Sophie Hatter
Despite the name of the movie, the main character is Sophie Hatter; the eldest daughter of the Hatter family. As the eldest, it is decided that her life will remain with the shop after her father and stepmother. It's a life she's okay with, but it has made her to be melancholic and dull. Once she has been turned into an old lady however, she becomes easily irritated, grumpy, and very headstrong. She still holds many of the insecurities that she's had for years, but eventually, with the help of others, she will grow from it.
Japanese Voice Actress: Chieko Baisho
English Voice Actress: Emily Mortimer & Jean Simmons
Howl Pendragon
As the title would leave one to assume, the second protagonist and male lead of the movie is Howl Pendragon; a man who goes by many names. These include, but are not limited to: Wizard Howl (Market Chipping), Wizard Pendragon (Kingsbury), and Jenkins the Sorcerer (Low-Class Porthaven). He is a very mysterious man who frightens Sophie when they first meet because she thinks he will eat her heart. Later, she finds out he's an overdramatic, self-centered, beauty obsessed man who can't even keep a room clean. But there's more to this semi-charming man than meets the eye...
Japanese Voice Actor: Takuya Kimura
English Voice Actor: Christian Bale
Markl
Markl is a young orphan boy who Sophie stumbles upon when she first enters Howl's castle. He is kind and mature, but still at times acts like the child that he is. Markl works as Howl's apprentice after Howl found him on his doorstep some time ago. Throughout the movie, Markl is one of the greatest aids to Sophie; helping her all throughout her journey and with calming down Howl when she gets him too riled up.
Japanese Voice Actor: Kamiki Ryunosuke
English Voice Actor: Josh Hutcherson
Calcifer
When Sophie mysteriously entered the castle, she was cold and went to warm up by the fire place, but what she did not expect was for the to start talking! Sophie then finds out that Calcifer is the one who is actually moving the whole castle. Oh, and the fact that he's a fire demon. Alone, he makes a deal with Sophie; he'll help her break her curse, and in turn she must help him break the contract he has with Howl. Throughout the movie, Sophie grows very fond of the eccentric and sassy Calcifer, and does all the she can to find out what exactly his contract is.
Japanese Voice Actor: Tatsuya Gashuin
English voice Actor: Billy Crystal
The Witch of the Waste
This elegant woman is in fact the cruel sorceress that laid the curse on Sophie. later it is found out she's an evil old woman who is trying to capture Howl's heart in revenge for what he did to her years back. She is the main antagonist of the movie for the first part of the movie, and later becomes a secondary antagonist as well as a severe interference of the goals of our main crew. She is a wicked and heartbroken woman, but maybe she can get some sort of redemption...
Japanese Voice Actress: Akihiro Miwa
English Voice Actress: Lauren Bacall