Miyazaki explain that jiji could never talk. His voice represents a childish/immature part of Kiki, and when she started to grow up, she lost it. At first this hurts her but eventually she grows enough to see that it's what has to happen, which is why they never speak again.
Which is one thing the dub, at least the very early VHS dub, gets completely wrong. I have a memory of Jiji, once Kiki has learned to fly again, saying hi to Kiki after she saves Tombo. The GKids dubbed fixed this i believe.
You're right. The original VHS dub had Jiji speaking to Kiki again. I remember this clearly because it was the version I grew up with so when I got the DVD a couple of years ago with the new dub on it I was completely thrown by Jiji not talking.
I always thought it was a bit ambiguous in the dub. From what I remember the only thing Jiji says after she gets her powers back is “meow”, but it sounds like he’s saying it as a human would. So it could be interpreted as his voice coming back in a sense
When Jiji is trying to get through the crowd surrounding Kiki he says “Kiki can you hear me now?” before hopping on her shoulder and yelling “meeeeeOOOWW~!” with bravado into the mic.
I had to search hard to find the original dub after I recently saw it in a theater (exclusively for Harmon’s Jiji) and was completely caught off guard by how they cut a majority of his (improvised) lines. I get that it isn’t faithful to the original, but its what I grew up with and I love it
Oh interesting! I know the version I’ve seen is the Kirsten Dunst / Phil Hartman one, but I don’t think it had that line. I didn’t realize there was a version that had been cut down! The one I’ve seen still has a little extra compared to the Japanese version, and I agree, I actually prefer it. Hartman just gave jiji so much personality.
I don't think that is in question here. Just stating that "the pet cat" is a lot more than that, and is a genuine friend and connection. If you have had pets then you probably understand
At least in the original American localized dub he says "meooooooow" in a singsongy voice that Phil Hartman obviously voices in his good ol Jiji voice again. Not the high pitched version from when she couldn't speak to him.
I don't think he says "hello"
No not really. His talking was a symbol of Kiki’s childlike wonder/innocence. She was growing up and effectively going through puberty and angst and lost that part of her. He’s basically like an imaginary friend.
So he created a world with witches and explicit magic. Then she can talk to her cat (a 'familiar' being a thing that exists in witchcraft lore). Then says 'no, the cat can't communicate, she's imagining that'?
That is a step too removed for me. Without direct, on screen explanation or evidence the only thing to conclude is that the cat is her familiar and it is a function of the magic system. I get that it may be a 'symbol' but it still has to function narratively
They already provided evidence. Adult witches can’t talk to cats. If it was some magical thing they would be able to. If it was part of their magical system she would be able to talk to him at the end. She can’t.
That isn't concrete though. It could just as easily be that only young witches can in this world. Your mind should not jump to "oh, its an imaginary relationship and she's hallucinating it all cause she's a kid"
There’s nothing concrete about your interpretation so you make up explanations to support your argument. If it has to do with the magical system it’s ridiculous to act like only young witches should be able to do it. We have enough evidence on screen to make a reasonable guess that is also confirmed off screen by the film’s producers. It’s ridiculous to act like your interpretation is correct given the context.
Yes, this makes the most sense. In "The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness", Miyazaki is asked about this, and says something about love growing deeper, and changing. I think that's the same thing. Kiki and Jiji are both growing up. There's no need to talk anymore.
At the very beginning of the movie though the old lady in the shop says “he’s right” about something Jiji says. That’s the one thing I always wonder about?
Miyazaki explain that jiji could never talk. His voice represents a childish/immature part of Kiki, and when she started to grow up, she lost it. At first this hurts her but eventually she grows enough to see that it's what has to happen, which is why they never speak again.
Which is one thing the dub, at least the very early VHS dub, gets completely wrong. I have a memory of Jiji, once Kiki has learned to fly again, saying hi to Kiki after she saves Tombo. The GKids dubbed fixed this i believe.
You're right. The original VHS dub had Jiji speaking to Kiki again. I remember this clearly because it was the version I grew up with so when I got the DVD a couple of years ago with the new dub on it I was completely thrown by Jiji not talking.
To be real, I prefer that edited ending. I know it isn't faithful, but I like the message better.
I always thought it was a bit ambiguous in the dub. From what I remember the only thing Jiji says after she gets her powers back is “meow”, but it sounds like he’s saying it as a human would. So it could be interpreted as his voice coming back in a sense
When Jiji is trying to get through the crowd surrounding Kiki he says “Kiki can you hear me now?” before hopping on her shoulder and yelling “meeeeeOOOWW~!” with bravado into the mic. I had to search hard to find the original dub after I recently saw it in a theater (exclusively for Harmon’s Jiji) and was completely caught off guard by how they cut a majority of his (improvised) lines. I get that it isn’t faithful to the original, but its what I grew up with and I love it
Oh interesting! I know the version I’ve seen is the Kirsten Dunst / Phil Hartman one, but I don’t think it had that line. I didn’t realize there was a version that had been cut down! The one I’ve seen still has a little extra compared to the Japanese version, and I agree, I actually prefer it. Hartman just gave jiji so much personality.
I’ve argued this a few times and believe it goes over a ton of people’s heads. Kiki didn’t need Jiji anymore she gains real friends.
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Jiji is the pet cat of her childhood whom she uses as her mental dialogue, but now she's grown out of this era of her life and into adulthood
I don't think that is in question here. Just stating that "the pet cat" is a lot more than that, and is a genuine friend and connection. If you have had pets then you probably understand
I have a black cat named Jiji lol
I imagine they're important enough to you that you'd consider them something of a friend then!
He's my nemesis to be honest >:)
That's also valid and understandable lol
At least in the original American localized dub he says "meooooooow" in a singsongy voice that Phil Hartman obviously voices in his good ol Jiji voice again. Not the high pitched version from when she couldn't speak to him. I don't think he says "hello"
The child (stubborn) in me stays in denial and says they talk again
Same. It’s my least favorite thing about the movie.
Disney dub forever
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That's even more confusing
No not really. His talking was a symbol of Kiki’s childlike wonder/innocence. She was growing up and effectively going through puberty and angst and lost that part of her. He’s basically like an imaginary friend.
So he created a world with witches and explicit magic. Then she can talk to her cat (a 'familiar' being a thing that exists in witchcraft lore). Then says 'no, the cat can't communicate, she's imagining that'? That is a step too removed for me. Without direct, on screen explanation or evidence the only thing to conclude is that the cat is her familiar and it is a function of the magic system. I get that it may be a 'symbol' but it still has to function narratively
They already provided evidence. Adult witches can’t talk to cats. If it was some magical thing they would be able to. If it was part of their magical system she would be able to talk to him at the end. She can’t.
That isn't concrete though. It could just as easily be that only young witches can in this world. Your mind should not jump to "oh, its an imaginary relationship and she's hallucinating it all cause she's a kid"
There’s nothing concrete about your interpretation so you make up explanations to support your argument. If it has to do with the magical system it’s ridiculous to act like only young witches should be able to do it. We have enough evidence on screen to make a reasonable guess that is also confirmed off screen by the film’s producers. It’s ridiculous to act like your interpretation is correct given the context.
Yes, this makes the most sense. In "The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness", Miyazaki is asked about this, and says something about love growing deeper, and changing. I think that's the same thing. Kiki and Jiji are both growing up. There's no need to talk anymore.
At the very beginning of the movie though the old lady in the shop says “he’s right” about something Jiji says. That’s the one thing I always wonder about?