Otaku USA Magazine
Kiki and Jiji Deliver McDonald’s in New Ad Campaign
by Danica Davidson June 19, 2024

McDonald’s Japan wanted to promote its new Europe Burger menu (German Potato Quarter Pounder burger, the Pepperoncino Juicy Chicken burger, and Bouillabaisse Style Shrimp burger) and decided to tap little witch Kiki and her cat Jiji to help them.

For starters, McDonald’s Japan showed the original Kiki’s Delivery Service book by Eiko Kadono. While many otaku outside of Japan might know Kiki’s Delivery Service best from the Studio Ghibli movie, that’s not where the story originated, and these ads are based on Kiki in general from the book, as opposed to Kiki from the Ghibli film.

McDonald’s Japan continued to tease from there.

Then it got to short ads.

Then it began sharing actual commercials.

Kiki is voiced by Aoi Yūki and Jiji is voiced by Daisuke Sakaguchi, both of whom are veteran voice talents in anime.

The character Kiki previously helped advertise Cup Noodles.

GKIDS licensed the Studio Ghibli movie version of Kiki’s Delivery Service for North America, and gave this description for its plot:

Celebrate this beloved coming-of-age story from the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, and Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki, about a resourceful young witch who uses her broom to create a delivery service, only to lose her gift of flight in a moment of self-doubt.

It is a tradition for all young witches to leave their families on the night of a full moon and fly off into the wide world to learn their craft. When that night comes for Kiki, she embarks on her new journey with her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, landing the next morning in a seaside village, where her unique skills make her an instant sensation. Don’t miss this delightfully imaginative and timeless story of a young girl finding her way in the world, featuring the voices of Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Phil Hartman, and Debbie Reynolds.

Source: ANN

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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.

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