A estética fantástica de O castelo animado no cinema: uma investigação sobre adaptação

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the similarities and differences in the representation of the marvelous genre and fantastic elements in literature and cinema, as well as the portrayal of the wizard Howl in Howl’s Moving Castle (1986) by Diana Wynne Jones and its film adaptation of the same name (2004), directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Considering the transposition between literary and audiovisual media, the research examines the representation of Howl through fantastic elements while also exploring the possibilities and challenges of adaptation, deconstructing the idea of fidelity as a central criterion and valuing the creative autonomy of each artistic language. To achieve this, both works of Howl’s Moving Castle were analyzed based on research in the fields of the fantastic and film adaptation, drawing from studies such as Linda Hutcheon’s (2011) work on adaptation, as well as the theories of Tzvetan Todorov (2007) and Brian Attebery (1992) on the fantastic, in order to understand how each work explores magical and supernatural elements. The analysis revealed that while Jones’s novel presents a largely technical and structured magical system, Miyazaki’s film adopts a more visually aesthetic approach, enriching the narrative with symbolic layers. The research also highlights the construction of the character Howl, whose traits combine human flaws with magical powers, and how his portrayal in the film emphasizes a more heroic and romantic narrative. Furthermore, the findings suggest that, despite their differences, both works engage in a complementary dialogue, reinforcing the role of adaptations as instruments of cultural reinvention that expand the audience’s reach and perception of the original narrative.