Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
k-0da
Nausicaä: Valley of the Wind is an answer.
Gen Urobochi, creator of visual novel Saya no Uta, recently interviewed with Defaminicogamer. In said interview, he expressed how people today were looking for stories that provided “antidotes” to reality, as opposed to than “poison” his own work and others offer. “Antidote” in this case referring to escapism, and “poison” acting as a blanket term for work that makes you uncomfortable; stories that force you to confront reality, or something within yourself.
The world has gotten exponentially worse since the release of Saya no Uta, and unfortunately no fleshy anime girls have arrived to herald said impending catastrophes. Societies in the Northern Hemisphere, if they choose to acknowledge environmental or economic collapse at all (“If it hasn’…
Read at the sourceJxbinha
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind has one of the most interesting worlds and concepts among the Studio Ghibli movies I've watched. The environmental themes, the conflict between humanity and nature, and the idea that neither side is entirely simple or innocent make the story feel surprisingly complex.
Nausicaä herself is also a great protagonist. I really liked her compassion and determination, especially because she constantly tries to understand both humans and the creatures around her instead of immediately choosing violence. The world feels dangerous and chaotic, but she represents a different way of facing those problems.
That being said, I think this is one of those movies where I appreciated the ideas more than I actually connected with the story itself. There is a lot happening, a…
Read at the sourceelumizu
The world of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is one where both humanity and the environment are already living under constant threat. Centuries after a catastrophic conflict known as the Seven Days of Fire, the planet has been left deeply scarred. Vast regions of land are now uninhabitable, and the remnants of human civilization survive only in small and fragile communities scattered across the edges of a hostile landscape. Within this fragile world lies the small kingdom known as the Valley of the Wind, home to Nausicaä. Unlike many other regions, the valley is protected by steady ocean winds that prevent the poisonous spores from settling there. This natural barrier allows its people to survive in relative peace, but their safety is far from guaranteed. The expanding jungle and the am…
Read at the sourceTippydaug
This movie, though somewhat slow-paced at times, has a beautifully unique charm to it. What’s more, the slow pacing captures a mystery that would easily be lost if it was fast-paced and lacked room to breathe while also allowing ample time to sit and take in the gorgeous artwork (which is here in full force).
Though beautiful, it’s easy for a story like this to get lost in itself with world-building and backstory. However, Nausicaä does an excellent job of balancing the introduction of these elements throughout rather than flooding them all at the beginning. It kept me intrigued enough to want to learn more while not boring me with endless exposition.
On top of that, Nausicaä has a cast of truly loveable characters that kept me hooked from the very start. I’ve heard this movie described…
Read at the sourceFrimonio
This is the 3rd Ghibli's movie I've watch alongside Kaguya and Mononoke. Whitout being as good as Mononoke, we need to understand that this was the first "Ghibli" film, becouse Studio Ghible wasn't even formed by the time of Nausicaä release.
The story, even being a little cliche in the line of 80's anime movies, gives the vibes that no other than Miyazaki would be able to create such a beautiful story.
The animation is outstanding, which is impressive since Ghible wasn't even created. I really like the fact that Miyazaki, at thet moment, still was really influenced by his work on Heidi and you can see, specially in Nausicaä's design, the same stile.
But for me, the best as always in Ghibli's films, is the worldbuilding and the music. The folkloric village songs that sound in the Valley…
Read at the sourceCynical_Cynthia
Rather than nature being at the mercy of humans, Nausicaä lives in a world where humans live at the mercy of nature. Yet even in such a scenario, she lives in balance and harmony with, and respects, the world around her, and it's this love for nature, along with her staunch pacifism that make Nausicaä an endearing character in a movie with no time for dynamic character development.
The scene of nature is also underscored by the imaginative world the movie takes place in-it's easy to agree with Nausicaä's disposition about her environment because all the creature's are so damn cool. The tanks, giant planes, and weapons of mass destruction, on the other hand, are ugly by comparison, Inviting a thematic contrast between industry and mother nature.
Which brings me to the antagonist of the…
Read at the sourceShumi_Reviews
Considered to be the first Studio Ghibli film, Nausicaa Valley of The Wind is a beautiful tale of humanity trying to overcome its greed lead by fear in the face of a violent reactive mother nature. The whole film carries an environmental narrative where excessive consumption and destruction has caused the earth to deteriorate and then fight back in the form of deadly flora and arthropod fauna, while our lead protagonist “Nausicaa” an insect whisperer tries to find a way to turn every one on the same side.
The Plot flows very nicely with multiple layers setting up the characters, world building and story. No, plot device is wasted like the giants at the beginning, the multiple factions or the prophecy, all of them get used till the end. The characters are pretty decent as well, apart from…
Read at the sourcetoxxick
Why should you watch Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind in 2026?
Nausicaa isn't "classic Ghibli".
It's feral Ghibli - the one with dirt under its nails.
The visuals aren't clean, digital, or polished.
They're grainy, hand-drawn to the bone.
You don't just see the lines.
You feel the drag of graphite resisting the paper.
The pressure of middle-aged fingers that have drawn for decades.
Palms darkened with embedded pencil dust. A small plastic eraser lying on the desk.
Warm.
Worn down.
Its crumbs scattered like ash across the paper.
This is the opposite of the 2020s "smooth, hygienic, pastel aesthetic".
It's a sketch of a storm rolling in over a dead beach.
And the sketch started breathing.
When you watch it, you don't just see the screen.
You smell the salt in the tide.
You taste the grit…
Read at the sourcejay_quelin
I'm not much of a fan of 80s dystopian sci-fi genres so this film was kinda on the "meh" side. The characters are fine, the art style and animation looked great; however, I just didn't find the story that interesting. Nausicaa's pacifism, her empathy towards the Ohms, and her environmental understanding of the toxic jungle never really clicked with me. It just made her look like your typical Mary Sue with zero character flaws. Some people may argue, "Oh, but she killed those Tolmekian soldiers out of hatred." Bro, they were invading her valley, agitating the Ohms, and taking them hostage. Tf did you expect her to do? Also Kushana is probably the worst villain you could ever imagine. I didn't find Kushana threatening. I just found her annoying, ungrateful, and stubborn. Kushana did not serv…
Read at the sourcemaya_kotori
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is another incredibly interesting and wonderfully original story. It has that rare kind of world‑building that immediately pulls you in. A mix of post‑apocalyptic atmosphere, deep environmental themes, and a heroine who feels both powerful and gentle at the same time. The film’s ideas are bold, thoughtful, and far ahead of their time, which makes the whole experience unforgettable. I really loved the way the story was crafted. The pacing, the visuals, the emotional weight, everything feels carefully considered and beautifully executed. It’s one of those films that makes you think long after it ends, not just about its world, but about ours too. What’s surprising is how many people still don’t know about this movie, even though it absolutely deserves far m…
Read at the sourceHERMIT_PAIMON
Ghibli never ceases to amaze. This movie is beautiful with an impactful message
A another masterpiece from master Miyazaki arsenal.He is such a generous man compiling a complex story in a big world with control isn't a easy task , in most of cases writers fails to end the story properly but Miyazaki is different. No doubt some of Miyazaki stories have a rush ending but they are far better than others .
If we talk about the movie it's fantastic from a to z . Sometimes it makes you laugh sometimes it makes you cry and question stupid humanity. Nausica is a punch of flavours in short .
Read at the sourceNullRay_85
1984's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is often regarded as Studio Ghibli's first-ever film, but it wasn't! It released just a year before the studio's foundation. Produced by Topcraft, it featured the talents of Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki--- all of whom would go on to found Ghibli shortly after the film's release. I haven't seen a good Ghibli flick in a while and Nausicaä looked like something I might enjoy. So, did it deliver?
STORY - After a tragic calamity destroyed the world 1000 years ago, humans live in a ravaged land as dominated by deadly inscets known as "Ohms" and struggle to get by. Nausicaä, a princess of the wind kingdom, explores the world using her sky-glider while yearning for peace between humans and the ohms. When her home is invaded by a neigh…
Read at the sourceravenagotica
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a film that deeply touches both reason and emotion. It invites us on a journey of contemplation about humanity’s relationship with nature, war and hope.
From the beginning, the film evokes a bittersweet sense of beauty and melancholy. The world ravaged by pollution and war takes us to a future that seems both distant and frighteningly close. In the midst of this chaos, Nausicaä emerges, a protagonist who not only defies conventional standards of heroism, but redefines them. She seeks not to destroy her enemies, but to understand them. Her affection for the Ohmus (the giant insects) and her willingness to dialogue even with those who see her as an enemy teach us about empathy and sacrifice.
Joe Hisaishi’s score elevates this emotional experience, with…
Read at the sourceAYBILA
A masterpiece, we see how strong and noble the Princess is. The conflict between nature and humans is present in this film as in many of the director's films. Dystopia and characters are perfectly crafted.. I first watched this work on TV when I was a child and I couldn't get over it for days, it entered my dreams. When I look at it again today, I still feel like I am a child in front of this work. A collective consciousness and a very tight bond between death and life, reaching God, understanding Him, being a part of a great whole, approaching the threshold of comprehending all chaos and order. It manages to make me cry every time, the production that knows the secret, all praises are for you. <3 It is unique in terms of showing that we can cause the destruction of our planet in wars that…
Read at the sourceBanMii
A Timeless Masterpiece: Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Studio Ghibli’s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is not merely an animated film; it’s an emotional odyssey that challenges viewers to think deeply about humanity’s relationship with nature, technology, and themselves. Directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, this 1984 classic stands as a towering achievement in animation and storytelling, paving the way for the creation of Studio Ghibli itself.
The story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world, where toxic jungles and gargantuan insects dominate the landscape, threatening the survival of humanity. At the heart of the narrative is Nausicaä, the princess of the peaceful Valley of the Wind. A heroine like no other, Nausicaä is courageous, empathetic, and deeply connected to the natur…
Read at the sourceAchi88
I'm only writing this review since there's so few mixed or negative ones, if I had enjoyed the film I wouldn't have bothered since that would just be heaping praise on the huge pile of prior praise, but more negative viewpoints might be more important to showcase.
The film started out strongly by setting up an interesting post-apocalyptic world. But as the story progressed things just happened willy-nilly with zero to no explanation, and by the end the whole story and world just felt shallow and basic. At the start you might wonder: Wow, why is the world ruined like this? Why are there giant insects roaming about and why do they have a spreading eco-system that kills the world? Why does Nausicaä seem to be able to communicate with insects? What's all that stuff about a prophecy? The answ…
Read at the sourceCaptainSalty
I went to see this film in theaters during the Ghiblifest 2024, where I also rewatched Spirited Away. This film blew me away that despite it being Ghibli's first, I'm hesitant to say it may be the best I've seen so far. I loved the world they had set up with the forest and different nations, the ways of transportation via wind, the characters and their diehard dedication to them, the beautiful soundtrack, the captivating story. I loved all of it. It feels on par with Spirited Away yet I want to lean more towards this film for its more interesting world. Both were spectacular and I highly recommend watching this film, a wonderful experience. If you love Ghibli and want to see their first project before they were an established studio, this is a huge treat.
Read at the sourceDylansTrashTaste
This is the first movie I watched during my Ghibli binge, and it did not disappoint! However, it seems that people either think this is one of Ghibli’s best works and that it changed the animation industry forever, or that the movie is a poorly written, preachy dumpster fire of a film with unlikable characters and a confusing plot. I don’t fully agree with either side though, and while I think this is a great film, there’s several flaws that I believe it possesses.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi film that takes place 1,000 years after a great war that wiped out a majority of the population. The film follows a young girl named Nausicaä as she tries to bring peace to the valley and protect the environment as well as the creatures that live there.
Story:
6/1…
Read at the sourceCyanCheetah
Man Nausicaa was amazing. Hayao Miyazaki really had a strong "start" here. I enjoyed the animation, animation was amazing. The sound effects were phenomenal too. The story was also really good as well. Nausicaa was a good lead actor, but man this was good. Now only a few more till my Miyazaki marathon is done, can't wait for the new one coming out next year!
The story: I loved the whole women-main role part. It was so good! I also loved the synopsis of the girl on the ship that was nice.
The animation: Man the animation was top notch for the time. There was so much attention to detail espeically in the small town and ships. It was all so smooth as well!
The music and sound: By god is the music good. There is also so much attention to detail in the chirps and the background noise as we…
Read at the sourcedocaau
Kazee no Tani no Naushika, or Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is a animation movie from 1982 by a writer, director and illustrator Hayao Miyazaki. In comparison of the standard Miyazaki, that movie stands out by the explicit way of how shows important and critic topics, that until today can be inserted in comparison and metaphor for the reality. Nausicaa can merge all the Miyazaki enchant with your bizarre creatures and all the feeling behind the wars, almost how no ethical sense Kushana acts being an antagonist and show us the greatest revenge sense that can be have.
All the conflicts between the nation represents a sad and melancholy ambiente, that bring to us a mind of how things like this could be happen in a dystopian place. Nausicaa is a great lesson of compassion, but not only…
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