Howl's Moving Castle (Japanese Audio)

About Howl's Moving Castle (Japanese Audio)

"Howl's Moving Castle" is a 2004 Japanese animated fantasy film directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones, the movie follows a young woman named Sophie who is turned into an old woman by a witch's curse. She gets embroiled in an adventure when she seeks refuge in Wizard Howl's magical moving castle.

Making / Production

Miyazaki wanted to create a film that showed the terrible and beautiful aspects of life in a playful yet deep way. Hence, the novel’s fantasy elements were interpreted visually through Miyazaki's unique and masterful art style. It was a challenging production, but the final result was hailed as a masterpiece of Japanese animation.

Actors

• Takuya Kimura as Howl: A charming and enigmatic wizard who lives in a moving castle. Kimura portrayed the character with a complex mix of selfishness and kindness.
• Chieko Baisho as Sophie: A sensible young woman transformed into an old woman by a witch’s curse. Baisho brought both the youth and aged wisdom to the character.
• Akihiro Miwa as Witch of the Waste: The powerful witch who curses Sophie. Miwa portrayed the part with a sinister yet pitiful nuance.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• "Howl's Moving Castle" was initially not intended to be directed by Hayao Miyazaki, who was supposed to retire after "Spirited Away".
• The movie was one of Studio Ghibli's biggest box office hits, making over $235 million worldwide.

Awards

"Howl's Moving Castle" was not only a box office success but also critically acclaimed. In 2006, the film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, proving its universal appeal and artistic merit.

Quotes

• "They say that the best blaze burns brightest when circumstances are at their worst." - Sophie
• "I feel terrible, like there's a weight on my chest. A heart's a heavy burden." - Howl

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score and music were composed by Joe Hisaishi, a frequent collaborator of Miyazaki, creating memorable themes like "The Promise of the World" and "Merry Go Round of Life."
• The film's ending theme, "Sekai no Yakusoku" (The Promise of the World), sung by Chieko Baisho (the voice actress for Sophie), has become a popular Japanese song.