Confessions of a Fangirl

   So today, Rigby and I are putting together something special. We're hosting a joint post about our crazy obsessions over Howl from the Studio Ghibli production: Howl's Moving Castle. 

(Spoilers ahead, duh!)

 

   To start things out, I thought it might be beneficial to hold an interview in order to grasp how deeply the fangirl fever has taken hold over us. Following that, we'll talk about our favorite characteristics of the movie (& Howl).

   To start with, Rigby, when was it that Howl ate your heart?

 

      I had just checked out the film from the library. Though I had watched bits and pieces of the movie at a friend's house, it still wasn't enough for me to go off of. So there I was, watching the movie, slowly starting to get a feel for it when suddenly, the main character (Sophie) meets Howl. With his protective and confident attitude, he definitely made me swoon. And just something about his very loving attitude toward Sophie makes me love him more. I love the fact that, though they've just met, he still has a deep respect for her and treats her as if she were royal. Even though she thinks she is worth nothing, he chooses her out of everyone else, and I like that.

 

   Let's say, in a twist of pre-designed fate, that you wound up with Howl instead of Sophie. How do you picture things with you in the mix? Do you prefer a blond howl/modern home? Would you bond with Markel more or less than Sophie did? How would you have done things differently if you were in her place?

 

   Well to begin with, I would be much more defensive to Howl. I don't think I would be as cooperative to him helping me, though he is simply being a gentleman. I honestly could see me sticking him up and giving the cold shoulder (I'm terrible.). When it comes to Howl's hair, I honestly don't mind any of them, black, orange, blonde, I think he pulled them off well! If Howl had managed to drag me back to his home (because I'd be rebellious, stranger danger!!) and I had to become roommates with Markel and Calcifer, I think I could live with it. Though they are both stubborn in the beginning, I think with my equal amount of stubbornness, we'd all be able to eventually get along. And with Markel's young wizard skills, he probably could teach me a thing or two! And as for Calcifer, I just find him adorable. Seriously, there is nothing wrong with Calcifer. Lastly, if I were Sophie,  I do think that I wouldn't have been so harsh to the Witch of the wastes. Being a person who won't even walk around a really slow old person, I definitely wouldn't have been able to dismiss a customer, no matter how rude. (Yeah, being too nice can be a definite problem... )

   In conclusion of this interview, how would you have reacted to being turned into an old woman? Sophie handled it with extraordinary ease, accepting it at once and dealing with it in turn. Would you have acted the same way in her place?

        I definitely think I would have some trouble adjusting to becoming an old woman; but, I think I would have reacted a lot like she had, startled, confused, scared then adjusted.  In that kind of a situation you're first feeling would have to be startled, seeing yourself as an old woman. It's gotta be a creepy experience! And I think that I would be very worried on how to get the spell broken, because you can't run to your family for help! It would be a very hard problem to deal with.

 

    As I wrote in one of my answers, I said that I wouldn't have turned the Witch of the Wastes down. If she entered you're hat shop with a rude attitude, would you have dismissed her like Sophie had? And if the Witch cursed you for your actions, would you have looked for help from Howl as well?

 

   Actually, during the film I quite admired Sophie's way of handling the Witch of the Wastes! In my mind, I would have handled it similarly, if not in the same way. My thoughts on the matter are pretty much that the Witch intended to curse Sophie regardless of how she handled the situation. Knowing that, even if  I knew the person who'd walked in was the Witch of the Wastes I think my attitude and briskness in dismissing her would have been the same.
   On that second one, I have to deviate from Sophie however! I'm not terribly proud of the fact, but my pride would be much to steep for me to go to Howl (or really anyone), for help. However, if placed in a situation with Howl (such as Sophie's), where she coincidentally landed up in his castle, I would have been thrilled!

   In the film, Howl's attitude changes a lot throughout the movie much like his appearance! Do you think if you were Sophie, that you would be able to cope with Howl's meltdowns? Especially in your cursed state.

 

   Absolutely not. I think the thing I prize most in a man is maturity and responsibility. I would have likely strangled both of us. Him for his inability to achieve the standards I've set for men in general, and me for failing to achieve the standards I set for myself! Cursed into being an old woman would set me back quite a bit from the rest of my generation.

   Lastly,  you asked me when Howl ate my heart. So when exactly did he eat yours? And what made you so fond of his character?

 

   Oh, where to begin! I don't exactly remember the first time I saw the movie. I've seen it so many times since then, the memories have sort of blossomed and leaked together. However, I do vaguely remember that throughout the whole movie, (especially when Sophie meets Howl for the first time), I was smitten. His aura of protective adoration blew my mind. He treated her with such tenderness, as though she were delicate and fragile. Though Sophie didn't see herself as beautiful (which was furthered on by the curse), Howl did. Not only did he tell her this, but his actions showed it--his eyes showed it. Until that point I'd never felt swept off my feet for a fictional character, however, I did then. Howl was mysterious, but had an edge of vulnerability about him. Along with being eloquent, and sincere, what most impressed me about him was that he deeply cared for Sophie despite both their many flaws.
   I might also add, that his appearance and voice are also big additions to my obsession over him! 

 

  Overall, I think Howl's Moving Castle was a master piece. With it's vivid animation and wide variety of characters, it's hard just to like Howl. Though I usually love Howl over all, I can't help but add the fact that Calcifer is just as cool. He being the second character that I like, Calcifer, is a small fire demon who shares a thick bond with Howl. And the two make an awesome duo! Secondly, I can't help but add The Witch of the Wastes to my list. After her powers are taken away from her, she becomes a scrawny little grandma. And if you knew me, you'd know that I think old people are just adorable, so she definitely is on my list of reasons I love this film. Lastly, I think this movie shows us how there is magic in everyday life. Though witches and wizards and moving castles don't really exist, love, beauty and friendship do. By leaping out of our comfort zone, we are able to see what we've been missing and build relationships with people. We create a magical bond with our creative selves and that's how we can see the magic of everyday life. And that's what I see through this move, 'enjoy what you have, and live while you can.'

With those beautifully worded thoughts, I think this wraps up our post on Rigby and I's fangirl confessions!
If you haven't seen Howl's Moving Castle, and rebelled through this, it is truly a visual master piece, as Rigby stated before. If you don't love it as much (or more) as we do, I will be surprised!

Until next time!

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