NoaIzumiAnime Review: Nausicaa of the Vally of the Wind
June 3rd 2009 23:52
A thousand years after the “Seven Days of Fire” that destroyed civilization, humans survive in the Valley of the Wind, protected from the ecological devastation. But when two other nations uncover an ancient weapon, their conflict pulls the Valley dwellers in, and threatens to wipe out human existence forever. Only the princess Nausicaa can find a way out.
Hitting theaters in 1984, Nausicaa was the first movie to come out of a new anime company known as Studio Ghibli. Being first didn’t make it the best (it took a few movies for the studio to hit its stride), but Nausicaa still stands as one of the finest anime movies ever made.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is widely known as a movie with an environmentalist theme, but its anti-militarism theme is just as strong. The conflict starts off-screen when a God Warrior, one of the weapons that caused such destruction in the Seven Days of Fire, is discovered in the county of Pejite. The nation of Tolmekia then invades and occupies Pejite in order to take it. By the middle of movie, we find that the Pejitians have resorted to drastic measures to overthrow the invaders, measures that now threaten the Valley of the Wind and the entire human race. Both nations have become like the Ohmu insects, so blinded by fear, anger, or self-righteousness that they can’t think straight. The Warrior, meanwhile, is a fairly obvious allegory for nuclear weapons (Miyazaki-sensei laid it on a bit thick in this one).
Signalling the Ohmu
Overall, the thematic elements are very similar to those of the later film from Studio Ghibli, Princess Mononoke, not just in its message but also its characterizations. Like the residents of Iron Town or the scheming priest Jigo, none of the characters in Nausicaa are really evil as such, they’re just doing what they think they have to to survive. This aspect isn’t quite as well-developed here, however. While the viewer sympathizes with the Tolmekians, it’s still pretty easy to see them as villains after seeing what they do to Pejite and the Valley of the Wind. Still, it’s a refreshing change from the usual villain types, especially when you remember that this film was made 25 years ago.
The other Miyazaki elements that can be throughout many of his other films are here too. Nausicaa is a strong and gentle female leader whom everyone looks up to, and the leader of the Tolmekian forces is a strong and tough female leader whom no one would dare cross. Pejite has a princess of their own, who’s as noble as Nausicaa is, although she doesn’t get much screen time (it would have been nice to see more of her).
And there are lots of airplanes, from the big four-winged transports of the Tolmekians to the fighter plane of Pejite to Nausicaa’s single-seat jet glider.
Flying over the Valley
Also, even you normally watch your anime in Japanese, give the English dub a try at some point. Studio Ghibli’s reputation allows it to attract some great voice talent, which here includes Patrick Stewart, Uma Thurman, Shia Lebeouf, and Edward James Olmos.
Great moments: The Tolmekian second-in-command has a Jigo moment when the leader returns after everyone thought she had been killed. “Well, there go my ambitions, back to being a simple soldier. Commander, I’m so glad you’ve returned!”
Extras: Storyboards, promos, Behind the Microphone featurette (a standard on Studio Ghibli DVDs), a thirty-minute featurette on Studio Ghibli (a must-see for any anime fan)
Summary: Beautifully done science fiction adventure with a strong environmentalist and anti-militarist message. Grade: A minus.
Age rating: 13 and up. Violence, including deaths. No fan service to speak of.
| 35 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Comment by NoaIzumi
Fine Politics
Anime Bottle