Why Ghibli Succeeds Where Disney Fails

[@TheSoak]

Yes, this is a reupload! Apologies for those who saw it the first time, but to explain the context: The original video was performing REALLY well on KZbin but then got hit with a takedown notice by Studio Ghibli, meaning it was no longer public. I had to fight a long legal battle to have it reinstated on the grounds of fair use (something Ghibli rejected initially), but it took 15 days for that to happen. In the meantime, KZbin treated the video as if it was public and getting 0 views, meaning it completely died in the algorithm. So, in the desperate hopes of kicking a video I really believe in back to life, this is now a re-upload with the hopes that it doesn't get flagged again! Appreciate your support and if you guys just wanna watch or leave it running again! ALSO, this is exactly why I rely on/appreciate so much the support of viewers on Patreon, where I know my income will be reliable, as opposed to the whims of KZbin and copyright issues (www.patreon.com/thesoak )! You can also join my Discord server here to discuss media with likeminded people discord.gg/dEF993S9SA

[@Das_Ungeheuer]

Oh! The duality of Japanese media: great art, scummy corpo bs 😅

[@TheSoak]

@@Das_Ungeheuer Sums it up pretty darn well!

[@Hugo2Me]

I had this happen with keiju no 8 on a podcast episode but eventually we won the fair use fight 😂 and we aren't big enough for the video disappearing to hurt us

[@Missjjade]

Risks you take covering this kind of subject unfortunately

[@akemikitamura5551]

I didn't see your original video, so I'm glad you reuploaded it! I'm glad it reached me :)

[@chaossin7425]

I always thought Kiki's power loss was like creative burnout, hence the artist lady walking her through it. Like, monetize your passions and it'll often bog you down, right?

[@boxcat1755]

There's up and down with creativity. A lot of the greats didn't make their work just for the pleasure. Many were commissioned or died in poverty. The art industry is competitive and brutal. So I wouldn't really call an artist a sellout because their resources and time is not cheap and the effort to have reputability is not an easy one. That's quite the connections to have which many known ones had some pretty powerful ones whether backgrounds of nobilities like Michaelangelo, Brunelleschi, or Da Vinci, a family of wealth or due to the political atmosphere of the time. Dr. Seuss was around during the World War II so had had appeal to many war fatigue people who wanted more color back into the world like many who experienced a massive bloody and destructive war. Passion origin from a word mean pain. So these people find meaning in their creative endeavors in spite of the pain. Creativity like many pursuits requires sacrifice which can evokes thoughts and emotions those who appreciate may explore.

[@candyphonecosplay]

I completely agree, I’ve always viewed the film this way. I know Miyazaki liked to put parts of himself and his personal struggles into his protagonists. I think Kiki represents his artistic spirit and work ethic.

[@quarry_24]

​@@boxcat1755why do people aspire to be great though, who cares?

[@lillith7257]

it's kinda both creative burnout and a burnout related to making what she loves a job.

[@quarry_24]

like when you're dead you're dead it's not like fans are children

[@sunnysidesouffle8348]

I think another interesting thing is the movie represents womenhood in different stages Kiki who is just coming into womanhood The painter who is a young woman still figuring things out The baker who is older and just beginning the next stage of her life as a soon to be mother and newly wed Kikis mother who is older and more experienced in the role as well as being a witch The grandmother who's children have grown but she still cares for her family It reminds me of an animatic i once saw of a woman walking through the stages of life and walking alongside her own granddaughter guiding her into the future Each woman brings an interesting perspective to kiki with their time and wisdom and all are able to relate to her strife and guide her through these rough beginning years giving her the tools to grow into her best self

[@juliechen8710]

Wow this is such a great take!

[@littlepinkcactus]

Oooohh I never catched that! I can think of two smaller instances now, that also fit in that row. The witch girl Kiki meets right in the beginning, who is one year older than her and nearly at the end of her witch year. And that little girl in the very end, who is dressed like Kiki, placing Kiki, who was throughout the movie at the „lowest“ end of the chain of women helping the younger ones to grow, in the place of being an example for younger girls now as well. This movie makes me tear up so much! To think that in this patriarchal world, an old man created this soft movie about healthy relationships between women who empower each other, is the most improbable and beautiful thing I can imagine.

[@brianb815]

@@juliechen8710 That's straight outta the studio Ghibi movie guidebook.

[@no-kx6ld]

huh for me i just seen this as coming into just general adulthood but hey interesting lens you see though

[@KairuHakubi]

well said. Absolute masterclass in womanhood.

[@lostsketchbook7406]

"Life is suffering. It is hard. The world is cursed. But still, you find reasons to keep living." I think this quote from Mononoke Hime sums up what all the Ghibli movies are all about. The reasons that keep us going.

[@vlogsbymaggie]

The Studio Ghibli movie ‘Grave Of The Fireflies’ broke me though their wasn’t a happy ending and I got overly attached to the characters but (SPOILER ALERT) They all died and it was so sad and me and my friend cried so much 😭

[@SantanaBanana47]

Every moment is a golden one for he who has the vision to recognize it as such

[@GodwynDi]

​@vlogsbymaggie IIRC that is based on a book that is mostly through memoirs of someone who survived WWII.

[@lethaison821]

26:10 The granddaughter even recognizes Kiki and it is revealed that she talked about her at the party amongst her friends, who compliment and admire her for her independence from afar, which means she had no ill words or thoughts towards Kiki. So Kiki was the only one judging her negatively based on the small interaction that they had.

[@alexandrachernysh7]

I watched this movie dozens of times across many years, and never noticed the girl in the car is the granddaughter :o Also I was forever upset that we never again hear Jiji, although it is hinted in the movie that some of his consciousness still remains, he lost part of his self awareness - but the love for Kiki still stayed

[@animeproblem1070]

​​@@alexandrachernysh7 well the whole point is her growing past the need for a supporter like Jiji giving her guidance all the time he's still as smart as he always was she just can't hear his voice anymore

[@Doomsword0]

And that is fairly realistic isn't it? We as people often judge ourselves and interactions we have harshly when the other people involved don't feel that way at all or don't even think much of it. It's a small thing like that that works so well

[@sarunen6807]

This! The first time I saw this scene it had a HUGE impact on me. As an angsty and artsy teenager who felt "left out" by my peers it really got me thinking. People don't always automatically MEAN BAD. Sometimes I am the one judging, not them.

[@IreneWY]

​@@alexandrachernysh7the bit about Jiji really soured the movie for me. Witches have familiars. There were other ways to make this metaphor work

[@froggybogs]

KiKi's delivery service isn't my favorite film, but this analysis and break down has given me a much greater appreciation of it as a whole. Ghibli films have always had a special place in my heart, particularly in the way that they help us love the mundane parts of life. Daily chores, cooking, and care for one's self and others are built up as things to enjoy and be celebrated, whereas in a lot of western entertainment these things "tie you down" and act as a barrier preventing the main character from achieving their dreams.

[@saddesert6599]

If you think about it, " Daily chores, cooking, and care for one's self and others" sounds pretty much like female's responsibilities, at least from a Western (American/European) perspective. Someone could argue that Disney's children's films promote patriarchal values, which is not surprising.

[@donotreply8979]

It's still hilariously ironic that Miyazaki is a miserable and mean man. He doesn't practice what he preaches in his films.

[@evanbarth7173]

I’m sorry, but I don’t really understand what you mean by Western movies see these behaviors as holding you back?

[@grimsonforce7504]

@@evanbarth7173 Meaning common chores and small living are seen as a negative and mundane in most western movies. Compared to hustle life, partying, being famous ect. It's a common trope here.

[@evanbarth7173]

@@grimsonforce7504oooooh I see. Also, Happy New Year!!

[@elizabethmartin6707]

It’s kind of interesting that Kiki gets a female role model for each stage of adulthood. Ursula is a young adult working with her passion in life but not yet a full member of society (she lives alone in the woods). Osono has a steady job and is married with her first baby on the way, so she’s pretty settled in her life. Finally the Madam is an elderly woman who’s lived out most of her life, she may no longer be surrounded by her family but she isn’t alone, she has her maid and makes friends easily with Kiki. I love that the movie is about Kiki becoming an adult and she’s shown what that might entail one day, and that it will be alright.

[@YUKANO_Dreams]

I never thought of it that way before, but you're right! That's actually amazing and really good writing. Thanks for giving me a new way to look at my favorite Ghibli Film! =)

[@bakurascoffeeshop7960]

Its kinda like Kiki shows, what Tolkien wrote in LOTR. Normal People with small lives, small acts of kindness, no "big powers" involved: “Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? I don't know. Perhaps because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.” ― Gandalf

[@paulgibbon5991]

For another one in the same spirit, I keep coming back to this quote from Robert Heinlein: "Decency does not make headlines--it is buried in the obituaries--but it is a force stronger than crime."

[@Kureemy]

It's ironic that Miyazaki hates Tolkien (or so I heard), since the two of them have similar philosophies.

[@CrimsonMey]

Please, Gandalf praises hobbits to get a discounted friend price for the Longbottom leaf. You know he imported pipe-weed to Valinor by the boat load.🤣

[@useyourheadpliz]

@Kureemy I'm not sure about the "similar philosophies" Tolkien is all about great acts of braveness in self sacrificing manners to defeat the ultimate evil. He loves discribing huge wars and battles with one side being completely "justified" in the killing it is doing. As well described in this video, that is pretty far away from the humanist world views of Myazaki who portrays characters with conflicting goals, but never motivated by doing or spreading evil. Myazaki despise basically all wars where Tolkien seems to be fascinated by them.

[@Rodoet001]

@@useyourheadpliz No, not fascinated, I think that is the wrong thing to take away from it. Nor do I think he is quite so black and white as you suggest, though it is still very much a battle between good and evil, yes. Tolkien loved myths and grand tales and those often had grand battles in them of heroic warriors and brave people taking a stance against evil. But much of his dialogue and characters laments war and its cost, but unavoidable as long as evil rises to destroy good. I think that his "good vs. evil" aproach in his battles might be as a result from his time in WW1, whom he was a soldier in, and that was a war with no clear sides, no clear reason to it, and no clear winner as much as losers who payed the most. A clear "good cause" is a comfort in an escapist tale. Even then we see that not all who could be considered fighting for the "good" is automatically good themselves, and has to be guided or appealed to their better side to take that stance, both Theoden's unwillingnes to challenge Sauroman and initial refusal to aid Gondor, as well as Denethor almost plunging Minas Tirith into surrendering before removed from his post. A good example of Tolkien not being fascinated by war is that he clashed quite often with one of his contemporaries (who's name saddly escapes me) who was writing another fantasy story where war was practically praised and might made right, and who was genuinely fascinated and even idealised war. Tolkien also clashed, though to a much lesser extent, with C.S. Lewis as he found Lewis being even more black and white than his own stories, and he does have a point in that. Lewis is much closer to always having one side being "completely justified in their killing" than even Tolkien might have been. I think we often forget that Tolkien also wrote Bilbo, and that one is far closer to something akin to a Miyazaki story. I think it is fair to say that both have strong humanist sentiments but express them very differently in their works. Tolkien, like Miyazaki, believes in that people are fundimentally good and that there is virtue in the simple life. Both show what corruption can do to even the most virtuous people and that we must beware of falling to it. Both do not favour war, but where Miyazaki abhores it but still recognise that it is often nuanced, Tolkien seem to see it as a sad reality and dreams of wars where if they must happen it is because good is driven to stop evil. Both seem to share a message of harmony with nature, though Miyazaki favours nature far more, an example of his misanthropic tendencies, while Tolkien does not see civilisation as bad, but rampant exploitation causing more harm than good. Miyazaki seem to prefer to reject industrialisation, while Tolkien seem to accept it, even like elements of it, but felt it lost its way, causing that rampant exploitation. And the biggest difference between them seems to be that where Miyazaki dreams back to simpler times and simpler lives, Tolkien idealised the simple life but sees change as inevitable and hope that it can inspire us to be wiser. Of course, all of these examples I have stated is mostly based on their works.

[@Snoozelightable]

I think teaching kids a sense of morals while also teaching children that the world is both beautiful and full of good people as well as having hostilities, that there are good people to protect from harm.

[@mintkit1064]

Agreed, kids should learn about conflict resolution, caution, hope, and not assuming the worst in people all at the same time.

[@Arbaaltheundefeated]

@@mintkit1064 Whereas growing older has made me realize I should have assumed the worst the whole time.

[@crazy13alex]

​@Arbaaltheundefeated No offense, but I've burned bridges I regretted doing so because I assumed the worst in people. Being a cynic didn't make me wiser. It just made me see myself as a waste of space. Not saying that there aren't horrible people out there, but don't judge everyone you meet too quickly.

[@Arbaaltheundefeated]

@@crazy13alex Nevermind... can't even talk about nihilism without KZbin deleting my comments... Suffice to say I disagree, because I actively avoid meeting people.

[@iamwonka]

@@Arbaaltheundefeated Seems kind of sad to me but you do you. Best wishes to you!

[@DadCanJapan]

Living in Japan, I see this kindness every day. If I stop to take a picture, someone will come up and talk to me about it. If I accidentally drop a coin, another person will pick it up and give it back to me (and vice versa). I live in a city and yet numerous people will say "Ohayo gozaimasu (good morning)" as I walk through the park. To me, this is how life is in Japan.

[@bastiangugu4083]

I recently visited Japan. Even in a massive city like Tokyo, I experienced exactly this kindness. Multiple times, when I looked at some sign (I don't know much Japanese) or seemingly had a "lost" look about me, someone asked me in English how they could help. Everyone takes notice if you try to take a picture and waits instead of walking into it. It was a very nice change of pace.

[@evanrhildreth]

I remember the HATRED this film got in the 1990s. It came out the same year as Akira, and was always contrasted with Akira. The two anime clubs I belonged to in the 1990s were extremely sensitive about "We don't watch cartoons, we watch mature animation made for adults like Akira and Sailor Moon". I literally made one of the club presidents foam at the mouth by mentioning Miyazaki - "Miyazaki is a sell out" he ranted, "his movies aren't anime because they are kids movies". At one year's "Anime Hell" event, where they show "bad" anime and club members jeer at the screen, they showed "My Neighbor Totoro" and at least half the clubs members showed up and absolutely hated on that film too! Keep in mind, these clubs also shamed any members who used non-Japanese brand VHS tapes like Basf or Memorex. "Japanese tapes are formulated for anime" they claimed. Fortunately the anime fandom today is nothing like it was in the 1990s, and Miyazaki is now revered as the master he is.

[@gavindonohoo5736]

Fuck man that's hilarious 😂 It's good that we as a community have moved on from that weird mindset.

[@martinvicentefabregas7240]

WOW, I'm amazed by what you've written. Sorry you had to put up with such toxic fans

[@princesspikachu3915]

I wonder what the response was by those old anime fans for films like Grave Of The Fireflies and Princess Mononoke? 🤔

[@KairuHakubi]

... Most of that sounds familiar, but.. they liked Sailor Moon?

[@finezyjnafantazja2495]

​​@@KairuHakubiSailor Moim is for Teens because it deals with lots of romance. Kids would rather enjoy smth that is about adventure and finding identity and place in group.

[@TiramisuRain]

The video brought tears to my eyes, to have someone recognize a movie that portrays kindness as something good and not something that could be taken for granted.

[@Chrysi-]

Yesss I cried too. I love Ghibli movies, and even though I watched Kiki's delivery service multiple times, I didn't fully realize that she actually compares herself and is in the process of finding her inner beauty. I mean, of course I understood what she meant by all her comments but this video made me realize how REAL the Ghibli characters are portrayed. And all this in 1989. I think the best form of art is when you can sense the creators' meaning of life, their wishes and struggles. Unfortunately, Disney lost that. The question is if they ever had it. But same goes for Dreamworks.

[@Corga12]

Tragedy, horror and despair don’t make me cry. I’m used to all that by now. What really makes me cry is hope. Seeing people be good to others because it’s the right thing to do is what makes me emotional in a cold, uncaring world.

[@Starfloofle]

God... God dammit, you really did put it so perfectly clearly into words... The things I've teared up over area always those moments, I realize now that's *precisely* why the endings to the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games always tear my poor heart to pieces. It's because they are absolutely overflowing with hope against all hope and that hope really does mean something.

[@CatieChapman]

Loving but not always supportive is such a distinction. I’ve always perceived the two as inextricably tied (is not supporting someone truly “loving”?), but highlighting that distinction really does make the difference obvious between Disney and Ghibli films. Echoing everyone else’s comments about the reupload! Im glad i got to see it :)

[@oishi5518]

but sadly in irl, I've never seen a supportive community. Few supportive families maybe, but there are always naysayers and malicious people around from what I have seen..

[@ariochiv]

The term "happily ever after" in old stories is slightly misleading, in that the meaning of "happiness" is not exactly the same today as it was in the time when classic fairy tales were formulated. In the older context, "happiness" refers to a pleasant, safe and comfortable life situation. Hence references such as the right to a "pursuit of happiness" in America's formative documents, and references to "securing happiness" by marriage or other financial situation in classic romances. In this sense, "living happily ever after" doesn't suggest that the protagonists spent the rest of their lives in bliss and were never sad or disappointed again; instead, it means they lived the rest of their lives in a comfortable and trouble-free situation, without being plagued by whatever external dangers they have fought to overcome during the story.

[@Carol-ov2ld]

Interesting

[@Narko_Marko]

The best happily ever after to me is in steins gate. [SPOILER] Okabe spends decades trying to get to the universe where everyone can live happily ever after but in the process, he has to die to let his younger self live a good life instead of his current probably severely traumatized self, It's the most noble sacrifice ever.

[@CrimsonMey]

​@@Narko_Marko Reminds me of Stephen King's time travel book 11/22/63.

[@lordtraxroy]

I feel the slice of life genre might be something often is portraid as whats happen when everyone is happily ever after and you could make something out of it like little pieces from your daily routine that are either little sad or a bit funny which hits the genre slice of life idk for example what people do when after they get married or how people do gardening etc

[@willlyon7129]

I think Into the Woods has a darker tone in the second act, showing us that real life isn’t what we expect in your kids movies.

[@CoolGuyMcgeez]

your really making me glad i grew up with ghibli rather than disney. my parents tell me that they were surprised the first time they watched my neighbour totoro as the whole movie they expected the mother to die cause every disney movie ever has the mother dead and the overprotective father. and spoilers she just doesn't die. what i mean to say is i feel ghibli movies tend to portray stories that you don't see in western media, in totoros case being worrying about a loved ones health and in kikis case as you've put it being kind to other people.

[@donotreply8979]

It's still hilariously ironic that Miyazaki is a miserable and mean man. He doesn't practice what he preaches in his films.

[@jaquiblue1416]

Most Disney films are based on the Grimm brothers stories, which are all European stories, which are usually dark. Especially German fairy tales, which are usually the darkest stories for children.

[@princesspikachu3915]

@@donotreply8979He is misunderstood and seen horrors growing up that have shaped his outlook. He is a bit strict, and he expects the future generation to do better, but it might come across as mean and miserable.

[@JimJamTheAdmin]

​@@donotreply8979the art will outlast the man and his truly lasting impact will be the joy he spread internationally. People are complex and imperfect and we must understand and embrace that fully.

[@adamantiiispencespence4012]

Yeah kindness just doesn't feature in Disney films. Is that the idea?

[@dallasurr]

I grew up loving Kiki's Delivery Service, Spirited Away and Castle in the Sky, and I was extremely aware of how unique and different they were from everything else I watched even as a little kid. Both of my parents were addicts, my mother was abusive and sadly my sister learned early on that I was a very easy target for all of her anger and sadness. I could have let those experiences turn me uncaring and cruel, and some days it seems like for too many people that is the easy path they follow, but there's just something inside of me that refuses to be that way. I think these movies may have shaped me in ways that my family never tried to. They showed me a world full of kindness and caring people that I only got at my grandma's house. Side note: Don't worry, she raised me for more than half of my childhood and for that I am forever grateful. They also showed me who I could be. I love to create things and I especially wanted to be the artist in the woods from Kiki's Delivery service as a kid. I am thankful for your re-upload since it put the video in front of me tonight. I hope to be an author one day and I want to inject this type of kind storytelling into my books. I also haven't seen Kiki's Delivery Service since before I transitioned (female to male) and honestly I relate to her even more now in a lot of ways. I got my magic back after transitioning :)

[@Percole]

i had a similiar experience, alot of my childhood influenced me to not be the person that i wanted to be, even small things like being a furry seemed like a monumental secret i had to keep as a secret from my close family as shaming others was normalised in our household because of my abusive mom who often found a host of hurtful insults for each of us. both of my siblings are fundementally kind people but it did not mean some bad habits bled into all of us back then. When i unlearned those bad habits i felt i got my magic back, kindness for kindness sake feels like it is the only way to be for me and i never intend to return :] ps i am also trans (male to female)

[@Wow-gz1om]

First of, sorry you had to go through that. But, your grandma sounds absolutely awesome! Glad, she was there for you. I hope I can be strong as you one day. I would love to see your art, and to be an author, you will do great! Best of wishes to you!

[@LarixusSnydes]

Great that you managed to wrestle yourself away from the abuse with help from kind people. Also respect for being brave enough to listen to yourself and going through the ordeal of the menopause at a young age through hormone treatments. Please keep track of your vitamin D and calcium levels. Put your magic to good use, spreading kindness in the process.

[@zierragacha5089]

Glad you're doing great in life now

[@KerrieKruegner]

I wish you all the best in your endeavours I think you’ll be a great author 👍🤗🤗

[@Psysium]

Kindness without expectation of anything in return makes me cry. It's almost instant tears, both in media and real life. I'm not sure why that is, but it makes me yearn for a more compassionate world. Lovely video ❤

[@xydo4art]

I know right? I've teared up on my way in a train while watching this lovely video essay several times!

[@npu]

One Disney movie that positively surprised me and grew to become one of my favorites was Lilo & Stitch. It doesn't have that good vs evil story archetype either. The hardship the two sisters encounter are due to circumstances, not to fundamentally bad people. I loved it. No big adventures, no epic tale, no frightful beast to defeat to save the world, and still it was fun and heartwarming.

[@finezyjnafantazja2495]

Same with "Lady and Tramp".

[@Raenafyn]

And on top of that, in the Lilo and Stitch show, as they collect the other of Jumba's experiments, even though said experiments often cause the conflict of the episode, they aren't treated like they're monsters or evil for whatever destruction they're causing and shows that everyone can have a purpose and belong somewhere.

[@Nathan-qp9uv]

I mean it kinda did and from an in-universe perspective it was even among the most blatant examples in Disney (look all I am saying is Jumba calls himself an EVIL genius, ect...). But the show approached it in a way Disney just doesn't really do, instead of 'good vs evil' it was more 'sometimes all someone needs to be better is someone to believe in them and a place they can belong'.

[@npu]

@@Nathan-qp9uv I'm not even sure you can call this an in-universe good vs bad. Jumbo may perceive himself as 'evil', but he's just a bit of a trouble maker at best, even in the eye of the big galactic council. He was written to mislead the audience to think he may be the antagonist, while the plot doesn't really have one (like in Ghibli's movies). The only 'real' antagonist that falls into the classic good vs bad dynamic is that shark-alike alien at the end, but he wasn't even necessary to the plot. I understood they added him to create a final tension to unite the protagonists as a real family to overcome this, but it could have been done in a more subtle way. But I guess Disney doesn't believe their audience can understand subtleties 🤷. Still, Lilo and Stitch remains one of my favorite no-bad-guy animated movies.

[@thatonepipsqueak887]

Heck, even Gantu, the "Bad Guy" of the film, is just a galactic officer who is just doing his job to secure a (alleged) dangerous fugitive. Sure, he captures Lilo, but only because he mistook her for another escaped Experiment. And he's reasonable enough to leave Stitch alone after being pardoned by the Galactic Federation (Or whatever the aliens called themselves).

[@jacobarnell1634]

Hey, I just wanted to say, while I'm sorry that you had to struggle with the terrors of copyright, this video being re-uploaded brought it to my recommendations when I probably would have missed it otherwise. This was exactly what I needed to hear when I came across it, and like others have said has helped me to understand and appreciate a film that I hadn't really thought much of before. Thanks for all you do, your writing is fantastic and your views on the human experience are beautiful and for lack of a better word, just feel right. Your content is both inspiring and motivating, and I can't wait to see what you do next!

[@TheSoak]

Thank you so much! You may not realise it but comments like yours are exactly the reason why I make these videos! I wanted to make meaningful content that would be thought provoking but also be inspiring and uplifting so thank you for letting me read this 💙

[@leonaise7546]

@@TheSoak We need more KZbinrs like you. Some of them have fallen into the games of the corporate world so even if you’re the only tuber like this, I wish you don’t go anywhere 🤝 You’re making the platform & the world slightly better everyday. Keep it up, gentleman🙇‍♂️

[@noobyoshi]

@@TheSoakI’m glad you decided to fight the “matrix” and win. I needed to watch this video a second time anyway.

[@owlinthehole]

Same here! Glad to have come across it and it’ll make me schedule some time to rewatch the movie (and probably other studio Ghibli films), so I don’t understand the issues the studio has with videos like these!

[@suzygirl1843]

@@TheSoak People are fundamentally kind IN JAPAN. USA was built on slavery. Americans are not kind. Vivek and Elon Musk just unmasked themselves to the Republican Party who were anti-immigrant

[@sheebitz]

I didn't watch studio ghibli until I was 18 (aside from seeing a little of princess mononoake at 16) and honestly, had I grown up more with it than primarily disney, I feel I could've been able to step more out of my comfort zone and made more decisions for myself rather than suppress my dreams. I was in a dysfunctional household and only really started being more independent and able to function once I was able to get out of there. Studio Ghibli has touched me in so many ways with every single one of their films. Disney has always been nostalgic but I find it harder to connect to because my parents acted so similar to the ones you compared, as well as the other controversies disney has with their movies making it harder for me to really enjoy them as much (pochahontas, peter pan, the black centaur in fantasia, etc etc; though I also think its super important not to erase these films because that would just erase the history)

[@calsrestarea]

I watched my first Ghibli movie when I was 10 but I can't say I grew up with it. I finally watched it again when I turned 21 and instantly watched other Ghibli movies because they are more realistic to me than Disney movies. And I must say I agree with you. If only I had grown up with Ghibli, perhaps I'd step out of my comfort zone much earlier!

[@justadragonryu]

A kids show I LOVED and I will definitely show my kids is little bear. It was such a quiet and loving show. Also the earlier Winnie the Pooh episodes had a similar feeling.

[@PixelaGames2000]

Oh yeah! I remember watching that as a kid. My family has been showing it to my nephew.

[@justadragonryu]

@@PixelaGames2000 it taught a lot of patience, which as someone who works around kids, is not often taught now.

[@shyguypro9876]

Kiki's loss of magic has always struck me as coming from two places: (1) Burnout and depression. She used to love flying, but now that it's her job, it's an activity accompanied with stress, timelines, and expectations. (2) Her learning that kindness is not always met with kindness. The granddaughter isn't evil, she's an ordinary teenage girl. Thus far, every time Kiki's done something kind of someone, they've reciprocated. Kiki works immensely hard for the granddaughter, who is rude and short with Kiki. That Kiki learns the lesson that kindness isn't always met with kindness right as she's beginning to feel burnout is enough to cause her to lose touch with her magic.

[@DokuDoki]

Oh, it's back! I wish I remembered my old comment. It was something about me really liking the granddaughter for being able to openly reject a gift she never asked for. Sure I felt bad for Kiki's efforts being unappreciated but you don't owe people your gratitude. The old comment was much better articulated but essentially I liked how the rejection wasn't portrayed as evil. It was the first movie I ever saw do that.

[@Hugo2Me]

0:04 nah, i recently had a child and have told my partner we will be raising our child on anime. Ghibli especially as anime teaches better life lessons than anything disney makes imo

[@Percole]

might i recomend bluey for when they are younger and Steven Universe aswell they are shows that also show people as fundementally kind

[@TheWickedWizardOfOz1]

​I don't know Steven Universe, but I have no children and absolutely adore Bluey for this reason. I don't know if I'll ever have kids - I still only have a couple of people that I could consider friends - but I look at things like Kiki, Totoro and Bluey (along with live-action films such as Little Forest or Our Little Sister) as movies that are just as important for adults. They show us how to be kind and to love others, and I feel like we are so rarely shown that. Bluey's dad discovering the joy of being a father or the three sisters discovering joy in their lives when they take in the young girl in Our Little Sister are things that parents need to learn as well.

[@ShadowSkyX]

Anime is not for children

[@TheWickedWizardOfOz1]

@@ShadowSkyX Great statement there. Care to back it up? I'll make a statement of my own: Movies are not for children. I shall also leave it unsupported.

[@lmeeken]

Seconding the recs for Bluey and Steven Universe. Also, perhaps it's obvious, but classics like Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street are extremely pro-social. And, also obviously, "raising our kid on anime" won't keep them away from antisocial themes, since there is plenty of anime that is just as misogynistic, violent, capitalistic, and individualistic as any Disney thing. Rather than make broad judgments based on country of origin, evaluate the individual works of art.

[@Psych0ize]

JiJi becoming a normal cat as Kiki matured always struck me as so sad. Yes she has this new life, but there is no going back 😢

[@CircusFoxxo]

Like with her losing her powers when she loses her way/herself a little and having a role model for each life stage, I feel like it fits. JiJi losing his voice- talking animals in stories are Kid Stuff and once you pass that threshold you can't go back

[@lucasfogaca555]

glad i found this video. the last third of this movie always hits me real hard. up until the point she loses her powers, the vibe is so light, so hopeful, that it always felt much deeper than i had understood. i thought that it was simply a portrayal of burnout and depression, but would never put these pieces together. this is such a delicate take on self doubt and lack of confidence that it kinda pisses me off that i didn't notice it. but im glad you pointed it, i really needed to see this, as I'm struggling with those feelings recently. thank you so much

[@alabasterindigo]

I watch KiKi every year for my b-day, it lifts my spirits especially since even though I’m younger I’m usually down in the dumps around that time, and there’s so much to this film that gives me hope and helps me find my way again. Ursula is a big reason for that but KiKi as well. I often feel like I’m constantly losing my ability to fly and breaking my brooms time and time again but somehow I find my courage. Ghibli’s films are a huge part of me, I can’t remember a time I lived without them or when they didn’t teach me a lesson I needed or gave me insight into myself.

[@TheSoak]

Beware that this video is now too the subject of another copyright strike from Studio Ghibli! Unfortunately, it is just a part of the process with videos like these so I hope that we can overcome this hurdle sooner rather than later, but if you're watching this video and it goes down... it'll be because of inconsiderate copyright claims that don't acknowledge the fair use of this video

[@Bryce_the_Woomy_Boi]

I hope so as well, it's a great video that I think more people should get the chance to see

[@seriouscat2231]

May it be that these things are automated? My first thought was that you should have left the first video up.

[@phillipgregory9671]

How is it so many other channels get away with it

[@seriouscat2231]

@, maybe they don't. Maybe they obscure the material somehow. Maybe they use less and shorter clips.

[@anaju3595]

As someone who has struggled with depression for as long as they can remember, this movie is like a breath of fresh air. It brings me so much optimism and helps me pick myself up when I need. I love this movie and I wish those vibes for my life.

[@KerrieKruegner]

❤️

[@abandoned__]

30:51 i dont exactly have a theory, but throughout my life as an artist (and just being a regular human) ive always viewed kiki's loss of powers to reflect a skill "decaying" when you're doing poorly mentally or physically. after struggling with life and returning to make art again, there are times i realise that i just dont have it in me as i have before, as i desperately try to re-learn how to fly (or draw in my case) overnight like kiki does. sometimes the best medicine is just a good break or something fresh and spontaneous to uplift your wellbeing ! ideally without your friends ending up in dangerous situations haha

[@milo_thatch_incarnate]

I’m 25, pregnant with my first child, and you’d better believe he’s growing up on Studio Ghibli more than Disney lol. For exactly all the reasons you mentioned, not to mention Ghibli films are generally less overstimulating, loud, and fast paced. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a fair handful of Disney movies, and my kids will grow up with what I consider the actual best Disney movies. The ones worth watching, with morals I really want my child to grow up with. I really think Ghibli films are just far higher quality than most Disney films, and have better lessons, and I want to fill my child’s limited time in front of the TV with truly wholesome, edifying, and _good_ art. I especially have a problem with the extremely common plot in Disney films that goes: “parent gives child a boundary/rule (even if it’s unreasonable or out of the parent’s own fear), child then blatantly disobeyed rule, the whole world is saved, and the parent and everyone else apologizes to the child and tells them that they were right to disobey.” That’s simply not a lesson I want my child to learn! It’s not a good lesson for real life. And Ghibli children really never do that. They are smart, independent, and make a good and bad choices… Without directly disobeying their parents and then being praised for it. That’s a big reason I want to show my children more Ghibli than Disney. I want to present my child with healthy parent child relationships, and they’re just aren’t that many of those in Disney movies. I’m a big believer in inspirational characters, whose character inspires you to be a better, kinder person. There are simply way more of those in Ghibli films than Disney films.

[@princesspikachu3915]

I’m raising my daughter on Ghibli films currently. Cartoon Saloon is also a good studio as well. Same with Bluey. Sesame Street Follow That Bird is great as well. The only Disney films in rotation are Lilo and Stitch, Sleeping Beauty, and Song Of The South. That last one is unfairly demonized for no reason other than lies.

[@milo_thatch_incarnate]

@ - I also love cartoon saloon! Lilo and stitch and sleeping beauty are both high-quality Disney films; my list is super short too, like that. I’ve never heard of or seen song of the south though!

[@princesspikachu3915]

@ Someone uploaded the entire movie of Song Of The South as a “review”. It’s a hybrid movie in the style of Mary Poppins that Disney hasn’t officially released since 1986 because some person started a lie that it’s racist. It’s the reason why the Splash Mountain ride was destroyed. The movie isn’t racist. It doesn’t even take place during slavery. It’s a movie about a little white boy whose parents separate and he befriends an elderly black man who becomes his best friend and tells him stories about Brer Rabbit out smarting Brer Fox and Brer Bear. It’s a movie about the importance of role models.

[@abbfilmann3735]

@@princesspikachu3915 Why only Lilo and Stitch Sleeping Beauty and Song of the South though?

[@princesspikachu3915]

@@abbfilmann3735 Those are the only ones that my 7 year old is willing to sit through.

[@jessicajovel7162]

10:30 at first I thought, well she's pregnant, but another reaction she could have was "I can't look after this kid, I have MY OWN kid to worry about"

[@aokyoutsuki7744]

Well, thatl positive n hopeful vibes,

[@AmethystGamer-z8p]

Completely unrelated but i love how studio Ghibli draws nature

[@aosleosbus6737]

Ugh right, studio Ghibli backgrounds and scenery are just so beautiful and is such a supporting roll to their movies. Theses artists don’t get enough credit

[@GregK235]

Thanks for the thought-provoking analysis. One of my Ghibli favorites, along with Kondo Yoshifumi's Mimi o Sumaseba [Whisper of the Heart], another Ghibli film that explores internal emotional and psychological challenges. One aspect that might be missed in an English viewing is just how the opening (Rouge no Dengon | Message in Lip Rouge) and ending (Yasashisa ni Tsutumaretanara | Enveloped in Kindness) songs by Matsutoya Yumi bookend the film perfectly.

[@RossOriginals]

I don't think a kind world is always realistic, but I don't think that matters, it's aspirational, and that's a good thing to be.

[@Highraven]

Exactly. The world isn't kind. It's cruel often, but that means we should strive that much harder to BE the kindness

[@Dreamfox-df6bg]

A small detail about Kiki and her dress is in the end credits when we see a little girl dressed as a witch carrying a little broom passing Kiki. I found that a nice touch. Even if a kind world is unrealistic... “YOU NEED TO BELIEVE IN THINGS THAT AREN'T TRUE. HOW ELSE CAN THEY BECOME” ― Death, Terry Pratchett's Hogfather While the movie 'The Princes' Bride' has a basic western story, it has some very interesting facets. Of the 5 villains an many minions, only 2 villains and 5 minions get killed. Aside from that, there is a lot of politeness and respect between some of them. The apparently 3 main villains in the beginning are all trying to kill the man in black following them after they kidnapped the princess to be, but all 3 and the man in black stay polite the whole time. 2 of the villain later even become allies to the man in black. The prince, who wants to kill his bride and blame a neighbouring kingdom to start a war lives in the end and stays in power soon to succeed his ailing father. Even enemies can be polite with each other and if we are honest, it costs little to be polite.

[@DL-idk]

I think part of the “world is a hostile place and every kids are running away from their families” syndrome is because of the idea that a story has to have a core conflict. Almost all western writing guides would tell writers to base their stories on conflicts and problems to solve. When it’s all loving and supportive, it’s harder to find that “problem” the guide is telling you to fill in. It’s embedded in the western media, because it’s how the stories are told to be constructed.

[@sheridansherr8974]

Yes, and I also think there is this a fundamental difference based on religion/philosophy. Western civilisation is influenced by abrahamic relgions with conflict good/evil as its core , while buddist/zen emphasizes all-connectedness of the universe.

[@EA_Kar]

Most of those stories are coming of age Epics. There are countless slice of life coming of age stories in folktales, where the world is even largely kind and benevolent. But classic disney works with epic fairytale levels of story telling, not folktales. With disney in particular there are decades with of tv series sequels to movies that are just that: slice of life adventures in a mostly benevolent world with kind parents & community.

[@AmPlant]

I'm glad someone put their finger on it! A lot of Western media stresses me out because the protagonist will be off to save the world/town/friend while also struggling to be treated like a person who matters by the people who matter to them. I've had to abandon multiple stories because the supporting cast have a nasty habit of being jerks

[@MSCDonkeyKong]

What is always left out is how that conflict can also come down to internal factors, such as a protagonist looking to find their purpose in the world. That can be played as a man vs. self conflict or a man vs. society conflict, or both. Maybe some other ways I'm not thinking. Kiki losing her magic would be a form of conflict, for example. It's not necessarily "harder" when you know where to look and how to spin conflicts in a way that suits the type of story you're looking for. I've seen a lot of coming of age stories end up having the main character end up finding who they are in the final battle against the villain. And maybe that works for some stories, but I think a lot of media relies on anthropromorphizing its problems and driving conflicts into forces of evil in stories that don't benefit from doing so.

[@annakwiatek-kucharska9858]

Yes! Exactly my toughts as wannabe author. Why so much drama and conflict? Everybody repeat that you have to kick your characters out of their comfort zone. Rising the stakes and trauma level is insane. That drawn me to this video.

[@yueimpurple]

This movie was one that really stuck with me, because despite how beautiful the world is, it's still so difficult to exist. What you mentioned also made so much sense; and I think a lot of people forget that despite having everything you need, it's hard to be happy if you're not at peace with yourself and the world around you. Sometimes it's easy to blame your broken homes, your upbringing, your community, etc, but as someone who has a loving, supportive communityaround me, it's so hard to allow myself to feel lost or insecure, because after seeing media with broken homes and broken lives it almost feels undeserving for someone as privileged me to feel so much loss. Most of it stems internally, and circumstances just play into it. Kiki feeling disconnected from herself made me bawl because that has been me for who knows how long, and in real life it goes on for so much longer than the movie that it's difficult to connect with reality or the people around you. The way she reacts to the people around her who lead her to her feeling insecure such as the granddaughter, the way she gets upset after seeing tombo's friends, everything hits home. People misunderstand the concept of having a healthy home and a healthy life and think it's always fine and always happy but god, it's not. Life truly gets everyone. I want to find myself too, the way Kiki does in the end.

[@giovannirossi791]

The dog taking care of the cat was heartwarming. As u said an act of kindness often inspire another, but i like that he didnt need any in order to make one himself, and when he brings back Gigi to Kiki he turns around like he did nothing crazy and without waiting for something in return. Great analysis for a great movie 👍

[@NightShadow154]

"A true act of goodwill always sparks another." -Just something someone used to say. Honestly, when I first watched this film, I didn't really get it; I enjoyed it, sure, but it felt like there was something I had missed that made it not fully land with me. Then, after rewatching it last year during a time of artistic burnout, it finally clicked with me. I was finally able to appreciate all the subtle details and the metaphors as Kiki develops and learns throughout the film, all of her inner struggles feeling so relatable and seeing her overcome them now feeling both heartwarming and inspiring. It truly is incredible how this film went from being a Ghibli production I felt unsure about to one of my favorites, and your analysis of it made me appreciate it all the more! Great work on this video! Hope it gets to stay up without issues this time!

[@tinalarsen1585]

When I was a kid I thought when the old woman is giving Kiki the cake, I thought she had developed dementia and didn't recognize her lol

[@raptorskilltor4554]

Sometimes when I watch a new Disney film ,I could see characters tried to act sincerity; but always fail in the end

[@willlyon7129]

The new archetype

[@pinkraven7043]

Kiki's my favorite Ghibli film (and one of my favorite films period) because of how heartwarming and beautiful the world is. One of the best things about the film, in my opinion, is that Kiki may be a kind and earnest girl but she isn't *perfect.* She's insecure, she gets mad and jealous, and she also has her own negative biases. While the negative events of the film can't be attributed to an antagonist, it can be argued that they're mostly a result of Kiki's insecurities, burn out and her self-esteem getting hurt. If you *have* to identify an antagonist in this film, the only one would be how Kiki poorly copes with conflict and damaged self-esteem. However, she learns where her biases may be wrong, learns that what she's experiencing/feeling is OK and *grows as a person* by the end of the film. The reason I think this is "one of the best things" is because most media rarely ever gets this kind of character right. The problem a lot of media has with writing "nice and kind", or better yet just "simple", characters is that they make them too much of an ideal. This "ideal" is how some people tend to see classic Disney princess like Cinderella and Snow White or Barbie in her movies (neither are fair assessments but I digress). Even anime does this a lot. At its worst, it can come off as unrealistic, comical, or a parody. I think that's the reason why most audiences, at least in the States, think overtly nice worlds are "naive". It's not that they believe a world like that is impossible, but more that the attempts to portray such are world don't feel "human." What I mean by that is- being "nice" is difficult for nearly everyone and there's a lot of thoughts and emotions that goes into making that decision IRL. When you remove the struggles that come with kindness and good deeds, you remove the human part of it. The kindness and beauty in Kiki's film works because Ghibli wrote Kiki in a way that feels like an actual rounded and believable character. They don't try to glorify her as some rebel, some "ideal woman", or as some kind of "winner". Plus, her kindness doesn't feel overwhelming or impossible. We see her struggle, change her mind, and make bad decisions multiple times. I personally find a kind character more admirable when you see them struggle with their flaws but still choose to be kind and do what's right. It's these flaws that make Kiki's kindness feel more like a genuine part of her character, not just an idealistic trope that is tacked onto her.

[@dooshmasta]

17:18 I think it’s also important that you notice the older witch girl works in the red light district, and possibly that’s why she’s snarky and cynical. She descends down to a city with a glowing red windmill. That’s Moulin Rouge.

[@lauralessadc]

It's so interesting to see someone elses view about kiki, specially your American view of being the perfect world where everybody is kind and not selfish hahahaha, and that's so different for me as Brazilian, because everybody here is warm, welcoming and nice to strangers, so that wasn't even the most important part of the whole story. For me, it is all about starting a new life in a whole different place and feeling burnout, feeling miserable about having to deal with all your adult problems in a strange place. That's my favourite movie. I relate to her all the time ❤

[@miat1329]

In Japan there is a saying "for cute children let them out on a journey" hence why Kiki's parents r willing and supportive of her journey and choices

[@robertgaines-tulsa]

I think the fairy tale trope is a mirror of Christian values in the Western world. It's summed up as a battle of righteousness versus sin. The be righteous in life earns being with God in Heaven. Studio Ghibli is Japanese. Japan is not a Christian country. The result is a story with values that reflect a different point of view. Rather than a story of good versus evil, we get a story of struggles just being a normal part of life and we can soften those struggles just with simple acts of kindness and make life worth living. When things go poorly instead of finding someone to blame, we help each other to make things right. I wouldn't say that evil doesn't exist, but that evil has an origin story which generally leads back to mistreatment. Evil can be prevented through love and kindness. Hatred in countries can be measured with a prison population that is proportionate to that of the actual population.

[@chucheeness7817]

I just love the whiplash you get if you watch this one back to back with Nausicaa. Nausicaa was the first Ghibli movie I watched on betamax as 'Warriors of the Wind' in 1992, and I think it's the 'anti-Kiki's delivery service'. You just switch around the optimism vs cynicism ratio and flip wholesome and supportive to brutal and violent

[@Velereonics]

Disney isnt portraying what parents should be, though. Not necessarily. They show what parents are when they are well intentioned, but concerned more with their child being safe and integrating into society. Most parents want this for their kids. They want them to be safe, and they dont want them to feel ostracized. Most Disney films are about children staying true to themselves in spite of this pressure, and the parents learning to accept their children and be supportive. I think you read something negative into this that DIsney is not obscuring at all, but then not recognizing that the parents also undergo a character arc.

[@vincent4805]

It's probably linked to cultural differences where questioning parental authority is more taboo in East Asian cultures. Hence Ghibli parents are almost never shown to be actually abusive/neglectful but always well-intentioned even if imperfect. Disney portrayal can be more validating for children actually going through difficult family environments, and help parents reflect on their interactions too

[@koschmx]

@@vincent4805 Ghibli is ONE creator from the east. Don't forget that when Kiki came out, it as not the only asian media available to us. When I was a kid we got a Japanese cartoon from a neighbour, and when my mother walked in and a nude cartoon woman was on the screen, being violently assaulted. I was 8 years old. 🤣 If parents are looking for cartoons for their kids, they will need to be far more skeptical of what comes from Japan.

[@silver9wolf6]

@9:40 "A true act of good will, always sparks another." -Klaus

[@josinyx1651]

if you have not read “Human Kind” by Rutger Bregman yet and liked this video, I would definitely recommend it to you. it argues against the wide spread belief, that humans are evil. I have not felt this happy after reading a book in ages

[@KerrieKruegner]

I think I need to read it as sometimes I despair of humanity Or I can just pop on a Ghibli Film❤️🤗

[@rencion2885]

I absolutely loved this video! Sent it to my fellow artist friend who's also struggling with recovering a sense of self. Kiki's Delivery Service is now a primary comfort movie for me ❤😂

[@ShaunDreclin]

Probably my favorite movie of all time, I watched it endlessly as a kid. The themes of kindness may be part of why I loved it so much, when people were never very kind to me in my real life.

[@leonaise7546]

I highly respect the lack of ads in this video. I didn’t even notice till you brought it up cuz I was(for once) so immersed in the video like an award winning movie with no ads. Huge respect man❤️‍🔥

[@YarugumaSou]

Agree with everything except the good vs evil trope. I still believe that children need to be taught that evil exists in their world for them to learn what good is. And the over correction of this led to the overly abundance of "misunderstood villains" in modern entertainment.

[@fruzsimih7214]

This is why I liked Puss in Boots - The Last Wish so much. You had three kinds of antagonists in that: a main antagonist who is not a villain, but a force of nature, an extremely evil full-out villain and a group of secondary antagonists who become allies.

[@paradigmshift470]

Thank you! What’s better, to acknowledge that evil people DO exist so kids and young adults are better equipped with the tools to handle it in the real world… or pretend nobody evil exists and create an almost sheltered environment lol.

[@princesspikachu3915]

Laputa: Castle in the Sky has a pure villain. It was technically the first Ghibli movie.

[@KairuHakubi]

it's sad because the initial form of that development in storytelling was very, very good. villains who aren't just one-dimensional moustache twirlers are a much better lesson, because real life monsters don't go out with their devil horns on, they conceal it. And it helps to get to know what made them that way, avoid that happening to anyone else. Like that 'evil overlord's handbook' thing where it's like "do not raze a village to the ground but leave one kid alive. he's going to come get revenge" but for bad guys instead. Most of the classic villains were totally avoidable situations. But once that situation is at hand and can't be changed, then yeah. it's time to fight.

[@lemsip207]

Also kindness doesn't always make the world behave better towards you. Sometimes you get used or abused. Even the Bible advises people to walk away when their kindness is not well received. Some people thought I was an easy pushover. So when they visited me and behaved despicably I had nothing more to do with them after that. Naysayers are not always jealous either. Sometimes they can be a little paranoid or just concerned. I had one 'friend' who accused me of jealousy when he got a full time job in a call centre with an hour's commuting each way. But I saw that he couldn't even hold a one day a week volunteering job in an office near where he lived without saying he was exhausted by it. Every large venture needs a lot of preparation and practice for it. You don't go on a walking trek of several days without building up stamina with half day walks and then day walks.

[@kirstenmanson5515]

When I watched "Kiki's Delivery Service", I felt so content, relaxed and at home in that world I decided it was my favourite Ghibli film thus far (I've been watching them all gradually). Thank you for expressing why it's so wholesome and such a wonderful world to experience so eloquently!

[@toomanymonkeys21]

Although I agree with your main points, I don’t know about the other young witch- it starts to rain so abruptly as soon as she leaves (and the clear weather forecast was Kiki’s deciding factor!) that I always thought she made it happen! Throughout the story, Kiki is much more comfortable around adults. She really has to get used to people her own age. The Party Girl (recipient of the Madam’s pie) is part of Tombow’s crowd, and while she’s not actively antagonistic, neither does she have a big turnaround where she’s more appreciative of her grandmother. She fades into the background as Kiki ceases to worry about interacting with Tombow.

[@SleepyAnt-oy8bl]

Perfect video! Phenomenal points! I love Kiki's Delivery Service. However, using this to help us see what life could be like is one of the reasons - I believe - that Studio Ghibli movies are so popular - even with or maybe especially - with adults. SUBSCRIBED!

[@jonasnorlin2257]

This analysis was the best take on the uniqueness of Ghibli and Myazaki I have ever seen! Kiki’s delivery service is a film I have loved for a long time, but your profound and precise understanding of it’s underlying themes made me love the film even more. I look forward to seeing more of your content.

[@isleofredemption]

On one level I agree with you. In reality it's unrealistic to have a 'happily ever after'. The struggle persists but so do I and all that. Kinda like The Last Unicorn: "There are no Happy Endings, because nothing ends." But on the other hand, it's a contained narrative with a specific set of ideals and examples set through character behaviors and interactions. It focuses on specific events for the purposes of teaching particular lessons throughout a story arc. 'Happily Ever After' may not be realistic and should probably have an asterisk added with a 'Generally speaking' footnote. Hence you have your Direct to Video Disney Sequels and Animated Series where other obstacles pop up. And those can be anywhere between meh and pretty with regard to what THEY teach us. But then you have to be careful- the 'no happily ever after' sentiment is a slippery slope. Get the IP in the wrong hands and you end up in a Star Wars situation. "Everything your beloved hero learned was a lie, he was stupid for believing it, now he's a lonely depressed hermit, but check out our new character who is way better at everything without having gone through any of that development."

[@Blue_Grass_Girl]

Wonderful analysis. Kiki is one of my favourite Ghibli films.

[@usubenidango]

Amazing video and analysis! If I had to add one more thing, is how the whole film message on kindness is expressed in the ending song: “i’ve been enveloped in tenderness”

[@lesliehuhl]

This is such a wonderful video! Yes, the world CAN be a better place, and marketing a kind world would definitely be a huge step in that direction. Thank you for doing this.

[@anfani6839]

Thank you so much for making this video. Especially the ending hit me so hard emotionally, that I almost shed a few tears... you explaining and drawing attention to the fact, that sadness and struggles will always be a part of our everyday journey, but that that is okay... I have not been feeling too well for the last few months, also heavily struggling with thoughts like "who am I, actually?" and generally feeling like I'm in a second puberty, being in my 20's, but this video put a smile on my face and made me feel a little more relaxed - thank you!

[@triplea657aaa]

I think the magic in the movie comes from goodness. To truly do the good. She loses her power as she becomes disenfranchised and loses her positive and good demeanor. She truly regains her powers as she lets go of her resentments and tries to truly become a good person again.

[@ein_aaron-3031]

Amazing essay! All the things you said in the video about how Miyazaki manages to depict struggle in a realistic way, is what made me fall in love with Ghibli movies. For me, the best Ghibli movies are the ones that don´t need an external force of evil but rather the movies that show how that seemingly external evil is internal weakness that can be molded into something better through kind-heartedness and courage to be voulnerable. Even though I couldn´t explain this as a kid, it was exactly these motives and behaviors of the characters in Kiki´s Delivery Service that made me absolutely fall in love with it. I remember waking up at my dad´s place late at night, when Kiki was running on the TV. Back then I had watched any anime. I mean, I´ve watched western animated movies, but never has an animated world felt so real and as such the struggles and emotions of the characters. Studio Ghibli is peek cinema, and I´m so glad intelligent movies like these exist.

[@blackberryncheese]

01:25 i need to know what movie this is. I was 10000% convinced it never actually existed it and it was just a blurry creation of my mind from back when i was a kid

[@mariavc7421]

That’s just mad max I think

[@chrisbovington9607]

It's Mad Max 2. Much better than the original and arguably better than the other sequels. And you don't need to watch the first one. In fact I would recommend watching 2 first, then the original, then 2 again.

[@pogiplays75]

My father and I watched that mad max movie on Netflix a couple nights ago, idk which installment it was.

This scene is from Mad Max Fury Road, the fourth movie. All the movies: Mad Max (1979); Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981); Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985); Mad Max Fury Road (2015) and Furiosa A Mad Max Saga (2024)

[@glacieractivity]

Happy New Year from Norway. I started watching this earlier today and now I must run since midnight is minutes away because of kindness and family and friends and loved ones. Thank you for this essay, Soak- Let us all enjoy across midnight.

[@anandahere]

I watched the film before but your story- telling made me like I'm watching it for the first time. It's really awesome video about the 'Kiki's delivery service ' movie 40:36

[@Pixalisk]

Thanks for this, it articalates my thoughts on this gem of a movie far better than I ever could. Losing passion about something you used to enjoy because it is now "just a job", self-doubt and comparison to others are just such relatable things to me, and I love how it is not hammered it, but told in a subtle way. Also I've never caught that the girl in the car is the granddaugter, and was always a bit confused about the sudden strong reaction. But now it makes more sense.

[@sheridansherr8974]

Kishotenketsu: Japanese/ (also chinese / buddist?) 4 act story telling structure without conflict, while western storytelling is obsessed with conflict and "climax" .

[@sheridansherr8974]

I also noticed it and I like now Kishotenketsu much more over western conflict driven stories.

[@youseineko]

People always say it’s a story without conflict, but that’s not quite true. Rather, the story isn’t driven by a conflict. “Kiki’s Delivery Service” has conflicts (plural), but the story isn’t any one of them. It’s about her journey and personal growth.

[@applebottomjeans7]

I’m so glad you made this video, It’s so nice to hear about the underlying theme of kindness and friendship

[@bonedo0r]

I caught myself on the last minute, that the video is already ended…This analysis was something that I was coming to realise. I totally agree with that, and I see the future in these great thoughts. I hope, that kids and even adults see this model of behaviour even if they didn’t had that, just not to destroy their childish beliefs. That the world is not divided by good and bad, but that there’s always a way from any situation. We don’t need to hate someone for life, we can just accept some broken hearts and live our best reality. The quality of the video and your voice are very enjoyable. Thank you for that.

[@ryaneldonholmbeck3525]

Kiki's Delivery Service is not just my favorite Ghibli, it's #2 in my top five all time favorite films. I literally cry every time the opening credits start - as I'm crying right now. Lol. Thank you so much for this video. It hits the heart of why this film is one of the most important pieces of art I have ever encountered. The essay is beautiful in its structure, and poignant in its own right. Bravo!

[@ellischaschlik]

This was the perfect video to end the year on. Looking forward to a hopefully kinder world, and at least a kinder me in the new year

[@DutchLabrat]

Oh yes! Compare Kiki with Pinochio. They both wanted to leave their home to work on themselves but how different the story!

[@ladymacbethofmtensk896]

Kiki wants to leave home, while Pinocchio is lured away, then seized and TAKEN.

[@abbfilmann3735]

@@ladymacbethofmtensk896 Book Pinocchio frames his father to be child abuser and leaves home because he wants to bumble around and do nothing productive all day long, drinking, smoking and stuff

[@DutchLabrat]

@@ladymacbethofmtensk896 Yes, so? They both leave home, but in Pinochio's story that is depicted as something dangerous kids are lured into. Lured!! You use that word as if a yearning to be independent and self-guided in a teenager is not something to be applauded! In Kiki's OTOH it is shown to be a healthy sign of independence that is both scary and hard but also rewarding.

[@ladymacbethofmtensk896]

@@DutchLabrat Have you actually WATCHED Pinocchio? I mean, really watched it? Despite having no literal strings, Pinocchio is still a puppet and thus extremely easy to manipulate. Throughout the entire film, he is acted upon, and has no real agency nor independent will until nearly the end when he determines to find and rescue Gepetto from Monstro.

[@DutchLabrat]

@@ladymacbethofmtensk896 Are you really this.....? In Pinochia kids doing something on their own is shown as something bad, something that evil wayward kids do when they are manipulated and lured, and then they are punished. Pinochio teaches kids to stay on Moms backseat passively driven around doing the planning their parents made ( Seen the opening of Spirited Away?) because the outside is EVIL. Ghibli movies teaches kids that exploring outside world is fun and full of adventure. Sometimes scary, it is not without danger, but the risks are worth it because the alternative is doing nothing. Most accidents happen at home.

[@dylanroyboy]

Thank you, SVB. I've been thinking about many things lately. The topics work as a man, too. And I needed a voice to organize/explain those thoughts.

[@Qwinnlan]

I disliked Kiki’s Delivery Service when I watched it, but this new perspective takes the mundane, relaxed vibe of the movie out of the boring context I originally saw it in and into a fresh escape that we should strive to become reality! 🙏 I may need to research some ghibli films now, with a kinder eye. Well done! 💕🙌

[@noracream2997]

now you're making me insurecure abt my good vs bad story :(

[@littlepinkcactus]

Good! It‘s gonna make your story grow into something better and more nuanced! :)

[@destroyerofyorks]

​@littlepinkcactus Or they can, y'know, have good vs evil story that's still fleshed out and fine for what it is. Not every story has nuance in regards to villains, and there's nothing wrong with that. Not everything has to be the same.

[@astrophynix179]

Fellow writer here! As said in the video, comparison leads to nothing good. Kiki has its message: Your story doesn't need to share it. It might not need a message at all. Write what you want to write, if you can find happiness in it. And even so, that writing doesn't have to be as nuanced and elaborate as other stories. Writing is what makes you a writer- not the quality of said writing :> So, write that good vs bad story! It is YOUR story and you started it for a reason, if that reason is your own enjoyment that's all that counts^^

[@EA_Kar]

Recently watched the Penguin and was reminded by those writers, if a character says that there's not really good and evil in the world? Yeah that's the villain 😂 that being said slice of life adventures dont need to be an Epic of grand proportion and stakes. Evil can be mundane complacency, evil can be the character cutting corners, good is them learning when they can and when they shouldnt

[@TomGreen-zk8ik]

This was a really enjoyable and well put together video. Kiki's delivery service is my absolute favorite Ghibli film so its great to see it used as an example

[@rendiggietydog]

what an insightful analysis!! made me think a lot about my own outlook on the world i hope more films can portray such themes as these and make kikis supportive wonderful world feel more realistic to everyone

[@kanini2118]

wow, turns out i really needed to hear this. i actually teared up a couple of times, as i'm experiencing burnout and depression. i think i might go and rewatch Kiki soon. thanks for an awesome video! btw i love your style of video essay, it's so nice to listen to

[@keaniyoung8722]

Thank you! I love these films and you express so much of the beauty within!🌼✨

[@Nerdorkgeek]

I already loved this film, and yet you’ve strengthened my appreciation for it even more through your thoughtful analysis! Please make more videos like this! You have such a lovely perspective and skill for communicating that analysis.

[@makimakipink]

You did such a wonderful job! Thank you so much for your hard work ^-^

[@captin-ds6xj]

I just rewatched this movie and it made me cry my eyes out… It’s so brilliant and real and the kindness is so beautiful, especially near the end with the old lady giving Kiki the cake, and her friend coming to visit her from far away and painting her. And at the end, when everyone is fully cheering her on, even though she is struggling just to sit on the broom, something she has done perfectly the whole movie and what a witch should be able to do. My gosh what a wholesome movie, it literally captures why we need keep being kind to everyone around us.

[@Taelrin]

How much of the difference between Kiki and Disney movies comes down to fundamental differences in kishotenketsu and 3-act/heroes journey style stories common in Western media? Heroes journey doesn’t work without an antagonist, while kishotenketsu only requires opposing viewpoints which can come from anywhere.

[@justsayin...1158]

Your ability to see so much in these films and extract so many small details into profound lessons and themes is truly admirable. Thank you for this upload.

[@LearndingLife]

We rise by lifting others.

[@juliechen8710]

Great video! You explained perfectly why the older I get, the more I come to understand and appreciate Kiki’s delivery service. Maybe going through life is not really about winning over “bad guys” to reach a “happily ever after”. Maybe it’s more about going through the highs and lows in our own pursuit of happiness, finding our place among the diverse people in life, while contributing to building a benevolent world.

[@jeremiahphillips3294]

Ya know, this is quite the opposite of Danny phantom, where almost everyone in the show is a total jerk, almost everyone here is sweet and friendly.

[@KeyleeTamirian]

In most of BH's cartoons almost everyone's is a total jerk! XDD Tho CatDog has the most jerkiest jerks out of Nicktoons. To the point that entire city CatDog live in became a collective antagonist against CatDog trying to find their parents XD. Classky Czupo cartoons are much nicer. There's almost no villains in Rugrats (even Angelica is portrayed nicely), As Told By Ginger also shows that every person is a human. Among other Nicktoons there's Hey Arnold, where many people may be jerks, but everyone has some skeletons in their closet, and it feels amazing when in most episode character is like a bully of the episode, while in other episode you see more of their inner life and how Arnold helps them

[@adamantiiispencespence4012]

​@@KeyleeTamirianAngelica is portrayed nicely? She's a mean and selfish brat and a bully.

[@ItsTarotAndBeyond]

Absolutely love this analysis, and Hayao Miyazaki’s work - so soft, real, and comforting to me as a little girl at such a deep level; I never fully realized why until I recently saw a post about how Hayao never sexualized or objectified women in his artistic portrayals. This video goes even deeper into the fundamental loving worldview he had. I love the examples displayed of human kindness, empathy, compassion, real human struggle, and the process of finding one’s self. I also love how you, as the analyst, also exemplified this perspective in thoroughly exploring all characters subjective view points and motivations behind their actions or behaviours. This allows for the full fleshing out of the compassionate worldview through the demonstration of empathy therein. A deep heartfelt thank you for making this video!

[@HigherQualityUploads]

Western films focus a lot on defiance and breaking established norms (steadfast rules.) Eastern films don't do this nearly as often, both because I don't think their intended audience would be as receptive towards it, and I don't think the filmmakers want to instill such defiant behaviors like Western ones do.

[@plantemor]

I was a teenager when they decided to do showings of this movie in the cinema. This was a few years after the raging success of Spirited Away, so of course my friend and I had to go, when we saw Kiki on her little broom. The scene that floored me was when she went on vacation with Ursula after losing her powers and the speech Ursula has about drawing and burnout and how she just goes on walks and does other things if she can't force herself to draw. That was the first time ever that I had seen any piece of media address the concept of burnout and artblock. I am an artist myself, professional too, but as a 17 year old, it was absolutely mindblowing to hear someone else talk about something I knew so so well and acknowledge it and give genuinely good advice. I don't get these blocks all that often. I can count on one hand throughout my life where I lost the ability to draw and the latest one was this year after an extremely stressful period at work. I just didn't feel the spark anymore. So I did what Ursula said all those years ago in the 2000s when I watched Kiki's Delivery Service for the first time. Like like I have done the other times the burnout fucked me up. I just didn't draw and did something else for a month. It does wonders for your body and mind to give it a break from your passion once in awhile and when you hit a major block, it is your body telling you to stop.

[@ToxicXNature]

The difference between Studio Ghibli and Disney is very much a cultural difference. East vs west, collectivist vs individualist, person driven four act story structure vs conflict driven three act structure... I honestly would give ANYTHING to see Disney dabble in the four act structure of eastern story telling, but the CEO would probably worry their audience would just get bored and all Disney cares about atp is making money, not telling stories. That's what makes Studio Ghibli so wonderful, they never lost their drive to tell stories

[@vetarlittorf1807]

I doubt Disney will give up its adventurous structure any time soon. The closest we got to a more introspective story was Pixar's Soul, and even that movie had to include a lot of zany stuff that western animated movies usually have. The Prince of Egypt also kinda showed that westerners don't like it when a cartoon takes itself too seriously. Westerners generally want larger-than-life underdog heroes to take them as far away from their boring mundane lives as possible. And every time Disney strays away from that formula, such as Hunchback of Notre Dame whose hero is a tragic one and whose conflict is more internal, the movie underperforms. And in the age of streaming, studios are even less willing to experiment or take chances, because any loss at the box office can no longer be made up for with DVDs.

[@pumpkinwarrior7138]

There’s a lot of artists there who want to tell great stories it’s just the ceos are horrid Frozen 2 concept art and production diaries show a beautiful film but you can see the frustration of a rushed story instead of

[@SteveSorex]

The movie is truly something special. When I watched it as a child I liked it well enough. "Cool magic and adventure!". But shortly after starting working as a young adult, I just happened to see it again. And it hit so hard. As a story of growing up, joining the work force and losing your childhood innocence. Honestly the movie just makes me cry every time with how relatable and beautiful it is.

[@crystalkirby]

The best part about most Ghibli films is that when you start watching, and finish, the worlds feel like they are lived in and life carries on for these characters. Before we begin, everyone has connections and fully flushed out lives. As an audience, we are gifted to see a glimpse of that life. At the end, we see the same characters having grown and continue living, even after the film ends! Not many other films can do that, in addition to carrying through a positive message to take away after you finish the film too.

[@MaryaAnimations]

This film means so much to me. When she lost her powers, she felt like she lost a part of her. It was because she lost her confidence. But then, when she was saving her friend, her confidence came back to her since she was helping Tombo who was special to her. Hayao Miyazaki is a great man. He's this centuries magician❤

[@coloredbymaia6476]

Brilliant ! Thank you for sharing ❤