Calcifer

Fire demon and contractor powering the castle

A fire demon who exchanged hearts with Howl and serves as the power source for the moving castle. He's a cheeky show-off weak to flattery, but he cares for Howl like a friend.

Quotes

  • “They lived together.”
  • “This castle moves.”
  • “The joy of living.”
  • “The joy of love.”
  • “The heroine is a 90-year-old girl.”
  • “Her lover is a cowardly wizard.”

Trivia

  • Calcifer is a fire demon bound to the castle's hearth and unable to move.
  • Due to the contract, Calcifer's life is directly linked to Howl's heart.
  • Normally uses food as fuel but is weak to water and risks extinguishing.
  • In the finale, eating Sophie's braid dramatically increases his magic.
  • Even after gaining freedom, he returns to the castle residents.
  • English dub voiced by famous actor Billy Crystal.

Alternate names

Fire Demon Calcifer Fire of the Moving Castle

Tags

Howl's Moving Castle Studio Ghibli Fire Demon Wizard Moving Castle Fantasy Witch Contract

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Profile

Species
Fire Demon
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
A blazing fire demon residing in the hearth. Its form is an egg-like mass of flame with facial features like a mouth and eyes.
Distinguishing features
  • Egg-shaped mass of flame
  • Eats fried eggs, bacon, etc.
  • Flame color is usually red or orange
Iconic items
  • Mass of flame
  • Hearth of the moving castle
  • Eggshell
  • Bacon
  • Braided hair (eaten during magic boost)

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Cheerful
Detailed personality
A show-off weak to flattery, desires freedom but basically loyal to Howl. As the castle's power source, he cannot be extinguished and has a sense of duty. Weak to water.
Keywords
  • Cheerful
  • Show-off
  • Contractor
  • Loyal
  • Desires freedom
  • Glutton
  • Fire hazard risk
Talents
  • Flame magic
  • Maintaining contract magic
  • Power supply to the castle
Skills
  • Combustion control
  • Magic amplification
  • Activating traps and defense magic
Motivation
Wants to be freed from the contract's bonds to gain freedom, but also cherishes his friendship with Howl.
Habits
Has a weakness for food, often eats eggshells, fried eggs, and bacon. Sensitive to fire paths and castle adjustments.
Favorite foods
Eggshell, Fried egg, Bacon, Firewood, Kindling

History

Backstory
A fire demon who made a contract with Howl, receiving his heart in exchange for serving as the castle's power source. Unable to leave the castle due to the contract, he yearns for freedom. Bound by the contract for many years and has endured hardship, but his friendship is strong.
Debut date
November 20, 2004
Work title
Howl's Moving Castle
Media type
Movie

Meeting with Sophie

Significant event
Meeting with Sophie
Description
Sophie moves into the castle, and Calcifer asks her, an outsider, to unravel the secret of the contract and free him.

Eating hair to power up

Significant event
Eating hair to power up
Description
In the finale, Sophie gives her own braid to Calcifer, dramatically boosting his magic power.

Contract dissolution and freedom

Significant event
Contract dissolution and freedom
Description
After returning Howl's heart and dissolving the contract, he gains freedom and leaves the castle, but ultimately returns with everyone.

Relationships

Howl

Friend

Contractual relationship but like friends. Shares a heart and linked fates.

Sophie

Ally

Requests help unraveling the contract mystery, finding hope for freedom. She helps with the castle and himself.

Witch of the Waste

Antagonist

Targeted by the Witch of the Waste after her magic was stolen, who aims for his heart.

Moving Castle residents

Moving Castle residents: mascot

Media appearances

Howl's Moving Castle

Movie / Supporting

2004 Japan release

Voice cast and creators

Tatsuya Ijuin

Voice actor
Tatsuya Ijuin
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Theatrical version

Billy Crystal

Voice actor
Billy Crystal
Language
English
Version or series
Disney English dub

Diana Wynne Jones

Creator name
Diana Wynne Jones
Role
Original author

Hayao Miyazaki

Creator name
Hayao Miyazaki
Role
scriptWriter

Hayao Miyazaki

Creator name
Hayao Miyazaki
Role
Director

Toshio Suzuki

Creator name
Toshio Suzuki
Role
Producer

Joe Hisaishi

Creator name
Joe Hisaishi
Role
musicComposer

Studio Ghibli

Creator name
Studio Ghibli
Role
Animation studio

Tokuma Shoten

Creator name
Tokuma Shoten
Role
Publisher

Related goods

Calcifer Figure

Item name
Calcifer Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Calcifer Plush

Item name
Calcifer Plush
Category
Plush or doll
Availability
Regular

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