Why Hayao Miyazaki Looks Back on Kiki’s Delivery Service with Regret
Hayao Miyazaki, despite the success of Kiki’s Delivery Service, has spoken about his personal regrets regarding the film, reflecting on its energy and the era of Japan’s economic boom in which it was made.
Regret is something most of us cop at some point, and for artists, it’s almost part of the job. Even the tiniest detail in a painting or a snap can stick in your mind, even if no one else notices. When you’re in the public eye, though, those feelings can hit harder. Filmmakers, in particular, are used to having their work picked apart by critics and punters alike, and Hayao Miyazaki knows this all too well. Despite the widespread praise for one of his most beloved films, he’s admitted to feeling a personal sense of regret about it.
Making a film is a pretty personal journey. It’s one of those art forms that gets measured, rated, and sometimes torn to shreds by critics and audiences. So, it’s not a shock if a director walks away from a project wishing they’d done things differently. For Miyazaki, that film was Kiki’s Delivery Service. Even though the 1989 animated feature was a hit with both critics and at the box office, he’s said it left him feeling a bit unfulfilled. It’s a common story for filmmakers—sometimes the works that get the most love from the public are the ones they’re least satisfied with.
From Producer to Director
Kiki’s Delivery Service came out just a year after My Neighbour Totoro, another classic from Miyazaki. The story follows a 13-year-old witch, Kiki, who leaves home with her cat, Jiji, to start a new life in a strange town. She sets up a courier service and faces all sorts of challenges as she grows up. The film’s charm even led to a stage musical down the track.
Interestingly, Miyazaki hadn’t planned to direct this one. He was meant to be the producer, but as he got stuck into the pre-production—writing the script and working on the concept art—he realised he’d already put so much of himself into it that he might as well take the reins. Despite its success, he’s been open about his mixed feelings towards the project.
Reflecting on the 1980s and Creative Choices
In a 1997 chat with Animerica Anime & Manga Monthly, Miyazaki explained his thoughts on the film and the era it came from.
Kiki’s Delivery Service shows another side of the ’80s, that of Japanese economic prosperity. Even back then, I realised that just like the ’80s, Kiki was sincere but somewhat lacking energy. For various reasons, it was a movie I had to make. Commercially, it was a success, but it left me with a personal sense of regret.
Maybe the quick turnaround between projects—jumping straight from Totoro to Kiki—had an impact on how he approached the film. Still, some reckon he’s being a bit tough on himself. There’s plenty of spark in Kiki’s story, as she faces her struggles head-on and never gives in to gloom. It’s an attitude Miyazaki himself might take on board when thinking about this much-loved film, even if he wishes he’d done a few things differently.