I haven't written a mytake in a while so, I figured I'd give it a go with a topic I'm passionate about. Just so you know there will be spoilers.
"Kiki's Delivery Service" is one of my most favorite animated movies of all time. There is kinda a reason I reference this movie often. The film itself was released in 1989, but still holds up in terms of it's message. That message is: Adulting sucks, but still you have to find your spirit and take care of yourself.
To start off with Kiki is 13 years old. In witch mythology and culture 13 is the age they move away for a year to train and find their talents. Kiki is a bit inexperienced. She can barely fly her broom, doesn't know what her skill is, and she is really unsure of herself in general. Her sidekick Jiji serves as kind of a guide to help Kiki along her journey. First thing she encounters on her own is a thunderstorm although the weather person on the radio said it was gonna be a clear night (it was the 1950s Doppler radar wasn't a thing yet).
After first landing in her town he inability to handle the broom properly almost causes several traffic accidents. She immediately gets attention from the town although not the kind of attention she would expect. She later meets a kindly baker and her husband who give her a job and board. She also decides to run a delivery service after delivering a pacifier to a lady whose baby dropped it in front of the bakery.
With opening a delivery service Kiki learns that money doesn't last long. She wants to buy a phone, but in the 1950s Phones were not cheap and we're in most places few and far between. Kiki and Jiji also go shopping in which Kiki discovers groceries and common goods are actually more expensive than what she realizes. By the time it's over she will probably have to live on Pancakes until she can make enough to live off of with her Deliveries.
Soon Kiki also is feeling some depression, mainly due to the fact business isn't picking up and she feels like the neighborhood teenagers are picking on her because of her looks and witch powers. However, one boy named Tombo is enamored with her. However, not being hip to city ways Kiki thinks he's being kinda rude and impolite. In one delivery Kiki also encounters a rude customer after her grandma sent a pie via Kiki's Delivery Service to her. This disheartens Kiki and she flies home in the rain feeling self doubt.
The next day, Kiki feels sick and is discovering she's losing her flying ability and her ability to communicate with Jiji. She is completely tired from her delivery business. Her friend a painter named Ursula suggests that Kiki take a couple days away with her in her cabin in the woods. While there, Ursula talks with Kiki about her mental anguish and gives her advice on how if she rests up and clears her mind she'll be back to herself in no time.
However upon arrival back to the city, Tombo is in danger due to a runway blimp that is about to crash into the city's clock tower. He is only holding on by a rope. Kiki then borrows a broom and reaches down within herself the last ounce of courage that she can gather to fly. All of a sudden a gust of wind bursts and the broom levitates. Kiki is flying, and is able to save Tombo and bring him to the ground.
All in all, this movie is very relevant to the modern worker, student, and everyday person. Sure we can't really fly on broomsticks and I doubt our friends are gonna fall from blimps, but I can relate to Kiki. Budgeting and shopping is a chore these days with bills to juggle. Burnout and depression are commonplace in today's world especially with Covid and the ongoing political climate. However, we have to keep our heads up and believe that we can accomplish anything and find out spark to keep us going.
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