The Cultural Infusion that is Howl's Moving Castle

     Howl's Moving Castle is Japanese genre heavily influenced by European culture. This intentional influence is what makes it appealing to an American audience. We know that in Japanese culture women are deducted down to being emotional and non functional. Sophie, although she was the damsel in distress, embraced her spell the best she could and in the end helped Howl and their family as much as they helped her. The stereotypical ending was also influenced by European culture. The happy ending of love and family is desired by American audiences and our need for all loose ends to be tied up in a pretty bow. Miyazaki however puts a spin on it because it is somewhat confusing and Sophie does not end up with prince, as she would in an American film. The true loves kiss is over the top stereotypical of American culture. We see a lot of political references to Japanese history. The war being depicted is reminiscent of the Tokyo bombings. The contrast between the country side we see at the beginning and then the polluted, industrialized, over populated town is important to note. Also, the race up the stairs, which I learned is also Japanese culture. Both Miyazaki's political and social views of both cultures are clear throughout this movie. Overall, I think the combination of cultures works for the film. They are both blended nicely and the movie is enjoyable for many different audiences.

Howl's Moving Castle

            In June 2008, freakfire-1 watched Howls Moving Castle. Freakfire begins their review by saying “This is the worst movie I have seen this year”. Freakfire must have spent the first half of the year watching some pretty great movies, because I personally enjoyed the movie. Freakfire then boldly states that he does not see any upcoming movie for the rest of the year that will “challenge this heap of garbage”. I’ll admit Howls Moving Castle is not the best movie I have seen this year, but calling it garbage is very extreme. The reviewer’s first complaint is the overall premise of the movie.  Complaining that some of the first things you see is a castle and a girl who eventually gets a spell cast on her and this is “not a good sign”. Its understandable that a damsel in distress is stereotypical, but as we learn, Sophie ends up embracing her old age as best she can, often using it to her advantage, and ends up helping Howl and crew instead of being the victim. One valid point freakfire points out is that some of the scenes are boring, although I would not go as far as to fast forward through them like the reviewer did. I found myself able to take in depth notes during the “boring” scenes and returning my attention to the movie not missing anything.

            Freakfire goes on to evaluate some of the characters, his favorite being Calcifer. It’s easy to see how Calcifer would be a fan favorite, and having Billy Crystal voice him adds to his charm. Perhaps, the sole reason I chose this critique was because his least favorite character was Turnip head. How could anyone not love Turnip Head? His loyalty and willingness to help Sophie won me over. No, he never said a word while in scarecrow form, but I found myself smiling ever time he popped back on the screen. Yes, once again its stereotypical that he turned into a prince once kissed by his love, but wasn’t the whole point of the ending, to mock the European happy ending? Freakfire ends his review by stating “The boy, Howl, and everybody else should never again grace screens with their presence. It just isn't worth the headache”. This really just leads me to believe he stumbled upon this movie expecting a cartoonish Tim Burton type film and not really understanding this is supposed to be Japanese genre heavily influenced by the European culture. The political references and the ways Miyazaki pokes fun at the cultures obviously escapes this reviewer. That is probably why he did not enjoy the film as much as me. 

Japanese vs European Goth

     When comparing European Gothic Literature to Japanese there are similarities and differences. One of the first tropes we studied, forbidden love, is common in both cultures. It is one of the main tropes in “The Castle of Otranto” and the main trope of “The Surgery Room”. Also, hidden identities are the same throughout the gothic, regardless of culture. Identities are hidden in many of the gothic stories we have read thus far including our original story, “The Castle of Otranto”. Hidden Identity was one the tropes in “The Tattooer” as well.

     The Japanese Gothic approaches gothic from a different aspect. They do not fear death like the European culture. They approach life like they are already dead, so they really have nothing to lose. In the stories we read prior to Japanese Gothic, the deaths of the characters were always one of, if not the most, gothic and climatic part. Matilda’s death in “The Castle of Otranto”, or Beatrice’s suicide in “Rappaccini’s Daughter” is an example of this. In the Japanese gothic however, the deaths were not the part that was focused on the most. In The Surgery Room the most gothic part was the fact she was willing to go through the surgery without anesthetic to protect her secret. In the Chrysanthemum Vow, his suicide alone was not the most gothic part, but that he ended his own life to keep his honor. The Japanese beliefs really shine through when reading gothic stories from their culture. 

Gothic Graphic Novels

            My experience with graphic novels was very limited up until Gaiman’s The Sandman. To my surprise, I enjoyed it very much. Usually, when I read a novel or short story my imagination paints a picture as to what the characters and setting look like. The authors of graphic novels are able to relay much more information to the reader via the pictures. The audience is able to take a glimpse inside the authors mind as to what the thought when writing the story and developing the characters and scenes. I really enjoyed the vivid pictures to go along with the story in The Sandman. I would read through the text bubbles and then go back and carefully examine the details of each picture.

            Gothic and horror genres are often considered to be one in the same but they are separate genres and yet they are actually intertwined. There are gothic influences in horror movies and horror does make up an aspect of the gothic. The difference is the gothic adds more to the story than just scary situations and frightening scenes. One examples of what is added in the gothic genre is irony. Unlike a lot of horror stories, in gothic literature we are able to get to know the characters. Often times we see the innocent characters suffer tragic fates. That is a prime example of irony and how it fits into the gothic genre.