It would seem that every time we discuss the work of Hayao Miyazaki, we usually use the term “magical” to describe the worlds he creates and the atmosphere that sits at the foundation of his work, since they all seem to be shrouded in a kind of upbeat charm that is impossible to describe in precise terms, but usually feel plucked from an entirely different artistic world. This is mostly quite appropriate since his work is never anything less than masterful and enchanting – but on occasion, they are quite literally made on the subject of magic, as is the case with Kiki’s Delivery Service (Japanese: 魔女の宅急便), in which he tells the story of an impressionable young witch who leaves home to undergo a year of training to fully harness her powers, as is traditional for those predisposed to these supernatural skills. It is not often promoted as being one of the esteemed director’s greatest films – and it isn’t helped by the fact that it was immediately preceded by My Neighbour Totoro, widely considered his most influential film, if not his greatest achievement as a whole – but like everything Miyazaki has made, it is still seen as a masterpiece in its own right, a handcrafted and beautifully endearing film that seamlessly blends comedy and fantasy to create a beautiful, intricate film that once again lays the foundation for discussions around his status as quite possibly the greatest animator of his generation, a fact that becomes increasingly difficult to argue against the deeper we peer into his career and realize just how brilliant the scope of his work is, and how every single one of his films, regardless of size, manages to be an astounding work of creativity and stunning narrative prowess – and while it may have some slight imperfections, Kiki’s Delivery Service remains one of the most endearing works Studio Ghibli has ever produced, which is quite an achievement all on its own.

As was the case with a number of his earlier works, Kiki’s Delivery Service was based on an existing text, in this case, Witch’s Express Home Delivery by Eiko Kadono, which was optioned by Studio Ghibli as their next production. Miyazaki came onto the project at the last minute, never intending to direct it, but rather serving as a producer. However, the reasons that compelled him to take the reigns aren’t entirely clear, but mercifully he did, as his magical touch elevated the story, which was more twee in theory than many may have initially expected. One of his more unique characteristics as a filmmaker, albeit one that is not as widely discussed, is how he balances tone. He is a master of the genre, which makes every one of his films bespoke, each one being unique in different ways, and never blending into one another, which is quite rare for animators, who often try and stay within the same general confines when it comes to genre. It may have a few similarities with My Neighbour Totoro (which is likely an additional reason why he initially declined to direct it), but these comparisons are surface-level, since not only is this film exploring a range of different ideas, but the execution is remarkably original, which makes them so compelling since we never quite know what to expect. Fantasy has always been fascinating to see when it comes from Miyazaki since he can tell stories that are simultaneously intimate and epic in scope, which is not something we regularly find in this genre, with most directors opting for one or the other. However, you simply cannot make a film like Kiki’s Delivery Service without employing elements of both. The genres blend so beautifully – there is an aching melancholy in between the hilarious moments, and a genuine sense of wonder propels this film, which benefits massively from all the hidden details that drive it forward. A masterful examination of several very impressive themes, all condensed into a very charming package, this film is remarkable for several different reasons.

However, we don’t watch Miyazaki’s films exclusively for the stories, regardless of how strong they may be. Instead, we often take the opportunity to explore the world through his artistic approach to the material, which is consistently gorgeous. His style is distinctive but easily adaptable, meaning that they are easy to recognize, but difficult to compare on a visual level. Kiki’s Delivery Service is one of his most strikingly beautiful films, but also one of his most simple. He was still experimenting with his approach to animation, as was the entire creative team at Studio Ghibli, since they were in a renaissance for the medium, which was not appreciated by only a niche audience any longer, but was developing mainstream appeal. Watching a film like Kiki’s Delivery Service, you are immediately struck by the warmth and complexity of its artistry, which is beautifully detailed and incredibly profound in ways that are often quite unexpected, but yet make perfect sense in the context of the film. You can take any frame from this film and find something beautifully detailed embedded in it – part of Miyazaki’s approach to filmmaking as to make sure every moment was striking, and few directors have been able to have their work embody the term “every frame is a painting” more than him, his forthright dedication to his craft being incredible. Much of the beauty in Kiki’s Delivery Service comes from the design of the city, which is modelled after a very traditional island location, but with elements of fantasy embedded in the smallest details. The animation is fluid and compelling and is extremely rich, every moment being stunning, which is quite an achievement, even by Miyazaki’s standards. It is arguably not his most beautiful or groundbreaking work, since he continuously experimented and built on his style in later years, but that doesn’t mean this film is any less impressive on a technical or visual level.

There is a deeper message underlying every Studio Ghibli film, even those that seem extremely simple on the surface. This is not an exception with Kiki’s Delivery Service, which is as complex in how it examines certain ideas as it is stunningly beautiful. This is also one of the many merits of the director’s work – they all explore different ideas, rarely repeating the same themes, which can be quite remarkable for a medium that often prefers to rest on its laurels. This film is Miyazaki exploring the theme of growing up – it is not his first coming-of-age story, nor is it the last time he would focus on the aspect of transitioning between stages of childhood, but it is the one in which it feels most pronounced, which is entirely intentional. Kiki is a slightly older protagonist, and thus it allows the film to look at slightly more mature themes, in the sense that we see her navigating the transition between childhood and adolescence with a lot more sincerity. This is an extraordinarily elegant film, so it avoids the typical and obvious conversations around puberty and developing into adulthood, instead using the theme of the young protagonist training to become a witch as the foundation for this very touching, extremely poignant story of growing into your identity and developing into your next stage of life. The emotions that exist at the heart of the film are extremely powerful, as is often the case with Miyazaki’s work – it is sophisticated but heartfelt, and there is never a moment in which the film feels overwrought or unnecessarily convoluted in any way. Everything is consistently very touching, and there is a level of profound detail that drives this film and makes it extremely elegant in ways that are expected of the director, but yet still extremely surprising.

There is a feeling that comes across every viewer when watching one of Miyazaki’s films, whether for the first time or upon a rewatch – a sense of wonder and comfort that defines these films and makes them so profoundly meaningful, but also incredibly entertaining. Kiki’s Delivery Service is by no means an exception – a detailed, elegant and wonderfully funny film, it simmers with meaning, but also has a lot of well-placed humour that makes it entertaining for every viewer, all of whom will likely be taken by the incredible artistic prowess and emotional impact being made by this film. It has a lot of heart, but it never comes across as forced, instead employing that distinct approach of wonderful simplicity that exists as the foundation of every Miyazaki film. It is beautifully-made and has a very strong message right at its core, which makes for such a profoundly moving experience. Soul-stirring, charming and effortlessly sweet, Kiki’s Delivery Service is one of the loveliest films ever put out by Studio Ghibli, and as both a statement on the process of growing up and as a work of art, it is quite simply astonishing. It has so much merit, and constantly pushes boundaries we may not have expected. It all amounts to a beautiful, poetic and endearing film that proves just how impressive animation can be with a strong director at the helm – but considering how much of his work has come to be seen as the gold standard for the medium, it is any surprise that a film by Miyazaki would be a masterpiece?