Howl no Ugoku Shiro


Howl's Moving Castle

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Alternative Titles

Japanese: ハウルの動く城
English: Howl's Moving Castle
German: Das wandelnde Schloss
Spanish: El Castillo Ambulante
French: Le Château ambulant
More titles

Information

Type: Movie
Episodes: 1
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Nov 20, 2004
Studios: Studio Ghibli
Source: Novel
Genres: AdventureAdventure, Award WinningAward Winning, DramaDrama, FantasyFantasy, RomanceRomance
Duration: 1 hr. 59 min.
Rating: G - All Ages

Statistics

Score: 8.671 (scored by 961593961,593 users)
1 indicates a weighted score.
Ranked: #712
2 based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity: #100
Members: 1,392,315
Favorites: 30,079

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8.67
Ranked #71Popularity #100Members 1,392,315
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Episodes: /1

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]

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.

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

Hatter, Lettie

Supporting
Kazuki, Yayoi
Japanese

Hatter, Honey

Supporting
Yasokawa, Mayuno
Japanese

Staff

Suzuki, Toshio
Producer
Ishii, Tomohiko
Assistant Producer
Miyazaki, Hayao
Director, Script, Executive Producer, Screenplay
Toba, Yousuke
Episode Director


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Opening Theme

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

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Reviews

Feb 11, 2008
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 ...
Jun 10, 2011
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, ...
Oct 25, 2008
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
173 repliesby sir-slav »»
Dec 11, 2:05 AM
Im so confused
_txhsin__ - Apr 3, 2023
6 repliesby monceeef »»
Aug 23, 8:13 PM
Can someone explain why Sophie felt the need to destroy Howl's Castle?
Golden_Cheese - May 29, 2023
9 repliesby 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 repliesby namazuFish »»
Jun 3, 2023 1:29 AM
Is it because of the animation?
Bogenvilia - Jan 12, 2022
31 repliesby Asudox »»
Oct 7, 2022 1:51 PM

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