I missed Howl's Moving Castle when it first was released 15 years ago and didn't catch it during the following years. After seeing it for the first time with the release of the special 15 year edition I was awestruck not only with the beauty of the film but by the realisation that I had missed out on seeing this film for all those years. It is a wonder to behold. 

​

A love story between an 18-year-old girl named Sophie, cursed by a witch into an old woman's body, and a magician named Howl. Under the curse, Sophie sets out to seek her fortune, which takes her to Howl's strange moving castle. In the castle, Sophie meets Howl's fire demon, named Karishifâ. Seeing that she is under a curse, the demon makes a deal with Sophie--if she breaks the contract he is under with Howl, then Karushifâ will lift the curse that Sophie is under, and she will return to her 18-year-old shape. 

​

I'm not normally a fan of anime but Howl's Moving Castle appears to transcend even the form in which its created while being absolutely beautiful. Every frame of is filled with colour filled, exquisite animation which makes you yearn for the wonder of hand drawn animation again. 

​

The story is filled with humour, fantasy, and adventure and grabs you and sucks you into its narrative. Even if you're not a fan of anime you must watch Howl's Moving Castle. It is a wonder to behold. 

​

The new 15th anniversary box set is quite possibly the best box set I've seen. As well as the DVD/Blu-ray combo it comes with a collectors coin, art postcards, and a large hardback book which explores all of the art work of Howl's Moving Castle. 

​

Howl's Moving Castle is a wonder to behold.