Howl's Moving Castle

Romantic anime, what could be sweeter? Howl's Moving Castle is one of my most favorite movies of all time, and it very often winds up on IMDB's list of Top Rated Animation Titles. It was even nominated for an Oscar in 2006 for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year. So you see? It's good.

The gist is that Sophie (voiced by both Emily Mortimer and Jean Simmons) thinks of herself as being rather plain and unattractive. She spends her time working in a hat shop and rarely goes out with friends or family. One day she is walking through the city and soldiers begin to harass her. Suddenly a mysterious man takes her arm and escorts her away. Turns out he is the "wicked" wizard Howl (voiced by Christian Bale) who eats the hearts of young maidens. Or that's the rumor anyway. After Howl takes Sophie someplace safe, she is accosted by the evil Witch of the Waste (voiced by the incomparable Lauren Bacall) who turns her into an old woman. Then Sophie sets out to break the curse and again runs into Howl. The movie gets a lot more complicated and interesting at this point, but I would really hate to spoil any of it for you, because it's just too good. Suffice it to say, the ending is a happy one and the animation is breathtaking.

Now, for a romantic night of watching anime, I think you definitely need a fun, playful, and Japanese menu. Try this:

Cocktail

Apple Soju

Appetizer

Miso Soup
Spring Rolls with Soy Ginger Dipping Sauce

Main Course

Tuna Maki
Crab and Egg Maki with Tobiko
California Rolls

Vegetarian Main Course

California Roll Salad
Vegetarian Sushi

Sides

Spicy Glazed Eggplant
Pickled Vegetables

Dessert

Kabocha Squash Cake with Brown Sugar Cream