Howl no Ugoku Shiro (Howl's Moving Castle)

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Alternative Titles

Japanese: ハウルの動く城

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Information

Type: Movie

Episodes: 1

Status: Finished Airing

Aired: Nov 20, 2004

Producers: d-rights, Tokuma Shoten

Licensors: Disney Platform Distribution

Studios: Studio Ghibli

Source: Novel

Genres: Adventure, Award Winning, Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Duration: 1 hr. 59 min.

Rating: G - All Ages

Statistics

Score: 8.66¹ (scored by 922,799 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #70²

² based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #98

Members: 1,334,377

Favorites: 28,948

Available At

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Netflix

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8.66

Ranked #70Popularity #98Members 1,334,377

MovieStudio Ghibli

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Episodes: /1

Trailer English dub version

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Synopsis

That jumbled piece of architecture, that cacophony of hissing steam and creaking joints, with smoke billowing from it as it moves on its own... That castle is home to the magnificent wizard Howl, infamous for both his magical prowess and for being a womanizer—or so the rumor goes in Sophie Hatter's small town. Sophie, as the plain daughter of a hatmaker, does not expect much from her future and is content with working hard in the shop.

However, Sophie's simple life takes a turn for the exciting when she is ensnared in a disturbing situation, and the mysterious wizard appears to rescue her. Unfortunately, this encounter, brief as it may be, spurs the vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste—in a fit of jealousy caused by a past discord with Howl—to put a curse on the maiden, turning her into an old woman.

In an endeavor to return to normal, Sophie must accompany Howl and a myriad of eccentric companions—ranging from a powerful fire demon to a hopping scarecrow—in his living castle, on a dangerous adventure as a raging war tears their kingdom apart.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Background

Howl No Ugoku Shiro premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2004 and was later released to Japanese theaters in November, making it one of only three Studio Ghibli films not to be released in July.

In 2004 the film won the Osella Awards for Technical Achievement in the 61st Venice Film Festival, the Best Japanese Movie Overall in the Mainichi Film Awards and an Excellence Prize, Animation in the Japan Media Arts Festival. In 2005 the film won the Animation of the Year in the Tokyo International Anime Fair and the Audience Award in the Maui Film Festival.

In 2006 it was nominated for the Best Animated Feature in the 78th Academy Award, but lost to the movie Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

More characters

Characters & Voice Actors

Howl

Main

Kimura, Takuya
Japanese

Hatter, Sophie

Main

Baishou, Chieko
Japanese

Calcifer

Supporting

Gashuin, Tatsuya
Japanese

Turnip Head

Supporting

Oizumi, Yo
Japanese

Heen

Supporting

Harada, Daijiro
Japanese

Markl

Supporting

Kamiki, Ryunosuke
Japanese

Witch of the Waste

Supporting

Miwa, Akihiro
Japanese

Suliman

Supporting

Katou, Haruko
Japanese

King of Ingary

Supporting

Ootsuka, Akio
Japanese

More staff

Staff

Suzuki, Toshio

Producer

Ishii, Tomohiko

Assistant Producer

Miyazaki, Hayao

Director, Script, Screenplay, Executive Producer

Toba, Yousuke

Episode Director

Edit

Opening Theme

"Sekai no Yakusoku (世界の約束; The Promise of the World)" by Chieko Baisho

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Ending Theme

No ending themes have been added to this title. Help improve our database by adding an ending theme here.

Reviews

Feb 11, 2008

katsup

Recommended

I have watched this movie many many times since it is one of my favorite Miyazaki films, so why not write a review? I have also read the book, which takes a much different direction than the film does. And yes, it may seem like I rate highly but for some i was between 9 or 10, and I have explained things that I disliked that may not reflect in my number ratings.

Story: the story is about a girl named Sophie who gets turned into an old woman and ends up living with a wizard named Howl in his moving castle. The story is the ... only part I felt was lacking in this movie. Though I have to admit I see more flaws with the story after reading the book (even though I find the movie much better). Overall, I felt many of the war scenes were overdramatized and left a lot of questions. There were also a lot of small things throughout that they could have done a better job at explaining. Even after watching the movie so many times I cannot fully explain some scenes and still have questions about the movie.

Animation: The animation is absolutely stunning and many of the backgrounds look realistic. I also have to say that I am impressed with how Sophie is animated, and how it is so easy to tell when she is aging/regressing just simply by looking at the animation (her voice also helps). Overall this is the most impressive Miyazaki art I've seen and I really haven't seen much that can top it.

Sound: I'll just start off by saying the music in this movie is so beautiful. I love every single background music in this movie, and the only song I don't like so much is the theme with the words that plays at the end. Aside from the beautiful soundtrack, the sounds in the movie are so dead on. Hearing Sophie's bones crack as an old woman is really painful, and as much as I don't like Sophie's voice, her seiyuu does a great job at portraying the character and how she fluctuates between young and old so frequently throughout the movie. I think all the seiyuu in the movie were good as well.

Character: The characters in this movie make up for all the lack of closure in the plot. Each character has their good points, even the Witch of the Waste. I personally adore almost all the characters, though I actually like Sophie the least of all. Calcifer, Heen, and Turnip head are such adorable and fun characters to watch (and Heen and Turnip have pretty much no lines in the whole movie). Howl is also another loveable character as well. The characters have such different personalities that you will probably like at least one character or more.

Enjoyment: Obviously I enjoy this film a lot. I've watched it so many times! Each time I sit there in awe of the animation and empathize with the characters. It's one of those movies that I love to watch and I have not gotten bored of it yet. I do have to say that towards the end I get slightly bored with the stressed focus on the war, but that only lasts at most 15 minutes.

This movie is defenitely worth watching, and even if you watched it and didn't like it, you only spent two hours watching it since it's a movie. I think it's defenitely one of Miyazaki's better works. If you have time or interest, I think it's worth checking out the book, since it's a completely different take on the story. It's got a lot less romance between Sophie and Howl in it, but it brings a lot more character development to Markl and Sophie's sisters (she has more than one in the novel). But if not, just watch the movie!!

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Jun 10, 2011

jal90

Mixed Feelings

I love the Studio Ghibli films. So far I think it is safe to say that Miyazaki is my favourite anime author, and I doubt anyone will ever take his place because I have grown so attached to the work of this man and his ideals reflected on the way he conceives animation, that I can't think of a deeper connection with one's style in any way.

That is the reason why "Howl's moving castle" was, at my first viewing, a serious disappointment. It was the first time a movie by Miyazaki didn't transport me to the world and imagery it showed. Almost two years later, ... however, and trying to bring another perspective about this film, I have watched it again, and while this has worked with some other works, it seems "Howl" is still my thorn in Miyazaki's filmography and will always be.

Of course the world introduced here is amazing. This is probably the most gorgeous and visually powerful film Miyazaki has ever done, just watch the scenery, the many traces of impressive imagery, and of course Joe Hisaishi with another solid performance. It's a pleasure for the senses, such a beautiful experience to look at and hear that surely makes it worth viewing.

But that is not an excuse for the many plot holes and sudden changes in character behaviour. That is, in the same way we have a really eye-candy experience given only by the -already known- technical skills of Miyazaki and his group of animators, the story is always lacking.

I would seriously like to be able to fill my review with interpretations and theories about this fascinating world, but quite honestly, didn't find any thread to follow or to keep my interest on. I just can't sit through what in my opinion are clear character and story inconsistencies sucking the emotion or the involvement in whatever the movie is trying to tell me. I won't go with specific scenes to avoid spoiling anyone, but will just say that I find it really disappointing to find that Sophie, the girl who is supposed to introduce me to the story and let me see the events from her eyes, looks so incoherent and variable in her interaction with many of the elements, say the Witch of the Waste or the reactions at some magic events happening around her.

The construction of the storyline is pretty poor, and that is fully shown at an ending scene that feels rushed and ridiculous, where there is not any hint to follow why some characters make some relevant decisions, and looks just plain lazy writing. Really, really lazy, and unsatisfactory. I don't know the original source, but I know Miyazaki far enough to be sure that the fact the novel may or may not be good shouldn't affect the quality of the movie, as in his adaptations he chooses to change stuff freely in order to adjust it to his own subjects and concerns.

It has been said that in this case the plotline is secondary, and it should be seen as a fascinating travel around a world full of magic, where the logic is not needed and if it appears it doesn't make any effect in the enjoyment of the movie. I couldn't disagree more with that statement. During my experience in Miyazaki's works, I have found often this recurrent idea about him, seeing his films as powerful visuals with messed up plots, and as far as I can tell I have never conceived them in that way. Even -and specially- at his least linear and most complex narrative, "Spirited away", every event tries to follow an internal logic, therefore the plot is here and is unavoidable. It also should happen with "Howl"; the fact that it's filled with fantastic and strange elements isn't a valid excuse to make the storytelling lackluster and inconsistent, and of course doesn't change the fact it is needed. More so when it's so clearly intended to be.

In conclusion, and while I can say this work is extremely powerful and memorable at the artistic aspects, I still see it as an unsuccessful attempt that becomes evident at the many plot holes and lack of competent character writing. As entertaining as it could be, it is my biggest disappointment with the otherwise excellent work of this director and the only one that has never fulfilled my expectations.

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Oct 25, 2008

adeadaccountlol

Not Recommended

Howl's Moving Castle has to be the most overrated of all Miyazaki's films. While it produces legendary animation and a wonderful soundtrack, the story is dull with characters that are difficult to get attached to at all. There is very little character development and many of the characters seem absolutely useless to the plot. The relationships between the characters are also sloppily done with a rushed feeling to them, making them feel like nothing special. Also, not enough is learned about ANY of the characters' pasts and many of their actions seem inconsistent with the personalities you previously thought you knew, making it unpredictable in ...

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Recent Forum Discussion

Poll: Howl no Ugoku Shiro Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 ) Cele - Dec 3, 2009	164 replies	by gannoncannon55 »» Mar 22, 11:00 PM
Can someone explain why Sophie felt the need to destroy Howl's Castle? Golden_Cheese - May 29, 2023	10 replies	by voltaxx123 »» Jan 22, 11:21 AM
How was Sophie able to venture into Howl's past? Why did that black door appear? Golden_Cheese - May 30, 2023	5 replies	by namazuFish »» Jun 3, 2023 1:29 AM
Im so confused _txhsin__ - Apr 3, 2023	5 replies	by Dazaihah »» Apr 5, 2023 6:03 AM
Is it because of the animation? Bogenvilia - Jan 12, 2022	31 replies	by Asudox »» Oct 7, 2022 1:51 PM

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Howl no Ugoku Shiro

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Characters & Voice Actors

Howl

Hatter, Sophie

Calcifer

Turnip Head

Heen

Markl

Witch of the Waste

Suliman

King of Ingary

Staff

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Ending Theme

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Howl no Ugoku Shiro

Alternative Titles

Information

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Available At

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Streaming Platforms

Synopsis

Background

Visit MALxJapan MALxJapan -More than just anime-

Characters & Voice Actors

Staff

Opening Theme

Ending Theme

Reviews

Interest Stacks

Recommendations

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Recent Forum Discussion

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