40 Years Later, Kiki’s Delivery Service Officially Gets First-Ever Live-Action Remake

BBC Studios Kids & Family has partnered with Kadokawa Corporation and Wheel in Motion to create a new version of a popular franchise, promising a fresh and exciting experience for fans.

I just read that a live-action Kiki’s Delivery Service TV series is officially being made! Variety reported on it, and they included some initial details and statements about the show when they announced it.

Kiki’s Delivery Service Finally Reveals First Live-Action TV Series in Franchise History

BBC Studios has announced a new adaptation of Kiki’s Delivery Service, the beloved story that began as a children’s fantasy novel in 1985. For the first time ever, this popular tale will be brought to life as a live-action TV series.

I still remember when Kiki’s Delivery Service first came out in Japan back in 1989! Everyone went wild for Kadano’s story – it was an instant hit. In fact, it became the highest-grossing film that year, and I’m so excited about this new project building on that amazing legacy!

I’ve learned that BBC Studios, Japan’s Kodansha company, and a UK production company called Wheel in Motion are working together on a new TV series. From what I understand, they’re planning a 10-episode show, with each episode being around 30 minutes long. That would make the series about three times the length of the original Kiki’s Delivery Service movie.

Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved film Kiki’s Delivery Service from Studio Ghibli was a huge financial success, earning over $41 million despite a small $7 million budget, and it continues to be popular today. The English-dubbed version, released by Walt Disney Studios in 1997, helped the movie reach an even wider audience and boosted the franchise’s overall success.

The new live-action Kiki’s Delivery Service series faces a tough challenge, both in living up to the beloved original and in its execution. Directed by Takashi Shimizu, known for his work in horror, the series has received mixed reactions, with an IMDb rating of 5.7/10 and a 50% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Despite some concerns, representatives from the studios making the new show have assured fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service that it will be a faithful adaptation. Grainne McNamara from BBC Studios Kids & Family expressed excitement about bringing “Kiki” to audiences worldwide and introducing the story to a new generation.

Alexi Wheeler of Wheel in Motion also expressed their excitement, calling it “a dream come true and an absolute honor.” These comments reflect the enthusiasm fans are showing for this new version of Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Takeo Kodera, who heads international co-productions at Kadokawa, shared his thoughts on the series after it was announced. He stated that this partnership is a perfect way to celebrate the book series’ 40th anniversary. Kodera also praised the U.K. creative team for truly capturing the essence of Kiki through their work with author Eiko Kadono, and believes families around the world will love what they’ve created.

Irena Brignull, the writer for the new series, is excited to help bring this character to life in the adaptation. She explains that the character represents the power of reinvention and human connection, and shows what can happen when someone bravely pursues their purpose in the world.

Even at this early stage, it’s clear the new production is being made with a lot of attention to detail, which is great news for fans of Kiki’s Delivery Service. They have a lot to be excited about!

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2026-06-16 23:16