18 Times Jiji From Kiki’s Delivery Service Put On So Many Personalities Including Witch’s Familiar And Black Cat

Jiji is actually pretty different depending on which version you watch

Maryjane

• Published in Interesting
• October 4, 2022

Jiji, a popular anime cat that has been around since 1989, also happens to be familiar to Kiki. And Kiki, as we all know, is a witch in training. We do like the cliché that "the black cat is the witches’ pet."

You might be surprised to learn that Jiji is actually quite different depending on whether you see Kiki’s Delivery Service in Japanese or American. In American culture, cats’ voices are more gender-specific, whereas in Japanese culture, cats are frequently portrayed with feminine voices.

There are several Hartman lines where Jiji, in the original, just says nothing. Jiji's personality is notably different between the two versions, showing a more cautious and conscientious attitude in the original Japanese version as opposed to the cynical and sarcastic attitude in the Disney English version.

Another difference between the two Jijis is that in the Japanese version, Kiki loses her ability to talk to him. But in the American version, she gets that ability back.

Hayao Miyazaki explained that the cat symbolized innocence and childhood, and Kiki lost her ability to talk to him as a symbol of growing up. Miyazaki has said that Jiji is the immature side of Kiki, and this implies that Kiki, by the end of the original Japanese version, has matured beyond talking to her cat.

Below are different animations showing Jiji in so many personalities, so keep scrolling and check them all out. 

1. It's my milk and I'll lick it however I deem fit

2. What is that? Okay, I'll go into hiding

3. It's the eye gesture for me

Look!! It's me!!

This sweet moment is revisited as Kiki drinks from the Jiji mug that she buys in this scene throughout the film.

4. It's time to have a good meal

What would a witch be without a her trusty familiar by her side? Jiji supports Kiki throughout her most formative years. He is reliable, kind, trustworthy, and everything that a girl could want in a familiar and more.

5. All of a sudden, the cat looks pretty disappointed

6. Two different reactions to seeing the same thing

7. The little kitty is pretty invested in chasing a butterfly

8. Here we go...

9. Look at the time hooman, don't you think you're forgetting something???

10. Let your guards down and just let nature do its thing

11. Someone seems to be pretty excited

12. The tail, the facial expressions and the face turn... Hmm

13. Open this window or I'll scratch it open

14. This is the best meal I've had in a long time now

Well, this is truly wonderful. Jiji happens to be Kiki’s friend throughout her formative years of training to be a witch. But when examining loneliness, Jiji stands for more than just Kiki's innocent side.

He is a reminder of her early years, the connections she had with her family, and a source of comfort she can always turn to in trying times.

Maryjane