Pregnant Women and Osono-san from Kiki's Delivery Service

Looking at my own round belly in the mirror, I suddenly thought of Osono-san from Kiki's Delivery Service.

Osono-san is running her bakery with such energy, but...

That size of her belly... she must be about nine months pregnant, or perhaps even in her final month.

It’s only after becoming pregnant myself that I’ve realized this.

I’ve been excitedly telling my husband since the early stages that my belly was starting to show and grow, but I feel like it’s only been in the last few weeks that I’ve reached that unmistakable 'pregnant woman' look that Osono-san has.

Thinking about that, even though she’s self-employed, it’s amazing how Osono-san manages to keep working on her feet so efficiently with such a big belly.

I didn't feel like I couldn't go to work, but it started to feel much harder around the 31st week.

Honestly, I was relieved when I started my maternity leave.

Because when you reach the stage where your belly is this big, don't all sorts of minor troubles tend to increase?

The minor troubles I’ve already had plenty of just keep piling up.

Just to name a few: swelling, leg cramps, frequent urination, constipation, anemia, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, maternity blues, putting on socks becoming a battle, difficulty picking things up off the floor, every movement of standing up or sitting down being a chore, the struggle of turning over in bed at night, not being able to sleep through the night in the first place, and being constantly hungry... you know what I mean, right?

I know there are individual differences!
And besides, it’s an anime!

Osono-san is a first-time mother herself, yet she never shows any of her own struggles or exhaustion.

Where on earth does that emotional capacity come from, to be able to care for and accept Kiki without ever talking about herself?

Is it thanks to the presence of her quiet and broad-minded husband, who accepted Osono-san’s unilateral decision to let a witch (Kiki) he didn't know from Adam live in their house...?

The couple at Gutiokipanja Bakery, bound by trust and peace of mind...

Osono-san—no, Osono-sensei—and her husband...
How many times have they lived their lives already...?

Actually, Kiki is a bit annoying, isn't she, being so wrapped up in her own problems that she doesn't notice Osono-san’s pregnancy at all?

Well, she’s a teenager, so I guess it can't be helped.
I mean, in terms of the story, Kiki’s growth is the core of the narrative, after all.

At 34 weeks pregnant, my perspective on my favorite movie, Kiki's Delivery Service, has shifted in an unexpected direction.

Lol