Howl

Howl, born Howell Jenkins in Wales, was a gifted young wizard who left his world for the magical land of Ingary, becoming powerful but also vain and a notorious heart-eater. He made a deal with the fire-demon Calcifer, giving the fallen star his heart to save it and boost his own magic, which led to him acquiring the name "Pendragon" and a reputation for villainy, all while hiding his true, more compassionate self behind lies and elaborate appearances. Howl was originally Howell Jenkins from the real world's Wales, possessing exceptional natural magical talent. He studied magic, wrote a thesis on it, and eventually found or created a portal to the magical land of Ingary, where he mostly settled. In Ingary, he became the last and favorite pupil of the powerful sorceress Mrs. Pentstemmon. On the Porthaven Marshes, Howl encountered Calcifer, a fallen star in trouble. Feeling pity, Howl made a contract with Calcifer, giving the fire demon his heart. This act bound them together, extending Calcifer's life and significantly increasing Howl's own magical power. He adopted this name in the capital city of Kingsbury. He used this identity in the lower-class area of Porthaven. His name in Market Chipping. His practice of courting many girls and then swiftly forgetting them led to a reputation for eating hearts, a misnomer that actually referred to the scorned girls' angry aunts seeking him out. Despite his power, Howl is a coward, only able to do things by telling himself he's running away. He's also known for his dishonesty and charm. He is extremely vain, spending hours on his appearance and using makeup and fancy clothes to appear more attractive. The act of giving away his heart is implied to have diminished his humanity, a process that mirrored the slow decline of the Witch of the Waste, who had a fire demon for much longer. He spreads rumors about himself to maintain privacy and avoid conflict, preferring to be alone.