Ghibli Prince: Haku

Film: Spirited Away (English title)
             Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Japanese title)

Voices: Miyu Irino (Japanese dub)
                 Jason Masden (English Disney dub)

The Character

Haku is quite a complex character, more due to the fact that he keeps switching from sides. In the beginning, we see him helping Chihiro escape from the spirit world but when she fails to escape (added to the fact her parents are now pigs), he helps her again by feeding her spirit world so at least she cannot disappear. He gives her advice on Yubaba and how to get a job in the bath house so at least she can remain there until she can figure out how to get her parents back. But then once she has done all that and they encounter each other again, he is extremely cold to her. Then the next day, Haku takes Chihiro to see her parents and gives her advice that she has to remember them, advice that comes in handy later in the film. Also, he gives her a card that was in her pocket that states her real name and advises her that if she forgets her name, she will never be able to get home.

The mystery behind Haku is enhanced when Lin tells Chihiro (now known as Sen) that Haku is one of Yubaba’s henchmen that carried out some of her wicked orders and that he cannot be trusted. Although this is true, it is not the whole truth. We learn that he is a young teenage boy who is really a dragon and while he carries out Yubaba’s orders, there is a reason behind this which we learn especially when we learn his real name and where he really came from.

Haku’s backstory is more of a tragic story. Haku was originally named, Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi, the spirit of the Kohaku River and although he has forgotten his real name, he remembers meeting Chihiro, saving her from drowing when she fell into the river years before. The river was destroyed and filled in with apartments leaving Haku without a home and so he went to the spirit world seeking to learn magic from Yubaba. As a result, she stole his real name (leaving him with the name “Haku”) and he became her obedient servant, following her every command.

He has a relationship with two characters in the film: the first is Yubaba who forces him to work for her. The second is with Chihiro and theirs tends to fall into the love department although it is not declared. The closest we get to this revelation is that it is mentioned to Lin by Kamijii. The closest the pair get to is when the spell is broken and they are falling in the sky. They get close enough to kiss but despite nothing developing, the love is there and the moment is one of the most beautiful in a Ghibli film.

In the end, it is Chihiro that breaks the hold that Yubaba has over Haku. By remembering when he saved her from the river and mentioning his real name, she frees him from her forced service. However, despite that, he does not follow her out of the spirit world. It is implied he stays at the bath house.

The voices behind the character

Both Miyu Irino and Jason Mardsen are brilliant as Haku. They both give both the cold and caring side of Haku effectively although Irino is more cold and stern (compared to Irino, Mardsen is more stern than cold). In some of the more caring, Irino is less harsh and more softer in his tone of voice than Mardsen. However, this does not mean Mardsen is bad. In fact, in my opinion, he is one of the best of the Ghibli English male dubs but then when push comes to shove, “Spirited Away” has one of the best (if not the best) English dubs of any of the Ghibli films.

Ghibli Prince: Porco Rosso

Film: Porco Rosso (English title)
Kurenai no Buta (Japanese title)

Voices: Shuichiro Moriyama (Japanese)
Michael Keaton (English)
Jean Reno (French)

The Character

If there is one thing that every true Hayao Miyazaki fan knows is that in almost of all his Ghibli films, there are two aspects: pigs and flying. In most of his films, there is flight and in a few, there are pigs (in Laputa: Castle in the Sky, you see pigs for a brief second and in Spirited Away, the main character’s parents are turned into pigs). With Porco Rosso, you get a flying pig!!!

He is like a prince from a fairy tale. When you peel away many of the elements, you find a story that resembles Beauty and the Beast or The Frog Prince, in the sense that Porco is a man cursed to look like a pig. However, what makes this story interesting that although the origin and nature of the curse is not revealed in the film, there is a strong opinion that the curse is self-inflicting.

Before he was cursed, he was Marco Pagot who was an ace pilot of the Italian Air Force during World War I. Now, in 1929, 11 years since the War ended, he works as a bounty hunter tracking down “air pirates” and he lives alone on an island. Between the Great War and 1929, he has quit the IFA due to the rise of fascism, become disillusioned with humanity and has “quitted” being a human. He seems to hate his human form for there is only one picture of him as a human that hangs on the wall of Gina’s restaurant and he has crossed out his face on the picture, much to Gina’s dismay.

It is not just that he looks like a pig either. He is also crude and lazy. He can be blunt and carries some sexist attitudes towards women, particularly 17 year old Fio. He cannot believe that she can be an excellent architect and he is not too comfortable about her tagging along for the ride when he tests the new place she created. In this case with his attitude and sexist ways, he is a “pig”. Whether these attitudes were there before he turned into a pig or not is debatable as it is not mentioned in the film.

However, he has got heart. His sexist attitude towards Fio, in particular changes to concern when she is crowded by air pirates and then when Donald Curtis proposes to her. Although, he has sexist attitudes, he dims them down a lot when he is talking to Gina.

Of course, every Prince has his Princess. Not this guy: he’s got two!! Yes, Fio and Gina love him so much and yet he cannot see it. In fact, Gina has loved him for years. It is implied that she could have been the first man she fell in love with but due to unexplained actions, she ends up marrying his best friend, who later dies whilst fighting alongside Marco/Porco. In fact, as Marco flies, he sees his best friend fly up to join the flying line of deceased pilots. Marco screams that he has to take care of Gina which shows he genuinely cares for her. It could be the realisation of his friend’s death that sent him down on his path to self-hatred. It could be that he suffers from post traumatic syndrome and feels guilty that he lived whilst his best friend dies which would make Gina sad.

He also has a rival in the form of Donald Curtis. He falls in love with every girl he meets, Gina and Fio included and in a possible quest for pride and ego, he constantly attacks Porco. However, at the end, even Curtis brings Porco to realisation.

In the end, it is these three people that bring Porco down to having faith in humanity. Gina loves him unconditionally and when Fio and Porco are alone in the island, Fio sees a glimpse of Porco/Marco and later, he hugs him. The conversation between Porco and Fio at the camp set up the “kiss the frog prince” theory and she even hugs and pecks him on the cheek.

During the battle, Donald makes Porco realise that Gina loves him to which Porco is shocked and the final act is when Fio hugs his bruised body and kisses his cheek. It is implied that his features became changed because Donald demands a look at his face as if he is seeing things. However, this is not confirmed or whether the transformation (if any) was possible. The ending is left open if Gina and Porco eventually got together but we are left with the feeling that he did and that he overcame his self-loathing and, like all good Princes, lived happily ever after.

The voices behind the character

Shuichiro Moriyama has a gravelly voice that does show bitterness which is perfect for Porco. Once you know about the character, it is so easy to understand why he was chosen.

When it comes to the English dub, Michael Keaton is an interesting choice. He does have this dark almost gravelly voice of Porco but there is something lacking. He sounds like he’s straining when all other dubs mentioned in this entry are way more natural. He can be a big too loud like he’s in a theatre and trying to make the audience at the back hear him. Not the best dub ever BUT he’s not the worst Ghibli dub, not by a long shot.

There is one version that outstrips even the Japanese version. It’s true that the Japanese ones are very strong when it comes to anime but there is one non-Japanese version that is considered to be the strongest of all the dubs possible for this film, or any Ghibli film. That dub is the French dub. The cast is incredibly strong throughout but there is one actor that was not only good as his character but was downright perfect. That person is Jean Reno.

Yes, Jean Reno as in Leon: The Professional and The Da Vinci Code amongst others. Anyone who has seen any of Reno’s films, English or otherwise can understand that his gravely voice was perfect for this kind of role. I see Porco as a bitter and apathetic character, traits that Reno brings out beautifully in his voice, particularly in Leon. He is even more gravelly than Moriyama which is a strength in Reno’s favour. However, he can also show the emotion needed when possible, particularly when he shows concern for Gina. I just cannot find any reasoning as to why this guy is so perfect. It’s one of those “watch it to believe me” kind of scenarios.

Ghibli Prince: Asbel

 

Film: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (English title)
          Kaze No Tano No Naushika (Japanese title)

Voices: Shia LeBouf (English)
               Yoji Matsuda (Japanese) 

 

 

The Character

In this humble fan’s opinion, Asbel is not the strongest Prince in the anime world. He is clearly overshadowed by Nausicaä. In fact, in his first proper scene, he has to be rescued by Nausicaä from the bottom of the Sea of Corruption.

However, he is not weak. He is in fact a very good pilot and mechanic. He can be forgiven for having the same views as Kushana and Torumekians for, just like them, he feels it’s the right thing to do. It is only when the pair reach Pejite that he finally stands up for Nausicaä’s beliefs.

Action-wise, he doesn’t get much of it. He doesn’t necessarily move the story along. You could call him a sidekick for he seems to follow Nausicaä. Due to their similar ages, Asbel would have made a potential love interest for Nausicaä and in a typical film, there would probably be a chance for a little bit of romance. But Nausicaä is not interested in romance; she has more pressing things on her mind until the battle and hate is over. I can see that Asbel and Nausicaä getting together but for the film and manga, they are mere acquaintances which could develop into something much much more….

 

The voices behind the character

I like Yoji Matsuda’s voice in this. He brings passion and gentleness to Asbel’s voice. Although the poor guy doesn’t have many lines, he does it well. Same goes for Shia LeBouf except I feel that he tries too hard. I really don’t know what to say about the voice actors behind Asbel as he doesn’t get much screen time. I think this is one for the audience to decide.

Ghibli Prince: Howl

Film: Howl’s Moving Castle (English title)
          Hauru no Ogoku Shiro (Japanese title)

Voices: Christian Bale (English)
               Takuya Kimura (Japanese)

 

The Character

Yes! Yes! I bet to many female anime/Studio Ghibli fans, Howl is the perfect Ghibli Prince. And rightly so too. First of all, he is handsome. There is a debate over whether he looks better as a blonde or as a raven head but he is gorgeous no matter what. Although if I have to chose, I would have to choose him with black hair. That is purely because after shedding the blonde hair through an accident by Sophie, he does mature. Through a flashback to his childhood, we lean that he was born with black hair. From my knowledge, I think he is the only one of two Ghibli Princes to show some skin. The other is Ashitaka who can seem baring his bare chest. Of course, Howl goes one better by running around just wearing a towel (ooo er!)

Yes, in terms of looks, he is desirable (I still have to find a gal fan who is not attracted to Howl) and at the start of the film, he shows affection to Sophie. I mean, he protects her when she feels threatened by two soldiers and then later, to escape from some of the Witch of the Waste’s minions, he takes her up in the air and they literally walk on the air before he gently places on the balcony of Cesari’s. Sigh. What a guy.

Yeah. At first. That is until the small hair incident. We learn then that he is a spoilt brat. Despite being an adult and magical wizard, he throws a tantrum and then literally turns into goo after moaning that he cannot see a reason to live if he cannot be beautiful.

However, after that incident, besides showing a wee bit of cowardice until near the end, he does mature slightly. As times goes on, he does showing that he cares for Sophie and even calls her beautiful. Now in the book, he learns on his own that she has been put under the spell. Whether he knows this in the film is questionable. Despite that, he shows a bond with Sophie and in the final moments before he flees to help in the war, he tells Sophie that he is willing to die for her.

There is another important relationship in terms of Howl: Caclifer. The two are co-dependent on each other and despite that, Howl still commands his little fire demon around as if he was the superior. Of course, Calcifer obeys. And it is obvious that Howl shows some caring and dependence on Calcifer for after Sophie accidentally pours water on Calcifer, he keeps the fire alive and warns Sophie about that.

Of course, in the final twist, we learn just how dependent and important their relationship is. It also explains why Howl has a lot of childish tendencies. Ironically though, at the end of the film, there is a kinda Wizard of Oz feeling that he never need his heart in the first place for he learned to feel and love Sophie, regardless whether she was young or old.

 

The voices behind the characters

OMG! OMG! Usually I can honestly say which version I prefer but in this case, it is difficult for me to say which one is best. No, not because they are phenomenally bad but because they are both so brilliant!!! According to some trivia, after seeing Spirited Away, Christian Bale immediately agreed to play any role in this film. I find this really that he would have taken any role just to be part of the Miyazaki and Ghibli magic.

I have little knowledge about Japanese actors so I cannot decipher whether Kimura was the best choice for Howl. As for Christian Bale in the English dub, I do not think anyone could do it as well as him. He is by far the best in the English dub, along with Billy Crystal as Calcifer. The rest of the case is mediocre compared to these two. Christian Bale gives Howl a husky, seductive voice in his first scene. When he says “There you are, sweetheart”, I literally melted, dissolving into a puddle when he says later on, “That’s my girl.” His tantrum is so funny and wonderfully whiny, perfect for a character that is still a child at heart.

Now before I get the purists bashing at me for my comment on Takuya Kimura, when I say that I cannot decipher whether Kimura was the best choice for Howl, I am not saying he was not perfect for the part. I just cannot compare him to other potential choices in the same way I can for Christian Bale. I must point out that I thought Kimura was beautiful as Howl. I admit I saw the English version first so I imagined Howl to have a soft, somewhat seductive voice and Kimura had me in his clutches. When, in his first way, he says “This way” in Japanese, I was giggling like a school girl and the rest of his lines for that scene up to “That’s my girl” were beautiful and in some sense, said better than Christian Bale.

However, to be fair, I think Bale was better at the big tantrum scene. Kimura was too calm and smooth whilst Bale really let rip which made it more convincing.

Either way, both were perfectly chosen and I urge people who have just seen the English dub to go and see the Japanese version even it’s just to hear Takuya Kimura.

Now I’m going to go and wipe of the drool I made from writing this entry

Ghibli Prince: Baron Humbert von Gikkingen

 

Film: Whisper of the Heart (English title)
         Mimi wo Sumaseba (Japanese title)
         The Cat Returns (English title)
         Neko no Ongaeshi (Japanese title)

Voice: Cary Elwes (English dub)
           Shigeru Tsuyuguchi (Japanese) (Whisper of the Heart)
           Yoshihiko Hakamada (Japanese) (The Cat Returns)

The initial plan was to do Howl for my first official Ghibli Prince entry (with Hols being an Honorary Prince) but then again, that was when I had planned the Dragons of the Heavens/Dragons of the Earth to be my first Sidekick entry so I decided to do the Baron so two characters from the same film would not appear in two consecutive entries.

 

 

The Character

 Baron Humbert von Gikkingen (otherwise known and will be known from now on in this entry as The Baron) is an unique character because he is only one of two characters to appear in more than one Ghibli film (the other character is Moon/Muta who, like the Baron also appears in Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns).

The weird thing about the Baron is that in reality, he is a statue. The Baron that comes alive originates in the character Shizuku’s mind as she writes the story: Whisper of the Heart. In the film, Shizuku writes the Baron more as a sidekick helping the lead character in her story find a gem. The film viewer is given shots into the story on how Shizuku writes so we do get to see and hear the Baron in how she envisions him. Although there is not much to say about him, he has all the makings of a Ghibli Prince. He is sophisticated complete with suit, top hat and cane. He talks about his lost love which shows him as a romantic and he shows intelligence.

However, it is not until The Cat Returns that we see the Baron in a fuller form where he graduates from minor Prince to major Prince. The vague characterisations that we see in Whisper of the Heart are still there but fuller. He still has his trademark suit, top hat and cane. He is very level-headed and is good at giving advice. He is a gentleman through and through. He likes his tea (with either lemon or milk) and angel food cake. He is very sophisticated and very caring. He is willing to help anyone who comes to the Cat Bureau. Also, when he fights, he keeps his hat on. What a cat!

The most interesting thing about him is when Haru admits at the end that she had a crush on him and he doesn’t bring this to notice. Therefore, we never truly know whether he had feelings for him. However, I doubt he is. True, he dances with her and at one point, picks her up in his arms and runs up the stairs. How chivalrous of him! Despite that, I do not think he felt for her in any way.

 

 

The voices behind the character

There is not much to say about Shigeru Tsuyuguchi due to the few lines he has. Maybe, if he had been cast in The Cat Returns, I could give a detail opinion. However, Tsuyuguchi has a refined voice which matches the Baron beautifully. Yoshihiko Hakamada is just as refined in The Cat Returns although, when it comes to his speak, he is slightly sharp around the edges. Nevertheless, he makes a great Baron.

Cary Elwes was cast as the Baron for both Whisper of the Heart and The Cat Returns. I can see why. No offence to Americans but I believe that when it comes to bringing refinery to a character like the Baron, a level of sophistication is needed and in the past, Elwes has done it with a natural flair. I mean when he is a pirate in The Princess Bride, he is basically the most sophisticated pirate on screen. I see the Baron as an Errol Flynn type character and Elwes is as close to Flynn as you are going to get in modern times. Unlike Hakamada, he is able to say his lines without any sharp corners which adds to the refinery. After seeing the English dub of The Cat Returns, I knew exactly how Haru felt about the Baron because I had (and still have) a crush on him. If only he had been a human character….

Definitely one of the best English dubs in my opinion although it is a shame that earlier in his career, Elwes also did what I consider to be one of the worst English dubs for a Ghibli anime film (Donald in Porco Rosso but that is for another entry)