Howl’s Moving Castleis one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most iconic and beautifully animated Studio Ghibli films. One scene in particular, featuring the titular character,Howl Pendragon, stands out because it features the protagonistholding a ball of light in his two handsand surrounded by beautiful sparkling bursts of light, illuminating the dark night sky around him. This unforgettable moment has been captured perfectly in cosplay.
@morpheevaphotographyon Instagram has photographed a recreation ofthis memorableHowl’s Moving Castlemomentthat is virtually indistinguishable from the scene itself. The scene occurs as a flashback of Howl’s youth, so his appearance is extremely different from how he appears in the rest of the film.

The cosplayer’s hair is short and dark black, mimicking Howl’s natural hair shade rather than his dyed light blond hair in the beginning half of the movie. They are wearing a long-sleeved white top with a light pink vest over the top of the garment, as well as a pair of matching white pants.
Howl’s Moving Castle’s Most Meaningful Scene Was Recreated in Cosplay
The Gorgeously Cinematic Shot Set Against a Dark Blue Night Sky Was Replicated Perfectly in This Look
Their outfit is simple but very majestic, tying in with the magnificent feel of the images themselves. The photos feature the cosplayer standing against a starry dark blue night sky, faintly illuminated by the glowing lights in their hands. The beam of radiant light is clasped in their two outstretched hands and sparks jump outwards from the ball of light, creating a pattern reminiscent of fireworks around them. This scene is undoubtedly one ofHowl’s Moving Castle’smost gorgeous to witness, but it isalso very noteworthy and important to the story, not just a stunningly cinematic shot.
15 Best Howl’s Moving Castle Quotes
The Studio Ghibli film Howl’s Moving Castle features a loveable cast of characters led by Howl Pendragon, with some great, unforgettable quotes.
The scene occurred during Howl’s flashbacks to childhood, and it has deep significance in the story. In the movie,Howl gave up his human heart in exchange for power, a sacrifice he would soon come to regret. This scene reveals him physically swallowing the fiery star and thus, relinquishing his heart and beginning his deal with Calcifier. In the end, Howl regained his heartthanks to Sophie’s genuine and pure lovefor him, and this scene pictured in the cosplay marks a pivotal moment in that journey, capturing the magical, but also sad, nature of the scene itself.

In the Scene, Howl Swallowed a Star, Giving up His Human Heart
Although He Gained His Heart Back Eventually, This Scene Is Still a Pivotal Part of the Film
@morpheevaphotography’s high-quality camera work has really brought this cosplay to life, depicting a slideshow of photographs revealing the cosplayer catching the falling star as it rained down from the vast expanse of sky, holding it as it glowed and sparked wildly around them, lifting it to their face curiously, and eventually, preparing to swallow it. The final few images show the cosplayer holding a cloud of fire instead,meant to represent Calcifier, one of the film’s most important side characters. The efforts of the cosplayer themselves and the talented photographer have made this look an absolute wonder to behold.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Cast
Howl’s Moving Castle, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, follows Sophie, a young milliner transformed into an elderly woman by a witch’s curse. She becomes involved with the enigmatic wizard Howl, who is resisting participation in a war for the king, as she searches for a way to break the spell.
