Howl’s Moving Castle Explained

Q1: Why is there a rumor about Howl that he would eat the hearts of young girls?

A1: The reason is not mentioned in the film. However, according to the original work "Howl's Moving Castle", Howl cannot truly love anyone since he made a contract with Calcifer and handed over his heart. He still keeps seeking true love, but the relationship ends once the girl also loves him. Because of that, he gets many girls heartbroken and himself in trouble. Therefore, when the castle is moved to the suburb of Makipin where Sophie lives, Howl lets Markl, his apprentice, spread rumors on town, saying that Howl would eat the hearts of young girls. Thus, all young girls are warned not to approach to Howl alone. Of course, Howl still pursues girls. Differently, he acts appropriately in the film.

Q2: Why is Howl hunted by the Witch of the Waste?

A2: In the original work, the Witch of the Waste is over 100 years old. As she makes a contract with Calcifer, she still looks pretty, unlike the film version of the Witch of Wild. Howl has a relationship with her, but he runs away after knowing how terrible the witch is. So the Witch of the Waste casts a spell to kill him. In the film, the witch loses her magic, but she insists on taking Howl's heart out of Calcifer. It seems that she just longs for youth and Howl's love.

Q3: Why does the Witch of the Waste turn Sophie into a ninety-year-old woman?

A3: Judging from the film, she may be jealous of Sophie. When Sophie is struck up by two soldiers, Howl helps her out, even though he is chased by the subordinate of the Witch of the Waste. After returning, the subordinate tells the Witch of the Waste how intimate Howl and Sophie are. The witch thinks Sophieis a new girl pursued by Howl. So she turns Sophie into a 90-year-old old woman to stop Howl from falling in love with her.

Q4: What does Howl do when he goes through the black Anywhere Door?

A4: Howl refuses to be recruited by the royalty, but he often turns into a black bird through the door to protect innocent people in the war.

Q5: As the teacher of Howl and the Witch of the Waste, why does Mrs. Suliman want to dispel the witch's power and hunt Howl?

A5: Mrs. Suliman is a magician of the royal family, and holds the power of the country. At that time, the two countries are at war. The government strictly controls people, especially those powerful magicians. The Witch of the Waste has become evil since her mind was controlled by with Calcifer for a long time. So Mrs. Suliman wants to dispel her power directly. Besides, Howl does not want to be involved in the war. Mrs. Suliman concerns that his mind would be controlled by Calcifer, which will be a threat to the royalty. So she orders to arrest Howl.

Q6: Why does the movie show Sophie entering to Howl's childhood? Why does Sophie cry?

A6: Sophie falls into the time tunnel and travels to Howl's childhood. She sees that Howl swallows a meteor at the lake of stars, so she knows about the contract between Howl and Calcifer. Sophie decide to go back to the future to break the contract. She wants to save them, while she worries that she cannot make it, so she tells the young Howl to wait for her. It was only then that she realized that she had made a promise with Howl, and he had been waiting for her for a long time. Sophie bursts into tears because she has got complicated feelings about that.

Q7: Who is Calcifer? Why does he make a contract with Howl?

A7: Calcifer is a meteor. Its life ends when it falls to the ground. The young Howl carries the falling Calcifer by the lake of stars and makes a contract with it. Then their hearts integrate into one. From then on, Howl gets great power and coexists with the form of Calcifer. But the longer Howl applies Calcifer's power, the eviler he becomes. That is what Howl and Calcifer worry about.

Q8: Why does Sophie's appearance always change?

A8: According to the official statement, the spell makes Sophie’s appearance change, as her mentality changes.

Q9: Why does Mrs. Suliman command to end the war when she sees the prince of the neighboring country is lifted from the curse?

A9: Probably, the prince disappears in the Kingdom of Sperly because of the curse, which leads to the war. Now that the prince shows up, Mrs. Suliman says the stupid war should be over.