The Eiko Kadono novel Kiki’s Delivery Service, which previously was the basis for a Studio Ghibli anime adaptation, will be turned into a live-action show. Kadokawa, Wheels in Motion, and the BBC are working on it. There’s no release window for it yet, but Variety noted it the planned season will consist of 10 episodes. Each one will apparently be 30 minutes long. [Thanks, Variety!]
The Variety announcement also confirmed the identity of the screenplay writer who will prepare the scripts for this adaptation of the story. It is going to be Irena Brignull. Brignull has written both books and scripts for movies in the past. Her series is The Hawkweed one and consists of The Hawkweed Prophecy and The Hawkweed Legacy. Two of her past movie scripts involved movies geared toward a younger audience, The Boxtrolls and The Little Prince.
The original Kiki’s Delivery Service novel turned 40 in 2025. That first book is the one that Studio Ghibli used for its anime movie. It focuses on Kiki beginning her apprenticeship and after turning 13 years old. This means she must head out on her own for a year and live in a town, on her own, serving the community. As the title suggests, this results in her using her broom to make deliveries.
The Kiki’s Delivery Service live-action adaptation is in development. The Studio Ghibli anime movie based on the book is streaming on HBO Max. The book is available in English via Yearling.
We may earn a commission if you purchase from certain links. Learn more here.