STUDYGUIDE CHRISTINE EVELY SCREEN EDUCATION 1 INTRODUCTION > This guide aims to support the viewing of the Japanese anime Howl’s Moving Castle by students from years 5-9. It provides information and suggestions for learning activities across the curriculum areas of English, the Arts, SOSE, Science and Mathematics. > Howl’s Moving Castle has a complex and multi-layered narrative that will be understood in a variety of ways depending upon the ages and cultural backgrounds of viewers and their previous experiences, especially with anime and manga. The story However, as 18-year-old Sophie With such serious thoughts to ponder (Chieko Baisho/Emily Mortimer) soon – Sophie walks home, taking care he Royal Arms are heading for discovers, the castle belongs to the to avoid the crowds, but gaining the the battlefront and patriotic feel- charming, but seemingly self-indulgent unwanted attentions of a soldier. As Tings are running high. Cheering and irresponsible wizard Howl (Takuya she tries to escape she encounters the crowds shower the soldiers with flow- Kimura/Christian Bale), who is ru- dashing wizard Howl, who it seems ers as they march past. mored to devour the hearts of beauti- is being mysteriously pursued. The ful young women. young Howl suddenly soars high into In this magical land, spells and the air, literally sweeping Sophie off invisible cloaks seem unremarkable, After working all day in the hat shop of her feet and takes her on a brief magi- but the Witch of the Waste (Akihiro her deceased father, Sophie ponders cal stroll above the town. Sophie’s Miwa/Lauren Bacall) strikes terror into the life of her vivacious younger sister heart is soon swept away too. the hearts of everyone. So when a Lettie. Working at Cesari’s, the finest castle with dark smoke billowing from café in town, Lettie’s popularity and Suddenly the Witch of the Waste SCREEN EDUCATION its turrets is seen moving across the charm attracts many customers. appears and sees Howl and Sophie horizon, people warn one another not Meanwhile, feeling dowdy and bor- together. That evening the witch ap- to wander the streets alone. They think ing, Sophie slaves over her hats and pears at Sophie’s home and casts a the Witch has returned to terrorize folk wonders what it is she really wants to spell on the young girl – transforming from this small town on the edge of do with her life. her into a 90-year-old woman. Unable the wasteland. to stay in her village lest her curse 2 B A C is discovered, Sophie packs up and Sophie deepens, our heroine must As the eldest daughter of the Hatter heads toward the desolate Wasteland, fight to protect them all from a danger- family, Sophie believes it is her duty where she eventually finds herself in ous war of sorcery that threatens their to slave over hat designs, but she Howl’s castle… world. wonders what she really should be do- ing. Her life changes after she meets But this is only the beginning. As the Based on the book of the same name the magical Howl and finds herself clues in this mystery are slowly re- by Diana Wynne Jones. This amazing transformed into a 90-year-old woman vealed, we learn things are not always fantasy is filled with incredible sur- by the Witch of the Waste. as they appear. People, identities, prises, and when the final stormy duel lovers and destinies are confused and between the Witch and the Wizard is Old Sophie intertwined. The Witch has also placed over, all the clues magically come to- • Chieko Baisho (Japanese version) a spell on Howl. Will the spells be bro- gether to solve the mystery and bring • Jean Simmons (English language ken and what will happen to Sophie peace to the kingdom. version) once she enters Howl’s castle? The characters After being transformed into a 90-year- Without revealing her true identity, old woman by the Witch of the Waste, Sophie becomes cleaning lady for Young Sophie grey-haired and stooped Sophie stum- Howl and his apprentice, Markl. Sur- • Chieko Baisho (Japanese version) bles into Howl’s moving castle…and prisingly, she develops a new, feisty • Emily Mortimer (English language her adventure begins. (See A & B) attitude that defies her aged looks version) and stooped body. Along the way Howl she must deal with Calcifer, a feisty Sophie, the 18-year-old film’s female • Takuya Kimura (Japanese version) fire demon, who lives in the hearth in protagonist, starts out as a girl who • Christian Bale (English language SCREEN EDUCATION Howl’s castle. Bound by a secret con- feels burdened by what she considers version) tract with Howl, Calcifer bargains with her plain looks, her youthfulness, the Sophie to break the curse upon her. hard work of her dull and ordinary life Howl, the mysterious and handsome as a hat designer in the family busi- young wizard and the master of a As the true power of Howl’s wizardry ness and her uncertainty about what moving castle, also goes by the names is revealed, and his relationship with to do with herself. (See C) Jenkins and Pendragon. Though he 3 E D F possesses great magical powers, he like an over-indulged society matron, Howl’s apprentice, Markl has no is reluctant to respond to calls from she now lies low in the Wastelands, family and lives in the moving castle. the Royal Palace to help them with the pursuing Howl. When summoned to A master of disguise, he is quick to war and seems to spend his days idly the Palace by Madame Suliman, this transform himself into a bearded old and selfishly amusing himself…until he larger than life troublemaker is in for a man when ordinary people and Royal can refuse no longer. few surprises of her own. (See D) messengers call on Howl, Pendragon and Jenkins for magic potions and Howl is rumored to devour the hearts Calcifer other wizardly supplies. Harkl calls the of beautiful young women, but in • Tatsuya Gashuin (Japanese ver- castle his home and considers Howl reality he is an emotionally complex sion) his only real family. (See F) wizard who can be maddeningly vain, • Billy Crystal (English version) yet gentle. A singularly powerful magi- Madame Suliman cian, Howl isn’t quite himself anymore. A feisty little fire demon, Calcifer • Haruko Kato (Japanese version) A strange bargain with the fire demon, inhabits the hearth of Howl’s moving • Blythe Danner (English version) Calcifer, lies at the heart of the matter. castle and moves both Howl’s castle When old Sophie takes up residence and the story along. His Majesty’s head sorceress and the in his castle, she has a big impact on Royal Wizard of Kingsbury, Madam his life and his ability to overcome his Calcifer’s magic is what moves the Suliman was once Howl’s master. This personal demon. castle, and he is bound to the fire- shady, ambiguous character has a place by a contract with Howl. In true strong personality, possesses great Witch of the Waste devilish form he banters with Sophie, magical powers and has great influ- • Akihiro Miwa (Japanese version) telling her if she can unlock the secret ence in the Royal Palace. • Lauren Bacall (English version) of his contract with Howl, her wish will SCREEN EDUCATION be his command.(See E) Madame Suliman is in love with Howl Once a magnificent sorceress, the and tries to control him. Howl’s refusal mischievous Witch of the Waste once Markl to obey the King’s orders to lend his served at the Royal Palace in Kings- • Ryunosuke Kamiki (Japanese magical powers to the war effort sees bury but after falling prey to the de- version) him in trouble with this mystical Mad- mon of greed, was dismissed. Looking • Josh Hutcherson (English version) ame and sets the stage for the film’s 4 G H I powerful final act. (See I) together. Following the wishes of her Away. This strange, magical adventure parents who were both educators, she set in a world inhabited by demons, Turnip grew up reading classic literature and witches and other unearthly creatures • Yo Oizumi (Japanese version) studied under J.R.R. Tolkien at Oxford captivated the imaginations of • Cripsin Freeman (English version) University, Saint Ann’s College. Diana audiences world-wide. married soon after graduation and is A scarecrow with a turnip for a head, the mother of three children. Hayao Miyazaki seems compelled to Turnip is saved by Sophie when she create fantastical, imaginary worlds. finds him wandering in the Wasteland. Like JK Rowling, reading stories to her Well-known for the Japanese anima- Wanting to repay Sophie this kind- children soon led to the writing of her tion films Kiki’s Delivery Service, Prin- ness, he follows her around serving own novels. In England, Diana Wynne cess Mononoke and Spirited Away, her faithfully when the occasion de- Jones is considered to be an author in Miyazaki has once again created the mands. Turnip proves to be a helpful the world of British modern children’s ultimate fantasy journey in Howl’s character to have around, as Sophie literature whose works are original and Moving Castle. comes to appreciate in her time of full of surprises. Along with Howl’s need. (See H) Moving Castle her books include Hayao Miyazaki was born in Tokyo Guardian Award winners Charmed in 1941. After receiving a degree in Heen Life, Fire & Hemlock and The Time of political science and economics from A mysterious little dog that becomes the Ghost.