Studio Ghibli Question Time: is there any chance that Ghibli will ever adapt Diana Wynne Jones’ sequels to Howl’s Moving Castle?

The Folio Society edition of Diana Wynne Jones' Ingary novels, known as the Howl's Moving Castle collection. All three books are illustrated by Marie-Alice Harel with cover designs in similar tones of rose, purple and grey. The image shows the first two books of the trilogy stacked on each other, spines with titles facing the viewer, while the third is placed on top of them, slightly open so that front and back covers and spine are all visible.

Well, never say never … but at present it seems unlikely, for three reasons. Firstly, Hayao Miyazaki has spent more than a decade working on two films. The Wind Rises and The Boy and the Heron,  that are deeply …

Studio Ghibli Question Time: What’s the significance of Howl’s exchange of hearts with Calcifer?

The boy Howl swallowing Calcifer's heart in the anime Howl's Moving Castle. This happens late at night in a field outside Howl's study, but his face is illuminated by the fire demon's light.

That’s an excellent question, not just because it impacts a key relationship in the film of Howl’s Moving Castle but because it also gives us an example of the contrast between relationships with an equal power balance and relationships where …

Studio Ghibli Question Time: what’s in a haircut?

Sheeta from Castle in the Sky, trapped at gunpoint and with her braids literally shot off by her long lost cousin. A half length portrait against a background of thick, greenish-black tree roots. Sheeta weara a high-necked lilac coloured blouse with elbow-length puffed sleeves, a red belt and a red hairband in her dark brown hair.

The Ghibli fans who come to my Seed Talks ask some really interesting questions. So I’ve started recalling as many of them as I can at the end of each session, and I plan to revisit my answers here in …