Ghibli guide: Howl's Moving Castle
Hello Ghibli Guys and Gals!
Today we're going to dip into a favorite for many, Howl's Moving Castle. The beautiful 119-minute Studio Ghibli movie released in 2004. Based on the 1986 novel by Diana Wynne Jones.
Let me summarize a tiny bit for those who haven't watched the movie in a while. Sophie is an 18-year-old hatter, who seems to lack confidence in her appearance. She gets mixed up with a wizard named Howl who happens to be on a lot of people's shit list. She is then cursed by the Witch of the Waste and wakes up after an attack, as a 90-year-old woman. She sets out to find a spell to break her curse (a curse she cannot speak about.. how annoying)
On the way she meets turnip head, who helps her find a warm place to stay. The warm place ends up being Howl's moving castle which is powered by the demon, Calcifer. Long story short, Howl loses himself within magic and Sophie helps him gain the courage he needed. Sophie gains confidence in herself and love within Howl which breaks her curse. As much as I would love to go on, I encourage you to take a break today and watch the movie yourself. You won't regret it!
Now let's go ahead and get the subject of Howl's intense beauty out of the way. He is flashy and yet so subtle, his added jewelry really gives him that extra touch. The dubbed version starring Christian Bale's voice as Howl gives him the perfect romantic, mysterious touch. As he does for Batman. Christian Bale, might I add after he saw Spirited Away he immediately contacted Hayao Miyazaki. He told him he was willing to provide the English voice for any character in his next movie. That goes to show you just how impressive and life-changing Studio Ghibli movies are.
Every girl can admit hearing "I'll be your escort this evening" and "That's my girl" come out of Howl's mouth, made us squeal. If anyone can make walking on air with a random wizard, after being chased by walking black slime look romantic, it's definitely Miyazaki. Am I right? As for the rumors spreading around town claiming that Howl preys on pretty girls, as if he is a womanizer, I truly don't feel this way about him. I think he is more a coward who hides behind the magic.
Yes, he eventually finds the strength and courage to save the one he loves but you can't argue that he lived life in a cowardly manner before meeting Sophie. Sophie has an old soul even before she is cursed with old age. She is incredibly kind, quiet, and knows what she likes. Her hat shop reminds me of the bippity boppity boutique at Disney world. Anyways, Sophie wakes up and discovers she's been cursed. She continuously repeats "I've got to stay calm" while proceeding to panic. How relatable is that?! The next morning Sophie sets off on an adventure to break the curse. Sophie's town, modeled after Colmar in France, is a busy bustling town. The streets are filled with crowds of people and the busses are cram-packed, which gave me anxiety.
As she starts her journey to break her curse, she comes along beautiful mountainous scenery. It's a breath of fresh air after the busy town. Along with the music, the animation in this movie blows my mind. As a child I wasn't completely drawn to Howl's Moving Castle, in a sense I found it a bit boring. I didn't truly see the hidden messages or the real point of the movie. As a teen, I grew to absolutely love it. It was something I would watch when I needed to be reminded of how special I truly was.
Many characters in the movie are trying to find themselves, a purpose, and courage. It makes you think long and hard about your own life journey. Besides Howl, Sophie, or Calcifer who is your favorite character? Mine would have to be Markle, Howl's apprentice, I find him absolutely adorable. Although, Heen has a special place in my heart. What are some of your favorite parts of the movie? I would have to say mine is the moment when Sophie enters Howl's castle, as she places wood on top of the fire, Calcifers little eyes sneak up as he is introduced into the movie. I often replay that part when I need a good laugh.
I challenge you all to give the movie a watch and come back to comment on the way it made you feel or what you've learned from it.
Down below I've added some links to my favorite Howl's Moving Castle Merch.
I hope you've all enjoyed this entry, next time I'll be back with a piece on my all-time favorite, My Neighbor Totoro.
Sayonara!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/817958907/howl-and-sophie-howls-moving-castle?gpla=1&gao=1&
https://www.etsy.com/listing/610589316/howls-moving-castle-light-up-calcifer?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_b-accessories-costume_accessories-costume_weapons&utm_custom1=de9a521a-1696-41e4-a5dc-be51d8650bbb&utm_content=go_304498955_22746090875_78727330115_aud-527605611032:pla-106552527395_m__610589316&utm_custom2=304498955&gclid=CjwKCAjwgdX4BRB_EiwAg8O8HcGSRqpN2wTZaLCseYEVoNiNvuFI-fWSO4PNlGeBdMmji2rcSC_PmxoCNP0QAvD_BwE
https://www.etsy.com/listing/726892876/markl-charm-howls-moving-castle-keychain?gpla=1&gao=1&
Today we're going to dip into a favorite for many, Howl's Moving Castle. The beautiful 119-minute Studio Ghibli movie released in 2004. Based on the 1986 novel by Diana Wynne Jones.
Let me summarize a tiny bit for those who haven't watched the movie in a while. Sophie is an 18-year-old hatter, who seems to lack confidence in her appearance. She gets mixed up with a wizard named Howl who happens to be on a lot of people's shit list. She is then cursed by the Witch of the Waste and wakes up after an attack, as a 90-year-old woman. She sets out to find a spell to break her curse (a curse she cannot speak about.. how annoying)
On the way she meets turnip head, who helps her find a warm place to stay. The warm place ends up being Howl's moving castle which is powered by the demon, Calcifer. Long story short, Howl loses himself within magic and Sophie helps him gain the courage he needed. Sophie gains confidence in herself and love within Howl which breaks her curse. As much as I would love to go on, I encourage you to take a break today and watch the movie yourself. You won't regret it!
Now let's go ahead and get the subject of Howl's intense beauty out of the way. He is flashy and yet so subtle, his added jewelry really gives him that extra touch. The dubbed version starring Christian Bale's voice as Howl gives him the perfect romantic, mysterious touch. As he does for Batman. Christian Bale, might I add after he saw Spirited Away he immediately contacted Hayao Miyazaki. He told him he was willing to provide the English voice for any character in his next movie. That goes to show you just how impressive and life-changing Studio Ghibli movies are.
Every girl can admit hearing "I'll be your escort this evening" and "That's my girl" come out of Howl's mouth, made us squeal. If anyone can make walking on air with a random wizard, after being chased by walking black slime look romantic, it's definitely Miyazaki. Am I right? As for the rumors spreading around town claiming that Howl preys on pretty girls, as if he is a womanizer, I truly don't feel this way about him. I think he is more a coward who hides behind the magic.
Yes, he eventually finds the strength and courage to save the one he loves but you can't argue that he lived life in a cowardly manner before meeting Sophie. Sophie has an old soul even before she is cursed with old age. She is incredibly kind, quiet, and knows what she likes. Her hat shop reminds me of the bippity boppity boutique at Disney world. Anyways, Sophie wakes up and discovers she's been cursed. She continuously repeats "I've got to stay calm" while proceeding to panic. How relatable is that?! The next morning Sophie sets off on an adventure to break the curse. Sophie's town, modeled after Colmar in France, is a busy bustling town. The streets are filled with crowds of people and the busses are cram-packed, which gave me anxiety.
As she starts her journey to break her curse, she comes along beautiful mountainous scenery. It's a breath of fresh air after the busy town. Along with the music, the animation in this movie blows my mind. As a child I wasn't completely drawn to Howl's Moving Castle, in a sense I found it a bit boring. I didn't truly see the hidden messages or the real point of the movie. As a teen, I grew to absolutely love it. It was something I would watch when I needed to be reminded of how special I truly was.
Many characters in the movie are trying to find themselves, a purpose, and courage. It makes you think long and hard about your own life journey. Besides Howl, Sophie, or Calcifer who is your favorite character? Mine would have to be Markle, Howl's apprentice, I find him absolutely adorable. Although, Heen has a special place in my heart. What are some of your favorite parts of the movie? I would have to say mine is the moment when Sophie enters Howl's castle, as she places wood on top of the fire, Calcifers little eyes sneak up as he is introduced into the movie. I often replay that part when I need a good laugh.
I challenge you all to give the movie a watch and come back to comment on the way it made you feel or what you've learned from it.
Down below I've added some links to my favorite Howl's Moving Castle Merch.
I hope you've all enjoyed this entry, next time I'll be back with a piece on my all-time favorite, My Neighbor Totoro.
Sayonara!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/817958907/howl-and-sophie-howls-moving-castle?gpla=1&gao=1&
https://www.etsy.com/listing/610589316/howls-moving-castle-light-up-calcifer?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_b-accessories-costume_accessories-costume_weapons&utm_custom1=de9a521a-1696-41e4-a5dc-be51d8650bbb&utm_content=go_304498955_22746090875_78727330115_aud-527605611032:pla-106552527395_m__610589316&utm_custom2=304498955&gclid=CjwKCAjwgdX4BRB_EiwAg8O8HcGSRqpN2wTZaLCseYEVoNiNvuFI-fWSO4PNlGeBdMmji2rcSC_PmxoCNP0QAvD_BwE
https://www.etsy.com/listing/726892876/markl-charm-howls-moving-castle-keychain?gpla=1&gao=1&
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