Being born in Nishinaria poor district of Japanhas its challenges, and for Kiki the mouse, these were more about his appearance than a lack of wealth, so his caring mother did all she could to build resilience in him before she allowed him to take his first excursion into the outside world.
Protected by her wise words and a special jacket she crafts for him, he sets off one night to see the sights with his brothers and sisters. That excursion teaches him the first in a series of lessons about survival as he and his siblings are confronted by a gang of feral rats.
Kiki learns valuable lessons about different personalities and the darker side of life on the streets as he ventures further and further away from home. This leads him on a quest for enlightenment, which has him stowing away on a cruise ship bound for Australia.