15 Best Howl’s Moving Castle Quotes

Summary

• Howl’s Moving Castle
  quotes capture its magic and humor, showcasing complex characters and themes.
• Sophie’s positivity shines through memorable lines, making her one of Studio Ghibli’s best heroes.
• The film balances charm with dark moments, adding depth to characters and highlighting anti-war sentiments.

Howl’s Moving Castle quotes showcase why the 14th Studio Ghibli movie is considered one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most spellbinding stories. The anime feature-film is loosely based on the novel by Diana Wynne Jones and follows Sophie, a hat shop apprentice who has a fateful encounter with the Witch of the Waste, leaving 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.

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 Howl’s Moving Castle 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 (Emily Mortimer/Jean Simmons) 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, Sophie is already prepared for old age in many ways and her indomitable sense of humor provides an inspiring introduction to her personality. While she was endearing even before she was cursed by the Witch of the Wastes, it’s her incredibly positive outlook afterward that cements her as one of the best heroes Studio Ghibli has ever produced. Few fictional characters are able to find silver linings quite like Sophie, as this Howl’s Moving Castle quote proves without doubt.

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 Howl’s Moving Castle, 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. This quote is both charming and humorous, and it also displays that Sophie isn’t afraid to speak her mind either — a quality that, while fairly innocent with her farewell to Turnip Head, becomes incredibly important later on when dealing with Howl.

13 “It Can’t Be Good For The Table.”

Howl To Sophie

Not long after Sophie arrives at his moving castle, Howl (Christian Bale) quickly senses that she has something in her pocket. Sure enough, when Sophie reaches inside, she finds that there’s indeed a souvenir from their fateful meeting 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.

It’s also humorous in hindsight when compared to how agitated Howl gets over other, far more trivial, things, such as Sophie inadvertently getting rid of his blonde hair dye.

The paper then burns a spell into the wood of the table, spurning Howl’s nonchalant reply, showing that he tends to be trivial about things, even when he’s faced with something as serious and threatening as the Witch’s magic. It is a nice way to show what Sophie can expect from her new companion. Not only that, but it’s also humorous in hindsight when compared to how agitated Howl gets over other, far more trivial, things, such as Sophie inadvertently getting rid of his blonde hair dye.

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 Howl’s Moving Castle, Howl and Calcifer (Billy Crystal) 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 wizardswho have joined the war effort to willingly transform themselves into monsters.

Not only is this Howl’s Moving Castle quote one of Calcifer’s many funny lines in the movie, but it also hints a little more at the wider world he and Howl exist in. Studio Ghibli is renowned for creating charming fantasy settings for their films, and the idea that the living hearth-fire Calcifer speaks to, and has opinions about, other kinds of fire, adds to the rich background tapestry that the rest of Howl’s Moving Castle shows glimpses of.

11 “One Thing You Can Always Count On Is That Hearts Change.”

Prince Justin

This Howl’s Moving Castle quote comes from Prince Justin (Crispin Freeman) 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. Prince Justin is a character who is mentioned several times in Howl’s Moving Castle, though he doesn’t actually have many lines of dialogue — primarily because he spends most of the movie as Turnip-Head.

However, despite this, he still manages to come out with one of the best Howl’s Moving Castle Quotes. It comes almost directly after the reveal that Turnip-Head was, in fact, the missing Prince Justin, whose absence caused the war in the story. It’s an endearing quote from a minor character as it 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 was in love with Howl and not him.

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. Her observation is especially memorable when compared to how tongue-tied her feelings for Howl had her prior to her transformation, when Howl saved her from lecherous soldiers during their first meeting. While she was initially so enamored by him that she was at a loss for words, she soon sees him for who he truly is, and has very little patience for his penchant for pageantry.

9 “It’s Not Easy Being Old.”

Sophie

There are many great lines in Howl’s Moving Castle that are short and succinct, and at the same time incredibly memorable and capture the core themes of the Studio Ghibli movie far more effectively than many of the dialogue-heavy interactions between characters. This Howl’s Moving Castle quote sums up one of the film’s main themes: the treatment and perception of the elderly. Rather than bemoaning her appearance or lost youth, Sophie’s only main complaint about her suddenly advanced age is that, due to her new aches and pains, she now has to try harder to do simple things like getting up a flight of stairs.

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 (Josh Hutcherson) 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.

The idea of a “found family” may not have been as prominent back when Howl’s Moving Castle released back in 2004, though it’s definitely a core theme of the movie. Sophie is somewhat distant from her own family when she’s introduced, despite there being no real animosity between them. However, in finding Howl, Markl, Calcifer, and eventually even the Witch of the Waste, she finally experiences what having a truly caring family is like — something Howl also experiences for the first time too, and the fact isn’t lost on him.

7 “I Give Up. I See No Point In Living If I Can’t Be Beautiful.”

Howl

While many of the best quotes in Howl’s Moving Castle are endearing or insightful, there are others that are incredibly memorable simply because they’re funny. One of these definitely comes when Howl has a full-blown meltdown over — of all things — the color of his hair. 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 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 melodrama.

6 “They Say That The Best Blaze Burns The Brightest When Circumstances Are At Their Worst.”

Sophie To Calcifer

Sophie proves herself to be an instantly uplifting presence for Howl, Markl, and Calcifer when she first arrives at the Moving Castle. However, of all the trio, it’s perhaps Calcifer who she manages to bring out the positivity in the most. The wise-cracking talking fire soon reveals himself to be quite insecure, and many of the best Howl’s Moving Castle quotes come from moments when Sophie reminds him of just how magical he truly is.

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 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 strengths.

5 “He’s Calling The Spirits Of Darkness… I Saw Him Do This Once Before When A Girl Dumped Him!”

Markl To Sophie

Howl’s melodramatics, especially after he initially presents himself as cool, calm, and aloof to both the audience and Sophie, make for the funniest quotes in Howl’s Moving Castle. 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 the 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

While Howl’s Moving Castle is a charming and whimsical movie for the most part, it’s not without its dark moments. Sophie’s story is set against the backdrop of a violent and brutal war, and whenever glimpses of it are shown they’re incredibly memorable — both because of how much they juxtapose the colorful and vibrant aesthetics of the rest of the movie, and because Studio Ghibli doesn’t shy away from how violent the conflict is.

The war is a pivotal part of the film’s plot, despite being less prominent in the original Howl’s Moving Castle 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. 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, and it immediately makes it clear exactly why so many of the women around Sophie’s town know of the legendary wizard as a heart-breaker and a charmer. When they first meet, Howl comes to Sophie’s side as she is being accosted by two men. Howl is a somewhat legendary figure in the world of Howl’s Moving Castle, with Sophie being aware of him before actually meeting him.

One of the rumors is that Howl eats young girls’ hearts — which, of course, he doesn’t, but his opening line instantly explains where this particular myth around him came from. Howl appears behind Sophie and says that he’s been looking for her everywhere. This particular quote also gains greater significance by the end of the movie. 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

Billy Crystal’s voice performance as Calcifer in Howl’s Moving Castle is nothing short of fantastic. Calcifer is one sassy fire demon, and throughout the movie he provides an abundance of snide quips — though few are as outright hilarious as when he curses Sophie to a lifetime of overcooked bacon. The line may be incredibly simple and a little silly, but it fits right in with the whimsy and charm of the Studio Ghibli movie.

This is easily one of the best Calcifer quotes in Howl’s Moving Castle, and comes 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 can move into a new phase of their lives, but this quote acts as a reminder that such changes will take some getting used to.

It also speaks for one of the core themes of the movie, that emotions aren’t something to run away from, but to be embraced. Howl spent his entire life trying to be an aloof and uncaring wizard, pushing everyone besides Markl and Calcifer away, and it’s Sophie who shows him that, as hard as feelings like loss and love can be, they’re essential to leading a happy, fulfilled life.

• Howl’s Moving Castle

  Director:

  Hayao Miyazaki

  Release Date:

  2004-11-19

  Cast:

  Chieko Baisho, Takuya Kimura, Akihiro Miwa, Tatsuya Gashûin, Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Mitsunori Isaki

  Writers:

  Diana Wynne Jones

  Rating:

  8-12 years

  Runtime:

  119minutes

  Genres:

  Animation, Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Romance

  Budget:

  2.4 billion JPY