Delacourt Press has confirmed the English publication of Kiki and the New Magic, the sequel to Kiki's Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono. The story, illustrated by Yuta Onoda and translated by Emily Balistrieri, places Kiki one year after her initial success. Now famous, the young witch faces challenges that test her friendships and lead her to question her purpose, forcing her to explore a new form of magic. The hardcover edition will be available on August 25, 2026.
Translation and design: the technical challenge of a literary sequel 🎨
Emily Balistrieri's translation faces the challenge of maintaining Kadono's original voice while adapting Japanese cultural concepts into English. Yuta Onoda's illustrations must capture Kiki's evolution, now a teenager with existential doubts. Delacourt Press's editorial team has opted for a hardcover format, likely with high-quality paper to highlight the art's details. The synchronization between text and image will be key to conveying the introspective tone of the plot, where traditional magic gives way to a less conventional one.
Kiki, delivery star or influencer in crisis? 🧹
Kiki went from being a novice delivery girl to a local celebrity. Now, instead of worrying about losing packages, she questions the meaning of her life. Oh, the classic drama of someone who has too many followers and too little time for themselves. The new magic she must explore probably doesn't include spells to deal with internet trolls, but hopefully a charm to complain about fame without sounding ungrateful. At least, her deliveries will still be faster than an Amazon algorithm.