The two lived there.|Nov. 19, 2004|Japan|119 Min.|TV-PG
Genre: Adventure;Animation;Fantasy
Description: “Howl’s Moving Castle” is a 2004 animated film that tells the story of Sophie, a young hatmaker and the eldest of three sisters. While visiting her sister, Sophie encounters the wizard Howl. Upon returning home, she is cursed by the Witch of the Waste, who transforms her into a 90-year-old woman. Determined to break the spell, Sophie leaves her home and embarks on a journey. Along the way, she meets a living scarecrow she names “Turnip Head,” who leads her to Howl’s magical moving castle. Inside, she encounters Howl’s apprentice, Markl, and Calcifer, a fire demon who powers the castle. Sophie announces herself as the new cleaning lady, striking a deal with Calcifer to break her curse by freeing him from his bond with Howl.
As the story unfolds, Sophie’s country is at war with a neighboring kingdom, which is searching for a missing prince. Howl is summoned by the king to join the fight but chooses to avoid direct confrontation. Instead, he sends Sophie, disguised as his mother, to relay his refusal. Meanwhile, Sophie meets Suliman, the king’s sorceress, who strips the Witch of the Waste of her powers and warns Sophie of Howl’s potential fate if he continues to evade his duties. Howl rescues Sophie, narrowly escaping Suliman’s traps, and they flee with the now-powerless witch and Suliman’s dog, Heen. The group faces further challenges as soldiers search for Howl, unaware of the castle’s magical ability to move between different locations.
Sophie discovers that Howl’s life is tied to Calcifer and that his transformations into a bird-like creature during the war are taking a toll on his humanity. The castle is later attacked by enemy forces, and during the chaos, the Witch of the Waste reveals that Calcifer holds Howl’s heart. Sophie accidentally extinguishes Calcifer, causing the castle to collapse. Separated from the group, Sophie finds herself in a vision of the past, witnessing Howl’s encounter with Calcifer. Returning to the present, she reunites with Howl, and the Witch restores his heart, reviving both him and Calcifer. Sophie’s curse is broken, though her hair remains white as a sign of her growth and maturity.
In the end, Turnip Head is revealed to be Justin, the missing prince, and his curse is broken. Realizing Sophie’s affections lie with Howl, Justin returns to his kingdom to end the war. Suliman also decides to cease hostilities. The film concludes with Howl and Sophie, now free from their burdens, traveling in a new flying castle as the world around them moves toward an uncertain future.
Cast director: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast actor: Chieko Baisho, Takuya Kimura, Akihiro Miwa, Tatsuya Gashūin, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Haruko Kato, Yayoi Kazuki, Mayuno Yasokawa, Yo Oizumi, Rio Kanno
Original name: ハウルの動く城