Kiki's Bad American Alternate Ending

I own nothing in this video besides my words and opinions.

[@DeadDevilDying]

In the book it's explained that when a witch is born they immediately find a black cat born around the same time and those two grow up together, bond, and thus form their own language that the two of them can understand and communicate with until the witch grows up and finds a mate, and likewise the black cat does the same and they part ways. So it had nothing to do with powers, although liberties were taken in the film, I still love both. I'm still haven't read all the book yet though.

[@radicalreptyl9190]

Very interesting. Thanks for the insight. I heard a rumor that the author originally disliked the script of the film and needed some convincing by Miyazaki and Suzuki.

[@DeadDevilDying]

@@radicalreptyl9190 ​ @Radical Reptyl I grew up with the westernized version, and I do miss it, mostly for the songs, not that I hate the Japanese songs, My sister recently got the book on audible and we've been listening to it together which made me watch the film again. It amazed me how much dialogue I still remember from the western version that got cut out of the one we have now , especially since I haven't watched that version since I was a small boy. But I'm grateful for what all of them created. Love the name by the way :)

[@Esplodiamoinallegria]

@@DeadDevilDying It wasn't cut out, words were inserted where there weren't any so it was just a matter of removing them to get back to the original version

[@but_iWantedTo_speakGerman]

A witch is not a they, a witch is a she.

[@Dfeneck]

So they go as far as to remove the communication, but then ignore the book and show that they continued to fly together and have adventures and didn't 'part ways' at all?

[@alltimellow]

I always assumed Jiji talking at the end was just another confirmation of her regaining her witch's powers after getting through her depression.

[@xBlacksStarx]

I think that's what was intended in the english version, but what this guy is implying is that the editors were mistaken.

[@xtzyshuadog]

@@xBlacksStarx *It's actually what the director of the movie said.* Kiki is meant to outgrow Jiji, which played to her immature side. Losing him was tough, but it was a part of maturing.

[@xBlacksStarx]

@@xtzyshuadog no I understand that- What I'm saying is the *English translators*/editors were mistaken, and intentionally gave a happier ending, despite what the studio wanted and intended. So the English editors did that ending intentionally, but they were mistaken to.

[@englishatheart]

@@xtzyshuadog That is most certainly NOT part of "maturing." That stuff is extremely toxic and nothing but a human construct. The bonds we make with living companions, human or otherwise, do not need to disappear as a sign of "maturing." Why do you think so many adults are depressed and lethargic? It's because society tells them that once they reach a certain age they have to give up all that brought them joy as kids and base their lives on working. That is NOT what life should be about. The happiest adults are nearly always people who retain their "inner child."

[@nicholasnewman937]

@@englishatheart "Well, that's just, like, your opinion man."

[@artistic_lj]

I really like your interpretation of Kiki’s character arc and her “growing out” of Jiji. However, I will say, when I was a kid watching this, I thought that Jiji talking again WAS her character arc. I thought that, instead of her character arc being growing up, her character arc was going through a depression and working through her problems, even if it was difficult, in order to get back to a place where she was mentally happy and healthy again. I thought Jiji talking signified not only that she had finally reclaimed her magical powers but also the happiness and wonderment about said magic that was once lost.

[@yagurljackie]

I think the same thing, i love the fact that jiji can talk again, showing she got her powers back and is more confident.

[@captivatingcurios]

yeah i completely agree, i think this is an excellent change on the part of the american adaptation. i only watch the english version for this reason.

[@Ivytheherbert]

I agree completely, when a character is literally a witch with magical powers it makes perfect sense for them to be able to talk to a cat, especially when witches could converse with their animal familiars in myths and legends.

[@caryinsheppard8003]

Oh crap I thought the same thing!😲

[@Mossy-Kat]

Exactly

[@amyrose070799]

Omg I thought I was crazy when I bought the blu ray version and didn’t hear him talk! Thank you!

[@hammooo]

I bought the Blu-Ray version as well and didn’t hear him talk at the end as well!

[@dinahb1170]

Kiki’s delivery service was probably my favorite film as a child, and I think having Jiji still unable to speak by the end of the movie would have destroyed 5-year-old me tbh lmao

[@Darienlover999]

Big same

[@loopa7563]

i wish jiji could still talk, because he was so consistent throughout the movie, keeping her company in moments that would be so lonely otherwise, he was such a comfort

[@SamuelSamuelSamuel1]

Agreed, that’s why I love the older English dub. Younger me would’ve hated the ending because of that...

[@panda_dayz9937]

@@SamuelSamuelSamuel1 Wai what happened? JiJi can't talk anymore? This is what i get form not watching the newer version...

[@wojciechn493]

@@panda_dayz9937 It really made me mad if Jiji lose ability to speech. Americans had to change it in their dubbing. But everyone else love the original version and no one criticize that he lose ability to speech. Oh, Miyazaki, why did you do that?! :-(

[@Esplodiamoinallegria]

@@wojciechn493 Because it's in the book

[@wojciechn493]

@@Esplodiamoinallegria What a pity it is in the book. Unfortunately films can be too faithful for original sources at times.

[@sm0000]

May be that's why the other witch's cat was so serious and calm.

[@humanii9037]

Omg youre right

[@monkeychief1904]

I interpreted the real meow as a sign that she wasn’t 100% better, that she still had a little ways to go with recovery. When she gets back on the broom it seems she has more trouble controlling it than usual. This interpretation is really cool too. I just prefer the idea of Jiji actually talking lol

[@anilax9158]

I like that interpretation

[@geekchic8495]

I love your interpretation! I just finished watching it and was so distraught she couldn't hear him anymore, but I'm gonna take your interpretation as canon cos it makes it so much less sad while not changing the ending!!! Sorry Mr. Miyazaki, but this person's explanation is less sad! 😂

[@ThePhrozenPhoenix]

Jiji being able to talk is better, Miyazaki isn’t always right.

[@but_iWantedTo_speakGerman]

nah you're wrong. "when you gain, you also lose"

[@Doug87969]

Well in the novels, the cat always is able to talk so there is that.

[@koda7214]

I grew up with the original dub, and while I can appreciate the movie in it’s true form, I MUCH PREFER the original English ending. Well, at least the part with Jiji. The end credits scene always confused me. I always saw Kiki being able to understand Jiji again as another symbol of her “trusting her spirit”, as I steal a quote from the movie. The writers definitely did it to give the story a happier ending, but I genuinely think it makes the ending better. And I usually have a problem with western movies forcing a happy ending every time!!

[@blackivy8200]

I'm glad im not the only one

[@englishatheart]

Its* true form. It's = it is *or* it has. Its = belonging to it.

[@englishatheart]

@@blackivy8200 Here's a hint: you are never the only one who thinks something.

[@bjiunal6687]

@@englishatheart Here’s a hint for you: YOU’RE ANNOYING AF AND NEED TO CRAWL BACK UNDER YOUR ROCK

[@but_iWantedTo_speakGerman]

Of course you prefer it, you are one of the weak white Westernmutts. But you people are wrong. "when you gain, you also lose"

[@VJFranzK]

Third explanation: Jiji doesn't talk at the end because we are seeing "the public point of view" as they all gather around, but can't understand him. But she can't have imagined his speech all along, because he has to translate other animals dialogue at some plot points.

[@but_iWantedTo_speakGerman]

No. You people are wrong. it's from the book. "when you gain, you also lose"

[@doloresmary13]

I'm not American nor Japanese, so I've always watched the Japanese version with subtitles. And I love the subtlety of the Japanese version. I'd add that not only is Kiki depressed, but she is depressed specifically as *a girl* who's going through puberty, who's finding herself, who measures herself against other girls and finds herself lacking somewhat. The girls she sees who are her age make her feel inadequate; Tombo, being her own age, represents the phase where girls stop seeing boys as annoying and start seeing them as interesting (Kiki takes a while, but she warms up to him); she doesn't believe in her powers as a witch anymore, or her ability to do things right etc. Only when Kiki finds an older girl who represents her next stage in life -- a girl who is sure of herself, comfortable with being a girl and with her sexuality, and in tune with her own skills and talents -- she can envision the same for herself. So Jiji not speaking is really crucial at the end: he "losing his voice" was, according to the old Kiki, a sign that everything was out of place, but not for the new Kiki; he cuddles to her, she cuddles to him, and they love each other. She has her life now and so does he, and they're still connected. She has evolved. It's simply perfect, and I commend Miyazaki for having such sensibility for representing very delicate but potent feelings in little girls. An amazing movie.

[@chrispbacon487]

When Miyazaki was asked why Gigi stopped speaking human, he said a girl would understand.

[@Greentealiesel]

I think the "meow" just represents that Kiki wasent fully recovered from her depressive episode. She was flimsy with the broom, and barely managed to fly it. I think she'll eventually manage to understand Jiji again.

[@contagiousintelligence5007]

I go to bed with this happy thought

[@en2p187]

@@contagiousintelligence5007 it bothered me so much at the ending but I like to think her story isn't finished yet, she's still got a ways to go

[@but_iWantedTo_speakGerman]

No. You people are wrong. "when you gain, you also lose"

[@Dfeneck]

@@but_iWantedTo_speakGerman But its stupid, so I'll continue to believe she got it back eventually.

[@kristineweber8084]

In the original author's world, witches grow out of hearing their cats and partnering with them. So I agree you have a valid point from that perspective. However, this sequence of events is unusual among magical worlds created by 99% of the other authors I've read. Most of the time, if the creature has thoughts and a language, anyone who can understand its language continues to understand it; any loss of that is just that - a loss, not a maturation. I considered Kiki & Jiji to be friends and partners in magic, a partnership that should grow, deepen, and continue until death, which is usual for witch/familiar relationships. Not hearing Jiji would be like going deaf. That's why I prefer the first Disney dub. I also miss some of Phil's zingers - I can't UNHEAR them, I REMEMBER them, so it still feels like they ripped up the soundtrack; it sounds flat to me. I also adore the English-language songs, since the lyrics are more on-point; the Japanese one she's playing on her little radio is about an unfaithful lover! I bought the Blu-Ray but can't bear to get rid of the DVD that has the first dub on it. Wish they'd put on an alternate soundtrack so people could choose. Blu-Rays have lots of space...

[@but_iWantedTo_speakGerman]

this is pure cope. Your favourite stories are not kiki's story. someone else's fantasy nonsense has nothing to do with this. stop the white nonsense

[@bartskywalker8121]

You have no idea how heart broken I was when Jiji wasn't able to talk at the end in the original

[@eswan8900]

I'm from the younger generation you mentioned and wasn't aware there was a version of him talking. It did feel kind of odd to me that Kiki gained her powers back, but Jiji still didn't talk. I still prefer the new release though cause it's the one I'm used to.

[@meowmeowfuzzyface3698]

This was such a deep movie for me to be obsessed with when I was so little. Miyazaki truly is an artist.

[@kajalchauhan9854]

Still now, when the day is sunny and somehow strangely empty, I listen to kiki's delivery service music and the feeling is undescribeable 🍁

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

4:40 "That's annoying. You'd tell him to shut up." Absolute legend.

[@SillyCreatureSally]

If that's what Miyazaki wanted, then I much prefer the "not talking" ending.

[@coco1602]

​@@SillyCreatureSallyMe too, if it's how he wanted the ending to be, what's the point changing it ? Hayao Miyazaki doesn't like the Disney-like happy endings, he prefers more complex and realistic endings, ones that reflect how the world actually works.

[@Dfeneck]

Eh this choice just honestly ruined the beautiful story for me. I googled all this because I thought it must have been an over site. Just feels like bad writing to me. 100% prefer him to talk in the end. What a stupid choice to break peoples heart after such a heartwarming and kind story.

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

@@Dfeneck I prefer the bittersweet endings rather than 'everything is 100% fine, there's no heartache, the end'.

[@Dfeneck]

@@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers If it was explained that witches eventually go through this, I think I'd be more willing to accept it. As it stands, it honestly just feels like it was an oversite and he was covering his ass honestly. The book apparently does explain it, says they eventually part ways. If that's the case, why then did the anime go on to show them continuing to have adventures together, despite the lack of communication? Take one part but not the other? Seems strange. It just goes against the whole wholesome theme. Its not a 'heartbreaking' style show. If you want heartbreak, then maybe the helium should have actually ignited and exploded as it actually would, but its not that kind of story, so why throw in heartbreak at all?? Its just stupid, and comes across like the story messed up.

[@Worldgonemad]

No wonder why Studio Ghibli stopped letting Disney distribute their stuff. I heard Miyazaki was not happy with how Disney began changing things

[@Father_of_Death]

Disney dubbed the films up to the mid 2010s. Disney rescind the distribution rights and GKIDS acquired them.

[@SillyCreatureSally]

That might have been with that awful Nausicaä dub, Warriors of the Wind. I heard Miyazaki sent over a katana sword for Princess Mononoke that said "no cuts".

[@MissFiver]

I remember watching the release with the original ending not knowing that they did that and just having the memory of the Americanized ending when I was a kid and it hit me hard. Not only because it was unexpected, but because it made the whole experience different and made it hit home of what it’s like growing up. Putting away childhood to grow. I swear it made me cry

[@ZooBuddyDoo]

My mind is blown. I NEVER would have thought that Jiji was never talking.

[@KingSun0]

While I don't really believe it either, since it would leave major plot holes throughout the story, it could be a natural conclusion since as far as I know in the Japanese version Jiji had a feminine voice and the dialogue mirrored Kiki's own anxiety and worries, with Kiki acting as the voice of reason, whereas in the English version Jji had a masculine voice and acted as a voice of reason in a fatherly role to Kiki's more childish impetuous views of the world

[@trinitysanabria1350]

Studio Gibli (sp?) actually released a statement recently about this. They said that Jiji talking was in essence Kiki talking to herself, working through things. So by JiJi not being able to talk anymore, it’s her not needing that “alter ego” and her sign that she’s going to be ok in town.

[@lindenherz6693]

I was introduced to Kiki in the German dub which stays true to the Japanese one, so Jiji doesn't speak at the end of the movie in both versions. When I first watched it the ending really frustrated me, so the old English one was fixing it for me a bit. But after a while I found it quite encroaching not necessarily with Jiji's extra lines (I loved the voice actor's dry humor), but adding some extra music in scenes that were originally silent is what I thought to be a no go. As if you cannot allow children to have some silence in the scenes, cause they might get bored or something. Thanks for making this video to explain the thoughts behind Kiki's loss of abilities.

[@pixjst1]

I first saw Kiki on Cartoon Network years ago and fell in love with it. One day I was at a store called K-Mart and they had Kiki on VHS and my mother bought it for me. This was why first introduction to Studio Ghibli. Looking back now with the Remake to the OG American version I do say I like the remastered one better. But I did like the ending song from the first print.

[@ricekrispies1917]

Wait the new release doesn't have the "I'm gonna fly" song!? ...... I liked that song. That song is like childhood to me ;-;

[@TheOriginalScribbleStudios]

I always thought the meow means that while Kiki is still young, she's starting to gain her maturity and Jiji who served as a second conscience, was no longer needed and could go back to being just a cat.

[@jeromevogel6905]

I love the first one I saw. I grew up in the 70s and 80s. I miss the original one. Thank you for the information.

[@METALOZON]

I still don't like that after Kiki regained her powers, she still couldn't understand Jiji. Them talking to each other was one of the main attractions. In this particular case, I don't care about the philosophy of life.

[@bowloflentils]

Great video! I actually watched the Blu-ray version of the Castle in the Sky dub not that long ago, which removes all the extra lines that were in the DVD version and contains the original soundtrack, and it was kind of shocking just how different it felt in terms of tone. Anyway keep up the awesome work!

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

Yeah man, I had to watch some Ghibli films in dub with my sister and it was just not the same.

[@spykemxd]

My favorite part of Kiki's Delivery Service will always be when she first arrives at the city, and you see Studio ghibli's skills at full effect.

[@Res_ER]

Didn’t even think of the ending when rewatching it like a million times until now. Whoa

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

Awesome video man. Thanks for highlighting a great line from one of my favorites movies.

[@radicalreptyl9190]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@logangoose]

Never thought of it this way. But damn when she couldn't understand Jiji I was so fucking sad. Maybe I'm a dumb America but that ending made me feel better ngl

[@whaleofbread5389]

Wow you looked really deep into the sad parts, I personally thought the Japanese ending was just a wholesome moment while the American ending was tying up lose ends, which I liked a bit more

[@walangchahangyelingden8252]

This movie has helped me a lot for growing up. Its themes and lessons are very mature. I did notice it when my sister was watching it for the first time and me the second. I was seriously weirded out.

[@jasontachin]

RW: not to be neglectful from your POV double R but tbh i love the (english) ending (the one with Kirsten Dunst and Phil Hartman ) and hearing the song "I'm Gonna Fly" and hearing Gigi say Meow at the end better aswell as the song playing in the background,it just gives that warm feeling of Happiness.😁

[@kerryrinderr]

As someone in their thirties I've been watching this film since I was a kid and it has a different meaning to me every time I watch it. This has helped me through so many struggles, my parents divorce, moving out on my own, bad relationships, hating my appearance, losing my beloved black cat, depression, and doubting myself in my career. Every little girl and woman should watch this movie.

[@NickJerrison]

As a kid I only had a DVD with a bootleg Russian dub and it stayed true to the original in as many ways as possible. All the songs remained in Japanese, all lines were intact, names weren't altered etc. It was my favorite DVD we owned and I re-watched it almost every week. I remember very clearly asking my brother what happened to Jiji/Gigi at the end. He just told me that I'd understand with time. We lost the DVD somewhere down the line. Cut to almost ten years later, I moved to another city for university and decided to re-watch it after all this time. It hit hard. The whole movie did. I'm glad it ended the way it did. But for anyone who prefers this ending, or just wants to have some more Kiki content, the movie was based on a book which later received five sequels. Over the course of five books Kiki grows up from thirteen years old to nineteen with the sixth book being something of a big wrap-up story. As far as I know, only the first one has been translated into English, but I really hope the rest eventually do. It felt extremely surreal to open the second book and have it start with the two of them returning to the town, felt like some childhood dream coming true.

[@dracophoenixttv]

But you watched the film backwards xD

[@NickJerrison]

@@dracophoenixttv What does that even mean

[@victorlannister5606]

Not me realizing I have an original where she can’t hear him! Although I believe since witches have familiars I believe she could hear him and it just proves she not 100% better. She is still going to be depressed. She’s just getting better as time goes on! And maybe one day she’ll be able to hear him again.

[@VJFranzK]

People point out: They may have voiced Jiji like that to remind people of Sabrina and her cat. I like the dub, it can be considered an "alternate version" (Notice also they even animate Jiji as a less sentient being when he isn't talking with her. Details...)

[@philipnotphillip]

Interesting point! It definitely shows how in the ending that Kiki has emotionally matured and that added last line from Jiji would undermine the development.

[@Wizardmaster55]

One of the things I noticed is Jiji's eyes are round when he can be understood by Kiki, but almond shaped when he cannot be. After the ending, during the end credits, Jiji's eyes are round again, implying that he is back to his old self.

[@aidawedo1]

I always cried when I saw the tribute to Phil Hartman as Jiji at the end, that one will always be the One

[@Nyxiality]

How do you have 90 subs... this is content that you usually find on a half a mil sub channel!

[@radicalreptyl9190]

Thanks, I appreciate it. It's comments like yours that keep pushing me to make content!

[@AirshBornely]

Wow. So Canadian Netflix uses the original dub since I remember hearing Jiji say "Meow"

[@Condemakoto]

haha, the dialogs of Jiji in the English version are hilarious, in particular when he tries to hit the neighbours cat xD

[@imperialguard451]

i know its a localization thing but i cant watch the dubs for ghibli movies because they change characters va genders. like jiji in the original has a female voice actor bc in japanese legend all cats have female voices. same with the wolf in mononoke hime, original has a male voice actor despite the wolf being female bc all wolves have male voices. it just takes away from the magic a little to change that to appeal to western audiences

[@thedragonknight9706]

Just found your videos and there really cool! Love your delivery and style! Keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@tristanneal9552]

I had to come to this video after seeing the newer dub and being confused when Jiji didn't talk. Felt like a Mandela effect 😄

[@SillyCreatureSally]

I watched the original dub first, so I was a little confused by the updated one. I remembered Jiji talking and songs in English. But I found that we also had the DVD, and everything was less confusing.

[@sasuke1243]

I feel like my childhood was just ruined. TnT that ending is so much more sad.

[@Colgruv]

FR it feels like Jiji dies now 😭

[@ScreamingLordRocky]

Man, let the cat talk

[@freudbrahms254]

you're so good. very underrated

[@superninja493]

I think Jiji not talking at the end shows that she hasn’t quite gotten everything back yet, this is supported by her being flimsy with the broom

[@zekielwagen]

Another theory: maybe Jiji not talking in the end is about his own development arc! He finds a cat companion, starts a cat family, and from that moment on he loses touch with the human world. It´s not just his voice that changes, his behavior changes too, he becomes more cat-like. Similarly, Kiki´s arc is also about learning how to connect with other people, beyond her family. She learns how to make human friends, impress other humans with her skills, and potentially even finds a boyfriend.

[@-gemberkoekje-5547]

Jiji is a character too. And his de-anthropomorphisation is like the death of his character. Now hes just an average cat with nothing behind the eyes.

[@erikdean5483]

If only we can get a version that has the Phil Hartman quips AND the original ending

[@SillyCreatureSally]

What songs do you prefer? For me, I'm stuck because I prefer "Soaring" to "Rouge no dengon", but I prefer "Yasashisa ni tsutsumareta nara" to "I'm Gonna Fly". I prefer the updated dub, but I love Jiji's sarcastic comments, especially the one about being the flight attendant 😂

[@jamesproulx2695]

Great video keep up the good work

[@radicalreptyl9190]

Thank you

[@manassehappiah7697]

Great content!

[@ThunderhorseOfHell]

The cat represented immaturity. By the end she's matured. It's a coming of age tale. There's your canon.

[@acecorazón]

i just watched the movie for the first time and agree with everything you said.. i haven't watched the american version and probably won't.. interpretation is always up to the viewers, that's what makes studio ghibli so interesting

[@pigeonshit440]

I didn't know they made an updated dub with the original music!!!!! that's exciting because I have an intense emotional attachment to the english dub bc it was my favorite movie growing up and the experience of watching wouldn't be the same if it didn't have a couple very specific silly little sounds that kiki makes throughout the movie, but i definitely agree that the original music (especially the music that they play in that specific scene where she's listening to the radio) is more fitting to the time period and just... better lol

[@jonathanfunnell4167]

MY FAVORITE MIYAZAKI FILM OF ALL TIME

[@dragonlord1689]

I honestly thought that Jiji was off with his girlfriend and the black cat that Kiki couldn’t talk to was different cat.

[@Bl4ckC4tsH3ll]

Dang, I never knew about this..

[@kingkoiroi]

Still my favorite movie of all time. I want to visit the town Kiki goes to.

[@theseanisout2110]

They still got that Ending on Netflix when watching the english dub

[@probablypeyton3828]

Awesome stuff! Subscribed!

[@radicalreptyl9190]

Thank you! I hope you enjoy my content in the future

[@d-manthecaptain1382]

It's interesting to note that so many people seem to prefer the dub's changed ending, simply because it was from their childhood, unlike Kiki herself who changed as she grew.

[@soulinthewoods]

I'm 25 and I never knew there was a version where Jiji talks again. In the german dub he doesn't talk at the end of the movie and it still makes me cry and breaks my heart. So glad I found out about the new version.

[@charlydance1777]

I cant tell if hes messing with kiki or if they just left us on a cliffhanger, or if they just shat on us and said NO TRUE HAPPY ENDING

[@someuser4166]

Great video

[@j.t.sheldon729]

It’s hard not to prefer the original. Those two English songs are incredible and so nostalgic for us who grew up with it.

[@Mary-Ann_B_Mabaet]

I honestly loved the Original Dub and wished the Blu-Ray had each version: Japanese Original, Original Dub, English Re-release.

[@ae86takumi]

This is the case of Cinema Paradiso. The international ending gives a heartwarming nostalgia ending with Toto reminiscing about his lost love . While the true ending is grim and shows you that reality is that, harsh and not as pretty. Over the years as I got older , I appreciate more the original Italian ending , because life is never a happy ending . As the director of Kiki says , to gain, you have to lose . Such is life

[@MattBaume]

This is a delightful video, and such a good point about why that line at the end is such a mistake!

[@radicalreptyl9190]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video

[@WhiteLavender425]

I definitely agree!!! I grew up in a traditional American family whose sole anime expereince was from my older brother when he bought from them early 90s and toonami when it came about. So I watched this when I was a bit older and it had been remastered in 2010. I was shocked by its beautiful portrayal of a eager teenager who gets trumped by the bigger world and finally has exposure to self doubt and loneliness. It also shows that even if the world constantly beats upon you, you know that there's a side of humanity rarely seen that has true love and compassion. And what you said about jiji is correct also. The final chapter in a teenagers guide is acceptance/being thankful for what you have, so when jiji returns and can't communicate, she still comprehends the trust which still remains. Absolutely beautiful film. By far my favorite anime film to date. Also it doesn't hurt to show that young women are easily capable of surviving and defending their honor as many women before have done but rarely discussed.

[@poppie267]

I get the point but i am glad he can talk with Kiki again in the end.

[@gracefutrell1912]

Considering what happened to Phil after he shot the dub they’re not talking thing is kind of eerie 😳

[@PeacePapaSoloGuitar]

I came to play the solo guitar of this movie on seeing this movie! it is a splendid movie!Thank's my friend!💕

[@Alchemist1995]

I only ever watched the Japanese version with German subtitles, so I didn't know about this ending. Now that I have heard about it though, I actually prefer this ending.

[@yami_dere]

NO simply because i cry watching the non talking version

[@kelvinleung75]

even the music is changed :(

[@VongolaPrimoUno]

It is just like the up side down movie. Remember bing bong fade away its character development but i wish my black cat also talks.

[@orchadetrm]

I see why people like the American ending because it's a happy ending but tbh there's never happy endings in life. And anything you'll gain would have a loss in the process. Kiki no understanding Jiji shows her coming of age. It's like how in Arthur where only the babies could understand the pets.

[@manintheline5331]

The ending depends on the person watching, the author intended the original ending, but maybe when you feel down you can relate more to the american version

[@PureDarkAngelSkillz]

I understand both endings, but the English one just makes more sense... I get it, she grew up mentally thus making Jiji redundant but... She's a witch and can fly around on a broom? It would make way more sense if the "Magic" was something she grew out of thus making it all a part of her imagination, but she gets her powers back, but is still unable to communicate with what is basically her familiar? You can't just be like... It was all a mental journey! BUT SHE REALLY IS MAGIC TOO! It's too big of an inconsistency at the core of what the movie is. You're saying she grew up mentally by showing it in two different ways. 1. She got her powers back. 2. She lost the ability to talk with her cat. If you wrote that out on a board, people would easily see the flaw there.

[@gergokun7154]

Ok but why the magic that makes her fly is diferent from the magic that makes her understand the cat? If one came back why didnt the other? (also i am maybe mistaken but i am pretty sure at the begining when Kiki about to fly from home an old woman also understood what he was saying). I tought that at the blimp her powers were still weaker than usual and it didnt came back all the way and that is why she didnt understood him. But during the credits we see that she could later fly again just fine so i tought that she could speak to him too again.

[@tekgeekster]

the ending was fixed, but at the loss of Sydney Forest's music.

[@sherbertshortkake6649]

It still uses the old dub on netflix I believe. I say this because I just watched it with the added lines and english music...

[@Reioloshi]

i havent watched the show yet but do u know where i can watch the show?

[@harux9683]

As I grew up with this version of the movie, I actually never had a problem with that last line. But I understand from your story perspective and where you’re coming from. Although, I’m still disappointed that they took those additional lines from Jiji cause it added character and personality to him and also the music, I loved it so much and having to hear it again and again makes me reflect on myself and uplift my mood during my depression times. Kiki is the very first Ghibli Movie I watched as a kid and ended up in me enjoying the rest of Miyazaki’s projects. I do find it sad that the music used in the vhs American version is so underrated to the point that I can’t find it in Spotify and only through youtube few people have been able to uploaded. It doesn’t make me hate the newest version at all, but they did kinda took away a childhood part of me.

[@SillyCreatureSally]

To be honest, Jiji talking at the end was the only thing they needed to remove. Hartman's Jiji was such fun, and had me laughing so much. "Great, now I'm suddenly the flight attendant." 🤣

[@marieduran6286]

They could have left out the last line and it would have been still fine with me, but when they took out all that Phil Hartman added, I felt bad for him because it felt like people didn't care for what he did with his work. Just a remembrance line at the end of the movie. Felt so cold. I remember him from Talk Radio as well as SNL, so I was familiar with him and his work. Would you like Myosaki to be remembered that way?

[@SillyCreatureSally]

I know, it's so sad. As a Jack Haley fan, I can safely say that he should be known for so much more than playing the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, at least working *twice* with Shirley Temple. I'm pretty sure we all know that Haley was more than the Tin Man, but, from what I've seen, they don't seem to care that much. I'm sure you get me now. I feel the same way about Hartman's extra lines, because, even though I don't think Jiji should have talked at the end (though I can understand why he did... just think of the sad children), those extra lines should have been kept.

[@cg9612]

This was new to me. Interesting.

[@buster5661]

How to take a ten second “they changed the audio of the cat to be more talkative” to a 40 minute video The only thing worse is having you ask me to like and subscribe like every other KZbin channel

[@radicalreptyl9190]

My video’s only 6 minutes long but I appreciate the view and have a blessed day

[@buster5661]

@@radicalreptyl9190 hey no problem. Don’t forget you asked me to leave a review with criticism about the video

[@oldschool5959]

i genuinely liked the video

[@VJFranzK]

4:36 I guess the words of the author clear up what the ending is supposed to mean.

[@JoeBreeVideos]

I saw both versions and I was like wait…lol and since art is open to interpretation beyond its created intention, I took it as their bond growing even stronger. Beyond vocalization, and from that point on, understood each other on a soul level. Which just holds a deeper meaning for me, because we don’t usually vocalize or say what we truly feel anyways 😭✨

[@but_iWantedTo_speakGerman]

No. You people are wrong. it's from the book. "when you gain, you also lose"

[@Eli-dd6qq]

I loved the video! Interesting point and I 100% agree.

[@contagiousintelligence5007]

This part was very disturbing for me so I came to the internet to check if I imagined it right, that she can’t talk to Jiji anymore. It made the whole ending so sad:(