Incredible fact about Howl from Howls Moving Castle: in the English translation, he was voiced by none other than Hollywood A-lister Christian Bale. Bale did a very impressive job of it, too! While Howls Moving Castle is one of Ghiblis most divisive films (many consider it their favourite, and it was nominated for an Oscar, but just as many regard it as a weak entry into the canon), there is no question that Howl himself is a very interesting and well-constructed character. A sorcerer that is doing everything in his power to avoid a war that he is supposed to be involved in, he begins as one of the most selfish and arrogant figures in Ghiblis oeuvre. He is so compelling, however, that the audience always takes his side. There is a recognition that he is a nice guy at heart, whose exterior emotions are just a defence mechanism. The films other central character, Sophie, finally begins to tease some of the humanity out of Howl as the film unfolds, finally unveiling a good guy who has been lonely for far too long.