Press Notes and High-Res Photos from the Upcoming Movie Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: majotaku.jp (Japan) Toei has released information and new high-res photos from their upcoming live action film, KIKI`S DELIVERY SERVICE (??????, Majo no Takkyuubin, 2014).

The movie is based on the novel series Kiki`s Delivery Service by author Eiko Kadono, the first volume of which was published January 25, 1985 by Fukuinkan Shoten. In 1989, the story was first adapted in the hit Studio Ghibli anime film of the same name by director Hayao Miyazaki. Four years later, theater director Yukio Ninagawa brought Kiki`s to the stage as a musical. In 2009, discussions began for a live action movie version, which will be released nationwide in Japan on March 1, 2014. 13-year-old Kiki hopes to become a full-fledged witch. Abiding by the rules of her training, she must leave her hometown and live in a strange city for one year. With her magic broom and black cat, Jiji, Kiki moves to the seaside town of Kiriko. Kiki is befriended by a local boy named Tombo, and takes a job at a bakery run by Osono and her husband, Fukuo. The witch-in-training establishes a unique service, flying around Kiriko delivering baked goods.

The new KIKI`S DELIVERY SERVICE is directed by Takashi Shimuzu, best known as the creator of the long-running JU-ON/THE GRUDGE J-Horror franchise. Shimizu also co-wrote the film`s screenplay with Satoko Okudera, writer of the acclaimed anime films SUMMER WARS (???????, Samaa Uozu, 2009) and WOLF CHILDREN (???????????, Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki, 2012). Following national auditions, 16-year-old newcomer Fuka Koshiba won the lead role of Kiki. The young actress also received the endorsement of original Kiki`s author Eiko Kadono, who felt Koshiba had a sense of innocence vital to portraying the character. The supporting cast includes Machiko Ono as Osono (THE TASTE OF TEA, THE FLOATING CASTLE), Michitaka Tsutsui (HUMANOID MONSTER BEM) as Kiki`s father Okino, Rie Miyazawa (THE TWILIGHT SAMURAI, ASHURA) as her mother Kokiri and Ryohei Hirota (ULTRAMAN: THE NEXT, GOEMON) as Tombo. Internationally renowned actor Tadanobu Asano (ICHI THE KILLER, 47 RONIN) also appears in the film as veterinarian Dr. Ishi.

CREDITS

Japanese Theatrical Release Date: March 1, 2014 Cast Kiki: Fuka Koshiba Osono: Machiko Ono Tombo: Ryohei Hirota Fukuo: Hiroshi Yamamoto Hirofumi Arai Hiroshi Yoshida Dr. Ishi: Tadanobu Asano Saki: Miho Kanazawa Okino: Michitaka Tsutsui Kokiri: Rie Miyazawa Staff Director: Takashi Shimizu Original Story: Kiki`s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono (Fukuinkan Shoten) Screenwriters: Satoko Okudera, Takashi Shimizu Producer: Akira Morishige Production: "Kiki`s Delivery Service" Film Partners Distributor: Toei Co., Ltd. © 2014 "Kiki`s Delivery Service" Film Partners