Kiki’s Delivery Service gets the live-action series treatment after 37 years

Yes, another much-loved animated classic is getting the live-action treatment, because apparently there's no such thing as too many of these. The latest on the chopping (or magic broom) block: Kiki's Delivery Service – the Studio Ghibli gem that's as universally beloved as a cat in a hat, and which, if you ask most fans, is probably the studio's cosiest comfort watch.

The Next Big Adaptation Hopeful

This time round, it’s not Disney or DreamWorks leading the charge. The new Kiki's Delivery Service project is being put together by BBC Studios, Wheel in Motion (a European outfit), and the mighty Kadokawa Corporation from Japan. Not the usual suspects, so clearly there’s some genuine cross-continental ambition at play.

Not Just a Film: Back to the Book

A quick refresher: the original 1989 animated film came from Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, but that iconic movie was actually drawing from the first volume of Eiko Kadono's long-running kids' book saga. These novels have sold millions, although for many in the West, Ghibli's Kiki is the definitive version. Ghibli's film, by the way, sits at a ridiculous 98% on Rotten Tomatoes – you could argue there's not much to improve on, but we all know Hollywood barely knows the word 'restraint'.

What We Know About the Series

• Format: 10 half-hour episodes
• Source: Adapted straight from Kadono's first Kiki novel (so expect more book details than the original film managed to squeeze in)
• Plot: 13-year-old witch Kiki leaves home, tries to make her way in the seaside town of Koriko, setting up a flying courier service and generally working out how to be her own person. Yes, the talking cat is included.
• Timing: The announcement landed just after the literary series celebrated its 40th anniversary – the first book came out in 1985. Good excuse for a relaunch, to be fair.
• Scriptwriter: Irena Brignull, who previously penned The Boxtrolls (Oscar-nominated) and the Netflix version of The Little Prince

Who's Saying What?

The author herself is remarkably upbeat about yet another adaptation (and, let's face it, some authors get very tetchy about this sort of thing):

'Kiki is about to set off on another adventure into a new world. I'm confident this will be a great show. I can't wait to see the series come to life.'

Irena Brignull, who is responsible for writing the series, clearly rates Kiki as a top-tier fictional character:

'Kiki is one of fiction's great girl characters, and I'm thrilled to be part of bringing her to life in this new adaptation. Embodying the magic that exists in re-invention and human connection, she shows us what's possible when you venture boldly and big-heartedly into the world to find a sense of purpose.'

Why This Actually Makes Sense

There’s a bit of logic in taking Kiki to TV, instead of trying to squeeze everything into a two-hour film. The original Ghibli version was a tidy 103 minutes, gorgeous but necessarily a bit streamlined. Stretching the story over ten episodes means they can actually get into all the adventures and character stuff that the novels have been quietly hoarding for decades. Plus, with a global stage and fresh cast, it’s a pretty good bet the powers that be want another massive coming-of-age hit that does more than just revisit nostalgia for its own sake.