Kiki’s Delivery Service Returns With an Official Sequel and First Look

2026 keeps getting better for Kiki’s Delivery Service fans. Following the film’s successful IMAX run earlier this year, the beloved Studio Ghibli classic is back in the spotlight thanks to the first English release of its long-awaited sequel novel.

More than 30 years after Eiko Kadono published the sequel in Japan, English-speaking readers will finally get the chance to continue Kiki’s story.

Kiki and the New Magic Finally Brings Kiki’s Story Back After 33 Years

Kiki is finally returning to bookstores in English more than three decades after her last major adventure was published in Japan. Delacorte Press has officially announced the English release of Kiki and the New Magic, the sequel to Eiko Kadono’s award-winning 1985 novel Kiki’s Delivery Service (via Penguin Random House).

Originally published in Japan in 1993, the sequel has never before been available in English. Written by Kadono, illustrated by Yuta Onoda, and translated by Emily Balistrieri, the upcoming release allows international readers to experience the next chapter of Kiki’s life for the first time.

According to the official synopsis, the story takes place a year after Kiki begins her new life as a full-fledged witch. The young witch who once struggled to find where she belonged has now become a familiar face in her community thanks to her delivery service.

However, success comes with its own challenges. As new challenges pile up, Kiki begins questioning her purpose and what she wants from the future.

Like the original story, the sequel focuses on friendship, courage, and self-discovery while teasing a new form of magic for Kiki to explore. The story appears to continue the coming-of-age themes that made both the novel and Miyazaki’s adaptation resonate with audiences for decades.

The book will be released in English language in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook versions on August 25, 2026.

Kiki’s Delivery Service Became One of Studio Ghibli’s Most Enduring Classics

Miyazaki’s 1989 adaptation gradually grew into one of Studio Ghibli’s most beloved films, earning new fans with each generation. While it never reached the box office heights of later Studio Ghibli masterpieces such as Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke, Kiki’s story steadily built a passionate global following.

The film follows thirteen-year-old Kiki, a young witch who leaves home as part of a traditional rite of passage. Accompanied only by her loyal black cat Jiji, she travels to a new city to establish herself independently and discover her place in the world. Beneath its whimsical setting, the film explores loneliness, self-doubt, and the challenges of growing up on your own.

Those themes remain a major reason why the film still connects with audiences today. Many fans continue to view Kiki’s struggle with confidence and identity as one of Studio Ghibli’s most realistic portrayals of adolescence.

The timing of the announcement is notable. Interest in Studio Ghibli remains as strong as ever following the success of The Boy and the Heron, which introduced many younger viewers to Miyazaki’s work.

Kiki’s Delivery Service has also seen renewed attention in 2026 thanks to its North American IMAX release and special screenings in Japan, which makes news about Kiki and the New Magic even more exciting.

Movie TitleRelease YearDirectorMovie Rating (IMDb)

Kiki’s Delivery Service	1989	Hayao Miyazaki	7.8 / 10

The only question now is whether this long-awaited sequel can capture the same magic that made Kiki’s Delivery Service a timeless classic in the first place. Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and we would love to hear them.

Kiki’s Delivery Service is currently available to watch on HBO Max.