37 Years Later, Studio Ghibli’s Classic Fantasy Returns With a New Release in Fall 2026

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Founded in 1985, Studio Ghibli has become Japan’s most celebrated animation studio. Its films are known for stunning visuals, compelling stories, and powerful emotional resonance. While not an immediate success, Ghibli steadily gained popularity, becoming a major force in the late 80s and 90s. The film Princess Mononoke (1997) was particularly important, ensuring the studio’s financial stability through its captivating narrative. Today, Studio Ghibli enjoys a dedicated fanbase eagerly anticipating new films and re-releases of classic favorites.

Though it wasn’t an instant sensation, Kiki’s Delivery Service, first released in 1989, has become beloved by audiences worldwide. 2026 promises to be a fantastic year for fans, as the film recently made its IMAX debut in North America this March to great success, and Japan is hosting special screenings nationwide. Excitingly, Penguin Random House has confirmed the first-ever English translation of Eiko Kadono’s sequel novel, Kiki and the New Magic. The original film was based on Kadono’s award-winning 1985 novel, and the sequel, released in 1993, will be available in paperback, hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats on August 26th, 2026.

What Is Kiki’s Delivery Service About?

This charming fantasy film tells the story of Kiki, a young witch, and her cat as they begin a new adventure. It’s a coming-of-age tradition for young witches to set out on their own during a full moon and develop their magical skills. Kiki is excited to start this new chapter, but she quickly discovers that living independently and finding her place in a new town is harder than she expected. Throughout the film, she battles self-doubt and faces challenges before ultimately embracing what makes her unique.

The story picks up a year after the previous film, showing Kiki adjusting to life as a celebrity thanks to everything she’s accomplished. Despite gaining powers and recognition, she faces even bigger and more dangerous challenges. She begins to wonder what her purpose is and strives to find the strength to discover a new form of magic.

What’s Next For Studio Ghibli This Year?

Hayao Miyazaki started working on a new film after The Boy and the Heron came out in 2023, but his studio hasn’t revealed any information about it yet. While there’s no confirmation of a new anime film release in 2026, fans in North America can still enjoy the yearly Studio Ghibli Fest, which runs from July to October.

GKIDS will keep working with IMAX to bring even more Studio Ghibli films to the big screen in the immersive IMAX format, following the successful re-release of Kiki’s Delivery Service. These special IMAX versions will be carefully overseen by Atsushi Okui, a highly respected animator at Ghibli. He’s a veteran cinematographer and director of photography who has worked on classic Ghibli films for decades, including Howl’s Moving Castle and The Boy and the Heron, among others.

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2026-06-09 04:12