| Overview: | Let's face it: most coming-of-age tales are told through the eyes of boys and have become overly familiar. The genius of director Hayao Miyazaki is that he makes his protagonist female, yet the feelings and emotions on display are universal.
Kiki has turned 13. That means, according to tradition, she must leave home and find a town with no resident witch, wherein she may undergo training to become a full-fledged witch. Initially she is incredibly excited at the grand adventures she is sure lay ahead, especially when she spies a beautiful seaside city. She finds, though, that getting established in a big city is immensely difficult, especially when you're only 13 years old and don't know anyone.
In a fortuitous turn of events, a kind and pregnant bakery owner takes her in. She suggests that Kiki use her ability to fly and start a delivery service. Kiki must meet many challenges on her way to adulthood, and learns more about herself than she ever dreamed possible.
The animation is resplendently beautiful, the characterizations are sharp, and the running time flies by. The film is a classic.
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