Kiki's Delivery Service
In 1987, Studio Ghibli acquired the rights to create a film adaptation of 's novel "Kiki's Delivery Service". 's work on "My Neighbor Totoro" prevented him from directing the adaptation; was chosen as director, and was hired as script writer. 's dissatisfaction of 's first draft led him to make changes to the project, ultimately taking the role of director. was unhappy with the differences between the book and the screenplay. and visited and invited her to the studio; she allowed the project to continue. The film was originally intended to be a 60-minute special, but expanded into a feature film after completed the storyboards and screenplay. "Kiki's Delivery Service" premiered on 29 July 1989. It earned ¥2.15 billion at the box office, and was the highest-grossing film in Japan in 1989.