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Howl’s Moving Castle is best known as the 2004 animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
While it is as beautifully animated as all of Studio Ghibli's other films this was one of the few times Miyazaki based a film on an existing work. The film is an adaptation of British author Diana Wynne Jones’ 1986 young-adult novel by the same name and the first book in the Howl Series.
Miyazaki takes many liberties and diverts from the original story in various ways, however both the film and novel follow 18-year old Sophie’s adventure after being cursed with old age and the journey she undertakes to break her curse with a handsome and mysterious wizard named Howl. Howl, of course, has a magical moving castle and a “fire demon” friend named Calcifer.
Howl The Air Walking
by hybridre
In the beginning of the film, we see Sophie struggling with low self esteem.
She is plain, shy, and not attractive like her sister and mother or the other girls she works with in the hat shop. In the book, Sophie is as attractive as her sisters (Lettie and Martha), but struggles against fate, which she believes her life is ruled by. In her world where fairy tales are the everyday reality, destiny is predetermined and being born the eldest of three means she is destined for failure while the two younger siblings will go on to seek their fortunes. But Sophie, unbeknownst to herself, has magical powers. She has the ability to influence objects with her words. She speaks to her hats as she trims them in the hat shop, making predictions about the futures to come for the women who buy the hats. The irony here is that while Sophie believes her destiny is predetermined, she in fact has the ability to shape the lives of others through her words. Sadly, Sophie’s ability was not carried over into the film.
After being cursed by the jealous Witch of the Waste, both in the film and novel, Sophie finds herself in the body of a ninety-year-old, unable to speak of her curse to anyone. It is her curse that ultimately frees her from her fears and beliefs during the course of her curse-breaking quest. It is only when she has nothing to lose in her mind that Sophie finds and accepts her true self.
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No better living functioning evolving example of the new pattern in the creation, dissemination and education in the visual arts can be found than Imaginism Studios, the online brainchild of artists Bobby Chiu & Kei Acedera. Established in Toronto in 2005, the studio has specialized in pre-production character and concept design for film, TV, gaming, and publishing. As creators of some of the most wildly creative and whimsical images ever presented on deviantART, this artistic couple has built an international fan base independent of their contracted projects. Th
Lewis Carroll: Alice In WonderlandShare
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Lewis Carroll: Through A Glass, Darkly
By @deevelliott
Alice Meets the Cheshire Cat by @feliciacano
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The more one is denied something, the more one desires it.
The more oppressive the strictures circumscribing one’s life, the more delirious become that person’s dreams. The more prohibitions and sacrifices one accepts as a life’s duty, the more ingenious must become the approved “escapes.” Lewis Carroll chose the life of a deacon dedicated to God. He escaped into the compa
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New Orleans, the Comeback Kid
Vibrant, raucous and, more than any other metropolis in America—truly alive! New Orleans is the one city in America that nobody believed would not stage a comeback after Katrina tried her best to kill its Big Noise. New Orleans is protected by Jesus or hoodoo or both—it’s all one glorious mixed–up gumbo goulash of cultures believing in live and let live.
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Collection: Midnight The Witching Hour Archive
Midnight: The Witching Hour
:icontechgnotic: @techgnotic
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Midnight Friends
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The midnight hour has always been more than an hour of the day. It is symbolically the inversion of the noon hour’s illuminating sunlight revealing all there is that should be seen and known. Midnight means a cover of darkness to hide certain problematic situations. It is a time for the compromised to meet in desperate rendezvous to pass dire secrets, while the good people dream in the deep sleep of the pure of heart. Midnight means locked doors, hushed voices, and a long
Howl’s Moving Castle
by CosplayInABox
Curses abound in this story.
Howl, while the opposite of Sophie in personality and looks, is also cursed and hides from the world. He has lost his heart to a demon and at the beginning of the story is vain and only concerned with himself. In the book Sophie’s and Howl’s relationship develops slowly as they go from quarreling to realizing they’ve fallen in love.
Howl’s castle is a combination of machine and magic. Miyazaki makes the steampunk-like contraption a thing to behold and it becomes almost another character in the film. It should be noted that as iconic as the castle has become, the design was not originally created for the film. The design was set to go on display at the Studio Ghibli Museum to fill up an empty space. It was later proposed to Miyazaki as the design for the castle. In order to make it move, he added four chicken legs.
Both versions of the story carry similar themes of things not being what they appear, beauty coming from within, and the power of love to transform.
Speaking of transformations, check out the gallery of Howl’s Moving Castle cosplayers as they spin their own magic to become their favorite character from the movie.
Featured Gallery
Howl’s Moving Castle On Your Shoulder
by aco-rea
Howl moving castle Wizard Howl
by GeshaPetrovich
Howl’s Moving Castle Sophie II
by fiathriel
Heart
by MartaNaokoChan
HMC Markl
by TheEmpiresGuild
Howl’s Moving Castle 2
by woodwood11
Sophie and Howl
by kirawinter
Howl Moving Castle 01
by Cvy
Lounging in the autumn breeze
by KokiriDoll
Calcifer
by AGflower
You’re wearing that hat? After all the magic I used to make your dress pretty?”
— Howl
Howl’s Sophie and Calcifer
by fiathriel
Friends
by AliceinIvory
Howl’s Heart
by kevin-oinky
Howl’s Moving Castle dark side
by hybridre
Howl and Sophie
by AGflower
Howl’s Moving Castle Flame demon
by Sakina666
Howl’s Moving Castle A Wandering Sophie
by TrustOurWorldNow
Howl’s Moving Castle
by TheBigTog
My Heart
by palecardinal
Howl’s Moving Castle Turning
by GianMarqu
They say that the best blaze burns brightest, when circumstances are at their worst.”
— Sophie
Howl’s Moving Castle Happy ending
by Sakina666
Howl’s Moving Castle Lovers
by Sakina666
Howl’s Moving Castle With me
by Sakina666
Howl’s Moving Castle Sophie IV
by fiathriel
Howl’s Moving Castle 1
by ycysusan
Howl’s Moving Castle Concerning a Bright Eldest
by TrustOurWorldNow
There’s Always a Silver Lining
by arlo-arleh
HMC Got Fire
by m00nf1sh
Ghibli Howls Moving Castle
by RoteMamba
I don’t cook! I’m a scary and powerful fire demon!”
— Calcifer
The Beauty and the Beast
by MartaNaokoChan
Howls Moving Castle
by RoteMamba
HMC Legit disguises
by Stealthos-Aurion
Happy family
by MartaNaokoChan
HMC Being disguised
by Stealthos-Aurion
HMC Watching the World go By
by TheEmpiresGuild
Howl’s Moving Castle
by kirawinter
Howl Moving Castle 07
by Cvy
He’s calling the spirits of darkness… I saw him do this once before when a girl dumped him!”
— Markl
Howl sMoving Castle 03
by Cvy
Howl: Howl’s Moving Castle
by Azetylen
Sophie Hatter Moving Castle
by kirawinter
lucca 041
by harryjames
Sunny days
by hakukumo
Howl’s Moving Castle Sophie III
by fiathriel
Here’s another curse for you — may all your bacon burn.”
— Calcifer
Witch of the Waste
by AGflower
to save a Calcifer
by AGflower
welcome to cafe magician
by hybridre
Howl’s Moving Castle Two of Them
by 35ryo
Howl Pendragon
by MarcoVerona86
Light Howl Dark Howl
by alita-b-angel
Oh, yes, I’m the worst kind of witch there is! The one that cleans!”
— Sophie
Howl’s moving castle the charmer and the lady
by Mirazie
Howl’s moving castle Howl Demon
by GeshaPetrovich
Sophie Hatter Cosplay
by mel-deer
Howl Sky Stroll
by alita-b-angel
Howl’s Moving Castle LOST
by Sakina666
Howl’s Moving Castle Blue eyed wizard
by SoranoSuzu
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Your Thoughts
Who is your favorite Howl’s Moving Castle character and why? What would you like to see in future editions of Cosplay Friday?
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Imaginism - The Future Of Art Is Here Now Share
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Archive
By @techgnotic
In Toronto & on deviantART
No better living functioning evolving example of the new pattern in the creation, dissemination and education in the visual arts can be found than Imaginism Studios, the online brainchild of artists Bobby Chiu & Kei Acedera. Established in Toronto in 2005, the studio has specialized in pre-production character and concept design for film, TV, gaming, and publishing. As creators of some of the most wildly creative and whimsical images ever presented on deviantART, this artistic couple has built an international fan base independent of their contracted projects. Th
Lewis Carroll: Alice In WonderlandShare
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Lewis Carroll: Through A Glass, Darkly
By @deevelliott
Alice Meets the Cheshire Cat by @feliciacano
Read More
:thumb508480601:
:thumb505954646:
:thumb508490923:
:thumb506021703:
:thumb507135021:
The more one is denied something, the more one desires it.
The more oppressive the strictures circumscribing one’s life, the more delirious become that person’s dreams. The more prohibitions and sacrifices one accepts as a life’s duty, the more ingenious must become the approved “escapes.” Lewis Carroll chose the life of a deacon dedicated to God. He escaped into the compa
Collection: New Orleans, the Comeback KidShare
|Archive
New Orleans, the Comeback Kid
Vibrant, raucous and, more than any other metropolis in America—truly alive! New Orleans is the one city in America that nobody believed would not stage a comeback after Katrina tried her best to kill its Big Noise. New Orleans is protected by Jesus or hoodoo or both—it’s all one glorious mixed–up gumbo goulash of cultures believing in live and let live.
Most cities in America are mostly alike in most everything. New Orleans is the exception. It is unique. It has had a separate evolution and it’s the most arts–based cultural treasure in our nation. The
Collection: Midnight The Witching Hour Archive
Midnight: The Witching Hour
:icontechgnotic: @techgnotic
:iconPascalCampion: @PascalCampion
Midnight Friends
Twitter
Facebook
Google+
The midnight hour has always been more than an hour of the day. It is symbolically the inversion of the noon hour’s illuminating sunlight revealing all there is that should be seen and known. Midnight means a cover of darkness to hide certain problematic situations. It is a time for the compromised to meet in desperate rendezvous to pass dire secrets, while the good people dream in the deep sleep of the pure of heart. Midnight means locked doors, hushed voices, and a long