Produced and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and written by Eiko Kadono, Kiki's Delivery Service is one of the most unique movies I have ever seen. Kiki is not your common 13-year-old girl. Kiki is a witch! At age 13, all witches are supposed to leave home and find a village without a witch for a year in order to become independent. When Kiki finds herself completely alone in a big city, she builds the courage and friendship needed to survive.

      I have never seen a movie based on this type of a plot. I believe it is a plot that only Miyazaki could have brought to life. I am a big fan of Earth crushing, gun shooting, mech. fighters, and warriors out for blood. I have NO idea why this movie caught my attention for over two hours. This movie contains none of the above; it is a story about a little girl who delivers cakes…CAKES for godsakes. I think every time I watch a Miyazaki production I am some how stunned. Something about his unique form of art makes me want to watch every movie from start to finish. The animation is smooth and VERY simple. Characters usually have very little shading and facial effects. The colors are customary (no gradients or mixing different colors) everything in his films are made with simple colors, shapes and lines. There are no special effects or close-ups, everything in this film is mundane, yet it has some sort of a captivating motive behind all this subtle scenery (I'm thinking subliminal messages here).      

     THE PLOT was mysterious. If you've watched any of Miyazaki's work, I'm sure you will realize that his movies are usually unlike most animes. One could almost mistake K.D.S. for a Disney film if it weren't for the small signs of Japanese culture. First of all, most thirteen-year-old girls would not be alone in a big city and staying with a total stranger (at least not in a Disney film). I also made an interesting connection in Miyazaki's films. In one scene or another, Miyazaki introduces a prostitute as a "main" character. Of course you wouldn't find the main character involved with a dirty influence like a prostitute in a Disney film.

     The music wasn't anything great. It had its moments, but I wouldn't buy the album or anything. To tell the truth, I didn't pay too much attention to the music at all! I think I was too busy paying attention to the life-like mannerisms of Kiki and her friends. I think what made Kiki such a believable character was her voice. I'm not sure who the voice actor was, but I really liked her performance. She wasn't squeaky or obnoxious; she conveyed a 13 year-old quiet well. Even the supporting voice actors were done well. Some animes really get destroyed when it comes to dubbing, however, I feel that K.D.S. probably had the same quality in both the original, sub, and dub versions.

     K.D.S. perfects what so many animes fail to achieve. Its simplicity bears enough controversy to fascinate viewers of all ages. I think this film was probably directed for children, but I found myself watching the whole thing. Seriously, it's a good family movie and if you've got little ones (4 and 5 years old etc.), it is probably suitable for them as well.