Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The dub's version turns a statement about inheritance into one about heart: you fly when you believe you can, and lose it when you doubt. That differs from Miyazaki's idea, but it made the line a favourite on posters and graduation cards. It sums up the film's theme of creative burnout and recovery in one short sentence.
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In context
Spoilers for Kiki's Delivery ServiceShow the scene
In Kiki's Delivery Service (1989), the English-dub line that witches fly "with their spirit" is Kiki explaining what makes her flying work. In the Japanese original she says witches fly with their blood, meaning inborn talent, and the Disney dub changed it to spirit. It matters most when she loses her powers after the fight with Tombo, and Ursula, the painter living in the log cabin, lends her a place to stay.
Sources (2)
- Ghibli Wiki: Kiki's Delivery ServiceSetting, MagicReference checked
- Ghibli Wiki: Kiki's Delivery Service transcriptUrsula's cabin sequenceReference checked
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