Rediscovering true love in Howl’s Moving Castle by Studio Ghibli

Some time ago, I found myself disillusioned with love movies, the kind that often fall into predictable clichés: two people meet, overcome obstacles, and finally discover they are soulmates. While these stories are popular, they often feel repetitive and unrealistic.

However, in the last 30 years, Studio Ghibli has managed to capture the essence of love in a much deeper and more authentic way. Through their mastery of animation, they have shown us love for nature, for our loved ones, and for the world around us, in a way that both moves and amazes.

If there’s one movie that, in my opinion, no one should miss, especially if they still believe in the power of love, it’s Howl’s Moving Castle. Released in 2004, this masterpiece has continued to enchant audiences for two decades, and I count myself among its most ardent admirers.

I remember the first time I watched it. I was about 8 years old, and it was a gift from my father. I was absolutely fascinated by the animations, especially the transformation of a beautiful young woman into an elderly lady—something that seemed magical and impossible.

Without revealing too much, I can say that Howl’s Moving Castle uniquely explores the longing for eternal youth and beauty that many women feel, and how these desires can seem inseparable from love. The movie challenges the idea that if a woman doesn’t fall in love at a young age, she is doomed never to do so, and that her life won’t be complete without being loved. The protagonist, with her strength and determination, shatters this myth, finding love beyond the superficial and aesthetic.

Moreover, the film touchingly addresses the lack of empathy towards the elderly, who are often relegated to the margins of society, deemed "useless." This theme invites us to reflect on how we value and treat our elders.

Today, Joe Hisaishi's soundtrack for this film continues to resonate in millions of hearts. The waltz, in particular, has been embraced by countless couples as the perfect melody for their weddings, evoking the iconic kiss between Howl and Sophie.

Howl’s Moving Castle is not just a love story; it’s a celebration of love in all its forms and a work that remains relevant and captivating two decades after its release.

Although my father thought at the time that this movie was just for children because it was animated, it’s not. Watching it now, 20 years later, I realize that many scenes, with their silences and small fragments, convey more than any current love movie.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t keep running. Now there’s someone I want to protect. You,” Howl says to Sophie before facing the terrifying armies. And it is here, without needing to say “I love you,” that he declares his love.

One of the central themes that the film seeks to convey is the importance of self-love before we can truly love others. Howl, who spent decades hating himself for not being good enough due to his past mistakes, greed, and misuse of his powers, finds in Sophie a way to atone for his wrongs by protecting her and saving humanity. He sheds the stigmas he believed about himself for so long. Without a doubt, this is a movie about love in all its forms—loving oneself and loving others—that you simply cannot miss.