Kiki's Delivery Service Gets A Sequel - Sort Of

Studio Ghibli has been regarded as the best anime studio for decades. Releasing many award winning animated classics such as Princess Monnonoke and Spirited Away. Kiki's Delivery Service has also internationally recognized as an anime classic. Some even argue that it is Hayao Miyazaki's best, as he wrote, produced, and directed the film. Kiki's Delivery Service was based on a novel by Eiko Kadono, who actually ended up writing sequels for Kiki. However, Studio Ghibli decided not to create an animated follow up to the original, so fans have been left without one... until now.

In the original film, Kiki was a 13-year-old witch who ended up using her magical abilities to help her run her store. Now, the little witch has grown up a bit, and Kiki can be seen as a 17-year-old girl above. The new appearance of the witch comes from a Nissin commercial where the beloved character is re-imagined to sell instant noodles. The new take on the characters are drawn by manga artist Eisaku Kubonouchi, and its easy to identify the characters despite their age differences.

The commercial (seen above) features Kiki as she struggles to tell Tombo that she's developed romantic feelings for him, and sheobserves him from a distance. It also features a cameo by Kiki's cat, Jiji, and Kiki flying her broom. Somehow the short story is supposed to encourage viewers to buy a noodles.

There is more good news for Studio Ghibli fans, as GKIDS and Fathom Evens are collaborating again to bring six classic Studio Ghibli film to U.S. theaters this year. Fans will be able to see their favorites on the big screen while cheering and connecting with others in an exciting theater setting.

The first film featured in the new series will be My Neighbor Totoro, the critically acclaimed story about two young girls as they explore a new home and magical forest full of playful spirits and cute creatures. Other movies on the list include Kiki's Delivery Service, Castle in the Sky, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Spirited Away, and Howl's Moving Castle.

Tickets and theater locations will be available and revealed on April 28. Don't worry Japanese purists, the films are going to be showing in both the English dub as well as in the original Japanese with English subtitles. Each film will be shown on two days, one day for English and one Japanese, on the following dates:

• My Neighbor Totoro: June 25 and June 26
• Kiki's Delivery Service: July 23 and July 24
• Castle in the Sky: August 27 and August 28
• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind: September 24 and September 25
• Spirited Away: October 29 and October 30
• Howl's Moving Castle: November 26 and November 27