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| editing = [[Takeshi Seyama]]
| studio = [[Studio Ghibli]]
| distributor = (Japan) [[Toho]]
(NA) [[Walt Disney Pictures]]
| released = <!-- ONLY FIRST AND COUNTRY OF ORIGIN RELEASES PER WP:FILMRELEASE. -->{{Film date|df=yes|2004|09|05|[[61st Venice International Film Festival|Venice]]|2004|11|20|Japan}}
| runtime = 119 minutes
Line 34 ⟶ 35:
Sophie, an eighteen-year-old [[hatter]], is a responsible young woman who encounters a mysterious and powerful [[Wizard (fantasy)|wizard]] named Howl on her way to visit her younger sister Lettie. The Witch of the Waste, who romantically pursues Howl, visits the hat shop only and insults Sophie, being refused service by her as a result. The Witch exacts revenge by cursing Sophie, transforming her into a ninety-year-old woman. Seeking a cure for the spell, Sophie travels into the Wastes and encounters a living [[scarecrow]] whom she names "Turnip Head," who leads her to Howl's castle. There, she meets Howl's young apprentice, Markl, and the fire-demon Calcifer, who is the source of the castle's energy and magic. Calcifer offers to break the witch's curse in exchange for Sophie's help in breaking the spell ''he's'' under, which keeps him bound to the house. When Howl appears, Sophie announces that Calcifer has hired her as a cleaning lady for the house.
At the same time, Sophie's country is caught up in the beginning of a war with its neighboring country, following the mysterious disappearance of the other country's Crown Prince. The King summons Howl, under two different assumed identities, to fight in the war. However, Howl decides to send Sophie to the King under the pretense of being his mother, to profess the cowardice of one of Howl's two aliases. Before leaving, he gives to Sophie a charmed ring, which connects her to Calcifer and will guarantee her safe return. He also assures her that he will follow her to the palace in disguise. At the palace, Sophie runs into an asthmatic dog, Heen, who she thinks is Howl undercover. She also meets the Witch of the Waste, whom Suliman, the king's magic
Sophie learns that Howl transforms into a bird-like creature in order to interfere in the war, but each transformation makes it more difficult for him to return to human form. She fears that Howl is preparing to leave them, as his remaining time as a human is limited. Howl builds Sophie a flower
A few hours later, Sophie permanently returns to her young form just as the city is [[Carpet bombing|carpet bombed]] by enemy aircraft. Suliman's henchmen invade the flower shop. After healing Calcifer, Howl tells Sophie that he is not going to leave because he wants to protect her. Deducing that Howl is trying to protect the castle and everyone inside it, Sophie moves everyone out, removes Calcifer from the fireplace and destroys the castle. She offers Calcifer her braid, allowing him to power a portion of the remaining castle. The former Witch realizes that Howl has given his heart to Calcifer, just like Sophie did with her hair. The Witch takes Calcifer and refuses to let go of him even when it burns her. A panicked Sophie pours water onto the Witch, which douses Calcifer, making him lose his power. The castle is split in two; Sophie and Heen fall down a chasm, while Markl, the Witch of the Waste and Calcifer continue traveling on the disintegrating castle.
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