One of Hayao Miyazaki’s most beloved films is getting a live-action TV adaptation. But rest assured, so far, it’s all good.
In 1985, two filmmakers, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, embarked on creating a studio that would become famous worldwide: Studio Ghibli. It has brought the world to discover and marvel at Japanese animation through a catalog of barely two dozen films. In addition to being largely composed of masterpieces, the catalog has the peculiarity of containing no sequels or spin-offs, unlike the big American studios (think Pixar and the 5th Toy Story coming to theaters soon).
So, naturally, there are a few shadows on the canvas. Some productions were not well received by audiences, such as Goro Miyazaki’s Aya and the Witch (Aya and the Witch), now available on Netflix. However, Hayao Miyazaki’s works almost all earned cult status. So it’s only natural that a shiver of fear could run through even the bravest, since one of his most beloved films is about to become a TV series. But don’t panic, it should go well (or not).
Keep Miyazaki out of this series
The BBC Studios, and more specifically its Kids & Family division, has announced development of a live-action Kiki’s Delivery Service series. It will be produced in partnership with Kadokawa Corporation (bringing together publishing houses and various Japanese studios) and Wheel in Motion.
If the story of the young witch is so famous, it’s largely thanks to the 2004 Miyazaki film released in France (that is, 15 years after its original release in Japan). But at the origin, it is a six-volume children’s book series by Eiko Kadono, published in 1985. The feature film adapts only the first book and some of Kiki’s adventures, as she leaves her family home at 13 to head to the city and start her delivery service.
Fans can put away their pitchforks and torches. This series, which will re-adapt the novels, will likely be far from Hayao Miyazaki’s film. Indeed, as with his work on Howl’s Moving Castle (adapted from the Diana Wynne Jones trilogy), the director injected his own obsessions after several rewrites of the screenplay. The close link to the author’s novels is even more evident when listening to Takeo Kodera, the head of international coproductions at Kadokawa :
“We could not imagine a more exceptional tribute to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this cult book series than this partnership. The British creative team has managed to absorb the spirit of Kiki thanks to close collaboration with Ms. Kadono, and the result will enchant families worldwide.”
Par ailleurs, en 2014, Kiki a déjà été l’héroïne d’un film en prises de vue réelle, Majo no takkyūbin (sorti directement en DVD en France) par le réalisateur Takashi Shimizu, à qui on doit la saga d’horreur The Grudge. Cette première adaptation en série de Kiki la petite sorcière n’a donc rien de surprenant et est tout compte fait une suite logique au succès des romans.
Pour le moment, aucune date de sortie officielle n’a évidemment été annoncée et encore moins de casting ou de showrunner, bien que l’on sache déjà qu’une seule saison en dix épisodes a été commandée pour le moment afin de retracer le premier tome de la saga. Mais le média Variety a partagé des rumeurs évoquant la possibilité d’avoir Irena Brignull, connue pour l’écriture de Les Boxtrolls du studio Laika ou encore le film d’animation NetflixLe Petit Prince comme scénariste sur la série.
