Zavvi - The Home of Pop Culture

Howl's Moving Castle was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and released in 2004, eventually becoming the third highest grossing film in Japan of all time (behind Titanic and Miyazaki's Spirited Away) and Miyazaki's personal favourite of all his creations.

The film is set in a fictional kingdom with 21st-century technology, quickly becoming part of the canon of steampunk culture, with strong anti-war sentiments laced throughout inspired by Miyazaki's outspoken opposition to the Iraq War. In-house composer Joe Hisaishi was tasked with soundtracking the film, but before that happened, this 'Image Album' (not to be confused with the soundtrack) was made.

Like other Image Albums, these songs were created before the animated film was completed, as a conceptual rough draft based on notes from Miyazaki about what the score might sound like. For this first time vinyl edition of the Image Album, the audio has been newly remastered and the packaging is exquisite, with full colour outer sleeve, obi strip, and printed insert with illustrations from the film and liner notes. The accompanying soundtrack is also available on vinyl for the first time.

The world which Director Hayao Miyazaki imagined was recorded by Joe Hisaishi with Czech Philharmonic in Prague. Mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London.

• Based on the book by Diana Wynne Jones
• The Wizard Howl and the Fire Demon, published by Tokuma Shoten
• Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Track Listing –

Side A
1. Mysterious World
2. The Wizard of the Moving Castle
3. Sophie's Tomorrow
4. Boy
5. The Moving Castle

Side B
1. War War War (War War War)
2. The Wizard's Waltz
3. Secret Garden
4. Dawn's Allure
5. Cave of Mind