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anime - Why does Jiji not talk at the end of the movie?


In the film, Kiki's Delivery Service, the small black cat that Kiki keeps with her a sort-of familiar is Jiji. Jiji can talk, and is quite incisive, really.


In the middle portion of the film, Kiki loses touch with her powers and Jiji goes silent. Yet, by the end of the film, Kiki's powers are restored, but Jiji remains silent. Why?



Answer



Kiki's Delivery Service is a coming-of-age story. The changes reflect Kiki gaining maturity and independance. According to the Nausicaa.net FAQ:



Jiji doesn't speak (in human words, at least) to Kiki anymore, because they grew up, not because she lost a power. In the original book, it is explained that a witch girl and a black cat are raised together from infancy, and that's why they can "talk" to each other (notice that Kiki's mom never talks with Jiji directly). They are able to talk to each other because of their close relationship, rather than magic itself (a cat being able to live so long could be magic, though). Miyazaki made Jiji not be able to talk to Kiki even after she regained her power to show that Kiki has grown, and doesn't need her "other self" anymore. Miyazaki says, "The most important thing for Kiki is [...] whether she can meet various people on her own. As long as she is flying on the broom with her cat, she is free. But, to live in a town, to get training means that she has to be able to walk the town alone and talk to people, without her broom or her cat." Kiki and Jiji can start a new relationship as independent personalities. They remain friends, with other meaningful relationships (such as Lily and the kittens for Jiji) added on.




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