A Film by Hayao Miyazaki

Ghibli Fest 2023 has reached the half-way mark with the fifth showing of the year, the classic animated masterpiece, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Nausicaä is directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, and aside from the Spirited Away stage play, every film featured this year has been one of his. Even though Nausicaä was made before Studio Ghibli was founded, it is often considered a Ghibli work (Much in the same way Castle of Cagliostro is). For nearly forty years, Nausicaä has been captivating audiences with its imaginative storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and thought-provoking themes and is an animated film that transcends its genre and medium. Released in 1984, this pinnacle of 80’s anime remains an enduring classic that continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of animation and storytelling.

In June, Fathom Events almost did a double-bill with this and Castle in the Sky airing on alternating days. This actually made it hard for me to see both in theaters, seeing that I just started a new job, but thankfully Nausicaä was on a Sunday afternoon.

“Far in the future, after an apocalyptic conflict has devastated much of the world’s ecosystem, the few surviving humans live in scattered semi-hospitable environments within what has become a “toxic jungle.” Young Nausicaä lives in the arid Valley of the Wind and can communicate with the massive insects that populate the dangerous jungle. Under the guidance of the pensive veteran warrior, Lord Yupa, Nausicaä works to bring peace back to the ravaged planet.”

One of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’s most remarkable aspects is the film’s world-building. Miyazaki’s creative genius is evident, even this early on, as he crafts a rich, immersive universe filled with lush landscapes, unique cultures, and a detailed history that draws viewers into the story even with a limited runtime. Most long-form animated films have trouble producing a compelling setting for their narrative, but here we have near perfection in just over two hours. While we don’t get huge exposition dumps very often, one really gets a feel for the relationship between the three main cultures featured in the film (The Kingdom of Tolmekia, Pejite, and The Valley of the Wind), as well as the troubled history that explains the apocalyptic state of the world.

One of the main themes in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is the juxtaposition of beauty and decay and whether humans can truly be one with nature or be destined to live in fear of it. The toxic jungle especially reflects this complex relationship between humans and nature, prompting viewers to look inward to the consequences of environmental negligence. Unlike films such as The Lorax, this messaging is never heavy-handed or ham-fisted, but the film goes to great lengths to explain that humans are very much to blame for their current predicament, especially after developing an abhorrent race of kaiju-like super weapons that basically “nuked” everything.

Nausicaä (Voiced by Allison Lohman in English), herself, is a magnetic protagonist that stands defiantly against modern interpretations of what a Strong Female Lead character should be. In modern films, most female leads descend into a state of cynical, if not hollow, corporate pandering. Unlike typical “princess characters” that populate most children’s films, Nausicaä is not defined by her beauty or romantic interests, but by her compassion, bravery, and intelligence. She is revered by her people, and envied by her enemies. Miyazaki expertly weaves her growth as a character throughout the narrative, making her an inspiring role model for audiences of all ages.

She is joined by a myriad of other interesting characters including Asbel, a Prince of Pejite (Voiced by Shia Lebouf in the English dub), Lord Yupa, a master swordsman (voiced by Patrick Stewart), and Kushana, the Imperial Princess of Tolmekia (voiced by Uma Thurman). Mark Hammill and Edward James Olmos make English voice appearances as well.

The film’s animation, though created in the ’80s, still holds up remarkably well in 2023. Granted, I prefer the aesthetic and art stylings of animated productions of that era, but I would challenge many modern films, save something by Makoto Shinkai or Mamoru Hosoda, to look this good. If anyone reading this review is a fan of French graphic novels, one can easily draw comparisons between some of the ideas found in Nausicaä and the works of French artist Mœbius (aka Jean Giraud). This is definitely by design, as Miyazaki has said he was very inspired by Jean Giraud, and even sat down at one point to discuss their love of each other’s works.

“Through Arzach, which dates from 1975 I believe. I only met it in 1980, and it was a big shock. Not only for me. All manga authors were shaken by this work. Unfortunately when I discovered it, I already had a consolidated style. So I couldn’t use his influence to enrich my drawing. Though, even today, I think he has an awesome sense of space. I directed Nausicaä under Moebius’ influence.”

2004 by Point du jour and Laurent Cotillon (Ciné Live n°86, January 2005)

The hand-drawn artistry of Nausicaä showcases Miyazaki’s attention to detail and commitment to every frame. He’s an incredible story-boarder, and as anyone can attest that have watched documentaries about his work ethic, he is very meticulous, and a perfectionist – perhaps to a fault. Standouts in the film are sequences involving airships and flying in general. Miyazaki is obviously some kind of aviation otaku, and this always crops up in his works in some way. Even something as innocuous as Lupin III episodes he worked on, have all-manner of weird airships and planes peppered throughout. The action sequences are enthralling, and the flight scenes, in particular, exude a sense of freedom and wonder that few animated films have managed to achieve since.

Long-time Miyazaki collaborator, and friend, Joe Hisaishi’s sublime musical score is incredible here. He always creates music that manages to elevate the emotional depth of the story, and his catalog speaks for itself. My son, who is seven and likely not familiar with musical tropes of the 80’s, was head-bobbing and enjoying every second of what he heard. While not my favorite Joe Hisaishi score, this one is up there in the top five, at least.

The film’s themes are as relevant today as they were when it first graced the silver screen, if not even MORE now. Considering how little many seem to care about the environment, something like this would like become politicized at berated today, which is a shame. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind implores viewers to consider the consequences of their actions on the environment and the importance of empathy and understanding between different forms of life. Miyazaki’s portrayal of war and its devastating effects on both nature and humanity leaves a lasting impact, encouraging us to strive for a better, more harmonious world. This is an overall theme that populates most of Miyazaki’s works, and it’s on full view here.

In conclusion, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is an enchanting masterpiece of animated fantasy that stands the test of time. Hayao Miyazaki’s exceptional storytelling, combined with stunning animation and a thought-provoking narrative, makes this film a must-watch for not only anime-fans, but anyone who appreciates the power of cinema and its ability to transport us to extraordinary worlds while reflecting on our own. Whether you are an animation enthusiast or a casual moviegoer, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is an experience like no other.

That’s it for now, join me again soon when I catch up and review Castle in the Sky!