I hope you all enjoy the video!

Nausicaa is such an underrated movie! Most people list Totoro or Spirited Away as their favourite Studio Ghibli movie, but Nausicaa is definitely my favourite! The worldbuilding and artwork is beautiful and Joe Hisaishi’s music really ties it together. I always figured that the story felt somewhat incomplete, and after reading the manga I understood why Miyazaki was reluctant to put together the movie, but still an amazing story. Also bonus that Disney brought in Patrick Stewart for Lord Yupa

I saw Nausicaa at a very young age in the 80s. For many years I believed i had dreamt seeing the movie. I had vivid pictures in my mind for many years but I could not remember where they came from. One day in my teens I saw pictures from the movie and I could not believe it actually existed. Then I was able to import it on DVD and seeing it again was a revelation. It is still one of my favorite films to this day.

“Our lives are like the wind… or like sounds. We come into being, resonate with each other… Then fade away.” -Nausicaa

I'm not crying, I've just got some toxic fungi spores in my eye :'))

sorry, how does this only have 3,000 views? i was expecing at least 10x that when i scrolled down. this was honestly the best ghibli essay i have watched... maybe ever. the comparison with his other movies, the way the wind and life and war themes interact with everything, and to capture that all in only 16 minutes??? wow. just wow. the time whizzed by. i have a feeling i will be rewatching this one a few times lol. this was not only a great video on miyazaki, but of worldbuilding, culture, story, and theme. thank you so much for this creation

0:25 Mass destruction from American bombing 2:50 Atomic bombs 1:50 Survived American air raids 4:10 Nausicaa manga starts 4:50 The movie that made Ghibli 6:50 Nuke 9:45 Pacifism 10:00 Patriarchial Ghibli tropes - 10:10 Strong women 10:20 Planes 11:00 Miyazaki bombs 11:30 Just like the Nobel Prize 12:00 First Ghibli movie bought by them later 13:45 Get yeeted 13:52 Hot dessert wind - Italy ruled Libya as a colony 14:30 Caproni 15:45 We must live 11 movies so far

not exaggerating, one of the best video essays ive seen. simply masterful.

Nausicaa is definitely my favourite Miyazaki film! I showed it to my children when they were young. I also showed them Totoro. Interestingly, it was my eldest who first shared Spirited Away with me! She's a huge fan of all things Japanese!

Very few Western writers explore the paradox of pacifism or consider its virtues, even though it is a component of both Buddhism and Christianity. Nausicaa and Trigun and other Eastern stories do this with great sincerity. I love them for that even though pacifism seems to lead to impossible situations sometimes.

Miyazaki is a director whose films I should definitely watch at some point. It's a gap in my anime knowledge that needs filling more than the others.

The long lasting impact of the bombings from WWII are fascinating. It's almost like an entirely new culture grew from it and Japan moved in a brave new direction afterwards. Looking into The Wind Rises and learning more about where Japan was pre and post-war, I'm obsessed with this idea that Japan would be a vastly different place without having been bombed to hell. Nausicaa seems like a story that would have never been created without the impact of WWII on Japan.

What I always found an interesting idea was the theme of some great power before or during the war having designed the toxic jungle in order to reset the human mindset and only allow it to prosper again if they learn their lesson. In the manga not only is there a vault of sorts containing the knowledge and technology of the times before the war, which the people now are unabled to build on their own and literally have to mine out of ancient ruins which Nausicaä in the end has to destroy for it not to fall in the hands of a warlord, but also is nausicaä shown a part of the earth already cleaned from the human pollution and destruction in which life again can prosper in the old ways. In that sense the manga can be seen to strongly advocate those who embrace change and loss, as Nausicaä in that sense is one of the first humans to come to terms with the rebirth of society also in the sense that she and all the others have to die together with the insects and thereby metaphoricaly with the old ways in order for humans as a whole to return. (In the manga this is explained by the humans of the time being dependent on the toxins of the forest to survive). Only if the tendency to cling onto the old ways of living can be given up everyone can prosper again. The humans shown in this work quite metaphoricaly do not deserve to have this technoligy and therefor are literally unable to build it. While an enviornmentalist, Mihazaki still clearly loves modern technology (be it with stilistic alterrations), yet here already he wants to show that todays humans for the most part do not respect the power of technology in their hands. And while Nausicaä sees all of that, she is very much a tragic hero in that she knows that she will never see the results of her struggle, yet she still fights on faced with subsequent doom. This really is my only problem with the film: Nausicaä should have died. I think the message would have been more impactful that way. Yet on the other hand I absolutely love the end of the manga, as I said: while it will take a long time for humans to learn to respect nature and their own technology, they still must live to that day and not give up, just because they know problems won't be solved in their lifetime. I hope you could follow, my english isn't that good.

Wow... I appreciated the look into this film and Miyazaki as a whole! It was hilarious (but true) to me when you were listing the traits of his films and listed cuteness.

Paradoxical beauty is a good way, especially when it comes to Anime, to describe the beauty for a dystopian or post-apocalyptic future. It’s certainly a good reason why I still enjoy Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind after many years. Thank you for your video essay.

this is easily one of the best video essays i’ve ever seen... a couple weeks ago i was looking for a video about this film that accurately reflected its effect on me and this is the only one on youtube that has accomplished it. your channel deserves to blow up and i wish you the best in your efforts on youtube!

Really hope someone answers the earrings question lol

The intro is so perfect. The music and tapestry perfection

Makes me want to watch all of em in order again

This is easily one of the best video essays I've ever watched, and one of the best discussions of Miyazaki's work in relation to his life. This is great work, and Nausicaä is such a wonderful movie. New subscriber here for sure.

Great stuff Dak, this helped me understand and appreciate the movie more.

Finally, someone who gets it! What a wonderful piece of work. I'm so happy you gave Nausicaa the analysis no one else had in this platform.

The opening to this video. Me just sitting there and INSTANTLY noticing one of my FAVORITE pieces of fiction EVER, was like one of the best feelings I've ever felt.

Thank you. There's not a lot of video essays on Nausicaa, but this is easily the best one. Exploring the themes not just as they relate to the movie, but how they intertwine with the authors metavision of the world and their own past is exactly what I watch these kinds of videos for You just got yourself a subscriber

Great video man, never thought about it until you laid it out like that but his career kinda begins and ends with The Wind

Thankyou for making this video- nausicaä has shaped my whole being

This was beautiful, I very VERY sincerely not only liked but LOVED this video, it made me cry, I dont know what it was about your choice of words and images but it touched me deeply. Maybe because I have such a deep love and fascination for Nausicaä, maybe something else, but all in all this was a most beautiful video essay that I cant believe is just 16 minutes long with the vast amount of information and emotion crammed inside. Thank you for making this.

When I was little, like kindergarten little, I had a favorite film that I knew for some reason or another as "Choppy and the Princess". I must'v asked my mom to rent "Choppy and the Princess" for me about a thousand times and each time she'd rent it for me, I'd watch it and re-watch it over and over again until that somber bell would toll, "Time... to... take... the... video... back." The film took root deep in my soul. Years went by and life got busier. Video's were replaced with DVDs and eventually the places we'd rent them from disapeared altogether. When I was old enough to look for "Choppy..." I looked and looked and looked. But nothing. I would ask everyone I met who ever claimed to haver an interest in film. Nothing. That brave princess who flew through the skies above desert terrain, those menacing, yet misunderstood giant fishmoths that aged through the sands covered in eyes, the boy with the fiery spirit always too quick to reach for his gun, and of course there was a plethora of characters and themes I'd altogether forgotten, they all remained with me for years until I had no choice but to think them all a dream. But then... Then, when I was 31 years old, I began to work for a company and one of my colleagues was an avid Ghibli fan. One night he leant me his copy of "Nausicaä" and upon getting home, pretty drunk and already sentimental as, I popped it into my PC's DVD slot. Witin ten minutes, my eyes were streaming with hot tears. I'd found my Choppy. Or more specifically, my princess. The rest is history. Nausicaä, as it turns out, is probably the reason that at the age of 44 I'm still single. It's become quite apparent to me that she formed the archetype of my goddess. Every aspect of her character is to me something divine. Why shouldn't it be so? She stilled the raging ohmu with a few flashbangs and charmed it home with a little hand-held wind-powered noisemaker. She sacrificed her very life to stop the devastation that up to that point seemed inevitable and sure to destroy everything she loved, which was, well, everything. I'm no animator, though I dabble in storytelling, and Hayao Miyazaki is among my top three greatest heroes of all time.He taught nme love before I knew how to read the title on a VHS cassette cover. A man like that with a spirit like that can never die, and thanks the gods for that.

I did enjoy the video and it reminded me this : "Was my papa brave ? The bravest of us all, because he was never afraid to embrace the things he didn't understand." - Anya - Metro Last Light

Very fascinating essay that really dives into the history of Miyazaki, this film, and how those histories go backwards and forwards to show how it all connects, how it all continues.

I just had to disable "Remove KZfaq Suggestions" FFox addon to pay my respect to this creation. Thank you, it has shown me some things I have not yet named but admired in Miyazaki's work. The theme of strong and wise men standing behind strong and wise headed women with even wiser hearts (Nausicaa) ismy theme. And I strive to be like Lord Yupa. Thank you for makeing this with such insight and depth good sir! I'd love for you to make an analysis of the symbolics of Howl's moving castle.

great work!! love your style. I can see a lot of research was done behind this, and I love the detailed analysis

I really enjoyed this video. I wanted to pick out a particular point you made that resonated, but I think it will all sit with me for a while. So thank you.

Really awesome video - choked me up in several moments

Love your analogy of the movie. Nausicaa is one of my all time faves in the Ghibli movies. I also recommmend everyone to read the manga itself, there's a lot of details there that you'll find interesting.

Great video, definitely going to binge more when I can.

Such a great video! Thank you! Nausicaä is such a wonderful film.

Fantastic work

beautiful video

I really enjoyed your essay, thank you!

What a lovely essay, so powerful and beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us

Well done Dakota. This is what you were meant to do. Amazing presentation and history lesson on one of the greatest animators ever

Great video, looking forward to next month's video.

Good stuff. I enjoyed this video tremendously. Keep up the good work. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Amazing video! Great job, man.

If you liked this video, you're definitely going to love my video contribution to last month's Director Project: How Spielberg Brought Dinosaurs Back To Life. It's HEAVILY researched and painstakingly realized, and I hope you check it out! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nLB2aqx-zrCoh5s.html

Good video man! Just what I need

I find it so absolutely amazing that people are still fascinated and curious about Miyazaki's works! Having grown up on almost all of his movies in an American State that is perpetually burning, one can imagine the impact of these movies and the environment on a younger me. I knew that there was some sort of fascinating connection between his works - hell, I have a pretty convincing theory that Castle in the Sky and Nausicaä happen in the same universe! - but I never fully understood what. This video, though, finally capped it all off, neatly tying a bow on the matter. My seven-year-old self would be screaming right now!! Thanks for the brilliant video :3

hopeful 2021 will be a better year

Finally got the chance to watch it (sorry about that) and awesome video as always man!

This is a wonderful exploration of this great director. Thank you for this. Drawing out his core beliefs and replaying them in his art. Wow. Wish I could watch Studio Ghibli films. Ugh. What a beautiful story. Thank you.

Great video, hope more people discover your channel!

This is a really nice observation of all Miyazaki's work. Superb analysis!

this deserves so many more views

Great essay!

Great video.

Now that I've seen the film, I have to say that, even though it's his second feature as a director, it feels like his first that's legitimately cinematic in its own right rather than a glorified TV series. I find it interesting that it's based on his own manga series, since the film doesn't really do much for me, actually. While I appreciate the themes and the visuals, the plot seems to be missing something and I'm wondering whether that has anything to do with it being an adaptation of a series that was, at the time, ongoing. Maybe if I were to read the now-complete manga series, I'd get more out of it?

Quite a brilliant way to introduce newcomers I feel. Well done.

thank you.

Great video about my favourite film of all time. Nausicaa is one of the perfect protagonists... kind, strong, but flawed, and with indomitable empathy. Even better in Japanese - NOWSHKA!

The angel of light has come

Ghibli studio should be regarded as a treasure of the entire world.

Nausicaa, to this day, is my favorite character to point to as a strong female protagonist. I absolutely everything about her and her story! Probably why its also my #1 favorite Ghibli film

Happy Belated birthday, Nausicaa! 37! To the best of Cancers.

Finally someone said something abt the repeating earrings

Don’t forget to leave a like on the video 👍

Please make star wars timeline video (i don't really need it, i just like your way of describing timelines)

Interesting film.

For any Nausicaa fans, do yourself a favour and find [Joe Hisaishi in Budokan] Studio Ghibli 25 Years Concert [HD 1080p] here on youtube. It opens with Nausicaa and is profoundly moving.

Brilliant essay. I am an animator and have been heavily influenced by Hayao Miyazaki. I have been interested particularly in the effect of the atomic bomb post WWII in Japanese art. I look forward to viewing your other essays. Do you cover other Japanese directors like Mamoru Oshii who directed Ghost in the Shell 1995? You have a new subscriber.

If you enjoyed this video, then you should absolutely watch Future Boy Conan. It's virtually completely unknown in English-speaking territories, but recently received an English release. Watching Conan will change the way you look at Miyazaki's future works. Many of the inspirations talked about in this video are featured prominently, in their first iteration.

5:22 Ah, the spores have returned as cordyceps

I salute you Hayao MIYAZAKI

When is version 7.0.0 o f the mcu chronological timeline coming out i have been waiting

I just rewatched it today in a film festival. It was 1/ my first time watching it in a theater (I had seen it 2 or 3 times before, but years ago, and in less than ideal screens), and 2/ right a few days after seeing the new Dune in Imax. And GODDAMN these 2 movies are shockingly parallel to each other !!! The Messianic tale of a prophetized chosen one person, able to understand its environment, a fatally dangerous overwhelming forceofnature, invaded by a ruthless militaristic nation who's trying to tame and colonize the local indigenous people who learned to live with said dangerous environment... While facing mysterious gigantic creatures who are true forces of nature mercilessly able to engulf anything in their path, but also wise enough to be the wardens of their world... The parallels between these 2 movies, split almost 40 years apart, are pretty shocking ! Even though Dune is easily one of the most spectacular movies of all times, and Nausicaä was done in 1984, it didn't age a single bit, and majestically stands the test of time (I'd even argue that it is even more relevant nowadays than 40 years ago) and certainly doesn't have anything to envy Dune in both scope, spectacle, and emotions (I'd even argue that as spectacular as Dune is, Nausicaä made me feel much more emotions).That's really to attest on the absolute genius of Miyazaki (and yes, his childhood marred by firsthand visions of the destructions of war definitely helped bring his vision to life). One of the absolute cinematic masterpieces of mankind's history ! And this essay did a fantastic job at doing it justice.

Wow this was a fantastic video, Imcredibly in depth and thorough. I think this was my favorite infomational video on Miyazaki, and even the best speculative one. You're really great man. Also about the earrings, could they be ones miyazakis mother bore? Miyazaki often alludes to his mother in his work, And the red earrings could symbolize his mother in a character: Nausicaa, Ponyo's mother and the witch of the waste I admit the witch isn't a great character to reference ones mother, but her strength and might comparable to the god, Ponyo's mother, (Granmamare) and the warrior princess Nausicaa. They all show fantastic strength but also warmth and care, especially when the witch is drained of her power she becomes a sweet and caring old lady, loveable and modest. (Notibally sophies mother also has red earrings but they are round) Granmamare is the mother of ponyo and is in all movies possibly the most beautiful and caring motherly figure, her awesome power also makes her mighty yet her humble personality and humanity despite her being a goddess is a fantastic quality, a fantastic visualization of perhaps Miyazakis mother. And Nausicaa depicted a great and strong woman who sought peace between people but was also mighty and able in battle. Again one with great power who choses pacifism and humility to persue researvh and peace.

What is the music used from 13:15?

I suggest you watch Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo. It’s a live action short film prequel to Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. You should talk about it.

I love Naussicä

Nausicaa is a message from Miyazaki to us, if god created a earth full of wind and water in 7 days, us humans managed to burn it all down with fire in the same matter of time. These warriors are the souless humans we are, who rotten the planet. Blind to how nature only wants prosperity, us humans feel scared to its power to take life and to bring it. It will be when oceans dry, and the wind stops blowing, that we will understand where we failed.

Got one on Shinkai?

Amazing video 👏 loved every minute of it! But If anyone knows the song at 12:04 it would greatly appreciate it

Very wizard

How does nobody ever bring up the importance of romanticism in Miyazaki's movies. The motives are actually similar to a point where video essayists who talk about his work could as well be making a video on the German romantic Casper David Friedrich or even Joseph von Eichendorff.

a good in depth video, one of my favorite videos, but didn't know we'd live today with masks and how they both almost predicted this would happen in our world today, sometimes I forget how Nausicaa showed me that.

it baffles me you did not mention mobile suit gundam at the start, as its one of the heavy hitters in the anti war culture that was in a lot of early anime.

What movie is those black flying things in the sky from? 0:27

ナウシカが1番好き。漫画版はもっと好き。次にもののけ姫、かぐや姫の物語、ラピュタ、耳をすませば、紅の豚、となりのトトロが好きかな。全部好きだから何とも言えないけど。 戦争との絡みと言うのであれば、動画の方がおっしゃるようなAKIRAやゴジラはもちろん、未来少年コナン、攻殻機動隊とか。未来少年コナンは宮崎駿作品だけど、海外の人があげているのをほとんど聞いたことないかも。ふしぎの海のナディアも印象にのこってるかな。私もまだまだいろいろ見れてないから見ていきたい。

What anime is 07:02?

A new wind in the Anime industry... That's a powerful Ethos for a company.

i just want to let you all know i personally love Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki’s movies Studio Ghibli to me is the Disney of japan and can very much kick disneys ass animation wise :)

It's at 6:34. Blink and you'll miss it.

when people talk about these older anime they always mention how the US bombed Japan with fire bombs and the nuclear bombings, but they never mention how japan was actively breaking the Geneva convention. "However, in 1942 Japan made a promise to abide by its terms and indicated it would observe the Hague Convention of 1907" maybe if japan wanted to keep their civilians safe they should not have committed War Crimes 🤷‍♂

Seems almost like JarJar Abrams ripped off Nausicaa for his Rey of the Disney Starwars Trilogy. Similarities are striking

Howls moving castle

1:13 that was on purpose, wasn't that? Odyssey, Nausicaä?

I thought humans found the giant warriors and tried to use them for war

nausicaa was supposed to be a movie but the idea was constantly shut down because of no origonal work to base it off of, so they made it, miyazaki wasnt happy with making a manga JUST to base the movie off of it because he saw it as disrespectfil to the art form, so he made an entire manga instead of just *enough* for the movie to work

Nausica also doesn't wear pants or panties.

its ghibli not jibbly, just clearing that up