Out of some of Hayao Miyazaki's most well known films toi always have one main girl and one main boy. Such as:
Princess Mononoke: Ashitaka and San
Spirited Away: Haku and Chihiro
château in the Sky: Pazzu and Sheeta
Howl's Moving Castle: Howl and Sophie

I don't know if anyone else has noticed but out of these four guys, Howl is the only selfish one! :)

Ashitaka risks his life to save San and the forest she loves. He freaking gets shot in the chest to get her out of harms way! He's Awesome!
Haku helps Chihiro sneak around, taking her to see her parents who were cursed to be pigs, saving her clothes and reminding her what her name is. He even strikes a deal with Yubaba to gain her freedom! Haku is the coolest river spirit dragon ever!
Pazzu instantly loves Sheeta, toi can tell. Even when the "bad guys" take her away he pines for her. He goes back to find her and save her because he cares for her. Pazzu is such a gentle charmer!
Then we have Howl (yay!!!!) He's selfish, a bit of a coward, vain, and a total slacker. Why do we l’amour him so much? Because he's hilariously! Because he's so human, he need Sophie and she changes him to be a better man because he falls in l’amour with her. He takes care of her and she takes care of him. Because even though Howl is completely and totally flawed, he's wonderful. Thank toi Hayao Miyazaki for making us all daydream about animé guys! lol