Young as the morning old as the sea

I love that Howl’s Moving Castle isn’t “everyone is beautiful in their own way” it’s “being ugly is freeing.”

Sophie starts as a cute girl who feels plain surrounded by gorgeous women, including her sister, and let’s her envy of beauty ruin her life.

Her sister, set up as the most beautiful girl in town, is swamped by men who won’t leave her alone all because of her looks. We see she’s kind and good and caring but all the men want her for her looks. And Sophie hates herself for being plain in comparison.

As soon as she gets turned old and isn’t expected to be beautiful her personality comes out and she’s finally confident because she feels free of judgement.

Howl when we first meet him is cool, blonde, and suave in bright outfits that beg for everyone to notice him. When his hair potion gets ruined and he feels he loses his beauty, he drops the facade and starts wearing simple comfortable looking clothes, grinning, laughing out loud, and clearly enjoying life more as well now that he’s not trying to be the cool and mysterious wizard and is just being his goofy messy self. He also connects more personally with Sophie as well as calcifer and Markle who have been with him for years.

The Witch of the Wastes devoted most of her power to keeping up the appearance of beauty and youth and treats everyone around her terribly because of it. Once the magic is stripped away she becomes a naughty grandma who, like the others, smiles more genuinely and is able to finally have her first true connections with others while embracing her age.

Sophie doesn’t change back when she accepts herself she changes back when she stops thinking about her looks and focuses on who she is. And even then she has permanently gray hair and is happier than when she was a brunette.

None of them change back to how they were originally at the end. Howl keeps his “ugly” hair and plain clothes, the witch stays old, Sophie has gray hair. And they’re happier in their “uglier” selves without ever trying to go back to how they looked before.

“A heart’s a heavy burden.”

“Lets run! Don’t fight them!”

“Hey, hey! We’re busy here!”

“Wait! You can’t come up here!”

“I don’t care if you’re a monster.”

“I just organized things. Nothing’s ruined.”

“Your hair looks just like starlight. It’s beautiful.”

“I feel terrible, like there’s a weight on my chest.”

“It’s so strange. I’ve never felt so peaceful, before.”

“That is ancient sorcery… and quite powerful, too.”

“Now I’ve got something I want to protect. It’s you.”

“I don’t cook! I’m a scary and powerful fire demon!”

“I specifically ordered you not to get carried away!”

“I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t torment my friend.”

“The mark may be gone, but the spell is still there.”

“And while you’re at it, make hot water for my bath.”

“Don’t be alarmed, but I’m being followed. Act normal.”

“I give up. I see not point in living if I can’t be beautiful.”

“After the war, they won’t recall they ever were human.”

“Here’s another curse for you: may all your bacon burn.”

“It looks like your true love is in love with someone else!”

“Whatever you don’t want me to clean, better hide it now!”

“Knowing you’d be there gave me the courage to show up.”

“Yeah, but no one really believes that. Come on, let’s be honest.”

“You’re scaring me. I have this weird feeling you’re going to leave.”

“Well, the nice thing about being old is you’ve got nothing much to lose.”

“You… you sabotaged me! Look! Look at what you’ve done to my hair! Look!”

“There you are, sweetheart, sorry I’m late. I was looking everywhere for you.”

“They say that the best blaze burns brightest when circumstances are at their worst.”

“I know I can be of help to you, even though I’m not pretty and all I’m good at is cleaning.”

Anne: [Hugs him from behind]