‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ is a famous Japanese animated fantasy film that was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Hayao Miyazaki’s “Howl’s Moving Castle” is an anti-war film deeply influenced by the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Set in a country at war, it explores themes of humanity, selfhood, compassion and belonging.
The film opens with a young girl, Sophie, whose mundane life is interrupted by the enigmatic wizard Howl and the vindictive Witch of The Waste.
Transformed into an elderly woman, Sophie’s journey with Howl, his apprentice Markl and fire demon Calcifer forms the core of the narrative.
The film examines war’s disruption to everyday life and the loss of youth and vitality it demands.
Through Sophie’s transformation, the narrative subverts ageist tropes and embraces the wisdom and kindness associated with age.
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It also provides nuanced portrayals of women in roles that eschew binary categorizations.
Miyazaki’s film reiterates that life, with its small joys, is worth living despite war and loss, and finds its enduring message in its anti-war stance.
Here are some of the best quotes from Howl’s Moving Castle.
Best Howl’s Moving Castle Quotes
It looks like your true love is in love with someone else! ~ Witch of the Waste.
I didn’t let them in here! Sophie crash-landed her plane into my face! ~ Calcifer.
Do listen. He’s not wicked at all! ~ Sophie.
Apply your fiendish mind to the matter. Or even think, if you know how. ~ Howl.
I’m dying of boredom – or maybe just dying. ~ Howl.
A fickle heart is the only constant in the world. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
You’ve no right to walk into people’s castles and take their guitars. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
She was once quite beautiful, so I decided to pursue her. Then, I realized she wasn’t, so then, as usual, I ran away. ~ Howl.
It’s not easy being old. ~ Sophie.
When you’re old, all you want to do is stare at the scenery. It’s so strange. I’ve never felt so peaceful before. ~ Sophie.
And you’re too nice, I was relying on you being too jealous to let that demon near the place. ~ Howl.
You shouldn’t keep flying around like that. Soon, you won’t be able to turn back into a human. ~ Calcifer.
Look. Survey. Inspect. My hair is ruined! I look like a pan of bacon and eggs! ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
I know where I am! I’m in Howl’s childhood! ~ Sophie.
I think we ought to live happily ever after. ~ Sophie.
I’m delirious. Spots are crawling before my eyes. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
Knowing you’d be there gave me the courage to show up. You saved me, Sophie. I was in big trouble back there. ~ Howl.
Famous Howl’s Moving Castle Quotes
Doors are very powerful things. Things are different on either side of them. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
It can’t be good for the table. ~ Howl.
So you think you’ve got it bad? I’ve never once been beautiful in my entire life! ~ Sophie.
He was remorseless, but she lacked method. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
She likes my spark! ~ Calcifer.
I’ll be okay if you do it, I think. I mean, you dumped water on me and Howl and we both survived. ~ Calcifer.
Here you are, sweetheart. Sorry, I’m late. I was looking everywhere for you! ~ Howl.
Some people are thoroughly self-centered. This thing goes with me. I need it for moral support. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
Don’t bother me now, I only did it for the money. ~ Howl.
You must admit, I have a right to live in a pigsty if I want. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
This charm will guarantee your safe return. Don’t worry, I’ll follow behind you in disguise. Now, off you go. ~ Howl.
If I give you a hint and tell you a hint, it will be information. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
It is quite a risk to spank a wizard for getting hysterical about his hair. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
I feel terrible, like there’s a weight on my chest. ~ Howl.
I give up. I see no point in living if I can’t be beautiful. ~ Howl.
They say the best blaze burns brightest when circumstances are at their worst. ~ Sophie.
We can’t all be Mad Hatters. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
Of course, you hate getting angry! You don’t like anything unpleasant, do you? You’re a slitherer-outer, that’s what you are! You slither away from anything you don’t like! ~ Sophie.
Go to bed, you fool. You’re drunk. ~ Calcifer.
I’ve got a hangover! ~ Howl.
Top Howl’s Moving Castle Quotes
See that new color on the dial? There’s a new portal. It’s a present for you. Come see. ~ Howl.
I’m a failure! Garbage! You just never stop to think. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
I wonder what Howl disguised himself as? Surely not a crow. Can’t be a pigeon, he’s too flamboyant for that. ~ Sophie.
By now, it was clear that Howl was in a mood to produce green slime any second. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
Wow, Sophie, your hair looks just like starlight. It’s beautiful. ~ Howl.
You know this could kill me, don’t you? Look at the bright side, it could be me it kills. ~ Howl.
That’s why I love spiders. If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try, try again. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
It seems as if those of high ability cannot resist some extra dangerous stroke of cleverness which results in a fatal flaw and begins a slow decline to evil. ~ Diana Wynne jones
You who swallowed a falling star, o heartless man. Your heart shall soon be mine. ~ Howl.
I’m the worst kind of witch ever – the kind that cleans. ~ Sophie.
Interesting things did seem to happen but always to somebody else. ~ Sophie.
Sorry, I’ve had enough of running away, Sophie. Now, I’ve got something I want to protect. It’s you. ~ Howl.
I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t torment my friend. ~ Howl.
Whatever you don’t want me to clean, better hide it now! ~ Sophie.
Popular Howl’s Moving Castle Quotes
After the war, they won’t ever recall they ever were human. ~ Howl.
If I give Howl back his heart, what will happen to you? ~ Sophie.
I’m so sorry, but that would be confidential information. ~ Calcifer.
Stop it! Stop it at once! You are behaving just like a baby! ~ Sophie.
Are you sure you’re not a witch? ~ Markl.
Don’t you want your heart eaten? ~ Calcifer.
Yeah, I kinda missed you guys, and it looks like it’s gonna rain. ~ Calcifer.
Sophie! You have sabotaged me! Look! Look at what you’ve done to my hair! Look! ~ Howl.
This is terrible, they bomb from the southern coast to the northern border. It’s all in flames now. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
Perhaps she was a little mad, but then old women often were. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
I can’t stay. I’ve got to rescue that fool Sophie. ~ Howl.
Nobody can buy a hat without gossiping. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
Save my room for last, okay? ~ Markl.
My shining dishonesty will be the salvation of me. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
He’s calling the Spirits of Darkness. I saw him do this once before when a girl dumped him! ~ Markl.
Typical! I break my neck trying to get here, and I find you peacefully tidying up! ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
It’s all so familiar, yet I know I’ve never been here before. I feel so at home. ~ Sophie.
Look at that! They call this a castle? ~ Sophie.
I’m just setting things up so all of you can live a comfortable life, Sophie. ~ Howl.
Is that all you can do in the face of tragedy? Make toast? ~ Howl.
I missed you too, Calcifer. ~ Sophie.
I’m sure Howl won’t eat the heart of a shriveled old lady like me. ~ Sophie.
Amazing Howl’s Moving Castle Quotes
I don’t cook! I’m a scary and powerful fire demon. ~ Calcifer.
I’m going up to my room now – where I may die. ~ Howl.
What a dump. When I think of castles, it’s not what I picture. ~ Sophie.
All right, Calcifer. Let’s get cooking. ~ Sophie.
Your head’s like a turnip. I’ve always hated turnips ever since I was little. Well, at least you’re not upside down now. So long. ~ Sophie.
Where to? I’ll be your escort for this evening. ~ Howl.
Don’t be alarmed, but I’m being followed. Act normal. ~ Howl.
Let’s run! Don’t fight them, Howl! ~ Sophie.
Why do you get so cold when you’re old? I’m fatter than ever, and yet, the wind blows right through me! ~ Sophie.
It’s amazing the way one can step ten and a half miles long and still always land in a cowpat. ~ Howl.
I’ll make some hot buttered toast. ~ Sophie.
It’s been a pleasure meeting you, even if you are my least favorite vegetable. Take care, Turniphead! ~ Sophie.
Save me! This stuff is going to put me out! ~ Calcifer.
Help me, someone! I’m dying from neglect up here! ~ Howl.
I could cut a star of paper and drop it. ~ Sophie.
I can’t stand the fire and gunpowder. Those dopey guys have absolutely no manners. ~ Calcifer.
I knew that living happily ever after with Howl would make a good deal, more eventful than any story made it sound, though she was determined to try. ~ Sophie.
Nobody’s safe in a wizard’s house. ~ Calcifer.
Well, the nice thing about being old is you’ve got nothing to lose. ~ Sophie.
I don’t think I’m evil. ~ Calcifer.
A heart’s a heavy burden. ~ Sophie.
Yes, you are nosy. You’re dreadfully nosy, horribly bossy, appallingly clean, old, mean. Control yourself. You’re victimizing us all. ~ Howl.
Mother knows you don’t have to be unkind to someone in order to exploit them. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
Be daffodils in June, you beasty things. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
Tantrums are seldom about the thing they appear to be about. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
Howl! I’m sorry, did I come too late? I didn’t mean to make you wait this long. I need you to take me to Calcifer if you can. ~ Sophie.
You have no right to make jigsaws of people. ~ Diana Wynne Jones.
Those wizards are going to regret doing that. They’ll never change back into humans. ~ Calcifer.
Of course, I am! No one else does any work around here. ~ Calcifer.
That boy is extremely dangerous. His powers are far too great for someone without a heart. ~ Madame Suliman
Tidying up is what I’m here for! ~ Sophie.
If I ever get my hands on that witch, I’m going to wring her fat neck! Finish your breakfast. ~ Sophie.
So this ends our list of the 105 quotes from Howl’s Moving Castle.
If these quotes and sayings connect with you, check out our other posts on Mamma Mia quotes and Napoleon Dynamite quotes.
