Howl's Moving Castle (Movie)

Turning Old

The movie starts with Sophie Hatter, a timid girl of 18, decorating hats in the hat shop of her late father. Some of the other girls exclaim as they see Howl's Moving Castle near the city. Sophie leaves the shop, and is walking home when two soldiers harass her. It is then that she has a lucky encounter with the notorious Wizard Howl. He escorts her to the bakery of her sister, Lettie Hatter. They talk, and bid farewells. Sophie returns to the hat shop, also her home, when the Witch of the Waste arrives into the shop. Jealous of her relationship with Howl, she turns Sophie into a 90 year-old grandma, and Sophie cannot tell anyone about the curse.

 Calcifer's Bargain 

The next morning, Sophie decides to leave the city to find a way to lift the curse. As she enters the countryside outside of the bustling town, she meets a magical scarecrow, whom she names Turnip- Head on account of his turnip- shaped head. Turnip- Head provides Sophie with a walking stick, and Sophie, wanting to get rid of the scarecrow, asks him to find her a house as well. She chuckles at her cunning, when the scarecrow returns, bringing Howl's Moving Castle with it. Sophie, deciding there is no other option, enters. Inside, she meets the fire demon, Calcifer, flickering in the hearth. He can see through the curse, and says he will break it if Sophie can break the contract between him and Howl. At first Sophie thinks it is a trick, but decides it isn't and dozes asleep.