Anime Howl's Moving Castle [general Miyazaki discussion]

[Dagger]

Hayao Miyazaki is widely believed to be one of the best anime directors of all time. His films, most of which were not only box-office successes, but also critically acclaimed, include Kiki's Delivery Service, Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. I'm sure that many of you seen (or at least heard of) one of the movies that I just listed.

Miyazaki's latest production, Howl's Moving Castle, will be released in Japan on July 17th of this year. It's been adapted from a young adult book of the same title, which was written by the popular fantasy author Diana Wynne Jones. I was initially surprised to hear that Miyazaki had even read Howl's Moving Castle, since Ms. Jones is Welsh, and her novel was originally published in English. It had struck me as being a fairly obscure book--or perhaps I simply liked to think that [i]I[/i] had "discovered" it.

Either way, I was astonished (in a good way) when I first learned of Miyazaki's plans to make Howl's Moving Castle into a film. It's a wonderful novel, with unique, memorable characters, an enthralling storyline, and one of the best romantic subplots I've ever come across.

I wondered if anyone else had read Howl's Moving Castle, or was looking forward to seeing Miyazaki's next creation. Barring that, please share your thoughts regarding his other classic movies.

~Dagger~

[AzureWolf]

This release: it's a mixed blessing, if you ask me. You have to worry about that curse where all licensed stuff that is in one form of entertainment sucks when translated to another medium. However, there's something else you have to ponder about with the topic at hand: the unforeseen variable in this case - Miyazaki's unique perspective on things - and how much of that originality will be expressed in Howl's Moving Castle. Everything I've seen from Miyazaki gave me a surprise simply because of how unconformed it is to anything else. It's as if nothing - culture, religion, or interests - influences his work, and only his mind cultivates his creations.

I'll say one thing: if Howl's Moving Castle is a success on the level of his other works, you can expect a new era of Miyazaki... uh... stuff.

[size=1]Probably made a few words up, and made no sense. I'm just posting around at random, and keeping my posts short because I'm strapped for time.[/size]

[Dagger]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by AzureWolf [/i]
[B]However, there's something else you have to ponder about with the topic at hand: the unforeseen variable in this case - Miyazaki's unique perspective on things - and how much of that originality will be expressed in Howl's Moving Castle. Everything I've seen from Miyazaki gave me a surprise simply because of how unconformed it is to anything else. It's as if nothing - culture, religion, or interests - influences his work, and only his mind cultivates his creations.[/size] [/B][/QUOTE]

I completely agree. I've seen a very short (twenty second) trailer for Howl's Moving Castle, in addition to looking at some interesting concept art. Although I think I remember saving a couple of these images, I currently lack the time required to hunt them down. If someone replies, I'll try to post one as an attachment.

Anyway, I just thought I'd comment on the "moving castle" itself. It looks almost like the kind of mansion one might find in Russian folklore--i.e., Baba Yaga's house, which is said to walk about on chicken legs. Miyazaki's touch is quite evident in the castle's design, as it's not at all similar to your typical mobile medieval fortress. Not that many medieval castles were capable of motion.... but you know what I mean, ne? ^_~

~Dagger~

[Solo Tremaine]

[COLOR=#503F86]Out of all of Miyazaki's films I've seen Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away; I'd like to see the rest at some point. Howl's Moving Castle is no exception, heh. Although I am beginning to see a general theme in his films- castles, forces of nature and young heroes. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing though.

I was surprised that he'd chosen a Diana Wynne-Jones novel, too. Although if ever an adaptation of a book was going to be done, I'm sure he'd be able to create it in as fantastic a style as his usual films. Granted, I've not actually read the book so I've nothing to compare it to, but I can't say I'm looking forward to this any less as a result.

My real concern only lies with the eventual dubbing into English- the more recent Castle in the Sky dub done by Disney, although still watchable, left me rather cold in terms of all the needless comedy lines that were added in. I understand Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke were really decent dubs and that Castle in the Sky was probably only re-done by Disney for the DVD release, but it does worry me that the translation into English might be somewhat butchered. But that wouldn't be Miyazaki's fault.[/COLOR]

[Dagger]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Solo Tremaine [/i]
[B][COLOR=#503F86]My real concern only lies with the eventual dubbing into English- the more recent Castle in the Sky dub done by Disney, although still watchable, left me rather cold in terms of all the needless comedy lines that were added in.[/COLOR][/B][/QUOTE]

I've also heard that Disney added background music in several scenes where there was previously only silence.

Remember the sequence when [spoiler]Pazu and Sheeta are flying through the hurricane, and he glimpses his father's ship? Apparently, in the Japanese version we only see him mouth an indistinguishable word, whereas in Disney's dub, James Van Der Beek actually says "Father?"[/spoiler]

It's a small detail, but that did bother me.

~Dagger~

[Semjaza]

Well, I can understand that. Maybe Japanese people would be able to tell what he was saying by obvious mouth movements. Seeing as though we only know English, we wouldn't be able to pick up on that. So I can see why it was added, but at the same time it's pretty obvious what's happening in that scene as it is... heh.

The only Miyazaki film I actually own is Laputa. I enjoy it. His films have a more playful, Disney-esque quality to them that I like. I'm not too fond of the dub, though. I mean, it's not bad, but I don't think the voices suit the characters well... and I swear Anna Paquin's fake accent goes in and out several times.

Other than that, I love Grave of the Fireflies. I know it's not Miyazaki's, but it is a Ghibli film, so I figured I'd say something.

I simply am not into Princess Mononoke.