Love in Miyazaki's works by Anita 95540458

The element Love is already a must ingredient in Miyazaki’s animations making the plot touching and vibrating in our heart no matter how many times we watch.
Love is a theme that whatever background Miyazaki used to illustrated this relation, people around the world could still understand and be touched.
The most important is that Miyazaki display Love through young characters. I think it is like the same purpose of using a lot of young girls as his main character; through showing love through young boys and girls, people don’t have the vigilance in accepting the story. In addition, it could attract a wider range of audience, touching children and also adults.

Discovering Love through adventure makes it stronger and powerful. For instance, in Spirit Away, although the main theme is not on Love, Haku and Chihiro’s bond helped this young girl through difficult times. Furthermore, Chihiro helped Haku to find his real name. Similar to Howl’s moving castle. Love can break curses.

Among all Miyazaki’s works, the love scenes that impressed me most was in “Howl’s moving castle.” We always say that love has an unlimited power she shouldn’t underestimate or love makes people more beautiful than ever. This is what Miyazaki successfully added in this animation. Howl’s moving castle, he used a journey to self discovery and self-facing to demonstrate a beautiful adventure.

The love between Howl and Sophie is dramatic but strong. In the story Sophie was been cursed and turned out to be a 90 year-old lady. Both have built a wall around themselves; Sophie chose to conceal from her true self and Howl chose to hide his fright and coward. However, their love helped Sophie to follow her heart and live out herself, and helped Howl to overcome his fear and to comprehend love, affection and protection.

Here are the major scenes where we can detect Sophie’s love for Howl
When Howl asked Sophie to represent in front of Mrs. Saruman as her mom, she defended for him. As a result she became younger once again, a proof that she unknowingly spoke for love from the bottom of her heart.


The other time for her to be younger was in her dream; she woke up and went to the tunnel where Howl was hiding. Seeing him as a monster she still accepted him as he is and said “But, I love you!” But when she woke up she returned to be the old lady, because in contrast she didn’t show her love towards Howl in the reality.
When she traveled back in time, she witnessed the contract between Calcifer and Howl. This was the timing when she realized Howl needed her and faced her true self.
I think this switch from an old lady to a young lady is the reflection of our own heart. Although this sudden change of appearance won’t happen in our real life, it is still a reminder to us: when you try to live out yourself is the time you are the real you.
So here love led her to face herself, helped Howl and broke both of their curses.
The love led them out of the obscurity.