Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä

A millennium has passed since the catastrophic nuclear war named the "Seven Days of Fire," which destroyed nearly all life on Earth. Humanity now lives in a constant struggle against the treacherous jungle that has evolved in response to the destruction caused by mankind. Filled with poisonous spores and enormous insects, the jungle spreads rapidly across the Earth and threatens to swallow the remnants of the human race.

Away from the jungle exists a peaceful farming kingdom known as the "Valley of the Wind," whose placement by the sea frees it from the spread of the jungle's deadly toxins. The Valley's charismatic young princess, Nausicaä, finds her tranquil kingdom disturbed when an airship from the kingdom of Tolmekia crashes violently in the Valley. After Nausicaä and the citizens of the Valley find a sinister pulsating object in the wreckage, the Valley is suddenly invaded by the Tolmekian military, who intend to revive a dangerous weapon from the Seven Days of Fire. Now Nausicaä must fight to stop the Tolmekians from plunging the Earth into a cataclysm which humanity could never survive, while also protecting the Valley from the encroaching forces of the toxic jungle.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Nausicaä Main

Shimamoto, Sumi Japanese

Kushana Main

Sakakibara, Yoshiko Japanese

Lord Yupa Main

Naya, Gorou Japanese

Asbel Main

Matsuda, Youji Japanese

Teto Supporting

Yoshida, Rihoko Japanese

Ohmu Supporting

Kurotowa Supporting

Kayumi, Iemasa Japanese

Niga Supporting

Yada, Minoru Japanese

Pejite Mayor Supporting

Mugihito Japanese

Mito Supporting

Nagai, Ichiro Japanese

Takahata, Isao Producer

Miyazaki, Hayao Director, Script, Screenplay, Character Design, Original Creator

Shiba, Shigeharu Sound Director

Tanazawa, Takashi Episode Director

Reviews

Dec 5, 2024

BanMii

Recommended

A Timeless Masterpiece: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Studio Ghibli’s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is not merely an animated film; it’s an emotional odyssey that challenges viewers to think deeply about humanity’s relationship with nature, technology, and themselves. Directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, this 1984 classic stands as a towering achievement in animation and storytelling, paving the way for the creation of Studio Ghibli itself.

The story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world, where toxic jungles and gargantuan insects dominate the landscape, threatening the survival of humanity. At the heart of the narrative is Nausicaä, the princess of the peaceful Valley of ... the Wind. A heroine like no other, Nausicaä is courageous, empathetic, and deeply connected to the natural world. Her unwavering determination to heal the rift between humans and nature is both inspiring and poignant.

Visually, Nausicaä is breathtaking. Every frame is a work of art, from the sweeping vistas of the toxic jungle to the intricate designs of the Ohmu, the massive, otherworldly insects that embody the mysterious beauty of Miyazaki’s imagination. The animation is fluid and expressive, capturing the delicate balance between fragility and power that defines the film’s aesthetic.

The soundtrack, composed by Joe Hisaishi, elevates the film to celestial heights. The music is hauntingly beautiful, blending ethereal melodies with moments of intense emotion. It weaves seamlessly with the visuals, creating a sensory experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

What sets Nausicaä apart is its profound message. It’s a cautionary tale about environmental degradation and the consequences of human arrogance. Yet, it is also a story of hope, emphasizing the power of compassion and coexistence. Nausicaä herself embodies these ideals, becoming a beacon of light in a world shrouded in despair.

This film is more than an anime—it’s a philosophical exploration of humanity’s future and a call to action. Its themes remain as relevant today as they were when it first graced the silver screen, making it a timeless work of art.

For fans of animation, environmental storytelling, or simply extraordinary cinema, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is an absolute must-watch. It’s a film that doesn’t just entertain—it enlightens, leaving viewers with a renewed sense of wonder and responsibility for the world around them.

Studio Ghibli’s debut feature is, without question, one of the greatest animated films ever made. Nausicaä’s story continues to inspire audiences worldwide, reminding us of the profound impact one person can have when driven by love and hope.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Aug 20, 2024

CaptainSalty

Recommended

I went to see this film in theaters during the Ghiblifest 2024, where I also rewatched Spirited Away. This film blew me away that despite it being Ghibli's first, I'm hesitant to say it may be the best I've seen so far. I loved the world they had set up with the forest and different nations, the ways of transportation via wind, the characters and their diehard dedication to them, the beautiful soundtrack, the captivating story. I loved all of it. It feels on par with Spirited Away yet I want to lean more towards this film for its more interesting world. Both were spectacular ... and I highly recommend watching this film, a wonderful experience. If you love Ghibli and want to see their first project before they were an established studio, this is a huge treat.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Sep 29, 2024

Achi88

Mixed Feelings

I'm only writing this review since there's so few mixed or negative ones, if I had enjoyed the film I wouldn't have bothered since that would just be heaping praise on the huge pile of prior praise, but more negative viewpoints might be more important to showcase.

The film started out strongly by setting up an interesting post-apocalyptic world. But as the story progressed things just happened willy-nilly with zero to no explanation, and by the end the whole story and world just felt shallow and basic. At the start you might wonder: Wow, why is the world ruined like this? Why are there giant ... insects roaming about and why do they have a spreading eco-system that kills the world? Why does Nausicaä seem to be able to communicate with insects? What's all that stuff about a prophecy? The answers given were: WAR BAD. POLLUTION BAD. INSECTS CLEAN POLLUTION SOMEHOW. SHE JUST CAN SOMEHOW. LOL I DON'T KNOW, MAGIC I GUESS. Not satisfactory answers in the slightest, so at the end I just felt like I'd watched a two hour long children's fable or an overly convoluted and long Captain Planet-episode.

The positives are the good (not great) animation, the fact that the violence depicted in the film actually has realistic effect (not like in Porco Rosso where the guns don't seem to actually do anything and I don't even understand why people are afraid of them), and the music is quite pleasant as well. If the runtime had been ~90 minutes and if they had explained the stuff that happened a bit better then the movie would have been a 7 or 8, but as it stands I can't give it more than a 6, slightly above a passing grade.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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