History Headscratchers / KikisDeliveryService

*** While Kiki and Jiji are no longer as co-dependent as they once were, they've clearly still got a strong bond. Significantly, in the very last scene of the film, Jiji runs to Kiki after she rescues Tombo and meows like a regular cat. It's subtle and breif, but watch Kiki's expression: while she briefly looks disappointed that she still can't understand him despite regaining her powers and confidence, she seems to accept it and nuzzles him affectionately. And of course, during the credits Kiki flies around with Jiji and one of his kittens. While Jiji and Kiki are no longer bonded at the hip and follow their own paths, they still care deeply for each other and remain in each others' lives - which is exactly what happens to many childhood friends who grow apart.

*** It's a bit deeper than that - while Kiki and Jiji are no longer as co-dependent as they once were, they've clearly still got a strong bond. Jiji runs to Kiki after she rescues Tombo, and while she briefly looks disappointed that she can't understand him, she seems to accept it and nuzzles him affectionately. And of course, in the credits Kiki flies around with Jiji and one of his kittens. While Jiji and Kiki are no longer bonded at the hip and follow their own paths, they still care deeply for each other and remain in each others' lives - which is exactly what happens to many childhood friends who grow apart.

*** The Japanese subs Jiji specifically tells Kiki not to get attached to the town until they figure out if there's other witches first (implying that if there are they won't be able to stay) and she asks the man in the clock tower if there are any other Witcher living there. Before leaving her hometown it's also mentioned by her mother that Witches in training must live in a town with no other witches for a year so they learn to be independent and stand on their own. Nothing is said regarding fully trained witches living together. As in the book, she can eventually return after her one year in solitude.

** In ReaLife, when cats wink at you, they do so as a sign that they trust you. They're just trying to gain Jiji's trust.

** In ReaLlife, when cats wink at you, they do so as a sign that they trust you. They're just trying to gain Jiji's trust.

** In ReaLlife, cats wink at you, they do so as a sign that they trust you. They're just trying to gain Jiji's trust.

** Again, in the book Kiki's mom did indeed have a cat.

* Maybe this was explained in the novel the film is based on, which wouldn't be surprising because ''Howl's Moving Castle'' was a film where most of the problems came from various things being left out from its novel, but why didn't Kiki call her mom after she lost her powers? From how Kiki reacts to losing them, it's completely blindsiding and she doesn't know what to do. Why didn't she call her mom to ask what to do next? I get it, she's moved away for a year to train, which also doesn't make sense, but this is the kind of film where that part is just something you roll with, but why didn't she call her mom to ask why that happened? You think she would because she's 12 and doesn't know everything.

** Again, in the book Kiki's mom did indeed have a cat.

** Again, in the book Kiki's mom did indeed have a cat.
* Why was Ket cheering for Kiki towards the end? Kiki and Ket never meet in the film, so how does he know her name?
** Ket did meet Kiki when she delivered the present from his aunt. She even gets anxious when she sees Ket shake the cage.
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* [[SomewhereAnOrnithologistIsCrying That's not even close to the sound Canada Geese make.]] Doesn't ruin the scene by any means, but, ItJustBugsMe.

*** It *is* interesting to note that Jiji's behavior changes, too. Like, it's not just Kiki. It's also him. His expressions become less anthropomorphic, he starts spending all of his time with Lilly, and he stops showing any concern for Kiki at all. In fact, right before she realizes that their means of communication have fallen apart, she's trying to vent to him about her day, and he just wanders away as if he doesn't know or doesn't care what she's saying. I think we're looking at a case of two friends who've simply grown in very different directions -- which absolutely *is* a part of growing up. You know, it plays out through the veil of magic and lore and everything, but the metaphor is clear. Kiki has her job and her friends and a city where she's thriving. Jiji has his mate and his kids. They've gone their separate ways. They don't need each other anymore.

** I either presumed Jiji had also been Kiki’s mom cat (though now that I think, he isn’t old enough for that. Or maybe witches' cats live longer than other cats, [[AWizardDidIt you know, magic and all]]). Going by some of the theories above in this page about how Jiji stopped talking to Kiki as a metaphor for growing up etc, it could be that Kiki’s mom also had a cat during her youth, which stopped talking when she grew older and eventually just left/passed away, or even left Jiji in its place; and now the cat’s family is Jiji. As for witches always having cats... well the only other witch we meet (Kiki's mom aside) has one, and Bertha also exclaims once she meets Kiki, "Broom and black cat! Just like my mother told me!". So if it's not obligatory, it certainly seems to be a matter of tradition for witches in this setting to have cats as their companions.

* Her talent is getting people what they need.