A 13-year-old witch named Kiki is required to spend a year in a distant coastal town as part of her training to become a full-fledged witch. She leaves behind her family, friends, and Jiji, her black cat companion, to embark on this journey alone. When she arrives at Koriko, Kiki struggles to adjust and wanders the streets without any place to stay. Eventually, she meets Osono, who offers her boarding in exchange for making deliveries for his bakery. As time goes by, Kiki decides to start her own courier service using a broomstick, marking her first step towards independence. Through this experience, Kiki learns the importance of responsibility and gains new experiences that she will cherish forever.
The film won the 1989 Animage's Anime Grand Prix Award.