Architecture has found its way into several movies and anime. Ghibli studio movies would provide the aesthetic and nostalgic setting with a heartwarming storyline in which the architectural setting could not be missed. Kikis delivery service is one such movie, with an architectural style mimicking a traditional European city with a landscape fix of Mediterranean and Stockholm. The movie addresses modernity over standard Japanese settling and, hence, the change in landscape style.
While the initial images from her home showcase the settling of a quiet countryside with vast fields and freshwater canals, the image progresses towards relatively modern structures. The film has a fairytale style and is set in an uncertain post-World War II environment that is vaguely European. It also features enough current technology to be relatable. Starting with the giant clock tower reminding the viewers about Big Ben and continuing with the French countryside-inspired house of Madame.
Karikiya Town to Koriko City
From the beginning, the portrayal of a young witch leaving her countryside town to settle the ocean in a bustling city brings several contrast-worthy observations. A tiny home surrounded by vast fields and streams, the scene is painted to look traditional, with an urban setting supported by the scenes of “a young witch’s rite to passage move.”Setting the tone of conservative and dark interiors for a witch to a conventional English cottage bedroom and breezy patio support the upbringing of a witch.
Following a smooth transition from a relatively silent setting to a city’s hustle and bustle nature, creating a tone of balance between the two regions. It is a commendable depiction of an urban landscape, which is both elaborate and picturesque. The city of Koriko, dazzling with elements of stone, brick, slate, marble and terra cotta, is an architectural collage of materials and elements taken from major cities like Paris, Lisbon and Stockholm. The city of Nobel Prize- Stockholm inspired the artist to portray features of openness, tolerance, and pacifism, setting a universe where World War II didn’t take place, and urban development didn’t strike the environmental development of the city.
Osono’s Bakery & Residence
Standing at a high point and facing the ocean, Osono’s Residence, which also functions as a bakery in front is the house where Kiki gets a place to stay. A dark loft with a bed and a fireplace, accomplished with a table and chair. Kiki’s room is instead an uninteresting loft with a grand view of the ocean. She makes it her own by adding her touch to the interiors with a quick clean and tapestry. While the front of the house and the bakery, the house landed at the end of a narrow street like any other typical street urban design, with narrow lanes and alleys. The front functioned as a bakery, and the exterior conveyed a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The building is constructed with reddish-brown bricks, and the roof features terracotta tiles.
Ursula’s Log Cabin
A typical artist’s abode, Ursula’s tiny house looks disorganized and unkept, displaying the lifestyle of creative outbursts and lack of time to complete work. The abode doesn’t fail to give a homely cabin-in-the-woods vibe with warm lighting. As Kiki struggled with her new reality of losing her power to fly, Ursula’s Log cabin provided the right aesthetics for a city retreat. Surrounded by chirping birds and the smell of earth, the log stands out compared to the city’s hustle and bustle.
Madame’s home
Adding to the list of remarkable houses is one of Kiki’s clients, Madame, an older, beautiful and caring grandmother who dearly wants to deliver her granddaughter a pie baked with love. Her house is draped in French country aesthetics from the exteriors to the interiors.
With its beautiful flower arrangement on the lawn and striking brick walls, a sight to behold, the house depicts art itself. The richness of the vegetation, with its pink, blue, and white hues, creates a mesmerizing and eye-catching view. The plants’ softness complements the brick home’s ruggedness, creating a perfect balance of colour and texture that brings the house to life. The French rural garden is a beautiful example of untamed beauty, with various flowers bordering different areas of the yard in a seemingly haphazard way but intentionally designed to create a charming and inviting atmosphere.
The interior decor of Madame’s house exudes a sophisticated and refined ambience with its French country wallpaper design. Her love for antiquities is evident in the exquisite collection of grandfather clocks, sculptures, and paintings that adorn the various corners of her house. Using brass frames for décor adds a touch of vintage elegance, while the old oil paintings and mirrors exude an aura of timeless charm. Every decor aspect is a testament to Madame’s exquisite taste and eye for detail.
The movie doesn’t fail to create a fantastical and whimsical atmosphere; it blends various influences, forming a unique and charming townscape that reflects the film’s themes of community, self-discovery, and respect for nature. Overall, it is a highly recommended movie to anyone who enjoys a good story with strong themes and beautiful architectural and urban visuals.
References:
- Actar’s Otaku Life. (2011). Tradition and Modernity in Kiki’s Delivery Service. [online] Available at: https://actar.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/tradition-and-modernity-in-kikis-delivery-service/.
- Lumaj, J. (2022). How To Design Your Home Like Madame From Kiki’s Delivery Service. [online] House Digest. Available at: https://www.housedigest.com/1059097/how-to-design-your-home-like-madame-from-kikis-delivery-service/
- Cavallaro, D. (2006). The Animé Art of Hayao Miyazaki. Jefferson, North Carolina: Mcfarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.
