Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Hayao Miyazaki, Topcraft

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a Japanese animation directed, written by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Isau Takahata. It was based on a manga of the same name by Miyazaki himself. The film was released in 1984. It follows the adventures of Nausicaä, the princess of the Valley of the Wind. Civilisation is on the edge after an apocalyptic war. The world has become toxic and the forests are vulnerable to toxic spores. There are giant insects swarming around this world. Nausicaä is able to connect with the insects, especially the Ohms (or Ohmus). Tolmekian troups arrive led by Princess Kushana and Officer Kurotowa with the intention of taking power.

This is a very thoughtful animation. It deals with concepts of environmental conflict and war in a subtle way. Again we have Miyazaki’s interest in having strong female characters and aeronautics. It has the flair and imagination that would go on to make Studio Ghibli so unique.