Kiki video insert translation - The Rose - November 1991
"Kiki" video insert translation - The Rose - November 1991
The following is reprinted from THE ROSE Vol. 5 #30 (Nov. 1991), page 18:
Kiki's Delivery Service Video Insert Translated by: Kenskaa L. Takazaki [Transliteration of names from kanji may not be accurate. -- KT]
Kiki's Delivery Service Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
"Nausicaä", "Laputa", "Totoro" - all famous works by Miyazaki which will remain forever in anime history. Finally, here is his latest work and his first "girl movie".
The original author, Kakuno Aieko* [Aiko Kadono, ed.], has won a series of awards, including the Children's Literature Award, Shogakukan Literature Award, and the International Anderson Award. Aieko's story is about a 13 year old girl who struggles between "independence and dependence" and matures from a child to an adult. Showing interest in this novel, Miyazaki commented how "it is a rare opportunity to create an animated production directly from a children's novel." Saying so, he made a script in which a single person would have three separate roles. His target is to illustrate to the audience the "common loneliness and the uncertain future that little girls feel when moving into a big city from the countryside." It is this point which makes this work into a "girl's movie".
Once 13, a witch must go by herself to a place where no witches live to seek maturity for one year. The main character, Kiki, can use only one magical power, the ability to fly. She makes use of it by working as a delivery service girl. It is here that she experiences the "loneliness of the city".
Yes, Kiki is indeed a witch. However, her "ability to fly" is parallel to each person's "special talent". Anyone who struggles to accomplish things bumps into the same wall Kiki bumps into. To tell the truth, the novel of "Kiki" is recent, and therefore today's youths will discover the over-lap of similarity between his/her maturing experiences with Kiki's.
Observe the scenes of Kiki flying freely in the sky. The audience is pulled into these scenes and is made to feel the sensation of flying over the village and the forests. This sensation is truly characteristic of Miyazaki's works. The animated view of Sweden is one that can't be missed. The lifestyle between the witch and the human gives the audience a sense of reality. And as always, Miyazaki prepares that last thrilling suspense at the end.
Miyazaki always gathers the best representatives of the anime world for his staff members. This time he has included many talented youths. The character designer is Konfushi Shonari* [Katsuya Kondō, ed.] (born 1963) and the voice director is Katafuchi Sugichyoku* [Naoko Asari, Ed.] (born 1960). The characters help add to the sensation of the theme.
The music producer is Kobosekijio* [Joe Hisaishi, Ed.], who produced the music to "Nausicaä". The artist is Daino Kakushi* [Yūji Ōno, Ed.] of "Lupin III-Castle of Cagliostro" and "Akira". The setting is produced by Konfushi Shonari [Katsuya Kondō, Ed.] plus Ohzuka* [Yasuo Ōtsuka, E.] of "Totoro". One must not forget the music director, Isao Takahata. He is known by the famous music works "Little Heidi of the Alps", "Jarinko Chie" and "Firefies' Grave". As a producer, he has helped Miyazaki with "Nausicaä" and "Laputa".
The significant difference that distinguishes Miyazaki's previous works is probably the fact that he used the hit songs by Yumin* and Arai Yujitsu* [Yūmi Matsutoya, a.k.a. Yuming, Ed.]. The two songs, "The Legend of Rouge" and "Being Surrounded by Warmth", create just that "girl movie" atmosphere.
In addition to previous action themes by Miyazaki, Kiki's Delivery Service focuses on the birth of a heroine, Kiki. Miyazaki's powerful theme and the different style appealed greatly to the audience. A staggering number of over 300 million people were attracted to this masterpiece.