Released in 1989, Studio Ghibli's early work "The Witch Home Delivery Service" is still very popular today. Eiko Kadono, the original author of "The Witch Home Delivery Service", made her debut as a writer at the age of 35 and published the book at the age of 50. When she saw the animated film, she was confused by the content that was very different from the original, and how did she feel about her growing into a national, world-class work? The reporter asked me about the secret story of the birth of the story and the reason why the work has always been loved.
How did you come up with the idea for Witch Courier Service?
Eiko KakunoWhen I was in college, I used to go to the library of the U.S. Embassy to read foreign magazines. At that time, I saw a ** article in the magazine "LIFE" that "New York City Scenery from the Eyes of a Bird" was published, and I thought it was very storytelling. A few years later, I saw my daughter's illustration of a witch and I tried to write a story about a witch. If you want to write a story about a witch, write a story about being able to fly in the sky and see that kind of scenery. My daughter's drawings are the same as what I saw in college. At that time, my daughter was only 12 years old, so why not try to write a story about a girl her age? If you can fly in the sky, it's better to go somewhere. That's how my work began, unfolding as I wrote.
How did the idea of "TA-Q-BIN (Courier)" come about?
Eiko Kakuno"Witch Courier Service" has been in the magazine "Mother's Friend" for a year. Because it's a monthly **, some people haven't read it before, and some people may have forgotten the previous content if they read it. (The content that follows) is not so much a follow-up, but a topic that can be ended in the previous episode to some extent, so I chose the theme of the home delivery (courier). Once you've delivered an item, the story is over.
What was your thought when Studio Ghibli sent out an invitation to animate?
Eiko KakunoI didn't know about Miyazaki at the time. However, my daughter, who had seen Studio Ghibli productions such as "Valley of the Wind," said to me, "Of course, I promised to animate it better." They're sure to make a really good movie." So, I said yes. However, producer Toshio Suzuki said that Hayao Miyazaki was the one who would change the original, so I asked him not to change the title and characters.
What was your impression of watching the movie?
Eiko KakunoI thought, "Huh? ”。There are some places where I wouldn't have done this if I were doing animation. People who watch movies often say to me, "Please tell me how to make herring pie," but I didn't write about making herring pie in the original work (laughs). It was the work of Hayao Miyazaki, and I immediately adjusted my mindset. Moreover, I think that as a movie, the anime "Witch Home Delivery Service" is very good. It's not because it's my original work, I think it's the best of Miyazaki's works. You don't have to think too much about it (when watching a movie), it's a work that you can enjoy with your family.
How did you manage Witch Courier Service to become a world-class work after it was animated?
Eiko KakunoThis is thanks to Hayao Miyazaki. He let many people know about the work "Witch Home Delivery Service" and characters such as Kiki and Gigi, which is really grateful. The young boys I met in the German countryside also knew about The Witch Courier Service, and that's the power of cinema. At that time, no translation was published in Germany.
After the publication of "The Witch Home Delivery Service" in 1985, many children's books (picture books and the like) were born, such as "Gully and Gulla", which are still loved by people in the 60s and 80s, what do you think is the reason?
Eiko KakunoChildren's literature connects generations. People who read this book as a child will read it with their children and grandchildren when they are older. And the stories I write don't cut into the times, and I don't have strong ideas, so I think that's the main reason why people can read them for a long time. If it is a story that is in line with the current era, the language will change with the times, and it will not be read by people for a long time.
Did you write the book with the intention of making people read it for a long time?
Eiko KakunoNot (laughs). I just thought that writing books on my own was fun and fun. It doesn't take into account whether the reader likes it or not. Because the thought of that is already a failure.
What if the publisher told you to do that?
Eiko KakunoI don't listen at all (laughs). Deadlines are also not determined. The form in which it is written and taken away. I'm not a lazy person, and I still write every day from morning to evening. Some people may not write without a deadline, but I just write if I like. With deadlines, I can't write freely. Even if asked, "What is the theme [of the book]?" I would say "no" (laughs). Because if I say "the topic is xxx", the reader will understand it that way. I don't want that, I want the reader to read freely.
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