| “ | Without even thinking about it, I used to be able to fly. Now I'm trying to look inside myself and find out how I did it. | „ |
| ~ Kiki |
Kiki is the titlular protagonist of Kiki's Delivery Service a 1985 book by Eiko Kadono as well as its 1989 Studio Ghibli and 2014 live-action film adaptations.
She was voiced by Minami Takayama in the original Japanese version. She was also voiced by Kirsten Dunst in the Disney dub, and the late Lisa Michelson in the Streamline dub.
What Makes Her a Shojo Heroine?[]
- Heroic/Honorable: Kiki consistently goes above and beyond what is required in her delivery service, helping others in various situations and often refusing payment. Overcoming her insecurities and inability to fly to save Tombo from falling to his death, she speed up to flying rescues him upon the aircraft crashed the clock tower into damages, making him hold his life as a result they would be safe. However, after seems that she too marvelous cheer up to have survived together with Tombo eventually when for which all the audience applause from them.
- Kind/Gentle: She's very cheerful, kind and supportive towards her friends and family, such as apologizing to her father for making a mistake. Despite initially not being very friendly towards Tombo, this is only because she didn't trust him due to his overly friendly nature, as well as because he first caught her at a very bad moment when she was feeling very ashamed and embarrassed over getting in trouble for losing control of her broom and nearly causing a traffic accident without meaning to. However, once she gets to know him better, she quickly warms up to him and comes to consider him a friend.
- Bubbly: Kiki is a very positive and energetic character.
- Compassionate: Her compassion is shown early on when she helps the pregnant bakery owner, Osono, by quickly delivering a pacifier to her baby. This act leads to Osono offering Kiki a place to stay and inspiring the idea for her delivery service.
- Naive/Absent-Minded: At the start of her journey, Kiki is a bit naive due to her inexperience in the wider world, having lived a sheltered life in her small village.
- Optimistic: Even when she is struggling, her core personality remains good-hearted and kind.
- Sensitive: Kiki is sensitive to the feelings of others, even when they are rude or unappreciative.
- Idealistic: Her idealism is confronted by the mundane and difficult aspects of being an independent adult, including burnout, loneliness, and financial struggles.
- Determined: Despite being a novice with her powers and facing initial challenges like losing her flying ability and the ability to talk to Jiji; even where Kiki made all the times she made a mistake when trying to deliver something (which was not her intention), she pushes through them and still never gave up on trying to get better and improve her delivery service.
- Youthful: Is portrayed as having typical adolescent ups and downs.
- Believes in the Power of Friendship/Love: As Kiki learns to be independent, she also learns to rely on the friends she makes.
- Has a Sweet Tooth: Kiki's favorite food is the herring and pumpkin pot pie she makes with an old woman, and the chocolate cake she receives from her grandmother.
- Wears Bright Colors: At the beginning, she's dressed in a bright green, short-sleeved dress with a medium turtle-neck and a bright pink apron, long, grey socks that are falling down and the same shoes.
- Pigtails/Bob-Cuts/Buns/Long-Hair: Kiki has short hair.
- Unnatural Hair Color: Dark brown.
- Insecure: Despite being friendly, she experiences social anxiety, especially when people are indifferent or unkind. This leads her to reject social situations, such as running away from Tombo's friends, because she feels inadequate compared to them.
- Magical: Is a young witch with the ability to fly on a broomstick.
- Is a Cutie: Kiki is widely considered a cutie due to her adorable design and endearing personality traits.
- Age 10 - 16: Kiki is 13 years old at the start of the film.
External Links[]
- Kiki on the Heroes Wiki
- Kiki on the Pure Good Wiki