absolutely amazing. I could watch this movie 20 times and still be going strong. It completely enthralled me with it's fantasy world, and it makes you want to jump inside the movie and fly on a broomstick. The story is about a 13 year-old girl named Kiki who travels from her calm village to a beautiful port city by the ocean to train to become a witch. She arrives in the town flyng wildly on her broomstick with her talking black cat, Jiji.
  A peaceful bakery shop owner named Osono takes Kiki in and gives her a room to stay in. Soon, she begins a delivery service for the bakery, flying on her broom to peoples houses.
  While delivering, she meets a curious boy named Tombo about her age and it's questionable as to whether they like each other or not. She also meets a remote painter in the woods and become great friends. After some time living in this town, though, Kiki finds herself losing her ability to fly. In the end, Kiki has to muster up all of her strength and willpower to save Tombo's life. Find out what happens by watching it yourself!
  
  
• I'm sure it's me but ...
  By A12XZNDMOYRVR5 on 2003-02-01
  OK, I have this video that my 3 year old daughter absolutely loves, and quite probably can't live without. I swear, I've seen it more than 100 times, and I still have no clue what the point of the movie is. I'm just not getting it. I'm not trying to offend anyone with this, but it just seems to go on and on and on with an insipid dialogue that doesn't really lead anywhere - though admittedly, the animation is great. I'm a great fan of Kirsten Dunst, and I also own Princess Mononoke and I love it - so it isn't the voice-over, Miyazaki (or anime!) that I have a problem with. Sorry, but I can't give this better than one star.
  
  
• Japanese language track with subtitles better than English
  By AX4MW28QO9RE9 on 2003-06-30
  First off, I would like to say that I give the Japanese track 5 stars. It is heart-warming and would be great for kids - provided that they could keep up with the subtitles, of course - and adults. However, I gave the DVD three stars because when Disney dubbed this, they decided to change the dialogue more than was necessary to match the lip-flaps. Jiji the cat became more sarcastic and negative. Disney added many lines for him where there weren't any in the original, which did not add anything to the movie and made him seem more unpleasant. Many of the minor characters also became ruder. A truck driver yells angrily at Kiki when he said nothing in Japanese, and a little boy calls a present he gets "dumb." The kid was a bit annoying in the original, but he's really a brat in the English-dubbed version. I'm not a parent, but I know that many parents would show this to their kids. The changes don't make the movie terribly unpleasant, my 12-year-old sister enjoyed it, but I find it rather irresponsible of Disney to purposely change a movie to be less kid-friendly and happy than it was originally, especially when the movie is targeted at kids.
  
  
• Nice, but pointless
  By A319SKSB556033 on 2005-06-20
  While I understand all of Hayao Miyazaki's work cannot be heavy, 2 hour-plus epics, this is the lamest of all his films. Don't get me wrong, I like it. But there isn't really a lot of story or character to make a feature length film out of.
  
  I watched the English dub with Kirsten Dunst doing the voice of Kiki and the late, great Phil Hartman doing her talking cat Jiji. Much like Sabrina The Late-Thirties Teenage Witch, Jiki is black, cynical and funny. He provides most of the film's laughs and is impossibly cute.
  
  As I have said, the film is very light. So light it could float in the air without the need for a broomstick. Nothing is really made a big deal of and no real story develops. What gives the film class is Miyazaki's attention to detail and gorgeous production design. Kiki exists in a perfect, transethnical European town with wonderful architecture and scenery. The flying scenes look brilliant and the colors are always bright and cheerful.
  
  Still, no-matter how pretty and easy-going, it doesn't have that long-lasting appeal of Nausicaa or Castle of Cagliostro.
  
  
• Pure magic
  By A1ARQYFYXAL4I on 2005-07-13
  According to tradition, when a witch turns thirteen, she must venture out on her own and try to make her way in the world. So Kiki leaves her home in the country with her black cat Jiji for the big city. But what can a young witch with no special skills do to find her place?
  
  KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, originally released in 1989, is a charming story told with gorgeous animation and art. It was the first film by Hayao Miyazaki that I saw, and it's still my favorite. I love spending time with the characters in the city, which although a bustling place, retains its village-like atmosphere. I always enjoy revisiting it.
  
  Although all Miyazaki films are generally suitable for the whole family, I'd recommend this (as well as MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO) for younger viewers especially, as it is not frightening or as intense (or as heavily-themed) as PRINCESS MONONOKE or HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE, for example.
  
  The film appears on the DVD in both the original Japanese language, and an English dialogue version. The English dub is fairly well-done (with voices provided by Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Debbie Reynolds, Matthew Lawrence and Janeane Garofalo) but for some reason the American producers felt the need to add an obscene amount of extra dialogue for Jiji (the late Hartman's role.) Apparently they thought American audiences couldn't bear scenes where people weren't talking, so the character is saddled with a lot of gratuitous commentary which is intended to be humorous but isn't. I call it Disney sidekick syndrome. It's very distracting, and the film suffers for it. I don't blame the actor - he was just doing his job - but for this reason I don't recommend watching the movie in English.
  
  Apart from that, this is a rather nice package. There is a "Behind the Microphone" feature with Dunst, Hartman and Lawrence, original Japanese trailers, previews for other Studio Ghibli, Disney and Pixar films, and an introduction by Pixar's John Lasseter. The film is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16x9 television sets. The English soundtrack is in 5.1 stereo. The Japanese is in standard stereo, but the world is so alive you won't notice. The second disc contains the storyboards for the entire film and you can watch them with the Japanese or English soundtrack. I don't think I'd ever view the whole thing from start to finish, but it is interesting to poke around in.
  
  This is a beautiful, magical film, with wholesome lessons for the kids (if you're concerned about that sort of thing) that should delight anyone who appreciates the art of animation. Five stars for the original movie, maybe one less for the slightly less than wonderful English version. From someone who has watched a lot of animation, Japanese and otherwise, I can't recommend this film highly enough.
  
  
• Fly
  By on 2002-10-16
  If you have a girl between 4-13, she should love this. This movie seemed to be made for them. The younger ones will love the silly cat, Jiji, the flying, and the excitment. The older ones will like the more quiet times: Kiki losing her magic, her visits with Ursula, dreaming of being on their own at such a young age, and Kiki's soul-searching.

  Two things that might keep people from seeing this movie: A) It's a "cartoon," and therefore preceived to be loud, noisy, sappy, and Disney. It is none of these. This is suprisingly a calm movie without being boring or inane. No one sings (a BIG plus in my book), the only cute-sidekick is Jiji --Kiki's cat who has some snide lines, there is zero violence, zero innuendo (unless you count Jiji's very quick comment about Ursula painting her, but then you may have issues), and no attempts to hide modern references into the plot like Disney would try.

  The other thing that could keep people from seeing it is that it is sometimes referred to as "Anime" (Japanese Animation) a name that conjures up every Pokemon, Digimon, Sailor Moon, and Speed Racer cliche possible, as well as those stereotypically creepy females in anime that come up. None of these apply to Kiki's Delivery Service, which looks like it could have been done anywhere.

  Everything works in this movie. The Dubbed version's cast is great, even the final performance of Phil Hartman as Jiji is good. So, go rent this for the kids, and you'll be pleasantly suprised on how easy you're drawn in -- maybe even more than they are.
  
  

• Great for Girls!
  By A5RXGRL4UKHDQ on 2003-03-14
  This is one of the trilogy of Japanese beautifully animated features that my daughter adores. (I'll have to add Spirited Away, as soon as we get a copy after its release in April 2003.)
  The other two movies being Totoro, which I like better and Go Panda Go, which does not have the same quality of animation as the other two.

  Kiki's Delivery Service is actually complex, with something for adults and children to enjoy and to be capitivated by. Kiki struggles while trying to make her own way during the rite of passage from being a kid, to being a young adult. She's 13, (I thought, hmmm, 13 Batmitzvah age)and ready to try her wings, or in this case, her broom.

  No freaky witchcraft stuff here, nothing frightening or creepy. Kiki's powers seem connected with her confidence in herself and her ability to believe in herself. A great message for girls and all kids, and heck, for everybody.

  And the animation is amazing. From the bakery, to the clouds, the people, everything, its really lovely to watch and would be worth seeing just for the animation alone. And Phil Hartman as Gigi the cat, he's wonderful, sarcastic, and very funny. An excellent movie for kids that parents don't have to worry about.
  
  

• Wonderful movie, slightly stained by Disney
  By A2EX6C3H50X3DD on 2003-04-22
  First off, don't let anything I say after this discourage you from buying this movie. We own it on VHS, and now, DVD. It's a very fun movie - it proves that you can do a great story that kids (and adults) will love, without following "the formula" and having paper-thin, 2-dimensional bad guys.
  However, apparently Disney doesn't think people will "get it" unless spoonfed; even after pushing the Menu button to skip the previews they try to ram down your throat, and hitting "Play Movie", they have a Pixar director come on and tell you what the movie is going to be about, and that "you're going to love it." Gee, thanks. I guess us amer-cuns must be too dum to figgur it out for ourselves.
  Those of us with DVD recorders will certainly want to create "movie only" discs for our kids so they don't have to endure even more dumbing down at the hands of Disney.
  Disney, if you're listening, in the future if you feel you must explain the movie to the audience, do it off the main menu, not at the beginning of the movie.
  Despite all this, expecially if you have kids, PLEASE buy this movie, you won't regret it.
  
  
• Westernized Kiki's Del. Service - Poor
  By A38I5ORZ8J2U34 on 2003-04-25
  I was ecstatic to hear that Legendary creator Miyazaki was going to have not one but three of his works dubbed into English. From watching my original japanese version over and over again, i though why not and went ahead to purchase the release which has had so much hype over it just like Spirited Away and Laputa: Castle in the Sky. I must admit, I am a die hard anime freak and quite picky at my choosings for anime in regards to "dubbing" so i decided to go ahead and purchase this copy.

  While watching straight in the beginning i was quite amazed that the voice of Kiki (voiced by Kirsten Dunst) was actually an okay choice in my books. She's got one of those child-like voices that haven't yet grown up since Kiki is only 13. She portrays emotions quite well and although at times I was cringing here and there, all in all she did a good job. Who else was going to do it anyway? One of the worst possible decisions that had been made was to cast Phil Hartman as Jiji. How can they give such a loveable cat like Jiji such a deep voice and not to mention that all the "antics" and "western jokes" that went on weren't even funny. All the "added dialogue" and "dialogue which wasn't needed in certain areas" made it rather diappointing to watch through the movie. I would have though that the translations of the original could have stayed the same, but just with english dubbed voices. Why must the western world feel compelled to change it so much to turn it "westernized" as though forgetting where it actually came from in the beginning? Of course there is all the issues of you can only speak with what the "mouth of the character is moving for" yes i get that, but why westernize such a great movie. Fans are not dumb and will love it just as much.

  All in all, i was disappointed and can only hope that maybe, just maybe SPirited Away might be a little better. For now though and in the future, my Orginal Version of Kiki's Delivery Service (and if i decide to watch the japanese version on the dvd) is here to stay while dubbed version is stuffed on the shelf never to be watched. A disappointment for a fantastic Miyazaki creation from a finatic anime collector.
  
  

• A great story, but watch it in Japanese, not English.
  By A1XJY37WOPTPV0 on 2003-07-12
  This is a great story, but I definitely prefer to watch it in Japanese with English subtitles. There are subtle changes in the story between the two versions, and after watching the Japanese version, I find that I can't stand Phil Hartman's sarcastic Jiji. The English version has been "dumbed down" for American audiences, and Jiji is just one example. In the Japanese version, there is less "mood music" to tell the audience how they are supposed to feel, and the beauty of the animation is allowed to stand on its own. It's clear that American audiences have little tolerance for silence, but believe me, many scenes in this movie are much better without the added noise. The addition of English language credits (and text, as in the scene where Kiki's parents read her letter) to the DVD was poorly done, and these parts of the movie are noticeably fuzzy and lacking in contrast. It seems like Disney was in a rush to get this movie to American audiences, and did a mediocre job in everything. It's a good movie, and well worth watching in either version. Still, it would be generous to give the English language version 4 stars, but the original Japanese version easily deserves 5 stars.
  
  
• my favorite Miyazaki
  By A2FEGRJQNU51P9 on 2003-07-23
  A Film by Hayao Miyazaki

  As great as some of his other works are, this is probably my favorite of all the Miyazaki films that I've seen. It is one of the simplest stories, but I think that Miyazaki tells it extremely well. This animated movie is about a young witch who must move to another town to practice her craft as a solo apprentice witch.

  Kiki (Kirsten Dunst) is turning 13 years old, and it is a tradition that when a witch turns thirteen she must go out on her own to practice in another city. She takes along her cat Jiji (Phil Hartman) and flies off on her broom to find a city by the ocean. After seeing a little bit of the town and interacting with some townspeople, Kiki doesn't know where to go or what special skill she has. All she can do is fly on her broom. In exchange for minimal help around the bakery, Kiki is taken in by a kind woman named Osono (Tress MacNeille). While living with Osono, Kiki decides that since her one skill seems to be flying on her broom she should open a delivery service. She does, and runs it out of Osono's home and bakery.

  Kiki's Delivery Service is a beautiful, gentle movie about a young girl trying to find her place in the world as well as trying to figure out who she is as a witch and as a person. As I mentioned earlier, this is my favorite of all the Miyazaki films I've seen. It is just an easy going movie that is a lot of fun to watch, and is very engaging. All of the English voice acting is fantastic. I don't know if this movie is as technically proficient as Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke, but it is a very enjoyable movie to watch.
  
  

• A true feel-good story
  By A3JD07VHDLT5FF on 2005-02-03
  Kiki is a witch-in-training. She has reached the age when her parents cannot teach her anymore, and she has to go out in the word as an apprentice witch and find her true speciality.
  It turns out that while she is not a great spell-caster she has the nack of caring for others. The small town she settles in does not have a great need for a witch, but they do need a speedy delivery service! With her flying broom Kiki fits the job description perfectly.
  The story does really deal with subjects close to all our hearts: what is my role in society, what do I do best, and, most important, what is it I really want to do?!
  Too many anime have too much of a dreamlike quality; this one is surprisingly realistic. It is not escapism - it is reality but softened somewhat. We have the subplot of the old lady abandoned by her family, and other problems that plague real life. This means that everyone can watch it and feel they get something out of it. The animations are top-notch.
  European viewers will recognise the town: it is modelled on Stockholm, London, and Prague.
  
  
• Adorable, Sweet, and Fun. A Movie for the Entire Family
  By A28OB1QLXN5BM6 on 2008-08-31
  KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE is a wonderful family film. My entire family - my husband, 11-year old daughter, 3-year old daughter, and me - all absolutely love Kiki. We have watched it many, many times, and it is still as fresh and cute and captivating as it was the first time.
  
  KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE is the story of a 13-year old witch-in-training (voiced by Kirsten Dunst), who, in the tradition of her people, must leave home for a year, and make her own way in the world. She must find a new city and provide it a service. Her mother, whose talent is potion making, serves her city as a sort of cross between a pharmacist and a doctor. Kiki leaves her family at midnight on a beautiful, warm night with just her broom, her cat Jiji (voiced by Phil Hartman), and father's transistor radio. Once Kiki finds the perfect city, she settles right in to help. Since she has no special gift other than flying by use of her broom, she naturally sets up a delivery service, delivering packages and messages all over town.
  
  Kiki learns about many things over the course of the year: responsibility, how to support herself, trust, belief in herself, loyalty, friendship, and even a first crush. She slowly finds her own way, learning and growing as she goes. By the end she is stronger, more sure of herself, and settled in her new community. She has made a life, through learning life's lessons.
  
  Myazaki's animation is, as always, simply delightful. The rich textures and delicate details bring his characters to life. It is the little nuances that draw you in: the way the wind tousles Kiki's hair, the expressions on Jiji's face, the depth of the background scenery. The pallet is soft and lovely. The entire film is quite gorgeous.
  
  As I said earlier, my entire family is enthralled by Kiki's coming of age story; none more so than my youngest daughter. For Halloween last year (2007), she wanted to be a witch. I asked her if she wanted to be a witch like the one in the Little Einsteins' Hansel and Gretel episode or one like Kiki. "I want to be Kiki, Mommy! I want to be Kiki!!!" She was very definite on that point. So she had a black dress, red shoes, a red hair bow, a small broom, and a stuffed Jiji (ordered from Japan!). She was so excited and so cute. I think the impression that KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE made on a then 2 year old speaks volumes. This quiet, simple story of learning to be happy with and to trust in yourself is timeless and appeals to all ages and generations.
  
  
  

• My Neighbor Totoro
• Castle in the Sky
• Spirited Away
• Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
• Princess Mononoke