Studio Ghibli's masterpiece Kiki's Delivery Service has been a comfort film to millions of viewers since its initial release in 1989. Following the tale of a young witch trying to find her place in the world, the film has managed to strike a chord with its audience. Who hasn't wished to find the place that they belong?
But Kiki's journey wasn't always an easy one. Her story was filled with struggles, sorrows, and lessons she had to learn in order to grow into a better person. The film reminds viewers that in order to thrive, they have to take care of themselves, trust in their friends, and that failure is a part of life that's not to be shunned.
11 Starting Over In A New Place Can Be Exciting
When Kiki is faced with leaving her home in search of a town without a witch, she isn't scared, nor does she worry about where she might live. Instead, she takes this part of her journey in her stride and eagerly searches for a place she can make her new home.
While it can be scary to search for a place to call home, everyone can learn from Kiki and look for the adventure of starting afresh in a new place. It's a chance to reinvent yourself into exactly the kind of person that you wish to be.
10 Life Isn't About Looks Or Money, But About Personality
Upon feeling somewhat down, Kiki reflects that she might feel better if she was a little more fashionable or if she had money to spend on nice clothes and shoes. However, none of the people that Kiki meets are overly interested in her appearance or status.
Instead, they are drawn to Kiki because of her vibrant personality, zest for life, and passion for the things that she loves doing. Good people choose their friends based on who they are, not the things they have or what they wear.
9 First Impressions Can Be Wrong
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Upon meeting Tombo, Kiki is quickly upset by his overzealous attitude and lack of sensitivity, and she rushes to get away from him as soon as possible. Yet, after meeting him again later, she takes the time to get to know him. Realizing that she previously judged him too quickly, Kiki finds a good friend in Tombo.
He shares her interest in aviation and inspires her to try things that she never would have considered before, eagerly admitting that she also inspired him when they first met. Sometimes, first impressions are wrong and it's in learning to understand others that we fully come to understand ourselves.
7 Community Is Important
Having always lived in a small village, Kiki knows the value of a tight-knit community that's always there to help one another, and she struggles to find the same feeling in a place where the population is so much larger. Yet, just because Kiki cannot always see the community around her doesn't mean that it isn't there.
When Kiki attempts to rescue Tombo, the whole city rushes to their aid. The people Kiki inspired along the way are also rooting for her, although they can't make it to her side and must watch the event on the news. While it may seem like the whole world is wrapped up in their own issues, people tend to come together in the direst of times.
6 Independence Is Important
Often nowadays, many young people yearn for independence that is unfortunately denied to them based on costs of living, unsafe environments, and long educations. While Kiki's adventure shows the value of independence, it also shows that there are a great many ways to be independent without leaving home as Kiki did.
Independence can be found in doing chores without being asked to, thinking up new ideas of the things we wish to accomplish in our lives, or learning new skills for the days when it's possible to move away from home.
5 In Helping Others We Often Help Ourselves
Whenever Kiki sees a person in need, she does everything she can to help them out of the kindness of her heart. In doing so, she not only makes the world a better place, but she also makes connections with people, touching their very hearts.
Though Kiki never expects a reward for her actions, in helping people, she often helps herself. Kiki gets a job in the bakery, her first client, and meets one of her best friends all because she chooses to help others. You get back what you put into the world.
4 Failure Is Inevitable, But Okay
One of life's most difficult lessons is that failure is inevitable. Yet, while that is true, most films treat failure like it is something to be ashamed of. However, Kiki's Delivery Service shows the audience that failure should not be shunned. It should be respected and treated as something that we can learn from.
When Kiki discovers Ursula's paintings, Ursula shows pride in her work yet still comments that she'd like the opportunity to start over. Although she calls her work a failure, she finds that it doesn't matter, because nothing should be perfect in its first attempt; mistakes are part of being human, and the only way to live life to the fullest is to learn from them.
3 We Have To Value Those Closest To Us, For They Might Not Be There Forever
In every life, there is loss. Sometimes, people are caught completely off guard when the unexpected loss of a loved one occurs. Kiki experiences this kind of pain when she discovers the loss of her powers, meaning she can no longer communicate with her best friend and familiar, Jiji.
Although Kiki is ultimately able to get her powers back, the moral of this story is to appreciate those you love because there may come a day when they are no longer here and there's no telling when that might happen.
2 Our Friends Can Heal Our Hearts
After the loss of her powers, Kiki is visited by Ursula. Upon seeing how despondent Kiki has become, Ursula takes her friend out of the city so she can get away from the pressures of everyday life. After expressing her anxieties to Ursula, Kiki quickly finds herself comforted by her friend, who has been through similar problems with her paintings.
Ursula helps heal Kiki's heart by simply being there for her, helping Kiki sort through her tumultuous emotions, and alleviating the feeling of being the only person to suffer through such fears.
1 Self-Care Is Important
When Kiki forgets how to enjoy her magic, she burns out and loses her powers. Instead of focusing on the reasons she lost her magic in the first place, Kiki is more worried about disappointing her clients. When Ursula finds Kiki distraught, she teaches Kiki that self-care is important and that nobody can be expected to function without it.
Ursula relays the tale of how she could no longer paint because she wasn't doing it for herself and even reminds Kiki that the only way she will ever regain her magic is by forgetting everyone's expectations and doing what is best for her. If in doubt, follow Ursula's advice: "Take long walks. Look at the scenery. Doze off at noon."