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Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind #1
Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind, Vol. 1
Hayao Miyazaki was a budding filmmaker in 1982 when he agreed to collaborate on a project with the popular Japanese anime magazine Animage. This was Nausicaa, which would make Miyazaki's reputation as much as his 11 films and TV shows. Set in the far future, Nausicaa visualizes an Earth radically changed by ecological disaster. Strange human kingdoms survive at the edge of the Sea of Corruption, a poisonous fungal forest. Nausicaa, a gentle young princess, has a telepathic bond with the giant mutated insects of this dystopia. Her task is to negotiate peace between kingdoms battling over the last of the world's precious natural resources.
Nausicaa took Miyazaki 12 years to create, in part because he worked with few or no assistants, doing both the writing and drawing using a meticulously detailed style that critics have compared to the work of the French artist Moebius.
Nausicaa took Miyazaki 12 years to create, in part because he worked with few or no assistants, doing both the writing and drawing using a meticulously detailed style that critics have compared to the work of the French artist Moebius.
264 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 1995
22 people are currently reading
1917 people want to read
About the author
Hayao Miyazaki
369 books3,511 followersHayao Miyazaki (Japanese: 宮崎 駿) is a celebrated Japanese animator, filmmaker, screenwriter, and manga artist, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of animation. He is the co-founder of Studio Ghibli, the animation studio responsible for producing many of Japan’s most beloved and internationally acclaimed animated films. Over the course of a career spanning decades, Miyazaki has developed a reputation for creating visually rich, emotionally resonant stories that often explore themes such as nature, pacifism, flight, childhood, and the human condition.
Miyazaki was born in Tokyo and developed an early interest in drawing and animation. His father’s work in the aviation industry had a significant influence on him, particularly in fostering his fascination with aircraft and flight, motifs that would become prominent throughout his later works. After studying political science and economics at university, Miyazaki began his professional career in animation when he joined Toei Animation. There, he worked under the mentorship of directors like Isao Takahata, with whom he would later form a lifelong creative partnership.
In his early years at Toei and other studios, Miyazaki contributed to several television series and animated films. He worked as a key animator and storyboard artist, gradually gaining recognition for his storytelling abilities and attention to detail. Among his early projects were contributions to series such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Future Boy Conan. His directorial debut in feature films came with The Castle of Cagliostro, a film adaptation of the Lupin III manga series, which already showed signs of his distinctive style and sensibilities.
Miyazaki's breakthrough came with the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga. The success of that film prompted the establishment of Studio Ghibli, which he co-founded with Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. From that point forward, Miyazaki directed and wrote many of Ghibli’s most iconic works, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. His films are known for their hand-drawn animation, strong character development, and philosophical underpinnings.
In 2001, Miyazaki directed Spirited Away, which became one of the most critically and commercially successful animated films of all time. The film received numerous awards and international recognition, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time of its release. The film’s success further solidified Miyazaki’s reputation as a master storyteller and a visionary in global cinema.
Despite announcing his retirement several times, Miyazaki repeatedly returned to filmmaking. His later works, such as Ponyo and The Wind Rises, continued to showcase his evolving themes and storytelling maturity. His most recent project, The Boy and the Heron, marked a highly anticipated return to the director’s chair and once again captivated audiences with its dreamlike visuals and emotional depth.
Miyazaki’s films are often distinguished by their complex female protagonists, environmental messages, and moral ambiguity. Rather than presenting clear-cut villains and heroes, his stories explore the nuances of human behavior and often focus on characters finding their place in the world. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the arts, including lifetime achievement awards recognizing his impact on both Japanese and international cinema.
His legacy continues to influence generations of animators and filmmakers worldwide, and Studio Ghibli remains one of the most respected names in animation.
Miyazaki was born in Tokyo and developed an early interest in drawing and animation. His father’s work in the aviation industry had a significant influence on him, particularly in fostering his fascination with aircraft and flight, motifs that would become prominent throughout his later works. After studying political science and economics at university, Miyazaki began his professional career in animation when he joined Toei Animation. There, he worked under the mentorship of directors like Isao Takahata, with whom he would later form a lifelong creative partnership.
In his early years at Toei and other studios, Miyazaki contributed to several television series and animated films. He worked as a key animator and storyboard artist, gradually gaining recognition for his storytelling abilities and attention to detail. Among his early projects were contributions to series such as Heidi, Girl of the Alps and Future Boy Conan. His directorial debut in feature films came with The Castle of Cagliostro, a film adaptation of the Lupin III manga series, which already showed signs of his distinctive style and sensibilities.
Miyazaki's breakthrough came with the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga. The success of that film prompted the establishment of Studio Ghibli, which he co-founded with Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki. From that point forward, Miyazaki directed and wrote many of Ghibli’s most iconic works, including My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. His films are known for their hand-drawn animation, strong character development, and philosophical underpinnings.
In 2001, Miyazaki directed Spirited Away, which became one of the most critically and commercially successful animated films of all time. The film received numerous awards and international recognition, including an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history at the time of its release. The film’s success further solidified Miyazaki’s reputation as a master storyteller and a visionary in global cinema.
Despite announcing his retirement several times, Miyazaki repeatedly returned to filmmaking. His later works, such as Ponyo and The Wind Rises, continued to showcase his evolving themes and storytelling maturity. His most recent project, The Boy and the Heron, marked a highly anticipated return to the director’s chair and once again captivated audiences with its dreamlike visuals and emotional depth.
Miyazaki’s films are often distinguished by their complex female protagonists, environmental messages, and moral ambiguity. Rather than presenting clear-cut villains and heroes, his stories explore the nuances of human behavior and often focus on characters finding their place in the world. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the arts, including lifetime achievement awards recognizing his impact on both Japanese and international cinema.
His legacy continues to influence generations of animators and filmmakers worldwide, and Studio Ghibli remains one of the most respected names in animation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
July 30, 2011
[This is a review of the whole series.]
Several years back (this was maybe 2002, right before Spirited Away hit American shores) I was finally able to see Hayao Miyazaki’s film Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind. I had heard a lot of good things about it both from friends who adored the bastardized American release fifteen years earlier, Warriors of the Wind, and from friends who regularly sought out Japanese fare. Weeks earlier, I was able to get ahold of a Hong Kong set of all of Miyazaki’s works up to that point and was slowly working my way through the collection. When I finally arrived at Nausicaä, I was very excited, having saved the best for last.
Long story short: it sucked. Or at least it did in my mind at the time. The problem was that I was still too much a purist, too much a fan. It’s an issue that I’ve mostly sewn up in a burlap sack for disposal into the nearby lake, but at the time my disappointment in the cinema realization of Nausicaä was tremendous. The source of my complaint was that I had read Miyazaki’s manga by the same title. Two works, both named Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind. One was a masterwork, an epic adventure fraught with complex characters, intrigue, and a sense of grandeur; the other was just a movie.
I’m sure that I would have loved the animated film as much as anyone else had I not read Miyazaki’s collection of the story in comics form. The problem was that once I had immersed myself so deeply into a sprawling world in which characters were built as if human, with multi-layered motivations, histories, cultures, and customs, the film version almost had to suffer by the comparison. Nausicaä, for many, was an example of Miyazaki’s directing and Ghibli’s animation style in top form. But for me, fresh from what I considered to be one of the best examples of the comics medium, there was no way for me to see the film as anything but a sad, incomplete replica of what was a staggering work of genius.
Granted, Miyazaki was only one-quarter-finished with the story (in comics form) when he made the animated film version of it, so there’s no way it could have the depth of the graphic novel. Granted, it would be impossible to convey even a fraction of Nausicaä‘s story in a single two-hour film. Granted again, I was an overly-invested simpleton at the time, a purist through-and-through, demanding that film versions of beloved stories be faithful adaptations of their source material. It wasn’t a happy way to live, being constantly disappointed by product that didn’t hold its source as valuable as I did. Fortunately, I’ve been healed of my purist tendencies. Maybe I’ll one day be able to approach the cinematic Nausicaä with new eyes. But for now, I’m just happy to reread the original.
The story of Nausicaä is robust. It travels a lot of territory and the narrative terrain shifts constantly. The story at page 100 is different from the story at page 200 is different from the story at page 300. Et cetera. Miyazaki keeps the reader off-balance, constantly renegotiating what his story is actually about. In the hands of a lesser author, Nausicaä would seem a confused jumble of ideas, an evolving puzzle its own author could not solve. Fortunately, and I think most of the world probably knows this by now, Miyazaki is among the best storytellers of our age. It shows in Nausicaä. The sureness of his authorial footing in this book is never at doubt. From beginning to end, we are on his ground and it’s a good place to be.
Nausicaä tells the story of the post-cataclysmic Earth, a millennium after its destruction by the hands of a weaponized robotic army (presumably created by mankind herself). Humanity has barely survived the nuclear fires that tore civilization apart. The earth itself, polluted beyond its ability to heal in a normal manner, has given birth to a terrible new forest. Called the Sea of Corruption, this roiling swath of strange new flora means death to those that it engulfs, for its air is unbreathable. As land becomes more and more scarce due to this growing threat, wars break out and the future of humanity is threatened all the more. In the midst of this, Nausicaä, a princess of a small outlying tribe, seeks to unravel the mysteries of the Sea of Corruption while negotiating a dangerous path between two warring nations. The princess herself is a mystery to all those she encounters, part chaos, part mercy, and always navigating her own path.
This scene ends pretty much how you might guess.
For those familiar with Miyazaki’s films, the art will seem a familiar prototype, an early version of what would become the Ghibli house style for the next thirty years. In tone, Nausicaä probably closest resembles the sometimes violent action and environmentalism of Princess Mononoke (though those that weary of that message shouldn’t be overly put off by its expression here). The story is long and many panels are more text than imagery as Miyazaki attempts to sensibly exposit his narrative. The tale requires patience and perseverance, but it rewards its pursuers. There are a number of great adventures told through the comics medium, but Nausicaä is so far—and pretty easily—the best of show.
[review courtesy of Good Ok Bad]
Several years back (this was maybe 2002, right before Spirited Away hit American shores) I was finally able to see Hayao Miyazaki’s film Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind. I had heard a lot of good things about it both from friends who adored the bastardized American release fifteen years earlier, Warriors of the Wind, and from friends who regularly sought out Japanese fare. Weeks earlier, I was able to get ahold of a Hong Kong set of all of Miyazaki’s works up to that point and was slowly working my way through the collection. When I finally arrived at Nausicaä, I was very excited, having saved the best for last.
Long story short: it sucked. Or at least it did in my mind at the time. The problem was that I was still too much a purist, too much a fan. It’s an issue that I’ve mostly sewn up in a burlap sack for disposal into the nearby lake, but at the time my disappointment in the cinema realization of Nausicaä was tremendous. The source of my complaint was that I had read Miyazaki’s manga by the same title. Two works, both named Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind. One was a masterwork, an epic adventure fraught with complex characters, intrigue, and a sense of grandeur; the other was just a movie.
I’m sure that I would have loved the animated film as much as anyone else had I not read Miyazaki’s collection of the story in comics form. The problem was that once I had immersed myself so deeply into a sprawling world in which characters were built as if human, with multi-layered motivations, histories, cultures, and customs, the film version almost had to suffer by the comparison. Nausicaä, for many, was an example of Miyazaki’s directing and Ghibli’s animation style in top form. But for me, fresh from what I considered to be one of the best examples of the comics medium, there was no way for me to see the film as anything but a sad, incomplete replica of what was a staggering work of genius.
Granted, Miyazaki was only one-quarter-finished with the story (in comics form) when he made the animated film version of it, so there’s no way it could have the depth of the graphic novel. Granted, it would be impossible to convey even a fraction of Nausicaä‘s story in a single two-hour film. Granted again, I was an overly-invested simpleton at the time, a purist through-and-through, demanding that film versions of beloved stories be faithful adaptations of their source material. It wasn’t a happy way to live, being constantly disappointed by product that didn’t hold its source as valuable as I did. Fortunately, I’ve been healed of my purist tendencies. Maybe I’ll one day be able to approach the cinematic Nausicaä with new eyes. But for now, I’m just happy to reread the original.
The story of Nausicaä is robust. It travels a lot of territory and the narrative terrain shifts constantly. The story at page 100 is different from the story at page 200 is different from the story at page 300. Et cetera. Miyazaki keeps the reader off-balance, constantly renegotiating what his story is actually about. In the hands of a lesser author, Nausicaä would seem a confused jumble of ideas, an evolving puzzle its own author could not solve. Fortunately, and I think most of the world probably knows this by now, Miyazaki is among the best storytellers of our age. It shows in Nausicaä. The sureness of his authorial footing in this book is never at doubt. From beginning to end, we are on his ground and it’s a good place to be.
Nausicaä tells the story of the post-cataclysmic Earth, a millennium after its destruction by the hands of a weaponized robotic army (presumably created by mankind herself). Humanity has barely survived the nuclear fires that tore civilization apart. The earth itself, polluted beyond its ability to heal in a normal manner, has given birth to a terrible new forest. Called the Sea of Corruption, this roiling swath of strange new flora means death to those that it engulfs, for its air is unbreathable. As land becomes more and more scarce due to this growing threat, wars break out and the future of humanity is threatened all the more. In the midst of this, Nausicaä, a princess of a small outlying tribe, seeks to unravel the mysteries of the Sea of Corruption while negotiating a dangerous path between two warring nations. The princess herself is a mystery to all those she encounters, part chaos, part mercy, and always navigating her own path.
This scene ends pretty much how you might guess.
For those familiar with Miyazaki’s films, the art will seem a familiar prototype, an early version of what would become the Ghibli house style for the next thirty years. In tone, Nausicaä probably closest resembles the sometimes violent action and environmentalism of Princess Mononoke (though those that weary of that message shouldn’t be overly put off by its expression here). The story is long and many panels are more text than imagery as Miyazaki attempts to sensibly exposit his narrative. The tale requires patience and perseverance, but it rewards its pursuers. There are a number of great adventures told through the comics medium, but Nausicaä is so far—and pretty easily—the best of show.
[review courtesy of Good Ok Bad]
August 13, 2025
Den Film habe ich leider noch nie vollständig gesehen. Der Manga ist großartig, teilweise starke "Dune" Vibes mit den Ohmu und Nausicaä, wie sie mit denen kommuniziert und so. Nur die Story ist teilweise zu komplex oder nicht ausführlich genug erzählt, 1000 Völker, Kaiser und Orte, als Roman würde das glaube ich besser funktonieren. Kann mir auch nicht vorstellen, dass der Film auch nur 50% davon aufgreift. Das war jetzt auch nur Band 1 von 3 und ich hab ein paar Stunden dran gelesen, richtiger Epos.
November 11, 2011
(My review of the whole series)
An incredibly imaginative and (mostly) coherent manga. The setting is a far future Earth where man has almost been overrun by a toxic jungle filled with giant insects, but continues to subsist in a few fuedal kingdoms that wage war on each other with the last remaining bits of technology. The characters, outlandish creatures, mix of technological and primitive, and quasi-Buddhist spiritual themes reminded me a lot of Star Wars. However, where George Lucas is clunky and heavy-handed, Miyazaki draws with a much finer pen (so to speak), creating a saga that eclipses Star Wars in depth and scale and approaches a work like the Iliad.
Nausicaa's world is one you can get lost in. It's epic, tragic, heroic, and beautiful. There are noble heroes, scheming villains, wise mentors, amusing comic relief sidekicks, and a lot of characters who are neither good nor bad, but caught up in existing circumstances. There are scenes of wonder, and scenes of horror. While the story is full of violence, Miyazaki doesn't revel in it. He searches for nobility in his characters, but steeps it in a mourning for the loss of humanity inflicted by greed, lack of respect for nature, and power-hungry leaders. The artwork is stunning in its detail, expression, and total realization of a world -- all the more impressive for being the labor of one guy. And unlike with other decade-spanning mangas, which seem to degenerate into incoherence after a while, this one gradually draws its plot and thematic threads together into a meaningful conclusion.
This is a work for the ages and the world: entertaining, epic, poignant, and something that could have only come out of Japan. I'm not even a particularly avid consumer of graphic novels, but I'd recommend the whole seven volume set to anyone who remotely enjoys them. Don't bother with the animated movie of the same title -- it doesn't come close.
An incredibly imaginative and (mostly) coherent manga. The setting is a far future Earth where man has almost been overrun by a toxic jungle filled with giant insects, but continues to subsist in a few fuedal kingdoms that wage war on each other with the last remaining bits of technology. The characters, outlandish creatures, mix of technological and primitive, and quasi-Buddhist spiritual themes reminded me a lot of Star Wars. However, where George Lucas is clunky and heavy-handed, Miyazaki draws with a much finer pen (so to speak), creating a saga that eclipses Star Wars in depth and scale and approaches a work like the Iliad.
Nausicaa's world is one you can get lost in. It's epic, tragic, heroic, and beautiful. There are noble heroes, scheming villains, wise mentors, amusing comic relief sidekicks, and a lot of characters who are neither good nor bad, but caught up in existing circumstances. There are scenes of wonder, and scenes of horror. While the story is full of violence, Miyazaki doesn't revel in it. He searches for nobility in his characters, but steeps it in a mourning for the loss of humanity inflicted by greed, lack of respect for nature, and power-hungry leaders. The artwork is stunning in its detail, expression, and total realization of a world -- all the more impressive for being the labor of one guy. And unlike with other decade-spanning mangas, which seem to degenerate into incoherence after a while, this one gradually draws its plot and thematic threads together into a meaningful conclusion.
This is a work for the ages and the world: entertaining, epic, poignant, and something that could have only come out of Japan. I'm not even a particularly avid consumer of graphic novels, but I'd recommend the whole seven volume set to anyone who remotely enjoys them. Don't bother with the animated movie of the same title -- it doesn't come close.
September 13, 2019
A beautiful manga from a master artist. It has exciting action, memorable characters, a compelling plot, and a powerful environmental message. The translation in this Perfect Collection is also very good despite there being two or three moments that felt a little choppy. Considering this volume is 261 pages of indispensable beauty, those few choppy moments are quickly washed away.
Can’t wait to read the other three volumes and to re-watch the film when I’m done. The more I see from Hayao Miyazaki, the more I love and respect his creations.
Can’t wait to read the other three volumes and to re-watch the film when I’m done. The more I see from Hayao Miyazaki, the more I love and respect his creations.
August 6, 2010
Even though the manga and the movie have a number of differences, Miyazaki's incredible story telling make it absolutely possible for both to be good. An breathtaking classic, I couldn't help but finish this quickly, even though I don't as-of-yet have access to the rest of the series. Wonderful.
February 10, 2022
One of the all-time greatest environmental and anti-war epics ever created. I've loved these books for years, and Miyazaki remains one of my great inspirations.
Read
January 2, 2026i am really not used to the manga format, especially right to left. still fun 👍 nausicaa is a badass
March 6, 2018
Several years ago I saw the movie version of Nausicaa and loved it. I never knew it was based off of graphic novels until later. Apparently there are four of these so I’ll have to read the rest for sure.
This is really different from the movie with a heck of a lot more going on! It took me a few days to read this because each page is jam packed lol. There are more battles and you learn more about this world they live in. I also understand Nausicaa’s connection to the ohmu a bit more now.
I will have to rewatch the movie now that I’ve finished the first volume because it’s been awhile since I’ve last seen it. I remember most of how things went down in there compared to here but would like to see it again and pay attention to the differences. I will definitely read the rest of these! Hayao Miyazaki truly is a wonderful artist and storyteller.
This is really different from the movie with a heck of a lot more going on! It took me a few days to read this because each page is jam packed lol. There are more battles and you learn more about this world they live in. I also understand Nausicaa’s connection to the ohmu a bit more now.
I will have to rewatch the movie now that I’ve finished the first volume because it’s been awhile since I’ve last seen it. I remember most of how things went down in there compared to here but would like to see it again and pay attention to the differences. I will definitely read the rest of these! Hayao Miyazaki truly is a wonderful artist and storyteller.
August 20, 2011
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is one of my favourite films and I've wanted to read the original manga for awhile. Much of the film is taken from the content in this first volume. For the most part I really enjoyed it! I wouldn't say the artwork is staggering, but Miyazaki manages to convey an extrememly strong characterisation for Nausicaä that really made me care about her and her world and plight. Sometimes I found the action sequences a bit chaotic (from my limited experience, this has been a common thing in manga) and towards the end of this volume the plot started to feel a bit convoluted with all the factions in play... nevertheless it seems like a very strong work and I look forward to reading the following 3 volumes.
December 6, 2022
As someone fairly uninitiated on Miyazaki's impressive body of work, I really enjoyed this first volume of Nausicaä. There's a whimsical majesty to the world constructed in this series that is absolutely hypnotic and engrossing. While there's at times too much happening on a given page and it can get a bit disorienting, I felt that the easiest way to engage with this series was to just completely let go and be taken on a ride. The storytelling is a bit cluttered and perhaps future volumes will clear that up - but the artwork was enthralling stuff.
April 8, 2009
I would say that this is better than the movie, but they are peeeety much exactly alike. The graphic novel could have been, and probably WAS, the storyboard for the film.
Well drawn, engaging story, several moral lessons snuck in under the radar and with little-to-no preaching. Also, it made me cry. So there's that.
Well drawn, engaging story, several moral lessons snuck in under the radar and with little-to-no preaching. Also, it made me cry. So there's that.
June 14, 2015
Gosh, I'm trying to find a way to get into manga, but it's just not happening. I kinda like the storyline, but it was difficult for me to follow who was saying what, which wasn't helped by the muddy, claustrophobic art. It hooked me enough that I'm going to try the movie to see if I can parse things better there.
October 30, 2015
one of my favourite miyazaki movies, but the manga doesn't translate well for me - i think i find it a bit confusing visually. the art is gotgeous but tends to distract from the text and there's a lot going on on each page - especially during action sequences. but the story is compelling and it does have a very nostalgic quality for me.
December 15, 2024
It pains me to only give this 3 stars when I love the movie. But I couldn’t follow the story here. I was too confused by all the different factions and who was fighting who.
Awesome world and art but I’ll stick to the movie.
Awesome world and art but I’ll stick to the movie.
August 28, 2014
What an incredible story! I love how Miyazaki explained how he came up with the story of Nausicaa in the end of this book. It makes me want to read more and more of his stories.
Read
November 21, 20163.5-4 stars. Definitely better than the movie. But I need to get the rest of the series. To be continued at the worst possible moment.
June 17, 2025
Much more sophisticated and viscerally violent than the Studio Ghibli film adaptation, Hayao Miyazaki’s unfiltered Nausicaä is a dark fantasy read that truly rivals Dune and probably Game of Thrones with its world-building and the war that dominates it, but still has his trademark oddball charm, powerful messaging, and magnetically strong heroine.
October 6, 2025
Ahh this is the version I read not the other one....
From old post:
✋😮🤚Cinema!
The source material for my favorite miyazaki movie, he was writing it while the movie was made so it wasn't finished. Just like this review
From old post:
✋😮🤚Cinema!
The source material for my favorite miyazaki movie, he was writing it while the movie was made so it wasn't finished. Just like this review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 24, 2025
Amazing!!! The worldbuilding is just fantastic.
September 12, 2025
Einfach wunderbar gezeichnet und fantastisches Storytelling und Worldbuilding.
June 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Stunning, stirring, and quietly revolutionary, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Vol. 1 opens Hayao Miyazaki’s epic with the grace and urgency of a true classic. Set in a world ravaged by ecological collapse and poisoned landscapes, the story weaves together fantasy, science fiction, and philosophy into something utterly original. Nausicaä herself is a radiant protagonist—fierce yet gentle, intuitive yet grounded. Her connection to the Ohmu and the decaying natural world is deeply moving, and her empathy becomes a quiet force of resistance in a world addicted to war and survival at any cost.
Miyazaki’s illustrations are rich in texture and imagination, balancing chaotic action with serene, contemplative panels that feel almost meditative. The Sea of Corruption is haunting and strange, a character in its own right, and the tension between nature and mankind pulses through every scene. But what makes this first volume truly shine is its emotional depth—every choice Nausicaä makes feels like a stand for something bigger than herself.
This isn't just a post-apocalyptic fantasy. It’s a call for balance, humility, and peace in the face of devastation—and it's only just beginning.
Stunning, stirring, and quietly revolutionary, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Vol. 1 opens Hayao Miyazaki’s epic with the grace and urgency of a true classic. Set in a world ravaged by ecological collapse and poisoned landscapes, the story weaves together fantasy, science fiction, and philosophy into something utterly original. Nausicaä herself is a radiant protagonist—fierce yet gentle, intuitive yet grounded. Her connection to the Ohmu and the decaying natural world is deeply moving, and her empathy becomes a quiet force of resistance in a world addicted to war and survival at any cost.
Miyazaki’s illustrations are rich in texture and imagination, balancing chaotic action with serene, contemplative panels that feel almost meditative. The Sea of Corruption is haunting and strange, a character in its own right, and the tension between nature and mankind pulses through every scene. But what makes this first volume truly shine is its emotional depth—every choice Nausicaä makes feels like a stand for something bigger than herself.
This isn't just a post-apocalyptic fantasy. It’s a call for balance, humility, and peace in the face of devastation—and it's only just beginning.
August 11, 2025
Der Film ist einer meiner Lieblingswerke von Hayao Miyazaki, aber den Manga hatte ich nie gelesen. Ich bin froh, dass ich die Geschichte endlich nachholen konnte und mit den weiteren Bänden mehr über diese Welt erfahren kann.
Ansonsten kann ich nicht viel dazu sagen. Fünf Sterne weil wegen Nostalgie.
Ich mag die Zeichnungen. Aber ich muss zugeben, dass ich - wenn ich nicht in Ruhe gelesen und mir mit den Panels Zeit gelassen habe - bei den Soldaten Schwierigkeiten hatte, sie zu unterscheiden.
Ansonsten kann ich nicht viel dazu sagen. Fünf Sterne weil wegen Nostalgie.
Ich mag die Zeichnungen. Aber ich muss zugeben, dass ich - wenn ich nicht in Ruhe gelesen und mir mit den Panels Zeit gelassen habe - bei den Soldaten Schwierigkeiten hatte, sie zu unterscheiden.
January 21, 2012
This is just about as good as it gets. I love me some manga, but the only thing that maybe comes close to this in epic storytelling is Akira, and I think I like Nausicaa a little better.
I originally read these in the single-issues version from the 80s. I like reading it in this more compact "Perfect Collection" version, but I don't know if it really benefits from the reduction of the page size. There are definitely places where the panels get a bit small for the amount of action in them, and it can make details of what's happening a bit unclear.
Story-wise, things get kicked off pretty well in this volume. I can see how a first-time reader might think that the storyline will follow a pretty standard and predictable route, but it's no spoiler to say it definitely doesn't. Even having read this before doesn't dampen my excitement for what's coming up.
I'd seen the Nausicaa anime before reading these and wasn't too impressed - even though Miyazaki is one of the greatest living filmmakers, I generally love his more whimsical stuff more than his heavier-handed environmental stuff (though Nausicaa DOES have airships, AND one of my favorite scenes in any movie ever). But, again like Akira, the manga wasn't done when the movie was made, and that seems to be where the film falls short. The scope of the manga is so much more vast, and the story is much more involved. The charm of Miyazaki's films translates well to the page (or maybe it's the other way around), and you get a lot of the same emotional impact.
I don't know if this is currently in print or not (if not, it's a shame) but this is well worth seeking out.
I originally read these in the single-issues version from the 80s. I like reading it in this more compact "Perfect Collection" version, but I don't know if it really benefits from the reduction of the page size. There are definitely places where the panels get a bit small for the amount of action in them, and it can make details of what's happening a bit unclear.
Story-wise, things get kicked off pretty well in this volume. I can see how a first-time reader might think that the storyline will follow a pretty standard and predictable route, but it's no spoiler to say it definitely doesn't. Even having read this before doesn't dampen my excitement for what's coming up.
I'd seen the Nausicaa anime before reading these and wasn't too impressed - even though Miyazaki is one of the greatest living filmmakers, I generally love his more whimsical stuff more than his heavier-handed environmental stuff (though Nausicaa DOES have airships, AND one of my favorite scenes in any movie ever). But, again like Akira, the manga wasn't done when the movie was made, and that seems to be where the film falls short. The scope of the manga is so much more vast, and the story is much more involved. The charm of Miyazaki's films translates well to the page (or maybe it's the other way around), and you get a lot of the same emotional impact.
I don't know if this is currently in print or not (if not, it's a shame) but this is well worth seeking out.
July 23, 2013
1.VIZ GRAPHIC NOVEL
2.7/2 = 15 minutes, 7/5 = 20 minutes, 7/7 = 35minutes
3.7 words summary: Nausicaa - forest - voice - ohme - calm - friend - rescue
4. Q. Do you like animals? What animlas do you like?
A. I really like animals. Especially I like baby animals such as puppy and kitty.
5. Honestly, I have watched this movie on TV in Japanese. I am happy to read this work in English! My biology teacher in high school said to us in her class, she was Nausicaa of Heisei era. That was so funny, but I really think so. She rally love animals like Nausicaa. Actually, I also admired Nausicaa when I was a junior high school student :)
2.7/15 = 30 minutes, 7/16 = 40 minutes
3.7 words summary: atack - princes - ship - fight - tree - limb - burn
4.Q. Have you ever fighted with somebody with your anger?(I don't know this expression is correct or not.) When did you do that?
A. Actually I have. When I was a forth grader in elementray school, my friend funed of me. Then I punched my friend.
5. Nausicaa is very clever and kind girl. She tries not to kill warms as possible. It is very difficult thing for me because I often try to kill mosquites when I find them, espaccially summer.
2.7/20 = 35 minutes, 7/22 = 40 minutes
3.7 words suumary: enemy - prepare - war - warrior - cut - hair - present
4.Q. When do you cut your hair? Why do you cut your hair?
A. I do not decide when I cut my hair. I ussually cut my hair when I think I want cut my hair. However, actually I do not have time to go and cut my hair...
5.I thought that when I think about "peace", I have to think about "nature" such as warm, tree or animals. It is very important, I found.
2.7/2 = 15 minutes, 7/5 = 20 minutes, 7/7 = 35minutes
3.7 words summary: Nausicaa - forest - voice - ohme - calm - friend - rescue
4. Q. Do you like animals? What animlas do you like?
A. I really like animals. Especially I like baby animals such as puppy and kitty.
5. Honestly, I have watched this movie on TV in Japanese. I am happy to read this work in English! My biology teacher in high school said to us in her class, she was Nausicaa of Heisei era. That was so funny, but I really think so. She rally love animals like Nausicaa. Actually, I also admired Nausicaa when I was a junior high school student :)
2.7/15 = 30 minutes, 7/16 = 40 minutes
3.7 words summary: atack - princes - ship - fight - tree - limb - burn
4.Q. Have you ever fighted with somebody with your anger?(I don't know this expression is correct or not.) When did you do that?
A. Actually I have. When I was a forth grader in elementray school, my friend funed of me. Then I punched my friend.
5. Nausicaa is very clever and kind girl. She tries not to kill warms as possible. It is very difficult thing for me because I often try to kill mosquites when I find them, espaccially summer.
2.7/20 = 35 minutes, 7/22 = 40 minutes
3.7 words suumary: enemy - prepare - war - warrior - cut - hair - present
4.Q. When do you cut your hair? Why do you cut your hair?
A. I do not decide when I cut my hair. I ussually cut my hair when I think I want cut my hair. However, actually I do not have time to go and cut my hair...
5.I thought that when I think about "peace", I have to think about "nature" such as warm, tree or animals. It is very important, I found.
March 2, 2014
By far the most beautifully-drawn, sweeping graphic novels I have ever had the privilege of reading. The books go much more in-depth than the movie (which is excellent on its own), and makes it a much more complex story that likely requires a few reads to fully grasp. It's hard to not be the slightest bit guilty while reading, since it concerns humanity's future in a world twisted with pollution, and the nature of human lust for war. On the other hand, Nausicaa is a grounded and lovable heroine. I can't get enough of her - she is trusted by many because there isn't a thought in her head of exploiting anything. She executes impetuous solutions where others see only problems. She makes mistakes, some that cost lives. Her reasoning is always very quick, and she doesn't back down. The forest and the insects welcome her alone.
There is an afterword by Miyazaki in the end of the first book that explains the origin of the name Nausicaa, as well as an adorable passage about how he is not a good enough artist to draw another manga series. Har har, HM.
Go read these books. They will make you think and feel a great many things.
There is an afterword by Miyazaki in the end of the first book that explains the origin of the name Nausicaa, as well as an adorable passage about how he is not a good enough artist to draw another manga series. Har har, HM.
Go read these books. They will make you think and feel a great many things.
November 17, 2019
Ну что. Миядзаки – наше все. Не знаю, какие впечатления у смотревших экранизацию, я уже от одной манги расчувствовалась донельзя.
Одна из основополагающих идей тут навевает неизбывную печаль. Это даже не вечное стремление к уничтожению себе подобных (типичное для человечества), а разлад между человеком и природой. Навсикая служит хрупким мостиком, способным восстановить взаимопонимание, гармонию, единение. А вокруг – людская жестокость и беспощадность пост-апокалиптического мира.
Повествование не может похвастаться гладкостью полета, местами сложилось впечатление, что главы писались разрозненно. Не знаю, особенность ли это только моего издания, но нумерация глав у меня вовсе отсутствует – возможно, еще поэтому непросто переключаться между сценами. В какой-то момент продираться сквозь страницы стало сложновато, рисунок плотный, а экшн-сцены не всегда разборчивы. Но все это ушло на второй план, как только втянул сюжет. Читаем дальше)
hisashiburi
Одна из основополагающих идей тут навевает неизбывную печаль. Это даже не вечное стремление к уничтожению себе подобных (типичное для человечества), а разлад между человеком и природой. Навсикая служит хрупким мостиком, способным восстановить взаимопонимание, гармонию, единение. А вокруг – людская жестокость и беспощадность пост-апокалиптического мира.
Повествование не может похвастаться гладкостью полета, местами сложилось впечатление, что главы писались разрозненно. Не знаю, особенность ли это только моего издания, но нумерация глав у меня вовсе отсутствует – возможно, еще поэтому непросто переключаться между сценами. В какой-то момент продираться сквозь страницы стало сложновато, рисунок плотный, а экшн-сцены не всегда разборчивы. Но все это ушло на второй план, как только втянул сюжет. Читаем дальше)
hisashiburi
August 1, 2013
This book, and its further volumes, has had a profound influence on my own writing and on my perception of this world and the role of heroes. The art work is detailed and complex, never rushed or incomplete. The story explores an enormous number of themes, from the role of humanity in this world, the destruction of life and even how and why military units operate and hold together.
It is a sad story with so many wonderful characters dying, or turning evil. Yet many others gain insight into their own weaknesses, rising above that petty desires to become better persons. As for Nausicaä, she is like a straight beam of light, moving through a dark world, changing, growing and becoming stronger in courage and understanding as she seeks out the ultimate selfish plans and creation of a godless being. If you read all the volumes, you are into a long read, but well-worth the satisfying ending.
It is a sad story with so many wonderful characters dying, or turning evil. Yet many others gain insight into their own weaknesses, rising above that petty desires to become better persons. As for Nausicaä, she is like a straight beam of light, moving through a dark world, changing, growing and becoming stronger in courage and understanding as she seeks out the ultimate selfish plans and creation of a godless being. If you read all the volumes, you are into a long read, but well-worth the satisfying ending.
June 17, 2015
I think my mobile phone was not the best medium to read this on. The drawings had so much detail that it was difficult to see what exactly was happening.
The story was good. A lot of fantasy elements completely different from anything Ive seen before. And also as a major in climate studies (more or less) I loved the environmental angle. However the storytelling itself was not that original. It stays in fantasy archetypes. So definetly a book for people who are looking for an epic fantasy epos with a lot of cool and new ideas, but who care less about originally of the storyline. THis is only volume 1 and it has already 250+ -so definetly not a series you have to be afraid to finish to quickly.
I will probably also check this one out if I can read it on a bigger screen or preferably on paper.
The story was good. A lot of fantasy elements completely different from anything Ive seen before. And also as a major in climate studies (more or less) I loved the environmental angle. However the storytelling itself was not that original. It stays in fantasy archetypes. So definetly a book for people who are looking for an epic fantasy epos with a lot of cool and new ideas, but who care less about originally of the storyline. THis is only volume 1 and it has already 250+ -so definetly not a series you have to be afraid to finish to quickly.
I will probably also check this one out if I can read it on a bigger screen or preferably on paper.
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