In the Iconic 'Howl’s Moving Castle', Miyazaki Nearly Replaced the Villain from the Original British Tale

I’ve always loved Howl’s Moving Castle, but diving into Diana Wynne Jones’ original novel really opened my eyes. Hayao Miyazaki’s 2004 animated classic is a masterpiece, no doubt, but it’s fascinating how much he reworked the story, especially the villain.

In the film, the main antagonist is Madame Suliman, who relentlessly pressures Howl to join the war. I actually appreciate this choice — it fits Miyazaki’s pacifist vision perfectly.

Howl avoids conflict wherever he can, sending Sophie undercover as his elderly mother or magically moving the castle. To me, the real "villain" here isn’t a person at all, but the idea of war itself, which feels so much more thought-provoking than a simple villain plotline.

In the book, the antagonist is far more layered. The Swamp Witch is only a puppet, controlled by Lily Angorian, a demonic tutor from Wales. Even Howl comes from our world, and the story plays with dimensions, jealousy, and unexpected twists.

Knowing this, I can’t help but admire Miyazaki’s choice to streamline the story — it’s darker, cleaner, and perfectly highlights the anti-war message I’ve always loved about the film.

Honestly, while I adore the book for its complexity, Miyazaki’s version is my kind of magic — visually stunning, emotionally smart, and quietly anti-war.