Revisited: Howl’s Moving Castle

Howl’s Moving Castle ハウルの動く城 is an animated fantasy film based on a novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones. The screenplay is written and directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki in 2004. The project was produced by Toshio Suzuki and music score by Joe Hisaishi. Sophie, a young hat maker’s life is turned upside down after a chance encounter with a young wizard by the name of Howl. After being cursed, she sets out to find a cure.

Howl’s Moving Castle was a fun ride. But first things first, Howl is a glorified fuck boy. I know this is going to piss a lot of people off, but it’s true. Here me out real quick. We’re first introduced to Howl through rumors about him whisking women away and stealing their hearts. I took this literally because we are dealing with a fantasy film, and even though that wasn’t the case, it was plausible because Howl fell victim to that very thing.
Homie’s womanizing behavior is what dragged Sophie into the picture. Young Pendragon had the Witch of the Waste so sprung that she haunted him down relentless without hesitation. Her thirst for him is something serious and sent her on a downward spiral. He’s really not shit for that. And when he is asked about her, he admits it shamelessly. He was low-key bragging about it. Smug as shit. As the story progresses, we get to see other sides to him. Some more likable them others. But his layers keeps you guessing.

There was one scene in particular that I can’t stop thinking about. I’m probably going to hell for laughing at this, but I couldn’t help myself. The scene between Sophie, Witch of The Waste, and Suliman’s dog Hin accending the step at the Castle. Oh my gosh, I was rolling. I’m fat and asthmatic, so steps can be hard, but this shit was ridiculous.

Hands down, my favorite moment from this film.

Sophie is the typical Ghibli heroine. Not that that’s a bad thing. What I mean is? She’s headstrong, sensitive, and about that action because she is not a damsel in distress. That’s something that I always appreciated about Ghibli films.

This movie also dealt with some pretty heavy themes of War. Things that encompass that include the act of pacifism. Along with the more intense sides of this move, the light heart moments that included Turnip Head, Calcifer, and Hin warmed my heart.

What did you think of How’s Moving Castle? Did anyone else get confused with Turnip Head catch feelings for Sofie? How did that happen?

Let me know in the comment section below.