Howl’s Moving Castle is one of the many Studio Ghibli movies driven by the spellbinding storytelling of Hayao Miyazaki. The fantasy story follows Sophie, an apprentice at a hat shop who has a fateful encounter with the Witch of the Waste that leaves her in the form of an old woman. Sophie goes on a journey to undo the curse and finds herself in the company of The Great Wizard Howl Pendragon, fire demon Calcifer, and Howl’s apprentice, Markl. The movie holds a special place in the hearts of many for its wit, beauty, and complex characters, exemplified by its many memorable quotes.
Based on the novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones, the story is full of charm and Howl’s Moving Castle remains one of Studio Ghibli’s most popular works to date. The best Howl’s Moving Castle quotes capture the film’s distinct atmosphere of magic as well as its equally distinct sense of humor. The film has many interesting themes to dissect and some of the most memorable lines of dialogue from the movie help fans understand each of those themes a little better, while others flesh out the characters into three-dimensional human beings with strengths and flaws.
15 “This Isn’t So Bad Now, Is It? You’re Still In Good Shape, And Your Clothes Finally Suit You.”
Sophie
Sophie has a no-nonsense attitude no matter how frightening and unbelievable her situation becomes, and it’s hard not to get swept up by her infectious spirit. She takes her transformation into an old woman very well, all things considered, and still finds a way to look on the bright side despite having no one to help her with her curse or any way of knowing how to break it, or even where to start. As she points out with this great Howl’s Moving Castle quote, she’s already prepared for old age in many ways and her indomitable sense of humor provides an inspiring introduction to her personality.
14 “It’s Been A Pleasure Meeting You, Even If You Are My Least Favorite Vegetable.”
Sophie, To Turnip-Head
One of the most likable characters in Howl’s Moving Castle, Turnip-Head, barely speaks at all, and not until the very end of the story, but he’s still a recurring presence throughout the narrative, helping Sophie out when she needs assistance. Sophie finds and saves Turnip-Head in the Wastes, rescuing him from an uncertain fate. As it seems like they’re parting ways for good near the beginning of the story, Sophie gives him this warm and funny farewell, but little does she know that he will play a much greater role in the course of the story.
13 “It Can’t Be Good For The Table.”
Howl
Not long after Sophie arrives at his moving castle, Howl quickly senses that she has something in her pocket, secretly planted there by the Witch of the Waste. It’s a small piece of paper with some kind of spell written on it, and Howl reads it aloud. The paper then burns a spell into the wood of the table, spurning Howl’s nonchalant reply, showing that he has a tendency to be trivial about things, even when he’s faced with something as serious and threatening as the Witch’s magic.
12 “I Can’t Stand The Fire And Gunpowder. Those Dopey Guys Have Absolutely No Manners.”
Calcifer
Though there’s a war raging throughout the background of the story, Howl and Calcifer express their distaste for the conflict in general and don’t display much allegiance towards anyone. Calcifer’s statement here clearly conveys both his and Howl’s attitude towards brutish behavior, and it’s a Howl’s Moving Castle quote that puts the pair in direct contrast to many other wizards who have joined the war effort to willingly transform themselves into monsters.
11 “One Thing You Can Always Count On Is That Hearts Change.”
Prince Justin
This Howl’s Moving Castle quote comes from Prince Justin right at the end of the movie, after hearts have—quite literally— been mended, and it fits very well into the emotions of the finale. This comes after the reveal that Turnip-Head was, in fact, the missing Prince Justin that caused the war in the story, and shows his willingness to quickly accept that even though he was transformed back into his human form by a true-love’s-kiss from Sophie, she herself in love with Howl.
10 “I Wonder What Howl Disguised Himself As? Surely Not A Crow. Can’t Be A Pigeon, He’s Too Flamboyant For That.”
Sophie
Sophie has a blunt manner, and this Howl’s Moving Castle quote is just a glimpse at the confident person she becomes during the film’s progression. Sophie went from being meek and likened to a mouse to not caring how strangers perceived her. When Howl plans for Sophie to go talk to Madame Suliman, he tells her that he will follow her in disguise. Sophie spends the better half of her journey to the Palace wondering what Howl could be, and her monologue shows that she’s gained an apt understanding of the wizard during their time together.
9 “It’s Not Easy Being Old.”
Sophie
This Howl’s Moving Castle quote sums up one of the film’s main themes: the treatment and perception of the elderly. When she first transforms, Sophie walks slowly with her back arched and creaky knees, having aged seventy years all at once. However, a small detail from Howl’s Moving Castle is that while Sophie may say that being old isn’t easy, she ultimately doesn’t mind it, as she finds that the transformation grants her greater freedom to act and feel like herself.
8 “Seems Everyone In This Family’s Got Problems.”
Howl
When Turnip-Head turns up to help Markl and Sophie pull the plane wreckage out of the castle, Howl says they have another addition to the family. He can detect that there is some strong witchcraft surrounding Turnip-Head, and he’s right of course. This Howl’s Moving Castle quote shows both Howl’s keen magical aptitude and the way that those with magical difficulties have been drawn to Howl in various ways, as by the end of the movie there is a whole family of them, finding solace in each other’s company.
7 “I Give Up. I See No Point In Living If I Can’t Be Beautiful.”
Howl
When Sophie goes on her cleaning rampage, she largely ignores Howl’s pleas for her to not touch the many potions he has in the bathroom. Sophie’s actions lead to a magical mix-up that results in Howl’s hair turning ginger. Howl sees this as a complete catastrophe, and dramatically exclaims how hopeless he feels now that his looks aren’t exactly as he wishes them to be. The fact that Howl has such a strong reaction to what is really only a minor upset shows his vain side, a trait that is amplified without his heart, it’s also one of the funniest Howl’s Moving Castle quotes for the sheer melodramatics of it.
6 “They Say That The Best Blaze Burns The Brightest When Circumstances Are At Their Worst.”
Sophie, To Calcifer
One of Studio Ghibli’s best non-human characters, Calcifer is reluctant to bow his head down to anyone but Howl. He has Howl’s heart and Howl saved his life, linking them together. Sophie is the only one who can save them both, but she repeatedly reminds Calcifer of his own power. Although she is referring to Calcifer’s literal flame in this Howl’s Moving Castle quote, it also ties into the wider narrative, as many of the story’s characters find themselves in difficult situations where their only way out is to prove themselves, and they do so by using their individual strengths.
5 “He’s Calling The Spirits Of Darkness… I Saw Him Do This Once Before When A Girl Dumped Him!”
Markl, To Sophie
After Sophie messes up Howl’s beauty potions when she is cleaning the bathroom, Howl says she’s gone too far. He starts having a tantrum, and green slime starts secreting from him as if he’s melting. It pools everywhere in the castle, with Markl’s quote explaining that this is not a new phenomenon. This is nothing compared to Howl’s behavior in the book, though. Howl’s moaning leads to the evacuation of a whole town, and he gets a cold which he says means he’s dying from neglect and boredom. Although this Howl’s Moving Castle book scene was impossible to adapt, the movie’s version still does a good job of showing Howl’s melodrama.
4 “After The War, They Won’t Recall They Ever Were Human.”
Howl
The war is a pivotal part of the film’s plot, while featuring less in the novel. In the movie, Howl is summoned by the King to serve in the war, and he refuses to partake. The war is a battle fought from the shallow intentions of callous leaders and Howl doesn’t have anything to fight for, fearing that he will lose himself to the pointless battle as other wizards have. The war’s presence in the movie adds a new dimension to Howl’s character, raising questions about duty but also adding a resonant anti-war sentiment to the film.
3 “There You Are Sweetheart, Sorry I’m Late, I Was Looking Everywhere For You.”
Howl, To Sophie
This Howl’s Moving Castle quote is the first line said by Howl in the film. When they first meet, Howl comes to Sophie’s side as she is being accosted by two men. Howl appears behind Sophie and says that he’s been looking for her everywhere. While it seems at first that this is merely Howl’s way of getting the men to back away, it’s later revealed that Howl truly meant what he said, as Sophie came to him in the past when he caught the falling star and told him to find her in the future.
2 “Here’s Another Curse For You – May All Your Bacon Burn.”
Calcifer, To Sophie
A curse no one would wish to succumb to, Calcifer is one sassy fire demon. He speaks this line when Sophie is cooking breakfast on top of his flame, having subdued him for the time being. Sophie’s early ability to be able to handle Calcifer acts as a hint of the connection she and Howl will later share. Sophie and Calcifer’s bond is representative not only of the two as individuals, but of Sophie’s bond with Howl’s heart within Calcifer’s grasp.
1 “A Heart’s A Heavy Burden.”
Sophie, To Howl
One of the most memorable Howl’s Moving Castle quotes is Sophie’s line, “A heart’s a heavy burden,” spoken when she places Howl’s heart back in his chest. When Howl wakes up he says he feels terrible, like there is a weight on his chest, which is something that he is not accustomed to, having lived for years without it. With all the curses broken at this point in the movie, Sophie, Howl, and Calcifer are able to move into a new phase of their lives, but this quote acts as a reminder that such changes will take some getting used to.
