Kiki's Delivery Service Review

Kiki Review

Kiki is a 13-year old girl who has come of age and needs to leave her home in order to learn how to become a witch. She and her trusty black cat, Jiji, ride on her broomstick to find a town of their own. When they finally find a town things are very different to how she thought it would be and people don't treat her as she thinks a witch should be treated. She will have to find a way to live in her new surroundings and on her journey she meets some interesting people and does some truly amazing things along the way.

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Screenwriter: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Hayao Miyazaki
Music: Joe Hisaishi
Released: 1989

Language Preference: Japanese (sub)

The movie won numerous Best Film awards and was
the highest grossing film in Japan in 1989

Story
Kiki's tale is one of adventure, meeting new people, adapting to an unfamiliar world and facing tribulations. In the original book that the film was inspired by Kiki didn't deal with much adversity but Miyazaki-san said that he wanted to make the story about growing up which isn't just an easy ride and thus introduced challenges into her life that would develop her character.

The film was adapted into a manga
and a musical

Characters
Kiki is a lovable girl who keeps her word and always does her best, she is not impressed by people who she thinks are rude. Tombo is a determined, courageous young boy who is fascinated by Kiki's ability to fly. Osono is a kind lady who owns a bakery, she is a caring mother-type figure. Ursula, is a young artist who Kiki encounters and becomes friends with. These and all the other characters help Kiki ro grow. They introduce Kiki to some interesting ways of life, perspectives and opportunities.

Jiji, Kiki's cat, has a completely different personality
in the English version

Presentation
Set in a fictional European-style town (where it is believed World War II never happened) the story already starts with a distinct style. It was described by Miyazaki-san as "a mishmash of various locales, like Napoli, Lisbon, Stockholm, Paris, and even San Francisco." It even features two oceans, the Mediterranean and the Baltic. Many beautiful things concentrated into one place. But what caught my attention in this movie was not this fantastic mixture of places but the soundtrack. My goodness, what an adventure it takes me on just listening to it.

Final Thoughts: Yes, you should watch it! This film is absolutely fantastic. I had this thought in my head: "I can't wait until I have kids and show them this movie." It is a fun adventure about growing up which I was able to relate to on a personal level and learn a few things from.. New favourite song: Rouge Message, but don't you dare listen to it before you watch the movie! Sorry I've gotta go and get something delivered (my heart to Studio Ghibli).

The name of the Bakery, Guchokipanya, is a play on words.
Guchokipa (Rock-Paper-Scissors) and Panya (Bakery).

NEWS 21 May 2015

CHANGES INCOMING

Hello viewers! I shall be making a few changes to my blog, as you may have already noticed. This is an attempt to make the site more user-friendly and easier to view! I shall also be going over and changing several of my previous posts, going into more depth and other general editing.  I have recently been getting involved in Pixel Art so there will be a trend in that direction with the changes. I hope you like the changes. PEACE!

The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya Review

The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya

A bamboo cutter finds a mysterious young girl inside a bamboo shoot. He takes the small girl to his wife and decide to raise her. She grows quickly and she is soon out playing with neighbouring family's sons. Her adoptive father believes that heaven sent her to them in order to make her a princess. What follows is a tale of how the girl faces the life of a "noble woman", with its posturing, discipline, suitors and restricting customs.

This story is based on a Japanese folktale from the 10th Century. The art style is different from the usual Ghibli style, it has a brush-stroke feel to it but it still captures the Ghibli charm. The style feels somewhat more free, more vibrant and more artistic. At one point she runs away from the palace and the ensuing scene where she ran through forests and fields was hypnotically beautiful. The story is not a particularly happy or feel-good one. It follows how Kaguya's childhood freedom is systematically replaced by the strict life of a noble. It is debateable whether it is a happy or sad ending. But hey, this is based on a folktale from the 10th Century and I can't criticise it for not satisfying my 21st Century narrative desires. Tales like this are untouchable classics and I believe it was suitably Ghiblified in such a way that even a Eastern-Culture noob like myself can appreciate it. But sorry I've gotta go to the moon. Lil' Bamboo!