Following huge fan demand, official Studio Ghibli retailer Donguri Sora has announced the restocking of the Howl's Moving Castle amulet ring. A token of Howl's deep love for Sophie and a testament to their bond, this ring set is perfect for couples looking to add a little Ghibli magic to their relationship.
Modeled after the ring Howl gave Sophie to bring them back together, the Studio Ghibli rings are sold as a set. One is red, which in the film leads Sophie back to Calcifer, the heart of the moving castle. The other is set in blue epoxy resin, which takes Sophie back to the past, where she sees Howl fall from the sky like a shooting star. The rings are made of zinc alloy and cost 2,420 yen (~US$17).
Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle Ring Set Is An Exact Replica Of The Movie
Donguri Sora has been steadily releasing Studio Ghibli-themed products across a variety of categories. The retailer has focused on My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service, both of which have restocked and released some unique and charming products. However, the retailer recently released the Calcifer mini frying pan, which features a concave shape of the moving castle, giving fans' eggs and pancakes a wise spirit. Another great product is the Calcifer mini lantern, which lights up and can be used as a home decoration or as an accessory thanks to its attachable keychain.
Studio Ghibli's 2004 classic Howl's Moving Castle is one of the revered studio's most endearing love stories. Based on the 1986 novel by Diane Wynne Jones, the film tells a magical love story set in a time of unrest and war, and its unique yet distinctly Ghibli aesthetic has inspired creators including Spanish fashion house Loewe, who created an incredibly intricate (and ridiculously expensive) coat inspired by Howl's bedroom. The film's emphasis on compassion, anti-war stance, and feminist themes remain relevant 20 years later.
Hayao Miyazaki's films often explore anti-war themes amid romantic plots.
It’s no coincidence that director and screenwriter Hayao Miyazaki was drawn to the work of Wynne Jones, which celebrates pacifism and understanding. Miyazaki has stated that he was influenced by Wynne Jones’s opposition to the US invasion of Iraq, saying that he was “very angry” as he watched the geopolitical events unfold. In 2003, he refused to travel to the United States to accept his Oscar for Best Animated Feature for Spirited Away, telling the LA Times, “I don’t want to visit a country that is bombing Iraq.” The director’s commitment to pacifism and goodwill isn’t limited to his films; Donguri Sora recently released a line of hoodies in collaboration with the Totoro Foundation, a foundation founded by Miyazaki in 1990 to preserve Sayama Hills and surrounding areas in Saitama Prefecture.
Source: Donguri Sora