The immaculate aesthetics and heartwarming stories of Studio Ghibli movies have inspired a number of creatives over the years, and the team behind the upcoming cozy RPG The Witch's Bakery has put its appreciation for Kiki's Delivery Service on full display. The Witch's Bakery is set to release in Q2 2026 for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S and aims to transport players into a magical world of delicious baked goods with the power to heal emotions and restore joy to the denizens of Paris.
While renowned filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki's first feature-length film was 1984's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the Japanese animator's legendary Studio Ghibli, founded alongside Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki, did not release its first official film until 1986 with Castle in the Sky. It was in 1988 that Studio Ghibli then released its iconic movie My Neighbor Totoro, which pushed the company into the spotlight, both in Japan and across Asia and other parts of the globe. Studio Ghibli's 2001 film Spirited Away would go on to win the 2002 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, bringing the company and its catalog of delightful projects front-and-center against fellow powerhouse studios like The Walt Disney Company and Dreamworks Animation. Once Western audiences began making their way through Studio Ghibli's lineup of films, 1989's Kiki's Delivery Service quickly became a global favorite that has continued to spark inspiration among game creators.
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The Witch's Bakery Transforms Kiki's Delivery Service into a Cozy RPG
Developer Sunny Lab wears its love of Kiki's Delivery Service on its sleeve with The Witch's Bakery, which takes both visual and plot inspiration from the adorable Studio Ghibli classic. Offering a new heartfelt cozy video game experience, The Witch's Bakery sees players taking on the role of young witch Lunne in modern-day Paris who uses her love of baking to heal the hearts and emotions of those who visit her quaint shop. Each day is split into three phases - Daytime, Evening, and Night - offering different gameplay experiences. During the Daytime, Lunne manages her bakery and serves her customers with a team of friends. In the Evening, she explores Paris, building relationships with locals, discovering the city's secrets, and using her magical abilities to see into her friends' troubled hearts. By Night, Lunne improves her magic, decorates her bakery, and rests in her cozy atelier.
As players progress through each day, Lunne will earn experience, money, and even fame, all while meeting new friends and healing their woes. The vibrant rendition of Paris features several districts with supporting characters, activities that unlock new skills, and books filled with new, tasty recipes. Going beyond the streets of Paris, Lunne will also travel through the "Heart Palace" of those she helps. This magical space is filled with emotions and thoughts taking shape, and will test Lunne's ability to guide personified feelings back to the heart, where the deepest struggles can be reconciled through her powers of healing. Each emotional journey will have its unique challenges, requiring players to use all they have learned with each quest to help Lunne's friends to overcome their troubles. Setting itself apart from other games inspired by Kiki's Delivery Service, The Witch's Bakery prioritizes emotional storytelling to bring its magic to life.
Cozy games continue to offer unique experiences through unconventional gameplay mechanics and plot-focused progression systems, and it should come as no surprise that a number of games within the genre have drawn inspiration from the beloved stories of Studio Ghibli. Interested players can now wishlist The Witch's Bakery on Steam, pre-order physical editions for Switch, Switch 2, and PlayStation 5, and look forward to digital release across platforms including Xbox Series X|S. With more games like Studio Ghibli movies on the way, players can stay tuned for updates on new magical releases coming in 2026 and beyond.