What ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ Teaches Us About Ambitious Women
From the ever astonishing Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki takes us on an airborne journey to a sea-side town witnessing the coming-of-age of a young witch. Kiki, who just blew out 13 candles on her cake has embarked on a mandatory “training” year away from home. With nothing but a broom, a radio and the company of an opinionated cat Jiji, she takes off to the skies searching for a challenge.
What distinguishes Kiki’s Delivery Service from Miyazaki’s other loveable animations is the dominant female energy that transcends through this cinematic universe. Stepping down from the sky, Kiki finds comfort within the walls of a bakery owned by Osono, a soon-to-be-mother. Right of the bat, we find ourselves at the footsteps of a strong-willed woman running her independent business. With a sweet exchange between the two, Kiki sets up her “delivery service” where she takes a variety of parcels inter & intra city on her broom; whilst assisting at the bakery till her business model is sustainable.
As her orders pour in, we’re taken on a trip to different scenic locations. Wide shots and open air sequences, we see Kiki set sail on her broom with a new found discipline to be financially independent. But like most of us who choose to take the road less travelled by, our passion-turned-career isn’t as shiny as it initially seemed; insecurities tug harder and our inner critic gets louder. The film - for all it’s saturated hues takes a turn blue as it brings to light a fear all-too-common — Am I good enough? Kiki’s doubts and self-criticism about her personality, clothes and financial stability cause her to inflict isolation upon herself. Her entrepreneurial drive casts a big shadow, as she questions herself into a spiral. “I think something’s wrong with me. I make friends, then suddenly I can’t bear to be with any of them. Seems like that other me, the cheerful and honest one, went away somewhere.” says Kiki in a puzzle.
Burning out with trips on her broom, come rain or storm — young Kiki’s dilemma isn’t unlike one we ourselves encounter often. Making a 9–5 out of a craft we love has us involved far deeper than we would if it was just a job. The personalization of a task can be overwhelming because it’s no longer a task, but a reflection of our self-worth. We struggle to enjoy the celebrations of doing what you love and loving what you do. Kiki puts this feeling all too well in a ringing dialogue — “Flying used to be fun until I started doing it for a living”
As one navigates the work-life balance, we’re called upon time and again to acknowledge the importance of rest. When Kiki’s exhaustion descends and her magic starts to flicker — we’re re-introduced to Ursula, a 20-something painter we meet earlier in the film, who takes pride in rejecting the city-loudness and embracing a slower life in a forest-cottage of her making. In a tank top with a duffle bag and straw hat, we’re transported briefly to solid ground with a dire reminder to replenish ourselves. Miyazaki here takes the chance to excellently explore another example of independence, one that comes not from finances but from surrender to the unknown. It is in Ursula’s voice of assurance that Kiki finds the confidence she had been struggling to locate. “Stop trying. Take long walks. Look at the scenery. Doze off at noon. Don’t even think about flying. And then, pretty soon, you’ll be flying again”
Soon enough, with some necessary downtime — Kiki finds herself on a broom once more, with clarity in her thoughts and confidence in her craft. Taking off to save a friend and eventually, kindling a friendship she was previously daunted by. We also observe that she no longer communicates with her cat which Miyazaki attributes to her growing up as Jiji represented the childish side of her. “The most important thing for Kiki is […] whether she can meet various people on her own. As long as she is flying on the broom with her cat, she is free. But, to live in a town, to get training means that she has to be able to walk the town alone and talk to people, without her broom or her cat.” says Miyazaki.
Through the multiple viewpoints of different ages, we see these women striving to be the main characters of their lives. There’s no hostile comparison or unrealistic expectation. The journey of an expecting mother/business owner, a young painter and an ambitious witch all have their place in this fantastical world. I’m reminded of Alice In Wonderland’s interpretation of our gut feelings / intuitions- how we’re all on our unique journey’s of finding our “muchness”. While our paths might be individualistic and the road may be long — Kiki’s Delivery Service reminds us that they’re seldom alone. The divine female energy follows us in ways we may never fully understand but we can learn to trust it when it offers a helping hand.
