Tatsuya Endo of ‘SPY×FAMILY’ Draws Kiki for Upcoming Anniversary Edition of Original Novel
Japanese publisher Fukuinkan Shoten has revealed a special treat to mark the 40th anniversary of the novel Kiki’s Delivery Service, which was adapted into one of Miyazaki’s and Ghibli’s best and most famous anime films.
Tatsuya Endo, the talented creator behind SPY×FAMILY, has illustrated a new cover for the bunko paperback edition of the first Kiki’s novel. This special cover will be available for a limited time, starting from February 3.
In a statement, Endo expressed how thrilled he was to take part in this project, ANN reports. He mentioned that he has always been a fan of Kiki’s Delivery Service, a story that holds a special place in his heart. ‘It’s a work I’ve loved for a long time,’ he said, adding that his love for witch-themed stories made this opportunity even more exciting for him.
大変光栄なことに、『魔女の宅急便』40周年記念特別カバーのイラストを描かせていただきました。
— 遠藤達哉 (@_tatsuyaendo_) January 7, 2025
昔から大好きな作品ですし、僕自身、形になった物ならなかった物含め魔女を題材にした漫画をたくさん描いてきたので、魔女好きとしてもとても嬉しいです。… https://t.co/SZrvRYZ89L
Endo also shared that rereading the novel after so many years brought back a flood of emotions. ‘I reread the novel for the first time since I was in junior high school and was moved to tears by the kindness and warmth I hadn’t noticed back then,’ he said.
He thanked Eiko Kadono, the author of Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Fukuinkan Shoten for giving him the chance to contribute to this beloved series.
Originally published in January 1985, Kiki’s Delivery Service has become a timeless classic. It inspired Studio Ghibli’s animated film in 1989, a live-action adaptation in 2014, and even featured in commercial campaigns for McDonald’s Japan and Cup Noodles.
With this new cover, Endo hopes to introduce the magic of Kiki’s Delivery Service to a new generation of readers.
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