Return to the timeless magic of Kiki’s Delivery Service as the young witch once again takes to the sky. Kiki’s story of following tradition while pursuing her own lofty ambitions resonated with many Studio Ghibli fans who watched the film. I like to think the movie inspired young entrepreneurs. The story has many relatable ups and downs with dashes of magic that lend the coming-of-age tale extra whimsy. Soon, English-speaking fans will be able to continue Kiki’s captivating off-screen story.
Kiki and the New Magic is the second book written by Kiki’s original author Eiko Kadono. Originally published in 1993, the book is finally being translated into English for release on August 25th, 2026, under Penguin Random House. Fans of the film will finally get a chance to read about what happens after the credits roll. The book follows Kiki one year after she leaves home and begins her new life in Koriko. The delivery service Kiki started has taken off, and she’s delivering more frequently and farther from the city she calls home. Some items she’s toting around lead her down dangerous routes. With the uptick in business and more complicated delivery assignments, Kiki sees her magic differently. As this stress builds, so does the tension between her relationships with Jiji and Tombo. Kiki is 14 years old in this story, and she faces even more pressure than in the first book. Running a business that’s asking more and more of her, plus trying to hold onto young friendships as their world changes. The Synopsis on Penguin Random House’s website mentions Kiki may be exploring a new type of magic in the novel. I’m interested to see that thread take shape, as it’s originally mentioned that magic seems to diminish with each generation. Kiki doesn’t have the same magical prowess as her mother, who can make potions, and Kiki’s mother mentions not having the same powerful magic her own mother had. I wonder how Kiki will find and unlock the magic potential that lies dormant within her.
I read the excerpt available on the Penguin Random House website, and Kiki is returning home in the small section from the story. It warms my heart that she returned home, and I hope it’s to find advice from her mother. Kiki is a kid who left home so young because she holds a strong identity as a witch, and tradition says witches leave home at 13 to find their purpose. In the first book, she has to find her own support system from strangers who knew nothing about her. Luckily, Kiki was able to find people to help her work through her emotions. I’m wondering if going home will help ease the tension she finds in her relationships with Tombo and Jiji.
As an extra fun fact about Kiki and the New Magic, I noticed in the excerpt that Jiji can talk. I remember being so sad that he could no longer talk to Kiki at the end of the film, so I did some digging. It seems Jiji no longer being able to communicate with Kiki was a story choice from Miyazaki. Per Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki, Jiji was meant to be seen as an extension of Kiki in their telling of the story. Jiji is there for Kiki to talk to and bounce her decisions off of. Once she’s settled in Koriko and gained the confidence to be on her own and the support of friends, she won’t have to lean on Jiji, and the magic she gave him was gone. This was the case for viewers who watched the original Japanese film or the newer English dub. The 90s English dub actually had Jiji say something to Kiki in the end, probably because it was sad. I’m glad Kiki can now canonically grow and still have her talking cat best friend.
I can’t help but feel nostalgic hearing the name Kiki’s Delivery Service buzzing around once again. I think the movie is a very comforting watch, not only as a kid, but as an adult finding their way in the world. I’m glad that in Kiki and the New Magic, Kiki’s found success after pushing through her uncertainty. I’m wondering what lessons and comfort fans will find in the sequel. Will you be adding Kiki’s Delivery Service: Kiki and the New Magic to your summer reading list?
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