u/cozy_b0i

Flowers are obviously prominent in most Studio Ghibli films but in Kiki’s Delivery Service it’s taken to a rather lovely extreme. I’m curious whether these are symbolic devices placed by the studio or if it’s just part of the society the story is based on. And for those who have read the book and may know more, please chime in! My current theory is that heavy flower presence is a symbol indicating people who love/accept Kiki but there is one major hole in this theory I’ll mention.

I’ll explain more:

Obviously there are the breathtaking nature and exterior shots we all know and love, but even in interiors, when you pay close attention, many of the wallpapers and objects have floral designs. This is clearest in the early scenes in and around Kiki’s childhood house and bedroom. The house itself is literally covered in leaves/ivy/foliage with flowers blooming along the house’s exterior walls (seen when Kiki opens her window to talk to her dad). Then the stunning garden room where Kiki’s mother works is obviously teeming with plant life (I want a house like this so f*cking badly btw but anyway back to the post). Then in her bedroom the wallpaper is a floral design, many objects have floral painted patterns, many picture frames have paintings/photos of flowers and of course there are many flowers in vases. Then when Kiki is embarking on her voyage, and the town is there to see her off, almost every single frame there is a flower visible at least in the background. In fact until she takes off, there is a flower visible in almost every single frame other than a few shots of the sky. Regarding my theory of flowers/plants resembling love for Kiki’s, this is her home and comfort zone where everyone knows and loves her, and it’s teeming with flower/plant life.

Then she gets to the new town. It’s not any type of town, it’s the equivalent of a dense city where there is very little nature at all at first, dense urban concrete everywhere. Yes a few plants outside windows though. Kiki is a stranger in a new place and no one knows her or loves her yet. But the few people who meet her in the town, and love her, how flowers all over the interiors of their home: Osono has floral patterns on a lot of the mugs and cups and vases of flowers. The lovely old lady as well. The first customer as well at the destination (floral wall papers and carpets that Jiji plays on with the dog). Even Tombo’s interior, when they show him calling Kiki on the phone, has a distinct floral wallpaper.

There are only two settings/shots in the entire movie that are completely absent of some sort of nature (flower/plant/grass): the attic she moves into (but she has a vase in every shot after her first day) and Ursula’s cabin. Maybe the train cart if you don’t count the hay. But Ursula totally accepts Kiki as much as anyone, but her cabin interior is oddly completely devoid of flowers, not even a vase. I even think her painting was absent of flowers/plants but I could be wrong. Yes the surrounding area is a forest and the immediate yards of her cabin have flowers. So the Ursula cabin interior is a place where the theory has a massive hole in it. Maybe it’s intentional for the visual contrast to make it seem completely cut off from society.

But the Ghibli style, of hand drawing every single frame, is too meticulous to believe the “it’s not that deep bro” explanation without any examination at all.

What are your thoughts on this theory? Is it merely the style of the setting and if I visited the town in 1989 I would see that same style? Is it just the Ghibli vibe of flowers? Or do you think there is a deeper symbolism where there are and aren’t flowers/plants? And if you’ve connected similar dots in other Ghibli films of course I’d love to hear about it.

Thanks!

Obviously my parenting influence will not be solely limited to Ghibli films lol. But I would love to hear which Ghibli movies, in your opinion, portray great positive role models or lessons for raising young women so I can view the movies through that lens. I can make some assumptions but I'd love to hear directly from parents who have raised girls, or even just women who could provide insights along the lines of "I wish my dad was like [Ghibli Character X]" and why.

Thank you so much in advance!

EDIT: thanks for your replies, it seems like the top movie we were suggested is this nifty one titled "Grave of the Fireflies". Haven't seen this one yet, excited to sit down and enjoy the classic Ghibli wholesomeness and cuteness and warmth that this movie will likely provide me

I use this pokemon as much as possible ever since I discovered it. It is low key overpowered in PVE/storymode. It is adorable and silly but also powerful and fun to play as. It’s a perfect pokemon.

Art by Akage Sensei!

For me, I’ve just discovered Sinistcha (I’ve been living under a rock) and it is by far the funnest Pokemon to play as. I always loved setup sweepers, but the matcha gotcha move that heals it simultaneously is crazy lol. Plus the concept overall, I’m a huge matcha lover, I make it with the authentic chasen and chawan every morning

Couldn’t pick between flairs for Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, or Cozy Vibes which might be helpful

Haku says “eat this, it’ll give you your strength”. Upon eating, she immediately begins to bawl as the gravity of her situation hits her and she feels immense empathy (drawn from love) for her parents. This passion causes her to cry.

I always interpreted the Spirited Away setting as representative of rat race culture and Chihiro overcoming this. Everyone is numbed to real love and emotions, similar to corporate rat race settings.

And I always love this scene where Miyazaki is almost telling us that your love and empathy in life will help you transcend these absolutely heartless places and lifestyles. I always think of this when I’m too in my own head or too absorbed in work and feel burnout

I equate “favorite” with pokemon id want if i was dropped into the pokemon world. Therefore always avoided legendary/mythical mons. But now Celebi is my favorite

I love this movie so much. It’s my favorite movie ever, MAYBE Totoro is tied with it but idk. Everything I said about it in the title is true.

And regarding the “tiny” details I mentioned: so many little details in the illustration (that little crab scurrying away from Anna’s foot when she steps in the water, or the moths near the light at night etc), or even in the narrative (like the moment in the story Anna first starts genuinely smiling). Many Ghibli movies do this well but when you watch Marnie closely it’s done best here possibly

And the food looks amazing in this Ghibli movie!

Edit: movie title “When Marnie Was There”