The Story of “Kiki’s Delivery Service” Continues In Sequel’s First Time English Release

While pop culture is filled with many dynamic witches, there is one who stands out with her own extraordinary charm: Kiki.

Known widely through the classic and beloved adaptation by Studio Ghibli, the tale of Kiki’s Delivery Service follows a young witch coming into her own as she takes the major step of leaving home, discovering her craft, and finding herself in this timeless coming-of-age story.

Many fans have been deeply enchanted by Kiki’s journey, finding comfort and solace in her struggles. However, her story did not begin as sketches on screen, but as a novel by author Kadono Eiko-sensei.

First published in 1985, the novel serves as the foundation for the popular film adaptation. Much of the story remains faithful to the original source material, aside from a few changes made by Studio Ghibli. The book introduces the beginning of Kiki’s journey with the same endearing moments and challenges that fans have come to cherish.

Despite the film receiving numerous international releases, Kadono-sensei’s original work remained largely unavailable to English-speaking audiences—until Penguin Random House acquired the publication rights, leading to the long-awaited English release of Kiki’s Delivery Service in 2021.

This development delighted fans of the beloved story and sparked hope that the remaining entries in Kadono-sensei’s Kiki series would also receive English translations.

Thankfully, that hope is becoming reality, as the second installment of Kiki’s adventures is set to arrive in bookstores this summer.

Join Kiki, the beloved young witch, and her clever cat Jiji in the enchanting sequel to the modern classic! This new translation will reveal more to the story that inspired the Hayao Miyazaki film, Kiki’s Delivery Service.

It has been a year since Kiki started her new life as an honest-to-goodness witch, and the—not quite so—little courier has become a real celebrity.

But fame comes with its own set of challenges. As Kiki faces increasingly perilous tasks, her friendships with Jiji and Tombo are put to the test. Doubts creep in, leading her to question her purpose.

Determined to overcome her fears, Kiki must summon all her courage and perhaps even explore a new kind of magic. Will she find the strength to navigate her evolving world?

Kiki and the New Magic, beautifully illustrated by Yuta Onoda, is a captivating tale of bravery, friendship, and self-discovery. Perfect for fans of the Studio Ghibli film and anyone who loves a magical adventure.

Kiki’s and the New Magic releases on August 25 and will be available at booksellers nationwide. In addition, Books-A-Million is offering signed preorder editions of the book by Kadono-sensei.

Be sure to preorder your copy, and please look forward to our upcoming review.