Tombo
Tombo, whose actual name is Kopoli, is a major supporting character in Kiki's Delivery Service. Living in the coastal city of Koriko, he is a bright young boy captivated by aviation and human flight. When the protagonist, Kiki, arrives in town to begin her witch training, Tombo is among the first local residents to take a keen interest in her. Although Tombo is the nickname by which he is widely known, his formal name is Kopoli.
Overview
Tombo, whose actual name is Kopoli, is a major supporting character in Kiki's Delivery Service. Living in the coastal city of Koriko, he is a bright young boy captivated by aviation and human flight. When the protagonist, Kiki, arrives in town to begin her witch training, Tombo is among the first local residents to take a keen interest in her. Although Tombo is the nickname by which he is widely known, his formal name is Kopoli.
Appearance
Tombo is recognizable by his large, thick round eyeglasses and his short, messy brown hair. His signature attire consists of a short-sleeved t-shirt featuring horizontal red and white stripes, paired with blue denim jeans.
Personality
Energetic, outgoing, and deeply curious, Tombo possesses an enthusiastic and friendly demeanor. His obsession with flying makes him bold and unabashed when meeting new people, though his initial forwardness can sometimes come across as overly familiar. Despite a rocky first impression, his genuine sincerity and passion help him earn others' affection.
Abilities
While Tombo possesses no supernatural abilities, he is an active member of a local aviation club dedicated to human-powered flight. He puts his aerodynamic theories to the test by furiously pedaling a customized bicycle equipped with a propeller, demonstrating remarkable physical determination and enthusiasm for mechanics.
Background
Growing up in the town of Koriko, Tombo spends his days working on flight projects with his club mates. After witnessing Kiki flying through the air on a broomstick, he becomes determined to get to know her, eventually winning her friendship through his persistence. In the animated film's climax, he becomes entangled in a dangerous accident involving a runaway airship, clinging to a hanging rope until Kiki flies to his rescue. In the original novel series, Tombo maintains a long-distance relationship with Kiki as they mature into adulthood, eventually marrying her and starting a family together.
Relationships
Tombo's primary relationship is with the story's protagonist, Kiki. Although Kiki initially finds his forward and pushy attempts at conversation off-putting, Tombo's genuine warmth and shared passion for flight win her over, turning them into close friends. While the Studio Ghibli animated film keeps their relationship as a warm friendship, the original novel series expands their bond into a long-distance romance, leading to their eventual marriage and raising two children together.
Trivia
Tombo's age varies depending on the version of the story: he is fourteen years old (one year Kiki's senior) in the original novels, whereas the Studio Ghibli film adaptation sets his age at thirteen, making them peers. Furthermore, the thrilling airship rescue sequence featured in the film's climax is an original addition created specifically for the animated movie, where director Hayao Miyazaki envisioned their connection as an enduring friendship rather than a romantic affair.