5 Best Anime Movies like Kiki’s Delivery Service
5 Recommended Anime Series and Movies like Kiki’s Delivery Service
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Anime is now one of the most popular contents all over the world. Many children not only in Japan but also worldwide have grown up feeling familiar to Studio Ghibli movies which are loved by those after becoming an adult. In many family-friendly films, Kiki’s Delivery Service stands out for its quality and simplicity.
For Studio Ghibli fans, children and their parents, here is the list of 5 best anime series and movies like Kiki’s Delivery Service, which consists of other similar Ghibli movies and the latest anime series. You will like these titles, if you are a Kiki’s Delivery Service lover.
About Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki’s Delivery Service (魔女の宅急便) has been loved by both adults and children all over the world since it was released in Japan in 1989. It is known as the first full-length movie directed by Hayao Miyazaki and based on the existing novel written by someone else. The fantasy adventure anime movie is adapted from the same-titled novel series written by Eiko Kadono and published in 1985.
Kiki’s Delivery Service tells the growing-up story of a 13 years old girl named Kiki. The story begins when the unmatured witch leaves home for her independence with her pet black cat Jiji. She visits the unfamiliar towns, sees new friends and faces her personal problems. In addition to the human drama, there are beautifully drawn scenes of the towns inspired by Europe.
5 Recommended Anime Series and Movies Similar to Kiki’s Delivery Service
1. The Secret World Of Arrietty
The Secret World Of Arrietty (借りぐらしのアリエッティ), which is also known as The Borrower Arrietty, is one of the most recommended anime movies if you like Kiki’s Delivery Service. The modern Studio Ghibli fantasy anime was released in 2010, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi. It is also based on English novel The Borrowers written by Mary Norton in 1952.
The Secret World Of Arrietty is set in a modern world, where tiny people live hiding from human beings. It follows a 14-year-old girl named Arrietty, who lives with her family under a human’s house in secret borrowing a piece of food and other various items. One day, she meets a 12 years old human boy named Sho, the owner of the house.
2. Whisper of the Heart
Whisper of the Heart (耳をすませば) is a popular Studio Ghibli romance anime movie, which is highly recommended for Kiki’s Delivery Service’s fans to watch. It was released in 1995 based on the manga written by Aoi Hiiragi, directed by Yoshifumi Kondo, who played an important role as the animation director of the other Ghibli work Grave of the Fireflies.
Whisper of the Heart presents a pure love of teenagers focusing on two main characters: Shizuku Tsukishima and Seiji Amasawa. Shizuku discovers a mysterious antique shop named Chikyuya owned by Shiro Nishi by chance, and then she becomes better acquainted with Jiro’s grandson Seiji Amasawa. She tries to do her utmost for completing a novel while Seiji makes efforts to become a violin maker.
3. Mary and the Witch’s Flower
For fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service and any other Studio Ghibli movies, Mary And The Witch’s Flower (メアリと魔女の花) should be picked out here. The fantasy anime film was released in 2017, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi as a member of Studio Ponoc, who worked in Studio Ghibli and directed two films: The Secret World of Arrietty and When Marnie Was There.
Mary And The Witch’s Flower centers on a young red-haired girl Mary, who takes a wander into the country of witches as a witch for only one night. In this anime, you can see many scenes that are inspired by some Studio Ghibli movies that the director respects.
4. A Whisker Away
A Whisker Away (泣きたい私は猫をかぶる) is a recent fantasy anime movie released in 2020, which has been exclusively distributed on Netflix worldwide. It was created by a Japanese animation studio Studio Colorido, which is also famous for Penguin Highway.
A Whisker Away revolves around a junior-high school girl called Muge, who falls in love with Kento. She gets a magical mask that enables her to transform herself into a cat and have a unique experience contacting him in the similitude of a cat.
5. Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina
If you look for some new anime series similar to Kiki’s Delivery Service, Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina (魔女の旅々) is one of the greatest options for you. The fantasy adventure was broadcasted with 12 episodes in 2020, adapted from the original light novel published since 2016.
Set in a fictional world in medieval times, Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina follows a talented young witch named Elaina, consisting of lots of short and mid stories. She visits a variety of counties all over the world and meets unique people. You can enjoy comparing her to the protagonist of Kiki’s Delivery Service.
For more info about anime and other Japanese pop cultures, check these articles below, too!
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Hi! I’m a writer and editor at Japan Web Magazine. Since 2017, I’ve written over 500 articles covering a wide range of Japan-related topics—must-visit travel spots, local food culture, helpful travel tips, seasonal events, anime, manga, and more. I travel all over Japan, from the snowy landscapes of Hokkaido to the tropical beaches of Okinawa. My hobbies, such as hunting for the best ramen shops and keeping up with the latest anime every season, help me share the magic of Japan with people from all over the world. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a Japan fan planning your dream trip, I want to help you experience the best of what this country has to offer. After traveling to many countries around the world, I still love Japan the most, and I continue to share information while making the most of my perspective as someone who was born and raised here. 📲 Connect with me ▷You can find more of my writing and follow my latest thoughts on Japan over on Medium. A bit more about me: 🗾 Traveler at heart ▷Most unforgettable trip: Chichijima Island, a remote island that takes over 23 hours to reach by ferry from Tokyo! ▷Favorite neighborhood in Tokyo: Kagurazaka 🍜 Foodie life ▷Obsessed with sushi and ramen ▷Proud foodie moment: Scored a seat at the legendary Sukiyabashi Jiro 🎌 Passionate otaku ▷Favorite anime: March Comes in Like a Lion and Attack on Titan ▷Manga I live by: One Piece and Slam Dunk
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