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Summary: In Search of the Peaceable Kingdom
Review: Master of Japanese animation Hayao Miyazaki found himself without any film prospects on the horizon in 1982 and so agreed to begin work on a manga (comic) story to be serialized in the popular Japanese animation magazine, "Animage." After going on for thirteen years, in 1995 the beautiful and moving epic "Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind" finally came to an end. Now collected into four compact trade paperback volumes, at 1,060 pages long, in terms of scope, grandeur and emotional impact, this science fiction/fantasy saga is the "Lord of the Rings" of comics (and since comics are both written words and pictures, this analogy holds true whether the comparison is with J.R.R. Tolkien's books or Peter Jackson's films). I have not been this enraptured by a work of graphic literature in a long time, if ever, and the experience was one of the most engaging and moving I have ever had in any form of fiction.Nausicaä is a Princess in the Valley of Winds, located near the borders of the Sea of Corruption, a dense jungle of fungus that constantly releases a miasma of poisonous spores deadly to anyone but the giant insects who live there. The environment has been devastated by a global war, the Seven Days of Fire, that took place in the distant past, and now the few remaining human settlements vie for what little inhabitable land is left. Nausicaä is a remarkable character in a story filled with remarkable characters. She is a pacifist in the truest sense of the word, not only rejecting violence and war as a means of solving problems, but having a calming effect on both the animals and people she encounters. She possesses an uncanny psychic ability to communicate with animals from her faithful fox-squirrel companion, Teto, to the whale-sized armored caterpillars known as the Ohmu. Her powerful charisma gains her the unwavering devotion of friends and the admiration of her enemies. Despite her commitment to peace, she is also an accomplished fighter, which is evident on the rare occasions when her rage overpowers her compassion. Lastly, she is an expert wind rider, sailing through the clouds in her jet-powered glider and performing aerial acrobatics no other pilot would dare to attempt. When her beloved Valley faces invasion by the imperial forces of Torumekia, lead by Princess Kushana (sort of the "shadow" Nausicaä, although not without many redeeming qualities), Nausicaä and Teto embark on a journey to save not only her people, but also the world. The adventures that follow form an eco-feminist fantasy about courage, honor, compassion, the folly of tampering with nature, and the power of love and friendship. Storytelling does not get any better than this.
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Summary: Nausicaa; a true 'Graphic Novel' in every sense of the term.
Review: -----Outside of the US borders, Miyazaki is almost universally regarded as the best director and writer of animated movies(in Japan, 'anime'. See alt.fan.miyazaki). His films have won numerous awards, and in the Animation 'Nausicaa of the valley of the wind.', the Character 'Nausicaa' has been often regarded as the most admirable fictional character in fiction. Despite this, I say that the character development, drama, and storyline of his graphic novels far exceeds that of the animated video(not available in any reasonably accurately translated form in the US, but very well known in Japan and amongst fans of Foreign animation.) --The story of Nausicaa is set in the earth's future. The immense wars that Humanity had waged have wiped out all major cities, and the remnants of technology that remain--airships, and a few other toys--cannot be repaired when they break down. Most of the surface of the land is covered with poisonous forests--forests which release debilitating miasma and which contain many immense and formidable insects, and which grow larger and larger each year, threatening the healthy land--that is, the land which people can live and farm on. The valley of the wind is protected from the Miasma by--you guessed it--wind, and the people of the Valley are happy in their lifestyle under the rule of Nausicaa's father.. ..until, that is, an airship from a foreign kingdom crashes in their valley.. --for this is not a story about nature, conservationism, and living in harmony with nature(though these do, naturally, creep in)--this is a drama about politics, wars, intrigue and the value of life. Adventure is far from absent in this fantasy tale, but it's not the swordplay, gunfights, and chases that will make you want to buy the entire series.. --it's the way the books play with your mind. Check it out
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Summary: not comic, this is art.
Review: I am surprised that USA people watch this comic series in addition to the same title movie. As you know, Naushika's story don't finish to the movie. The truth story start from reading this comic. Even if Japanase read them, the story is a little difficult, but there are more wondeful things than the minus point.
For instance, the drawing ways. Generally comic(Japanese MANGA) is simple drawing. But the comic is very detailed drawing. They is like art rather than comic. And in addition to the wonderful drawing,the expression of the character's face is very excellent, for instance joy, sarrow, longing, anger... Mr. Miyazaki can write their expressions very well. There are writers that can write comics very well in the world, but there will not are writers that can write their expressions of face very well. If there are people that was moved when watched the movie, absolutely we recommend this comis..art series. You will not waste your money by buying this arts series. I am sorry for my poor English.
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Summary: Nausicaa changed the way I thought about the world...!
Review: I give it 10 stars!!!!!
Nausicaa of the valley of wind is a true master piece!
It is the best story I have ever read! It truely changed the way I thought about the world.
Hayao Miyazaki has a gift for story telling, and Nausicaa is the perfect example! Miyazaki-san is perhaps best known in the U.S. for creating "Kiki's Delivery Service" (Family film)and "Princess Mononoke".
While Princess Mononoke easily can be described as a rival for best story, I believe that the morals of Nausicaa far out weigh P.M.
The story is captivating and holds true to real life, although the story could be described as "sci-fi". Miyazaki-san has a way of making you feel as if you are right there with the characters,learning the lessons of the earth and trying to prevent the war that could end civilization.
While the story seems to take place in the future, it transcends time, as if woven into the very fabric of human nature.
Perhaps you might find yourself looking for "the blue clad one" in times of war.(You will understand the reference when you read the books)
One warning though: If you buy one book, I guarentee you that the second you finish it, you will be in agony if you don't have the whole series. Do yourself a favor and buy all four!
Also: you will not be able to put it down. I stayed up all night once, reading books 3-4 because I couldn't wait to find out what happens next.
YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED IN THIS BOOK. I GUARENTEE IT.
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Summary: One of the most important books I have ever read.
Review: Nausicaa is one of the most artistic, pure-hearted fantasies I have ever read (and that includes Tolkein). The art perfectly blends with the story to create an alternate universe unlike anything else in "graphic" novels or the book world in general. Reading Nausicaa is not like reading a comic book - the pictures are put together with the dialogue in such a perfect way that it is hard to remember that it's not actually a book. If you loved "The Chronicle Of Narnia" or Tolkein's masterpieces, you will never forget Nausicaa. Hayao Miyazaki is, in my very poor opinion, the only living master story-teller. His books and animations are some of the most enjoyable and encouraging things I have ever seen. Also recommended: My Neighbor Totoro by Miyazaki (movie).
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Summary: Breathtaking...
Review: I don't normally read manga that involves war, but this was an exception. I read the summary and thought that I would like it. Well, I was right. I didn't just like it, I LOVED it! This story was captivating. I loved the art and I didn't even mind the gory parts. This series is about a Princess named Nausicaa. She goes off to try to find out what is happening to the Sea of Corruption. She meets many people along the way that either help her, want to destroy her; or wanted to destroy her but when they finally meet her, gets captivated by her. I think she is everything a Princess should be. This storyline might be a little hard to follow for some people. It's a good idea to read the books one after another, so you don't forget anything that's happened. There are many twists in the plot. I am looking forward to the movie.
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Summary: In one word: Epic
Review: If there was ever a reason to get into reading manga this is it. Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind tells of the legacy of a devoted Joan of Arc esque princess born in a small peaceful valley. An intricate tale is woven through absolutely masterful drawings to depict Princess Nausicaa's walk of life to save not only her home but her despotic rulers, their enemies and the sea of destruction that would destroy them all. Set in the distant future, man has all but lost the battle against the poisonous jungles which now cover much of the earth. What remnants remain of human society wage war for their own interests further culling the dwindling human population. With more and more people dying young and fewer children living past infancy, Princess Nausicaa takes a quest of compassion to save the world from itself. Miyazaki presents a world of hand to hand sword fighting, huge flying barges, giant insects and a truly admirable princess in a short skirt. If you die without having experienced these books then you have never truly lived.
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Summary: The fantastic Princess Nausicaa
Review: I love Nausicaa, from the moment I turned around at a Japanese shopping center and saw dozens of monitors flashing the image of the great Ohmu, I knew I had seen something that would touch me. I've always been something of a tomboy. So as a girl I found great comfort in Nausicaa; she followed her heart and therefore I could follow mine. Maybe we were both weird, but we were noble, kind and graceful. I love the manga, but my love remains with the moving picture version of Nausicaa - I think that so much is said in the animated version that is more subtle than pen and ink. I also disagree that the manga is equivalent to a novel - there really is not that much exposition overall. The drawing is wonderful, the format of the best quality. It is a graphic novel and as such belongs in that category to be compared with other graphic novels. My minor criticism of the graphic novel is that I had hoped to find out more about Nausicaa's companions. However, the plot remains pretty stubbornly focused in either the apocalyptic past or in the present with the princess. I would have loved to have known how Yupa came by his exceptional swordsmanship or what Rastel's life was like. What the graphic novels do well is expand wonderfully upon the soul of Nausicaa - her determination, her compassion and her willingness to contradict herself. She is not a super hero - she cannot see what effect her actions will have. She can only act as one who feels for those around her, even those who have lost their essential humanity. She never gives up on anyone, and that is a quality that all of us should strive for.
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Summary: not quite Tolkien but better than LOTR the movie
Review: This masterpiece by Miyazaki is not quite at the level of Tolkien's mythology but then JRR never had to sit and draw what he so wonderfully visualized. That being said, Nausicaa is definitely better than the movie version of the Lord of the Rings. Another note though: the ending, astounding in itself, seemed a little tacked on. ("How can I surprise my readers who have been reading my work for the last 10-12 years?" Yes he did surprise me but...) He has ended up providing another idea for the Matrix-Wachowskis to copy.
Rating:
Summary: A Work of Genius
Review: Mr. Miyazaki is considered by all the world to be the greatest living animator, and surely among the greatest of all time.
He did this as something to pass the time between film projects. I'm struck by the 'camera angle' placement, depth-of-field and movement in each scene, to say nothing of the philisophy and story depth. He's working miles above his peers. This is a Lord-Of-The-Rings, from Japan.
In 100 years it will still be in print and widely read.
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