Hayao Miyazaki (Japanese: 宮崎 駿) is a celebrated Japanese animator, filmmaker, screenwriter, and manga artist, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of animation. He is the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, the animation studio responsible for producing many of Japan’s most beloved and internationally acclaimed animated films. Over the course of a career spanning decades, Miyazaki has developed a reputation for creating visually rich, emotionally resonant stories that often explore themes such as nature, pacifism, flight, childhood, and the human condition. Miyazaki was born in Tokyo and developed an early interest in drawing and animation. His father’s work in the aviation industry had a significant influence on him, particularly in fostering his fascination with aircraft and flight, motifs that would become prominent throughout his later works. After studying political science and economics at university, Miyazaki began his professional career in animation when he joined Toei Animation. There, he worked under the mentorship of directors like Isao Takahata, with whom he would later form a lifelong creative partnership. In his early years at Toei and other studios, Miyazaki contributed to several television series and animated films. He worked as a key animator and storyboard artist, gradually gaining recognition for his storytelling abilities and attention to detail. Among his early projects were contributions to series such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Future Boy Conan. His directorial debut in feature films came with The Castle of Cagliostro, a film adaptation of the Lupin III manga series, which already showed signs of his distinctive style and sensibilities. Miyazaki's breakthrough came with the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga. The success of that film prompted the establishment of Studio Ghibli, which he co-founded with Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. From that point forward, Miyazaki directed and wrote many of Ghibli’s most iconic works, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. His films are known for their hand-drawn animation, strong character development, and philosophical underpinnings. In 2001, Miyazaki directed Spirited Away, which became one of the most critically and commercially successful animated films of all time. The film received numerous awards and international recognition, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time of its release. The film’s success further solidified Miyazaki’s reputation as a master storyteller and a visionary in global cinema. Despite announcing his retirement several times, Miyazaki repeatedly returned to filmmaking. His later works, such as Ponyo and The Wind Rises, continued to showcase his evolving themes and storytelling maturity. His most recent project, The Boy and the Heron, marked a highly anticipated return to the director’s chair and once again captivated audiences with its dreamlike visuals and emotional depth. Miyazaki’s films are often distinguished by their complex female protagonists, environmental messages, and moral ambiguity. Rather than presenting clear-cut villains and heroes, his stories explore the nuances of human behavior and often focus on characters finding their place in the world. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the arts, including lifetime achievement awards recognizing his impact on both Japanese and international cinema. His legacy continues to influence generations of animators and filmmakers worldwide, and Studio Ghibli remains one of the most respected names in animation.
I think I am starting to slide out of my Dreaded Book Slump of 2025, but it is still hanging on, so that will color my review of this book.
I have never seen Kiki's Delivery Service, but reading this was like doing so and now I feel like I have seen it. It was bright, colorful and I swear the characters and scenery moved! Very immersive and a great gift for fans of the movie for sure!
That being said, despite all of that, my overall feeling was lackluster, due to my reading slump. Without it, four stars, how I am feeling now? Three.
It's a cute coming of age story, but as an adult, I had to squint and look at it sideways re: a 13 year old going off on her own to make her way in a strange new place. I get that she's a witch, but it's not like she had the power to turn people who tried to hurt her into frogs or something. She was 13 and travelled to a BIG city where she knew NO ONE with just her cat familiar!!! I guess the world they lived in was safe, but reading it from the perspective of growing up with missing kids' faces on the outside of milk cartons and "stranger danger", it took a bit for me to swallow the main premise of the story.
That being said, cute and definitely recommended for fans of the movie.
3, my slump is really killing me here, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media LLC for an eARC of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I remember seeing the movie a few years ago. I fell in love with Kiki and her delivery service. The story of her journey to become independent and find her calling/inspirations in life was beautifully woven together, even the doubts she had and overcoming her fear.
The drawback of the film comic is that the 'scenes' don't smooth over from one panel to the next panel as in 'normal' manga. But this edition is fully coloured and the ending contains the movie credits; it even has a sound guide.
After reading the film comic, it inspired me to find the novel that the movie is based on, as there are significant differences.
I'll recommend this to anyone interested in a slice-of-life story.
🖋️ Author: Hayao Miyazaki 📖 Title: Kiki's Delivery Service Film Comic: All-in-One Edition 📅 Pub Day: Out Now 💌 Publisher: VIZ Media 📚 Format: Digital 🏷️ ISBN: 9781974749683 ⏱️ Length: 584 pages 📌 Genre(s): graphic novel, manga ⭐ Star Rating: 3.75
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I adore Miyazaki, and Spirited Away was my first introduction to his work (and still my favorite), so I’m honestly surprised I never got around to Kiki’s until now. Experiencing it through the film comic was really cool, and I think it’s held up incredibly well considering its original publication date. It’s such a gentle coming of age story. A young witch leaving home at thirteen, figuring out who she is, and learning how to stand on her own. It's easy to see why this became such a classic.
That said, I really struggled with a few moments that felt unnecessary and uncomfortable. There were multiple instances where Kiki’s skirt flew up for no real reason, and one joke from Jiji about Ursula drawing her naked that absolutely did not need to be there. She’s thirteen. It pulled me out of the story every time and made me wish those choices had been left out entirely.
Aside from that, I genuinely enjoyed the read. I loved just spending time in Kiki's world. It's cozy in the way Miyazaki stories usually are. The ending felt a little abrupt, but overall this was a sweet experience and a nice way to finally spend time with a Miyazaki classic I somehow missed.
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If you like:
✔️ Studio Ghibli stories ✔️ cozy fantasy ✔️ coming of age stories ✔️ found family ✔️ slice of life stories ✔️ beautiful artwork
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Thank you to NetGalley, Hayao Miyazaki, and VIZ Media for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ Media for providing this electronic advanced copy for review!
Kiki’s Delivery Service is maybe my favorite Miyazaki film? I’ve loved it since I watched it on VHS as a kid. Similarly to the My Neighbor Totoro manga, it was fun to re-explore the film through this medium. The art is as breathtakingly beautiful as in the film and I loved looking for Jiji on every page to see his reactions or movements that I’ve perhaps missed in the film before. A lovely exploration of one of my favorite films.
This book is stills from the movie with word bubbles instead of sound — A direct adaptation. It includes the credits in some of the stills too, and the picture quality is about the same. Great movie and top tier Studio Ghibli. It’s a home run story, but anyone would be better off just watching the movie instead. Still, if I were a bigger SG fan it would probably have a place on my bookshelf.
My favourite Ghibli film in comic form is just as charming and touching as I knew it would be. Seeing the stills from the film as comic panels really gives you a chance to slow down with the story and notice all the little details that can pass you by in all the action.
The reason this Ghibli story has always stuck with me the most, and why I was so happy to read it as a graphic novel, is because I really resonate with Kiki’s struggles with self doubt and letting life’s difficulties get in the way of your passions. Too often we let insecurities and anxieties hold us back, and as a creative, the parallels between Kiki losing her magic and Ursula losing her ability to create really hit home.
This film, and consequently this comic, remind us how important it is to stop a while and appreciate the inspiration all around us, as a way to reconnect with who we are and what we want to do in life. Taking the time to appreciate the small things like the rolling of waves, the satisfaction of baking a great pot pie, or marvelling at some newfangled airship with our friends (okay maybe that one’s a little specific) - these are the moments that matter and that bring us back to ourselves and our passions.
Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ Media for providing this arc in return for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Firstly, I love Kiki's Delivery service I went through a phase where this was one of the films that I watched when I wanted to feel cozy. Now to have it in book form is a bonus! I love revisiting this story and it does offer a different feel to it. As you get to take your time with the story and characters.
It does an amazing job of capturing the movie scenes and as it isn't so action packed, it doesn't feel as if it's lost what the film provides and still has that comfort feel that I felt with the film.
Even at a nearly 30 year old I find comfort the young witches story, going through the good and the bad. Plus, even though I am not much of Cat person, Jiji is my absolute fave! If I wanted an animal companion I want one with his personality because let's be real sometimes as your growing up you want someone by your side to help lead you in the right direction and to help you in tricky situations. He adds humor but feels like Jiminy Cricket if he wasn't so serious all the time.
Also, working in a bakery was my dream job and unfortunately never got to become a baker but a chef so watching Osono and Fukuo (Kiki and Jiji live upstairs and help them fo deliverys) living my dream job growing up is always a comfort.
I’ve never seen the movie and I really had no idea what it was about, other than that it’s well-known and a classic. I soon realized this book is literally just screenshots from the movie haha. Literally includes the credits. But! I still enjoyed it and am excited to watch the movie now. So cute and sweet.
When I saw this book on Net Gallery. I knew I needed to check it out. I used to watch this movie when I was younger and remember it being so cute and I loved how KIKI was 13 and going to explore the world on her own already! This book brought the same excitement that the movie brought me when I was younger! Well worth the read :)
Вперше побачила книгу, що зроблена з кадрів екранізації. Це було дуже мило, подекуди смішно, але вже застаріло (або я вже не в тих роках), тому не можу поставити 5. Гумор був достатньо простеньким, але я не очікувала чогось масштабного. Не шкодую, що приділила час і прочитала ^^
This same magic from the movie is encompassed in this comic version. Perfect for anyone looking to enjoy Studio Ghibli in a different format or for collectors of the movie.
Kiki has just turned 13 and as a young witch must now set out on her own to hone her gift. She arrives in a small town with her cat, Jiji, where she starts a flying delivery service. Kiki must endure some hardships and learn to be more confident about herself so that she can fully blossom into the witch she was meant to be.
Kiki is such a lovable character. She’s relatable in the emotions she experiences, especially when struggling with her confidence. Jiji is the perfect companion and I love that he has his own journey too. This is such a sweet story and anyone looking for something lighthearted and fun should definitely pick this up.
Thank you to VIZ Media and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Not only a favourite ghibli film, but my favourite film ever. This story holds a special place in my heart. I've loved doing a reread of this full film-in-one graphic novel!
Kiki's Delivery Service is one of my favourite Studio Ghibli films, and I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting the story in this film comic format. While the book uses stills from the film rather than original comic artwork, I found that this actually offered a different experience from watching the movie.
One of the greatest strengths of the format is the ability to linger over individual scenes. Moments that pass quickly on screen can be appreciated at your own pace, allowing the beautiful backgrounds, character expressions and quieter moments to shine. The detailed cityscapes and everyday interactions particularly benefit from this slower reading experience.
The story retains all of the warmth and charm that has made Kiki such a beloved character. Reading the film comic also reminded me of several scenes that I had forgotten since last watching the film, and it left me eager to revisit the movie again.
My only criticism relates to the digital review copy rather than the book itself. The watermark applied to every page was quite prominent and often obscured the artwork. While I understand the need to protect review copies, it did detract slightly from the reading experience.
This is a title that would be especially appealing in its physical hardcover edition. The film comic format lends itself well to browsing and revisiting favourite scenes, and the omnibus presentation would make a lovely addition to any Studio Ghibli collection.
A delightful adaptation that captures the heart of the original film while offering readers a chance to experience the story at a more leisurely pace.
Every time I watch (or in this case, read) the beginning of Kiki's Delivery Service, I get surprised that she's only supposed to be thirteen. Thirteen!!! If you've watched Kiki's Delivery Service, you already know what will be in this book, because it uses the movie stills to turn it into a graphic novel. I'm not sure if it's just in the ARC copy I got, but some text not enclosed in speech bubbles (like onomatopoeia for sound effects or Tonbo's friends acting like a peanut gallery) did not get translated on the same page. Instead the translations are in a "Sound Effects Guide" in the back of the book. It's not a great loss, but it looks sloppy. Still, this is a great way to unplug but still enjoy the story and visuals of the film. This would be great for fans of the film, people trying to get their kids to read more, or people trying to look for more fun but adult-friendly things to read to their kids. There are mild chapter breaks that act as good stopping points if you were reading this to a kid in bed. (I received a free ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)
Now that she's 13 years old, it's time for young Kiki to start thinking about her future. One night, under the shine of a full moon, she grabs her black cat Jiji, hops on her mother's broom and heads off into the night.
The next day she arrives at a friendly seaside city, where she'll spend the next year learning how to become a real, honest-to-goodness witch. After starting a delivery service, things seem to be going smoothly. However, when she loses her ability to fly, she must discover her inspiration and why she loves flying so much for herself.
This is a Film Comic where it takes the beloved Ghibli classic movie and puts it into paper. It follows the movie exactly but if you love the art and beauty of the Ghibli movies, this book is great for your collection.
As a huge fan of Kiki's Delivery Service, this comic felt like pure magic! Flipping through the pages was like stepping right back into Kiki’s world—the artwork is taken straight from the film, and it brought all the charm and whimsy of the story to life in such a delightful way.
I loved seeing some of my favourite moments in this new format, and it made me notice little details I hadn’t picked up on while watching the movie.
This is a perfect treat for any Ghibli fan (or anyone who just loves Kiki’s adventures). It’s nostalgic, heartwarming, and full of joy. Definitely a 4/5 for me!
I was a little skeptical of a film comic, but this was well done! Readers who haven't seen the film will miss out on the soundtrack and the small bits of dialogue that weren't included due to the constraints of the format, but this is surprisingly accurate. One small gripe is that they chose to keep the original Japanese sound effect chaeacters and included a glossary at the end rather than translating them into English, but you can still get the idea with context clues. Glad this was re-released in one volume rather than spread out over a few like the original print run was. Great addition to a collector's bookshelf, and a fun way to interact with the story on paper!
The ‘Kiki's Delivery Service Film Comic: All-in-One Edition’ by Hayao Miyazaki is the perfect encapsulation of the movie magic of Kiki’s Delivery Service. If you are like me and you are a massive fan of the film and want to experience the magic of watching it again for the first time this omnibus is the perfect way to do that. It has hard to have any negatives to say as this is truly one of my favourite Ghibli films and this graphic representation is the perfect homage to the film.
5/5 Stars.
Thank you to #netgalley for this #arc of #kikisdeliveryservice
*Kiki’s Delivery Service Film Comic: All-in-One Edition* is a delightful adaptation of the beloved Studio Ghibli film. While there’s no new content—the images are simply stills from the movie—the comic captures the magic and charm of Kiki’s adventures. The pacing is well-suited to the book format, making it an enjoyable read for fans and newcomers alike. Flipping through the pages evokes the same sense of wonder and warmth as watching the film, with its vibrant visuals and heartwarming story intact. It’s a must-have for those who want to relive the Ghibli joy in a new, cozy way.
Kiki is a movie that I have seen so many times! But it is probably the only Ghibli movie where I have be in a certain mood (to tolerate Kiki) to watch it. It sounds horrible but sometimes I don't understand her or why she behaves the way she does. Rude to Tombo or doesn't listen to Jiji. Because of this, it has probably taken me longer to read this than it should have. I still love it though, the art is gorgeous and I feel like I got a better look at Jiji. He really is so cute and there are some adorable moments that you simply miss while watching the movie.
A print compilation of a beloved classic Studio Ghibli film. This sweet tale follows a young witch named Kiki as she leaves home at 13 to discover herself in a new city. She strives to be a helpful member of her new community by running a delivery service, and eventually she develops strong bonds within the city. And of course, this coming of age tale is complimented by a sassy black cat, Jiji, Kiki's familiar friend and confidant. (This version has him speaking.)
An exact adaptation of the film to graphic novel form. As somebody who loves the film and grew up, loving it, this is adorable and I love that the story can still reach new generations. I do wish there had been maybe a unique spin or some original art… Just something original instead of a frame by frame rehash of the film itself. But that’s just me being picky.
Things to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review!
What's not to love? Probably one of my top five favorite Studio Ghibli movies, this film comic follows the script and provides an opportunity to really look at the brightly colored images and delightful character in Kiki, her cat sidekick, Jiji, and all of the lovely people who welcomed her into her new city as she starts her delivery service. I realized I'd love to cosplay Kiki at a con, it's simple yet recognizable.
This is exactly what it says it is lol. I tend to enjoy film comics, they give a somewhat more in-depth story versus a regular graphic novel, but they can also seem really goofy. I received an ARC from NetGalley and I'm so glad I did. I love Studio Ghibli films and this was so cute. I recommend for anyone who's a fan of manga, anime, and especially a fan of Miyazaki Hayao.
This was my first time reading a film comic such as this and I’m so pleased with the result! Sometimes you worry that information may be cut out - but I suppose that’s a risk mostly with book-to-film adaptations and the other way around worked out perfectly. This is essentially a graphic novel version of the Miyazaki film. A wonderful magical read, cozy enough for Kiki fans old and new.