The Strengths and Weaknesses of Miyazaki’s Anti-War Fairytale
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast/Voices: Chieko Baishô, Takuya Kimura, Tatsuya Gashûin, Ryûnosuke Kamiki
Related Films: Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, The Castle of Cagliostro
Studio: Ghibli
Year: 2004
Rating: 4/6
Howl’s Moving Castle fused Ghibli magic with classic fairytale tropes, sprinkled anti-war sentiments on top, and stumbled its way into the annals of all-time anime classics.
Granted, it has a lot to offer, especially in terms of artwork, presentation, and overall atmosphere. Yet, the narrative, storytelling, and character development aren’t quite on par with Ghibli classics like Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke.
Even so, Howl’s Moving Castle is among the most widely acclaimed films in the Ghibli back catalog. On the one hand, it's well-deserved; on the other, it feels overrated. How so? Let’s dive into the strengths and weaknesses of Miyazaki’s anti-war fairytale.
Related article: Deciphering Totoro: Ten Cultural Connections Hidden in Plain Sight
Contents:
Miyazaki’s Approach to Adapting Howl’s Moving Castle
Though Miyazaki later downplayed the anti-war connotations of Howl’s Moving Castle, his sentiments were clearly expressed upon its release.
Following the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, Miyazaki reimagined his adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones’ novel. He set Howl’s Moving Castle in a war-torn, European-style landscape, transforming the story into a protest against the US offensive.
In doing so, he expected to alienate American audiences, but instead, the film became a worldwide phenomenon. It even garnered an Academy Award nomination in the states and was hailed by US audiences and critics alike.
According to Medium.com, US critics either skimmed over or ignored the film's anti-war sentiments. To be fair, these sentiments didn’t really make a noticeable impact. The juxtaposition of war and wonder was novel but ultimately felt disjointed.
The original story was strong and well-suited to Ghibli’s style, as proved by the film’s charm and success. However, the war theme, while ambitious, didn’t blend smoothly with the fairytale narrative and ended up feeling more like an afterthought than a clear message.
There are several reasons why the film didn’t work as well as Miyazaki might have hoped. But before diving into that, it’s important to recognize what Howl’s Moving Castle does well—starting with its story and characters.
Howl’s Moving Castle Plot
The story is as classic as fairytales go, yet it feels fresh. A young girl is transformed into an old lady and can only break the spell by overcoming her insecurities and coming to terms with who she is.
Setting out on a quest to reverse the spell, she encounters a young, beautiful wizard with a moving castle and a fire demon at hand. Howl, the wizard, is an unusually vain character who gets involved in state affairs, stirring trouble for both his own government and its enemies.
Without giving away too much, their journey is filled with challenges: a King and his magical guard, the Witch of the Waste, an air fleet from another kingdom searching for a missing prince, and their own hesitation to confront their fears.
The King calls on Howl to help counter enemy attacks, while the Witch of the Waste, Calcifer the fire demon, and a surprisingly helpful scarecrow turn out to have roles quite different from what they initially seemed.
In fact, few of the characters are who they seem at first glance, which might, in itself, reflect a comment on the human condition. While this makes the story somewhat convoluted from the outset, it hardly detracts from the film. Its atmosphere remains strong enough to warrant repeated viewings.
The cast of wizards, witches, enchanted creatures, ominous blobs, and charming sidekicks is as magical as you’d expect from a Ghibli film, even if not entirely original. Still, they create a gripping ensemble, and with stunning artwork and a beautiful score, you’ll gladly revisit this wonderland—where the story eventually falls into place.
Rehashed Characters and War, What is it Good For?
As delightful as the character ensemble is, it feels somewhat like a rehash of earlier Ghibli films upon closer inspection. For example, the eccentric Witch of the Waste and the comedic Calcifer bring Spirited Away’s Yubaba and Kamaji to mind.
The Witch of the Waste’s transformation also mirrors Zeniba’s arc in Spirited Away. Both characters begin as figures of fear or tension, only to reveal unexpected layers of warmth and humanity by the end.
Furthermore, Howl’s charm and complexity bear a resemblance to Haku’s mysterious duality. At the same time, Sophie’s journey—from an unassuming girl to a bold, confident heroine—mirrors Sheeta’s arc in Castle in the Sky.
Finally, as noted by Andrew Osmond in his Sight and Sound article “Castles in the Sky,” Howl’s personality parallels Porco from Porco Rosso. Like Howl, Porco is a charismatic yet flawed character whose complexity and reluctance to engage directly with the world around him shape much of the narrative.
In addition, as if the character rehash weren’t enough, the narrative struggles to provide them with a fresh or coherent framework. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the film’s wartime backdrop.
Stumbling its Way to Greatness
The biggest problems lie in the narrative itself. Not only does the wartime scenario feel random, but the transitions between intense air raids and whimsical fairy tale moments are awkwardly executed.
Unlike other Ghibli classics, where the thematic elements enrich the narrative, the war feels tacked on here, leaving characters like Sophie and the Witch of the Waste unaffected by its events.
As such, the wartime backdrop never fully meshes with the fairy tale framework, making the overall story feel uneven and, at times, underdeveloped. Ultimately, it comes across as more of a visual spectacle than a meaningful contribution to the story.
That said, a little less than a top-tier Ghibli film is still leagues above most other anime offerings. While the film may stumble in its storytelling, its charm, artistry, and imaginative world-building are undeniable, even if its wartime themes feel misplaced.
Howl’s Moving Castle Analysis | Vanity and Villainy
Some of the messages in Howl’s Moving Castle are clear, while others are far less clear-cut. For instance, though Howl’s ambiguous actions were meant as a stab at American warmongering in the Middle East, this message never came across clearly.
Only after reading about it later did the anti-war message stand out to me, yet this never occurred to me when I saw Howl’s Moving Castle in the cinema. In contrast, the critique of superficial values was as clear as day.
The Substance Preventing the Fall
The Witch of the Waste is a striking critique of vanity in Howl’s Moving Castle. Once a menacing force to be reckoned with, she transforms into a frail, almost pitiable figure, perfectly illustrating how fragile vanity really is.
Her downfall? An obsession with beauty and power. It’s a clear cautionary tale: put too much stock in appearances, and you might just crumble under the weight of it.
Howl’s obsession with his looks, especially his over-the-top meltdown after botching a hair dye, is equal parts hilarious and revealing. Beneath that dashing, enigmatic exterior lies a man plagued by insecurity and an aversion to responsibility.
But as the story unfolds, Howl learns to put others before himself, marking a crucial step in his journey toward maturity. It’s a fitting echo of the film’s message: true strength comes from within, not from appearances.
Sophie, in contrast, couldn’t care less about vanity. Her curse, which transforms her into an old woman, becomes a mirror reflecting her inner self.
Stripped of her insecurities, Sophie discovers her strengths: resourcefulness, compassion, and resilience. By the end, she’s not just breaking the curse; she’s embracing who she was all along.
A Critique That Fell on Deaf Ears
While vanity drives the personal struggles of many characters, the villainy in Howl’s Moving Castle represents a broader, systemic force. The wartime backdrop looms large—visually striking yet narratively disruptive rather than unifying.
Howl’s role in the war—disrupting both sides without fully committing—adds nuance to his character and critiques the futility of conflict. Yet, this commentary doesn’t resonate across the other character arcs.
Sophie’s journey, for instance, centers on overcoming self-doubt and finding inner strength, primarily through her evolving bond with Howl and his “minions.” Though she witnesses the war’s destruction, it remains a distant backdrop to her personal growth.
The Witch of the Waste’s arc is even more removed. Her transformation from villain to a frail bystander is compelling in its critique of vanity but has no meaningful connection to the war.
Calcifer’s story, too, sidesteps the conflict entirely, focusing instead on themes of freedom, sacrifice, and his bond with Howl—a relationship built on loyalty and shared burdens.
Consequently, the broader story struggles to connect with the character gallery’s growth. The result? A backdrop that dazzles visually but falters in narrative cohesion, adding to the film’s uneven storytelling.
Cultural Reflections Beneath the Surface
Considering Japan’s complex relationship with militarism and its post-war identity, Howl’s refusal to take sides reflects a pacifist stance reminiscent of Japan’s official position after World War II.
Yet, as the film suggests, such neutrality is challenging to uphold in a world of conflict, often requiring actions that appear principled on the surface but may mask deeper moral compromises.
This struggle parallels the film’s critique of superficiality. It shows how outward neutrality or pacifism can be a façade, hiding deeper complexities and contradictions. This idea resonates with broader reflections on modern Japanese culture and identity.
In a society where appearances are meticulously curated—whether through fashion, professional roles, or social expectations—Miyazaki’s critique of superficiality carries even greater weight.
Howl’s obsession with his looks isn’t mere vanity; it symbolizes the pressure to maintain a flawless exterior, even as the foundation beneath begins to crumble.
This societal lens adds poignancy to the film’s message about valuing substance over appearances—a universal theme that ensures its relatability to audiences worldwide.
Final Verdict | Howl’s Moving Castle Review
Howl’s Moving Castle is memorable, rewatchable, and charming—but not without its flaws. Much like the castle itself, the story is a patchwork of influences and themes that don’t always fit seamlessly together.
The blend of fairy tale tropes and warfare, or Eurocentric settings with Ghibli’s signature creatures, feels jarring at times. Yet, Howl’s Moving Castle never collapses under the weight of its ambitions.
Instead, like its characters, it stumbles but ultimately finds its footing, stepping up to the challenge when it counts. Perhaps it’s fortunate that Miyazaki’s critique of the US invasion didn’t resonate as intended—otherwise, the film might not have achieved its remarkable success.
As it stands, Howl’s Moving Castle dazzles with its visual splendor and offers bits and pieces to chew on beneath the surface. In other words, it comes recommended by JCA, but with one caveat: If you’re new to Studio Ghibli, Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totoro might be better starting points for exploring their world of wonder.
Comments