“Howl’s Moving Castle” opens with the rushing wind as a giant amalgamation of parts creaks through a thick layer of mountain mist. With its gargoyle face, loud bellows, and mechanical chicken-like feet, a first-time watcher can’t help but be unsettled. 

However, once it emerges from the mist, its true nature is revealed. Lumbering behind an idyllic field of sheep, we see what it actually is: a gentle giant. And, as the title card fades in with the ever-iconic “Merry-Go-Round of Life” playing in the background, the viewer can finally be at ease with Howl’s Castle. 

Howl’s Moving Castle, directed by Hayao Miyazaki and loosely based on Diana Wynne Jones’s book of the same name, was Studio Ghibli’s 13th film. It is Japan’s 8th highest-grossing film and is critically acclaimed, winning four Toyoko Anime Awards and a Nebula Award for Best Script. 

In a world of steampunk mixed with magic, the story starts with Sophie Hatter. She is a hat maker who is cursed to look like an old woman by the spiteful Witch of the Waste after meeting the elusive wizard Howl. On her search for a cure, she’s reunited with Howl and meets the ragtag crew that will follow her for the rest of the film: Calcifer, a fire demon; his apprentice, Markl; and another cursed individual who lives as a scarecrow. Sophie’s journey not only changes her physical appearance, but also her view on love, courage, and self-worth. 

One of the most captivating parts of the film is the sheer creativity in its design. Miyazaki’s world is brought to life through the stunning animation Studio Ghibli is known for, from the mechanical castle itself to sprawling landscapes filled with lush greenery. The stark contrast in the detail in each scene is what allows the magical and idyllic setting and the looming threat of war to be so intense. The music of Howl’s Moving Castle, produced by Joe Hisaishi, is also a key element in making the picture come to life. Despite all the events in the movie, the “Merry-Go-Round of Life” leitmotif always comes back. His music heightens the emotional depth of key scenes, from the soaring flight sequences to the quiet, intimate moments between characters.

One critique of the movie is its sharp departure from its source. The movie adaptation of Jones’s Howl’s Moving Castle presents a strong anti-war message, reflecting Miyazaki’s own beliefs. However, to do this, it waters down many characters as they are presented in the book. The Witch of the Waste has nearly all her character stripped from her apart from being Howl’s vain ex-lover, Sophie’s ambition and courage is all but ignored, and Lettie–Sophie’s sister–has nearly no place in the film. 

Howl's Moving Castle is a celebration of imagination and the beauty of humanity, filled with breathtaking visuals and layered with themes of love, courage, and the value of inner strength. The character interactions, visuals, and soundtrack meld beautifully into two hours filled with whimsy to create a movie with all the hallmarks of a classic Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki film.