Howl
Howl is the central protagonist of Howl's Moving Castle. A gifted and handsome wizard, he is the master of a giant walking castle powered by magic. While he is the subject of constant rumors among townspeople, he strongly values his personal freedom and continuously evades the control of authority.
Overview
Howl is the central protagonist of Howl's Moving Castle. A gifted and handsome wizard, he is the master of a giant walking castle powered by magic. While he is the subject of constant rumors among townspeople, he strongly values his personal freedom and continuously evades the control of authority.
Appearance
He is a handsome young man with medium-length hair and blue eyes. Initially possessing dyed blonde hair, his hair accidentally turns orange before reverting to its natural black color. He wears a white shirt, a cape, and various items of jewelry including earrings, rings, and a necklace. He is also capable of transforming into a bird-like creature.
Personality
He possesses strong vanity regarding his physical appearance and displays a dramatic, fragile side when his look is altered. Although he admits to being cowardly and holds deep fears of threats like the Witch of the Waste, he can also act boldly. He is fundamentally gentle, warmly accepting newcomers into his household, while harboring a deep hatred for war and restraint.
Abilities
He is an exceptionally talented wizard trained under Madame Suliman, capable of animating and steering a massive walking castle. He utilizes magic to assume multiple aliases to evade state pursuers, and during battle, he can transform into an avian monster to engage enemy bombing fleets in flight.
Background
In his youth, he formed a bargain with a fire demon, surrendering his heart in exchange for immense magic. Though hailed as a prodigy by his mentor Madame Suliman, he fled using pseudonyms to avoid being drafted into royal wars. After past dealings with the Witch of the Waste, he encounters Sophie Hatter, who was cursed into an old woman, and takes her into his walking castle.
Relationships
He takes in Sophie Hatter as a housekeeper, eventually building a deep bond with her as part of his household. He shares a life-bound contract with the fire demon Calcifer. He lives alongside his young apprentice Markl, is pursued by his former mentor Madame Suliman who seeks his talent, and actively avoids the Witch of the Waste out of fear.
Trivia
In the original novel by Diana Wynne Jones, his true name is Howell Jenkins, hailing from Wales in the real world. He employs multiple pseudonyms, such as Pendragon and Jenkins, which he uses to maintain a free life away from government interference.
