Studio Ghibli fans will soon be able to own their own model of the iconic castle from Hayao Miyazaki’s Moving Castle.
Donguri Kyowakoku, Ghibli’s official online store, now has a miniature model of the famous building. Those familiar with Miyazaki’s classic film will immediately recognize the castle’s chaotic appearance, recreated down to the smallest detail. The model is also capable of walking short distances on its four claw-like metal legs, with unstable, lumbering movements similar to its film counterpart. Its upper half can also be seen moving from side to side as it moves. Calcifer, the fire demon who runs the castle, can be seen inside the mouth of the building and lights up as it moves. This model is priced at 22,000 yen (about 151 USD) including tax, and is expected to hit shelves on December 26.
Related
World-renowned figure maker Crafts Nausicaa soldiers down to every meticulous detail
Model maker Kaiyodo reveals a series of highly detailed Tolmekian soldier figures from Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.
Adapted from the novel of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones, Howl’s Moving Castle tells the story of Sophie, a depressed young woman who runs a hat shop with her sisters. One night, she meets a notorious witch known as the Witch of the Wilderness, who curses her to look like a 90-year-old woman. After setting out on a journey to break the curse, she comes across a powerful wizard named Howl, his apprentice Markl, and the fire demon Calcifer, who allow her to work as a cleaner in Howl’s “castle”. As Sophie begins her new life, her priorities gradually change from breaking the curse to taking care of her new family. The film is especially popular with Western Ghibli fans, who appreciate it for its lovable characters, poignant metaphors, and hidden meanings.
While it’s unlikely that Howl’s Moving Castle will get a sequel, Hayao Miyazaki isn’t retiring anytime soon. His most recent film, The Boy and the Heron, came out earlier this year and has broken impressive box office milestones since its release. As of September 1, the film had earned more than seven billion yen (about US$48.2 million) during its domestic theatrical run. The Boy and the Heron follows a young boy named Mahito Maki, who ventures into a mysterious fantasy world after losing his mother in the bombing of Tokyo during World War II.
Related
Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki of Studio Ghibli begin production on “Totoro Whiskey”
The founders of legendary Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli teamed up with a distillery in Okinawa to create part of the design for a new whiskey.
The English version of the film, starring Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson and Willem Defoe, was recently released in theaters in North America on December 8. According to Studio Ghibli President Toshio Suzuki, Miyazaki currently is “obsessively” working on another Ghibli film. “He is thinking about this new project every day,” Suzuki said. “I no longer try to dissuade him… in life, it is the only job that interests him.” Ghibli has not yet revealed any details regarding the plot or setting of this upcoming project.
The collectible figure from Howl’s Moving Castle will be available for purchase on December 26. Studio Ghibli’s film library, including Howl’s Moving Castle, is available on Max.
Source: Donguri Kyowakoku