Hayao Miyazaki is the author and director of the 2004 Japanese animated film Howl’s Moving Castle, partially based on English author Diana Wynne Jones’ 1986 book of the same title. Toho published the movie, produced by Toshio Suzuki and illustrated by Studio Ghibli.
The story takes place in a fictional kingdom populated by sorcery and early twentieth-century technology, against the setting of a battle with another realm.
It narrates the story of Sophie, a youthful, content milliner cursed by a witch who visits her store and transforms her into an aged woman. She meets a sorcerer, Howl, and becomes entangled in his opposition to fighting for the emperor.
Howl’s Moving Castle 2 Release Date
The movie debuted on September 5, 2004, at the 61st Venice Film Fest and then was screened domestically in Japan on November 20, 2004. The movie will not have a sequel as the film covers the entire light novel. A film comic was published on October 11, 2005.
Howl’s Moving Castle 2 Cast
The voice actors that provided the voice for the characters are:
- Sophie Hatter, voiced by Chieko Baisho(Japanese) and Emily Mortimer (young), and Jean Simmons (old) for the English dub.
- Howl, voiced by Takuya Kimura(Japanese) and Christian Bale(English).
- Witch of the Waste, voiced by Akihiro Miwa(Japanese) and Lauren Bacall(English).
- Calcifer, voiced by Tatsuya Gashuin(Japanese) and Billy Crystal(English).
- Markl is voiced by Ryūnosuke Kamiki(Japanese) and Josh Hutcherson(English).
- Suliman is voiced by Haruko Kato(Japanese) and Blythe Danner(English).
- Lettie is voiced by Yayoi Kazuki(Japanese) and Jena Malone(English).
- Honey is voiced by Mayuno Yasokawa(Japanese) and Mari Devon(English).
- Prince Justin / Turnip Head Yō Ōizumi(Japanese) and Crispin Freeman(English).
- King of Ingary, voiced by Akio Ōtsuka(Japanese) and Mark Silverman(English).
- Heen, voiced by Daijiro Harada (Japanese) and Dee Bradley Baker (uncredited).
Howl’s Moving Castle 2 Trailer
The movie is not going to have a trailer, as there will not be any sequel. The film covers both parts of the light novel and will not have a sequel. Moreover, there are a lot of Challenges in Adaptation for the sequel. Ultimately, the decision to create a sequel lies with Studio Ghibli and the creators.
Howl’s Moving Castle 2 Storyline
There is no more material for a sequel to the movie as it took the two-part light novel and crammed it into a single material. However, we can take a look at the first movie’s storyline.
Sophie meets a guy named Howl when two royal soldiers taunt her during her journey to meet her sister, Lettie. Sophie returns home after visiting Lettie. The Witch of Waste performs a curse on Sophie, transforming her into an older woman. Sophie flees the house and escapes to the countryside.
On her travels, she encounters a scarecrow with a turnip head. The scarecrow guides her to Howl’s Castle. Sophie enters and meets Calcifer, a fire demon.
He offers to assist Sophie in breaking her curse in exchange for her assistance in breaking his. When Howl gets home, Sophie presents herself as the housekeeper.
Sophie later discovers that Howl regularly transforms into a bird to fight on both sides of the war. However, every time he changes shape, returning to the human form becomes increasingly challenging. Howl alters the castle’s interior to resemble Sophie’s childhood home.
Howl’s Moving Castle 2 Plot
When Sophie’s town is under attack by the enemies, Howl returns to protect Sophie from the assaults of Suliman’s men. Shortly after, he returns to safeguard the group. Sophie, distraught, tries to get everyone out of the castle. When she takes Calcifer out of it, the entire castle crumbles.
The witch discovers that Calcifer is the one who holds Howl’s heart. She clutches Calcifer without knowing how to perceive Howl’s heart. On seeing the witch on fire, Sophie splashes water on her, dousing Calcifer. The castle breaks in two with no existing fire demon and splits Sophie from the others.
Sophie is taken back in time by the enchanted ring. She notices Howl capturing Calcifer and handing him his heart. After this realization, Sophie falls into a dark pit, teleporting her back to the present.
She finds Howl waiting for her and instructs him to take them to Calcifer. Sophie rejoined the gang, and when she requested the witch to return Howl’s heart, she agreed and returned the heart to its rightful owner.
Calcifer is now free after Howl regains his senses. Even though the fire demon flees, he finally returns. Sophie rediscovers her youth. Because of the massive damage due to a fall, Turnip Head turns practically lifeless. Sophie kisses him, and he exposes himself to Prince Justin, the lost prince.
He declares the fight over and returns to his realm. As the war concludes, Howl, Sophie, and the rest sail through the skies in a new moving castle.
Howl’s Moving Castle 2 Renewal Status
The movie is not renewed for a sequel as there is no material to base the continuation of the story. There is an expectation for a live-action film, but the production company does not confirm it. Unfortunately, there is no chance of getting renewed for its sequel.
Studio Ghibli creates high-value content and doesn’t choose to create a sequel for Howl’s Moving Castle 2. Moreover, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, show creators, don’t feel compelled to create the sequel. So, there won’t be any sequel loading for the movie, and the creators will focus on some new projects.
The Conclusion
The movie was released domestically in Japan on November 20, 2004. As the movie completes the entirety of the two-part novel, there will probably be no sequel to the first movie. Fans are expecting a live-action film, but nothing has been officially announced.
For those who want to watch the animated movie Howl’s Moving Castle, it is available to stream on Netflix. Stay tuned for the latest updates, and don’t forget to bookmark our page for the hottest news regarding the show.
Happy-Binge Watching!
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