European and Japanese influences in Howl’s Moving Castle

The story of Howl’s Moving Castle was originally a British novel by a Diana Wynne Jones.  It was adapted into a movie by Hayao Miyazaki of Japan.  Aspects of both cultures show through in the film adaptation as Miyazaki tried to create a movie that would appeal to different cultures. 

The film itself is undoubtedly Japanese.  It is made in the anime style that is the Japanese form of animation.  However, the characters themselves appear to be very Western.  They have light skin and big, light eyes.  Howl even has almost bleach blonde hair in the beginning.  The Gothic type characters in the movie are all cute which is characteristic of Japan.  They all dress in European style clothes and the buildings reflect the Gothic architecture style of Europe as well.  The city where Sophie lives is very industrialized which represents the European aspect but it is contrasted by the beautiful landscape of Japan. 

Even deeper than the outward appearances of the setting and characters are the distinct European and Japanese themes.  The war in the world is being caused because the prince is missing.  This aristocracy is a European characteristic.  There is a forbidden love between Sophie and Howl that is restricted by their hidden identities.  While these are more European themes, the actual love is more Japanese because it is less emotional than what is normally seen in Western stories.  This, along with other aspects of the plot, are somewhat confusing to Western viewers because they are used to having everything laid out for them.  In Japanese stories, the author expects the viewer to put the pieces together based on their own understanding.  Miyazaki tried to appeal to the Western viewers at the end by having there be a happy ending.  The Prince is found, Sophie and Howl can be together, and all is now good in the world.  However, the ending happens so fast and comes so unexpectedly after how confusing the story had been that it could leave viewers even more puzzled.  I think it just leaves a little more for the imagination and I believe that Miyazaki did a good job making the story appeal to both the Japanese and those used to European work.