Howl's Moving Castle

The film starts off with the protagonist of Howl’s Moving Castle, Sophie, a timid and unsure 18-year-old girl who works in her late father's hat shop. She has a chance encounter with the mysterious wizard Howl(27 years old), who rescues her from some menacing soldiers. However, by doing so, Howl brings Sophie to the attention of the Witch of the Waste, who visits Sophie and puts a curse on her, transforming her into a 90-year old woman. Unable to tell anyone of the curse, she sets off on her journey to the Waste, to beg Howl to lift the curse. On the way she meets a magically animated scarecrow whom she names Turnip Head. Together they find Howl's moving castle.

This week started with a big loss.

A loss of youth.

The loss of an athlete, and the loss of his energy and life brougth despair in my heart and mind.

Hearing the screams of the family, my family, not able to do anything... I felt desperate, not able to comfort them... I felt ugly and old, very old. And that reminded me of Sophie, and her curse.

She looked old, because in her spirit she was old.

Her medicine was love, and defeating loneliness.

I am looking at my screen not knowing what else to bring in...

ps: if you want to see an extremely good manga, Howl's moving castle is an extreme good choice-as all of the Ghibli Studios.