The Art of Howl's Moving Castle (Studio Ghibli Library)

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We understand then that the Witch of the Waste has always known Howl's curse too, hence her message and her interest in Calcifer. This symbolism of the star is one of the recurring themes of the story's universe: the three wise men and the polar star, the myth of Castor and Pollux turning into a star, The Little Prince. But in Howl's Moving Castle, Miyazaki once again reverses the symbolism. Where usually the star evoked hope, the fulfillment of a wish, the miracle, the star here becomes a curse, a powerful spell which pursues Howl throughout the work, and which will mark Sophie forever." [2] Behind The Scenes [ ]

Animage • Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (manga) • Starting Point: 1979-1996 • Turning Point: 1997-2008 • Kaze no Kaerubasho • People of the Desert • The Age of the Flying Boat • Hayao Miyazaki's Daydream Data Notes • To My Sister • The Journey of Shuna • Studio Ghibli's Trajectory as Seen on Animage (1984-2011) • The Art of My Neighbor Totoro • The Art of Castle in the Sky • The Art of Kiki's Delivery Service • The Art of Porco Rosso • Princess Mononoke: The First Story • The Place Where Totoro Was Born • The Bountiful Food of Studio Ghibli • Children's Picture Book Ghibli's Dining Table Earwig and the Witch It is in the visual representation of the characters’ internal battles that Miyazaki adds his own symbolism. Sophie’s insecurities and bouts of confidence are illustrated by her occasional transition from crone to a young woman, in the moments when her excitement overcomes the curse. This curse is not only represented by her elderly appearance but, also, by her silver hair, which remains even once the curse is broken, to visually mark the ways in which her character has grown. The inclusion of war in Howl’s Moving Castle allows the film to have a faster, more dramatic pace which works well with this story-telling medium. It also gives the audience a chance to explore a new side of the characters. Howl is just a bit more heroic, The Witch of the Waste is a broken-hearted woman, and Sophie is empowered much more by love than magical ability. Howl and Sophie Flying (Sourced from Howl’s Moving Castle animated by Studio Ghibli)To answer that question, we must first consider why we enjoy adaptions – I believe it is so we can re-live the story. Book lovers will be very familiar with the impossible wish to re-read a book as if it were the first time. Flying City Plan • Shiki-Jitsu ( Studio Kajino) • Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence • Nasu: Summer in Andalusia • Nasu: A Migratory Bird with Suitcase • Portable Airport • Red Crow and the Ghost Ship • Space Station No. 9 • The Red Turtle Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (Video Game) • Jade Cocoon: Story of the Tamamayu • Jade Cocoon 2 • Magic Pengel: The Quest for Color • Ni no Kuni (Series) • Ni no Kuni: Dominion of the Dark Djinn • Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch • Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom As for Miyazaki, two of his common themes, anti-war and aviation, have been incorporated here. Born in 1941, just as Japan entered World War Two, Miyazaki grew up particularly aware of the consequences of war. As a result, he has developed a strong anti-war stance evident in many of his films – Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, and The Wind Rises, to name a few. He also actively protested the change to article 9 of the Japanese constitution, saying that he did not believe Japan should have a national army. Howl fighting warships (Sourced from Howl’s Moving Castle animated by Studio Ghibli) However, in the film Miyazaki leaves Sophie un-magical and, through a series of events, casts The Witch of the Waste in a more sympathetic light. He also creates a new antagonist, Madam Suliman, by combining two characters from the book. This is to make room for the entire war he adds into the story. In the book, there is a potential war brewing but Miyazaki brings this to the forefront of the film with bombs, gunships and a draft of wizards. The film carries a strong anti-war message which is a common theme in many of Miyazaki’s films.

Some people believe that this means a successful adaption must follow the original and frown upon any disparities. However, it is the differences, the unexpected surprises, that allow us to re-experience the magic of the story. Howl’s Moving Castle is a great example of this. Howl and Sophie (Sourced from Howl’s Moving Castle animated by Studio Ghibli) Book to film adaptions are essentially an act of translation. As with languages, each medium has its own limitations and advantages. But is a successful adaption just about accurately representing the original story? As translators must navigate cultural disparities and idioms, adaptors must transform the mental experience into a visual and audio one. Ingary | Market Chipping | Cesari's | Hatter's Hat Shop | The Waste | Porthaven | Star Lake | Kingsbury | Royal Palace | Howl's Castle | Howl's Bedroom | Cave of Mind | Secret Garden | Howl's CottageOriginally written by Welsh author Diana Wynne Jones in 1986 this book was adapted into an animated film by Japanese film-maker Hayao Miyazaki in 2004. In both versions Sophie, the main character, is cursed into the body of an old crone and thrust into a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and love. Sophie before and after the curse (Sourced from Howl’s Moving Castle animated by Studio Ghibli)

Nandarō • On Your Mark • Ghiblies • Film Guru Guru • Ghiblies Episode 2 • Imaginary Flying Machines • The Invention of Imaginary Machines of Destruction • The Whale Hunt • Koro's Big Day Out • Mei and the Kittenbus • Looking for a Home • The Day I Bought a Star • The Night of Taneyamagahara • Water Spider Monmon • Iblard Jikan • A Sumo Wrestler's Tail • Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess • Treasure Hunting • Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo • Boro the Caterpillar For Diana, it was her childhood spent in Wales, the Lake District, famous for its witches, and a number of other places that expressed itself in Howl’s Moving Castle. In the book Howl takes Sophie to Wales to visit his sister’s family. Diana paints a charming if a bit drizzly Wales, sharply contrasting our reality with Sophie’s enchanted realm. The Witch of the Waste (Sourced from Howl’s Moving Castle animated by Studio Ghibli)Animage • Animage Home Video • Ghibli ga Ippai Collection • Ghibli Museum • Ghibli Museum Library • Ghibli Park • Totoro no Furusato Foundation • Totoro no Mori