Miyazaki in Live Action

Japanese newspapers Sports Nippon and Sports Hochi shed some light on the rumour that director Shimizu Takashi, best known for his horror movies The Grudge and Ju-on, would be the one at the helm of the live action adaptation of Eiko Kadono’s fanatasy novel Kiki’s Delivery Service, which had been previously adapted by Hayao Miyazaki in 1989 at Studios Ghibili.

So according to both newspapers, Takashi is definitely taking control over the project and apparently e even has chosen an actress for the main role of Kiki. Sixteen year old actress Fuka Koshiba is apparently going to star in the role of Kiki.

If we are to judge a book by its cover, we can say that this new version of Kiki’s Delivery Service is going to be in a darker tone than the novel series and Miyazaki’s movie.

Adapting something that has previously been made in animation can be tricky; did anyone saw the Samurai X live action film? I did. I felt like ripping my eyes out and juggle them (and i love the anime). So let’s wait and see if Takashi is going to do a remake of the movie or is he going to do an adaptation of the novel. 

Kiki’s Delivery Service Official Synopsis:

Kiki is a resourceful, spunky girl who follows her maternal tradition to be a witch. She possesses only one gift of witchcraft — the power to fly. Like all young witches, she sets out at age 12 to find a town of her

own. With her ever-present companion Jiji — a cynical and faithful black cat — Kiki departs on her broomstick and arrives at a big town near the ocean. Though nervous at first, she soon sets up a business delivering packages.

Kiki meets all kinds of people and has many adventures. She befriends the thief who stole her broomstick and saves the town’s traditional New Year’s marathon with some courageous and timely flying.

Throughout, Kiki’s confidence and self-awareness grows as she learns to value her unique talents. And with Kiki’s help, the townspeople realize that everyone has some magic that gives them their own special character and vitality.

This is a charming and delightful tale that is reminiscent of children’s favorites The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy and Astrid Lindgren’s Adventures of Pippi Longstocking. Black and white line drawings sprinkled throughout reveal the humor and warmth in everything Kiki does.

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