Beloved young witch Kiki returns in an official sequel, continuing the story that inspired Hayao Miyazaki's celebrated 1989 film adaptation.
Nearly four decades after Kiki's Delivery Service first captured audiences around the world, the beloved young witch is finally returning in an official sequel. Author Eiko Kadono 's next chapter, Kiki and the New Magic, is scheduled to arrive in English on August 25, 2026, giving longtime Studio Ghibli fans a chance to revisit one of anime's most comforting fantasy worlds.
The new novel continues the story that inspired Hayao Miyazaki's celebrated 1989 film adaptation. Published by Delacorte Press under Penguin Random House, the hardcover edition spans 288 pages and targets readers ages 8 to 12, though older fans are expected to flock to it as well. The release will also include ebook, audiobook, and library editions, with the hardcover priced at $19.99 in the United States.
Kiki's Story Continues 37 Years Later Kiki and the New Magic takes place one year after Kiki established herself as a young witch living independently in the seaside city of Koriko. Once an uncertain newcomer trying to fit into a busy town, Kiki has now become widely recognized for her delivery service. Her growing popularity, however, brings pressure and emotional challenges she did not expect.
The sequel reportedly focuses heavily on Kiki's changing friendships and her struggle to understand her future. Her bond with Jiji, her sarcastic black cat companion, will face new complications, while her friendship with aviation enthusiast Tombo also evolves. As Kiki accepts increasingly dangerous assignments, she begins questioning her confidence and purpose as a witch. Like the original story, the sequel balances whimsical fantasy with relatable themes about growing older and discovering personal identity.
That emotional honesty helped make Kiki's Delivery Service one of Studio Ghibli's most beloved films despite releasing years before global anime popularity exploded. Even today, many viewers consider it one of the studio's warmest and most comforting coming-of-age stories. The Creative Team Behind the New Kiki's Delivery Service Book The sequel once again comes from acclaimed Japanese author Eiko Kadono, whose writing career stretches back more than five decades.
Kadono debuted in 1970 with Brazil and My Friend Luizinho and has since written close to 200 children's books. In 2018, she received the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award, often considered one of the highest honors in children's literature. English readers will receive a fresh translation from Emily Balistrieri, who also worked on the 2020 English edition of the original Kiki's Delivery Service novel.
The new book additionally features illustrations by artist Yuta Onoda, whose artwork appears prominently in the newly revealed first look at the sequel's cover design. Related Studio Ghibli Announces New Era With One Big Change Coming This Summer The iconic Studio Ghibli is about to enter a brand-new era with this big change that is coming Summer 2026, so here is everything fans need to know.
Posts By Hannah Diffey Interest surrounding the novel has surged online because many fans never realized Miyazaki's classic movie was adapted from a longer literary series. The original English translation did not appear until 2003, well after the film became internationally famous. Now, with Kiki and the New Magic, audiences finally have the opportunity to continue Kiki's adventure in an official English-language release. Subscribe to the newsletter for more Kiki insights Want richer context on Kiki, translations, and sequel developments?
Subscribe to our newsletter for curated coverage, translation notes, illustration reveals, and thoughtful takes on adaptations like Kiki and the New Magic. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Preorders for the Kiki's Delivery Service sequel novel are already available through major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Target, Walmart, and independent bookstores.
Alongside the physical hardcover edition, readers can also purchase a digital ebook version of Kiki and the New Magic priced at $10.99 in the United States, while audiobook listeners will have another way to experience Kiki's newest magical journey
Kiki's Delivery Service Eiko Kadono Studio Ghibli Kiki And The New Magic Hayao Miyazaki Children's Literature Hans Christian Andersen Award
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