Who directed the 1989 film Kiki's Delivery Service?

Hayao Miyazaki directed the 1989 film Kiki's Delivery Service. He also wrote the screenplay and served as one of the film’s producers.

The project began as an adaptation of Eiko Kadono’s 1985 children’s novel. Miyazaki initially worked as producer while Studio Ghibli considered other directing arrangements, but he became increasingly involved and ultimately took over the director’s role. He reshaped the book’s episodic story into a feature about independence, work, friendship, and growing up.

The film follows 13-year-old Kiki as she leaves home with her talking cat, Jiji, and starts a flying delivery business in the coastal city of Koriko. Viewers sometimes confuse Miyazaki with Isao Takahata, another major Ghibli director, or with Goro Miyazaki, his son and a later director. Kiki's Delivery Service was released in Japan on July 29, 1989, and became Studio Ghibli’s first major initial-release success.