Songs from Howl's Moving Castle: theme song and insert songs
The world, reminiscent of medieval Europe, is rendered in vibrant colors, and just looking at the depicted towns, mountains, and sea is enough to lift your spirits.
Although the story has a strong fantasy flavor, the other protagonist, Sophie, starts to feel very relatable, and you can’t help but want to cheer her on with a “You’ve got this!”
This article compiles the wonderful pieces of music from Howl’s Moving Castle.
Be sure to read to the end and find your favorite!
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Songs from Howl's Moving Castle. Theme song and insert songs (1–10)
The Boy Who Drank a StarJoe Hisaishi
The piece that plays during the scene where Sophie goes to meet Howl in the past.
It’s an important moment that touches on the relationship between Howl and Calcifer.
You can almost see Howl standing by the shore of a beautiful, clear lake—the gentle, beautiful melody is utterly captivating.
It's love!Joe Hisaishi
With its relaxed triple meter and seamlessly flowing piano, this piece is wonderfully soothing.
In Howl’s Moving Castle, the protagonist Howl and the heroine Sophie fall in love.
This track captures that sweet, slightly bittersweet feeling of the moment they do.
Its simple, piano-only sound and short length make it an easy, breezy listen.
By all means, give it a spin while recalling the moment you fell in love!
Secret GardenJoe Hisaishi
In Howl’s Moving Castle, there’s a scene where Howl takes Sophie to a secret garden with beautiful nature.
This is the soundtrack for that secret garden: a simple piano ballad with a mid-tempo rhythm.
It maintains a calm atmosphere throughout.
Since it’s a secret garden, can’t you just picture the quietly blooming flowers and fruit-bearing trees hidden from everyone’s eyes? Listen to this, and you’ll surely feel as if you’ve been whisked away to your own secret garden.
Songs from Howl's Moving Castle. Main and insert songs (11–20)
Quiet FeelingsJoe Hisaishi
When you want to feel gentle and calm, this is the one song to play.
It’s a very short, slow-tempo piano ballad.
The unhurried rhythm and the tinkling high notes are exquisitely beautiful.
It’s a gorgeous piece that evokes scenes like a flower field spread out by a lake.
Just as the title suggests, the sound is packed with a tender sense of longing and transience, quietly dwelling on something—definitely worth a listen.
flower gardenJoe Hisaishi
To escape the enemy witch Madame Suliman, Howl and the others use magic to move from the wasteland to Sophie’s family hat shop.
By the front door, there’s a dial-like setting for destinations, and with Howl’s magic, the door can be connected to each place.
Among them is a pink exit that Howl prepared for Sophie, which leads to a place filled with beautiful flowers—and even the house where Howl spent his childhood.
It’s a piece with a richly undulating, beautiful melody that evokes the breathtaking scenery Sophie herself can’t help but admire.
Aerial strollJoe Hisaishi
Doesn’t the phrase “aerial stroll” alone make you feel a little out of the ordinary? If you’re looking for a track that whisks you away to that kind of extraordinary world, this one’s for you.
Its soundscape, where a variety of instruments ring out, feels like an amusement park.
Yet the slightly perilous, hard‑hitting strings create a mysterious atmosphere.
The more you listen, the more it’ll hook you—highly recommended!
Witch of the WasteJoe Hisaishi
This piece maintains a sinister atmosphere from start to finish.
The standout feature is the incredibly powerful low-pitched percussion.
With well-defined dynamics, you can really enjoy the driving, energetic sound! And it’s not just the low end—the eerie, unstable melodies are a must-hear, too.
The ominous mood that spreads endlessly like a wilderness makes it a perfect sound for a witch.
A top pick brimming with mystery!