Ever heard of "Howl's Moving Castle"?
By SinfulRose
@SinfulRose (3527)
Davao, Philippines
September 19, 2012 1:48pm CST
It already an old Japanese animation movie that came to the top boards years ago. The original story came from a light novel, actually, written by a British author. The first time I ever heard of this was from Ghibli studios's set of animation in 2 DVDs that my mother bought me. And after almost a decade, I downloaded the e-book and read the actual story.
I found the stories between the animation and the novel differ greatly. Many details in the book were merged and transformed in the Japanese animation to support its new plot. But no matter how much I ponder on both stories, I still have a lot of questions. The characters' thoughts were not clearly expounded and that both the movie and the novel seemed to be made in haste. Though there were a lot of interesting symbolisms portrayed, most of the "'How's" of it were not much explained. Such as "How did Howl end up falling in love with Sophie?" or "How did Angoria became Suliman's fiancée?", etc.
For those who have read the story and seen the movie, what do you think? Was it really worth all the praise it received? Have you really understood the movie? What are your questions about the stories plots itself? And what are your theories? Because for all the loopholes on both media, I know it feeds a lot for the fan-fiction writers to get their story on.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
20 Sep 12
I agree its not one of the best movies; however, I liked Sophie. I'll have to read the e-book; however, sounds like a lot of the story must be decided by the reader. The only television show that really made me work hard on the clues is Lost, but that is over now.
@SinfulRose (3527)
• Davao, Philippines
21 Sep 12
To really understand the animation, you really have to read the book. Actually, it was only after reading the story that I finally understood the animation.
But of course, that lead me to more theories about how it came about this and that.
@madonna2012 (62)
• Philippines
1 Oct 12
well anak.... that is why its called fictions. i can understand why howl falls for her. its not only bec she is sweet. she is also hardworking and patience. also they are living in 1 roof. and when he look directly in her eyes he sees something beyond her appearance.there is a saying that the eyes is the mirror of your soul.
@sweetloveforeve (13106)
• Portugal
19 Sep 12
i watched it and i liked it^^ i think thats a cute movie. i just think that in all japanese movies the guy always likes the girl for things that in reality doesnt happen. sophie is sweet and he falls for her bcs of that but i mean in reality guys dont fall in love just bcs a girl is sweet. otherwhise all my schoolmates would be in love with me and mostly liked me as a sister ^^ so i think sometimes japanese stories are a bit untrue. i wish they showed more things happening before the characters fall in love.
@SinfulRose (3527)
• Davao, Philippines
19 Sep 12
The same goes with the novel--the original story. Compared to manga and other shoujou anime, Howl's Moving Castle (the two stories) lack the details on how the guy came to like the girl. I guess the two people who produced the plot didn't think much for the romance as much as for the symbolism, details and the message behind each scene.
If you wish more detail in romance, Japanese won't fall short on their many shoujou stories where there is a whole lot of details in their character's romance. Try searching out their Shoujou Mangas and some of their shoujou animes (Most anime were produced from mangas, by the way) if you wish to find more details in love stories. I can recommend you "Lovely Complex" and "You're My GirlFriend" for romance and comedy at the top of my list.
There's a reason why these stories were called fiction as well. It's because most of them are untrue. But not totally untrue considering that this world is a world of possibilities. Some stories, you may find, are so out of the blue, but I won't put it past people. But really, there are stories that are made by totally ignorant people as well, you'll just have to learn how to pick them out of the thousands. And then again, we have to consider as well, that Japanese Mangas and Animations are there for the sake of entertainment as well...
Anyways, I don't think Sophie was being cute while an old granny...as she was acting the part of the granny quite well. It's the same for the novel. Howl could have already removed Sophie's curse but because Sophie "unconsciously" wanted/willed her circumstance, she remained an old lady. I don't think Howl got attracted to an old hag acting like a school girl (even though she is young to begin with).
Anyways, I don't think Sophie was being cute while an old granny...as she was acting the part of the granny quite well. It's the same for the novel. Howl could have already removed Sophie's curse but because Sophie "unconsciously" wanted/willed her circumstance, she remained an old lady. I don't think Howl got attracted to an old hag acting like a school girl (even though she is young to begin with).@SinfulRose (3527)
• Davao, Philippines
19 Sep 12
By the way, according to the novel, Howl always have a different girl with him every time he goes out. I mean, once the girl falls for him, he moves on to another girl. And those girls were beauties.
In the symbolism part, Howl then fell in love with Sophie for being Sophie--not because of her beauty--unlike his previous paramours. I mean, he fell in love with Sophie because of her character. What's inside and not the outside.
@rafiholmes (2896)
• Malaysia
20 Sep 12
no..NEVER HEARD OF IT..BUT IF ITS gHIBLI..THEN IT MUST BE GOOD..
..how old is this animation?
i only seen - Harold And Kumar goes to White castle.. lol a comedy movie..
@SinfulRose (3527)
• Davao, Philippines
21 Sep 12
Howl's Moving Castle is a 2004 Japanese Animation of Ghibli.
Well, the animation is colorful--a lot of wonderful sceneries in the background. If one takes notice, those were a work of art!
Well, anyways, it's not that I actually recommend since I'm really confused by its plot. But the presentation is really good.
Well, anyways, it's not that I actually recommend since I'm really confused by its plot. But the presentation is really good. @capricorn_love (66)
• United States
19 Sep 12
Never heard of it.
A good movie is, "Dying Young" (Julia Roberts).
@SinfulRose (3527)
• Davao, Philippines
19 Sep 12
lolz. I think I have enough of American Movies right now. You see some movies we have nowadays lack the symbolism that I am looking for--that tweaks human minds to think outside of the box.
@Akaimiko (15)
• United States
19 Sep 12
I didn't know there was a book. As always, I have found the books are better than the movies anyway, but seeing as how I didn't read the book yet, I still loved the movie and was able to follow it pretty well.
@SinfulRose (3527)
• Davao, Philippines
20 Sep 12
The book is very detailed on certain circumstances like how the author explained why Sophie is so mature and serious. And in the novel, Sophie has the ability to talk life into things. If she just work on it, she can become a very powerful witch. It was also explained why Sophie was victimized by the witch of the waste and why Howl and Calcifer had a contract to begin with. Most of my questions regarding the anime was answered by the novel. I recommend for those who have a dozen questions about the plot to read it.
But don't get your hopes too high. On the first and the middle part of the novel, the story is so interesting I could barely get off my seat to go to the toilet. (I was reading the e-book). The climax and the conclusion of the story disappointed me though. But if I rate the book, I'll give it a very good despite its flaws.
