The horror of Nausicaä

A video analysing the themes present in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
This video is for educational use only.
If you enjoyed this video and would like to help me make more I have a Patreon at Patreon.com/LovellVIDEOS
This video is protected by fair use and contains material from Studio Ghibli Inc., United Artists and American Zoetrope.
#anime #ghibli #lovell

[@EndlessMalice]

After watching the movie again last night I noticed another detail in the movie. When Nausicaa rescues the baby Ohm it's blood begins to dye her clothes blue. Literally and figuratively linking them. Nausicaa is made into the bridge between nature and the humans. Something subtle that I never realized till now.

[@blablablablabablubbi]

It is also a connection to the red rage in Ohm's eyes and Nausicaas clothes and then finally the change of color. Actually through Ohm's blue blood. I think thats actually so genius

[@iphisaria]

Oh ok, I had wondered how her clothes turned from red to blue. That's how, and makes complete sense. Good observation!

[@user-fs5gl1cs3k]

That's actually a huge part of the manga

[@miguelfagan8537]

I never thought that about her clothes color change. Makes more sense now, thank you!

[@montymurphy6194]

in the manga, the god warriors were explained to be living gods designed by the pre-apocalyptic world to be both warriors and arbitrators. In fact, the baby god warrior that is awoken in the movie is actually awoken by Nausicaa, and imprints upon her. She even names it Ohma. It evenually dies to protect her, asking her if it has become a good person in its final moments. I don't see people mention this as much, so I leap at any chance to dicuss it.

[@ShinGhidorah17]

I wish people talked about the giant warriors more. They are my favourite Ghibli creatures.

[@ez-8238]

Well the movie is different than the manga but does answer a few questions.

[@AmbroseCadwell]

You may want to edit this to not completely spoil the manga for those who don't know about it yet lol. But yeah it's my favourite of Miyazaki's works and has a lot more depth than the already-classic film.

[@IanGarris]

Evangelion vibes much?

[@silent-_-hill15]

@@IanGarris well if you didnt know im pretty sure hideaki anno animated the god warrior segment of this movie

[@Eskimo615]

Just wanted to point something out. The "Melted Wax Like Mountain Range of Pejite" that you refer to at around 1:50 is not actually a mountain range. It's a city of the old world and those are skyscrapers that were literally melted by the Giant Warriors. It's probably one of the most haunting pieces of imagery in the movie as its one thing to see destroyed ruins but to see a city that melted just adds a whole new level of creepy lore behind the apocalypse of this world.

[@youwasattheclub4104]

Wtf ive never realised that. So creepy haha

[@Servellion]

That the explaination from the manga?

[@agninja123181]

@@Servellion yes, although in the manga, I think we see the melted buildings close to Shuwa, the holy capital of the former Dorok empire. Pejitei was shown as an industrial/artisan city that mined for technology from an ancient city buried below

[@DJ-pg8mg]

It's probably New York... If someone in Nausicaa's world needs a new iPod, that's where they would go to scavenge one out of someone's old office desk...

[@FBManimations]

I love the landscapes with molten buildings. We see them twice (this one and another one at another time covered in a forest) and I don't know how to describe the feeling they give off

[@Jjmmll]

Great essay. However, I disagree with your final thought "just keep enduring". I feel like Nausicaa has a more hopeful ending. It is not simply enduring that the characters face. The final scene is a golden dawn at the end of a nightmarish night. Redemption is possible if only we keep faith and stay true to heart.

[@lovellvideos7060]

Thank you so much for taking the time to not only watch but also comment on my video. Like alot of great art I think you can pull different interpretations from it. I can definitely see you perspective. I guess from my point of view, the characters at the end of the movie still live in that oppressive world and I imagine that further hardship lies ahead of them, but in that moment yes they conquered adversity.

[@johnlock572]

I actually am partial to the essay's interpretation of the ending. Which is in keeping with the one in the manga as well, where at the end, Nausica flat out rejected the notion of an idealised hope, and instead insisted that we should all be doing our best within this broken world.

[@somber985]

@@lovellvideos7060 i think that the movie and the manga should be looked at as different. but the manga goes way more into depth about the god warrior, humans who made them and the forest. if you havent read the manga already i really reccomend it. great video

[@lovellvideos7060]

@@somber985 ;)

[@Jefferu_Nintendomoto]

That may be a theme present, but it doesn't ring as true. We cannot undo what we have done.

[@Vimacone]

Only Miyazaki can make a post-apocalyptic film awe-inspiring and uplifting. (Compare with Akira, in which the source material was published around the same time). The opening scenes of the tapestry and the seven figures destroying the world almost feels like an ancient account of an apocalypse thousands of years before our own time with the simple illustrations and use of language. Great analysis on how Miyazaki’s own memories of the WWII bombings influenced the anti-nuclear themes of this classic. I’d like to read more about the long term effects of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings on Japanese culture and society. This (along with Grave Of The Fireflies and Akira) are fascinating insights. An important lesson and warning for all humanity.

[@lovellvideos7060]

Appreciate you not only watching, not only commenting but giving a great response. You made me laugh because you basically described my ideas for videos I would like to make in the future (it seems we are on the same page). I always find it interesting how history effects culture. 100% agree with you on the difference between Akira and Nausicaa's atmosphere and ending message. Akira is probably my favourite film, and Grave of the fireflies is the saddest film I've ever seen, so I'm pretty intimidated to tackle them, but once I've gotten abit more experience hopefully I can have a crack.

[@jimwallstrum371]

Grave of the Fireflies. Besides the destruction of the war, it was the ambivalence and lack of compassion that was horrifying. It was years before I could watch it to the end. It brought back memories of Bosnia, Sarajevo, and Rwanda.

[@hansfriedrich7737]

i like how the tapestry is noticably about the modern world, but its in the design of you know, ancient tapestry

[@nowhereman6019]

"It's ok if humans perish! As long as some creature stays alive on this planet, there's no problem if humans no longer exist." -Miyazaki, drunk during the Nausicaä post production party

[@lovellvideos7060]

Hahaha, very Miyazaki

[@flaafeon]

Yup. I stand with San. Human greed, arrogance and selfishness have contributed to the decline of our planet.

[@leonheart9720]

LOL

[@tugpetit2204]

Spoiler warning : - - - - - - - - It is the end of the manga.

[@DissentingTirade]

you first, I prefer living my life

[@MatheusManente]

If you notice, the tapestry shows that ancient humans built the giants, which are the equivalent of the atomic bombs in Nausicaä's universe. In that sense, I believe Miyazaki tried to say that the "evil tribe" from which they descended are simply us, the people who actually destroyed the world. It begs us to question what we are doing with the world right now.

[@SupaKoopaTroopa64]

Major manga spoilers: In the manga we learn more about their purpose, although many questions are still left unanswered. They weren't created solely as weapons (That's just how the post-apocalyptic civilizations view them), but rather as "arbitrators." What their exact function originally was is never explained, but it is heavily implied that they were meant to protect humanity (and life in general) from itself. This is supported by the fact that there are other entities which have the same function, such as the ohmu, and the master of the crypt.

[@trainenthusiast5199]

Soviet anthem plays

[@wastelandlegocheem]

The dub Crooshana straight up says "were you not designed to be the most evil creature on the face of the earth?"

[@Gravity_studioss]

@@SupaKoopaTroopa64 Saving nature by anihilating the only thing that threatens it

[@1simo93521]

I saw this film in 80s as a kid and it stayed with so much in a time of he-man and Scooby doo this film blew my mind and haunted me for years. 20 years later I showed it to my nieces and then my own daughters who all loved it like I did. Nausica is great role model for all young girls.

[@devlinside]

I've always loved the way this film portrays life coming from decay.

[@lovellvideos7060]

Me too, I love mushrooms and insects!

[@famousrapper8561]

Seriously, the level of creativity is amazing. Would make a very very good video game.

[@wastelandlegocheem]

Tiz the circle of life.

[@JustSomeDude42]

Grandfather Nurgle has entered the chat.

[@hisokamorow2470]

The sentence that haunted me most from the movie is when she is in her secret room and cried out to Lord Yuupa, "Who could have polluted the entire earth?" We did. It was us, and this is our future if we do not stop.

[@shimmer4771]

Actually, there was a nuclear war that wiped out most of humanity. The people you see here are what was leftover. The planet had toxic chemicals that lingered for a while. Also, the world was uninhabitable in most places. It wasn't humanity's fault. It was a planned systematic way to destroy the world.

[@pankojoy9372]

We learn in the manga that the sea of corruption was bio engineered in order to purify the world of its pollution, the sea of corruption over time draws the pollution out of the soil and the miasma spreading plants petrify and disintegrate

[@cortanathelawless1848]

Science fiction has stopped being about the future. Be it pollution or AI

[@stevengreen9536]

@@banthisyoutube4552 Growth scale but i agree. Man must realize we need the Earth to live. The Earth does not need us. I pray we do not find this out the hard way.

[@anonymouswhite7957]

@Ban this youtube But the earth is never alive, nor does it care if it still sustain “the environment that suits us” or not, it’s just a floating space rock. Dissipative structures aren’t all virus like in behavior, there are lots of humans that are trying to halt or reverse this as we speak. Also many have since noticed this from long ago, but corporations from long ago did their best to hide it (mostly hydrocarbon). But it is true that we consume each other to live and the end goal of all dissipative structures are accelerating the heat death of the universe. The amount that we did is still minuscule though and the universe is basically still a newborn. The slow death of biodiversity is still bad though, nonetheless nature ability to heal itself is fascinating. We already got plastivores, bacterias that could degrade and make hydrocarbons, fungi that feeds on radiation, microbes capable of digesting heavy metals, etc. Also the movie left out a lot of stuff from the manga, which i think is the best version of it. In the manga, the flora & fauna that is purifying the earth is actually old mankind’s doing. The fauna & flora are genetically modified organisms that has since mutated and made itself into an ecosystem. This includes nausicaa and her kind, they are artificially made to live in the polluted wasteland (but not so polluted so the new humans make an effort to purify the earth). The irony in this is that when it’s fully purified the environment will become like poison to them, while the old mankind can repopulate the earth from their cryosleep. Nausicaa is also made as a “messiah” in according to the old mankind revival plan by an AI. In the end nausicaa embraces both sides of humanity (creation/innovation and destruction) while she destroyed the old mankind so nature can take its course despite humanity’s prior meddling.

[@ihtago]

I was also destroyed by Nausicaa. I don't see it as a movie about war, but as movie about empathy. And about our absolute lack of it

[@thebed9526]

I aas raised by this movie - have probably seen it a hundred times. It always gave me goosebumps and never failed to make me cry by the end. I love it so much it's inexplicable.

[@wither5673]

this movie CAPTIVATED me when i was younger. i could not take my eyes off it, and even when i was to young to understand all of the complicated parts, i could FEEL what the movie was conveying. this film is high art, i dont care what anyone ells says.

[@kaspermygenfordt2323]

Many of the questions raised in this essay are actually answered in the manga also written and drawn by Miyazaki, which I recommend for any fan, it is absolutely fantastic his magnum opus imo.

[@lovellvideos7060]

Agreed

[@ddontpanic4261]

I have it and it’s so good!

[@wastelandlegocheem]

OHMU SPOILER for anime only people: Ohmu and ither insects for that matter become hostile unwillingly, like a hivemind protection when anything attacks. The Ohmu are highly intelligent and empithetic and are even herbivores.

[@jacobje00]

"The wind rises, and we must try to live." From a French poem that forms that basis of Miyazaki's last film, but also in his other films, especially Nausicaä. And it fits perfectly with the ending of your video. Great job!

[@marchereve3280]

It's from "Cimetierre Marin" of Paul Valery

[@marchereve3280]

Ce toit tranquille, où marchent des colombes, Entre les pins palpite, entre les tombes ; Midi le juste y compose de feux La mer, la mer, toujours recommencée ! Ô récompense après une pensée Qu’un long regard sur le calme des dieux ! Quel pur travail de fins éclairs consume Maint diamant d’imperceptible écume, Et quelle paix semble se concevoir ! Quand sur l’abîme un soleil se repose, Ouvrages purs d’une éternelle cause, Le Temps scintille et le Songe est savoir. Stable trésor, temple simple à Minerve, Masse de calme, et visible réserve, Eau sourcilleuse, Œil qui gardes en toi Tant de sommeil sous un voile de flamme, Ô mon silence !… Édifice dans l’âme, Mais comble d’or aux mille tuiles, Toit ! Temple du Temps, qu’un seul soupir résume, À ce point pur je monte et m’accoutume, Tout entouré de mon regard marin ; Et comme aux dieux mon offrande suprême, La scintillation sereine sème Sur l’altitude un dédain souverain. Comme le fruit se fond en jouissance, Comme en délice il change son absence Dans une bouche où sa forme se meurt, Je hume ici ma future fumée, Et le ciel chante à l’âme consumée Le changement des rives en rumeur. Beau ciel, vrai ciel, regarde-moi qui change ! Après tant d’orgueil, après tant d’étrange Oisiveté, mais pleine de pouvoir, Je m’abandonne à ce brillant espace, Sur les maisons des morts mon ombre passe Qui m’apprivoise à son frêle mouvoir. L’âme exposée aux torches du solstice, Je te soutiens, admirable justice De la lumière aux armes sans pitié ! Je te rends pure à ta place première : Regarde-toi !… Mais rendre la lumière Suppose d’ombre une morne moitié. Ô pour moi seul, à moi seul, en moi-même, Auprès d’un cœur, aux sources du poème, Entre le vide et l’événement pur, J’attends l’écho de ma grandeur interne, Amère, sombre, et sonore citerne, Sonnant dans l’âme un creux toujours futur ! Sais-tu, fausse captive des feuillages, Golfe mangeur de ces maigres grillages, Sur mes yeux clos, secrets éblouissants, Quel corps me traîne à sa fin paresseuse, Quel front l’attire à cette terre osseuse ? Une étincelle y pense à mes absents. Fermé, sacré, plein d’un feu sans matière, Fragment terrestre offert à la lumière, Ce lieu me plaît, dominé de flambeaux, Composé d’or, de pierre et d’arbres sombres, Où tant de marbre est tremblant sur tant d’ombres ; La mer fidèle y dort sur mes tombeaux ! Chienne splendide, écarte l’idolâtre ! Quand, solitaire au sourire de pâtre, Je pais longtemps, moutons mystérieux, Le blanc troupeau de mes tranquilles tombes, Éloignes-en les prudentes colombes, Les songes vains, les anges curieux ! Ici venu, l’avenir est paresse. L’insecte net gratte la sécheresse ; Tout est brûlé, défait, reçu dans l’air À je ne sais quelle sévère essence… La vie est vaste, étant ivre d’absence, Et l’amertume est douce, et l’esprit clair. Les morts cachés sont bien dans cette terre Qui les réchauffe et sèche leur mystère. Midi là-haut, Midi sans mouvement En soi se pense et convient à soi-même… Tête complète et parfait diadème, Je suis en toi le secret changement. Tu n’as que moi pour contenir tes craintes ! Mes repentirs, mes doutes, mes contraintes Sont le défaut de ton grand diamant… Mais dans leur nuit toute lourde de marbres, Un peuple vague aux racines des arbres A pris déjà ton parti lentement. Ils ont fondu dans une absence épaisse, L’argile rouge a bu la blanche espèce, Le don de vivre a passé dans les fleurs ! Où sont des morts les phrases familières, L’art personnel, les âmes singulières ? La larve file où se formaient des pleurs. Les cris aigus des filles chatouillées, Les yeux, les dents, les paupières mouillées, Le sein charmant qui joue avec le feu, Le sang qui brille aux lèvres qui se rendent, Les derniers dons, les doigts qui les défendent, Tout va sous terre et rentre dans le jeu ! Et vous, grande âme, espérez-vous un songe Qui n’aura plus ces couleurs de mensonge Qu’aux yeux de chair l’onde et l’or font ici ? Chanterez-vous quand serez vaporeuse ? Allez ! Tout fuit ! Ma présence est poreuse, La sainte impatience meurt aussi ! Maigre immortalité noire et dorée, Consolatrice affreusement laurée, Qui de la mort fais un sein maternel, Le beau mensonge et la pieuse ruse ! Qui ne connaît, et qui ne les refuse, Ce crâne vide et ce rire éternel ! Pères profonds, têtes inhabitées, Qui sous le poids de tant de pelletées, Êtes la terre et confondez nos pas, Le vrai rongeur, le ver irréfutable N’est point pour vous qui dormez sous la table, Il vit de vie, il ne me quitte pas ! Amour, peut-être, ou de moi-même haine ? Sa dent secrète est de moi si prochaine Que tous les noms lui peuvent convenir ! Qu’importe ! Il voit, il veut, il songe, il touche ! Ma chair lui plaît, et jusque sur ma couche, À ce vivant je vis d’appartenir ! Zénon ! Cruel Zénon ! Zénon d’Élée ! M’as-tu percé de cette flèche ailée Qui vibre, vole, et qui ne vole pas ! Le son m’enfante et la flèche me tue ! Ah ! le soleil… Quelle ombre de tortue Pour l’âme, Achille immobile à grands pas ! Non, non !… Debout ! Dans l’ère successive ! Brisez, mon corps, cette forme pensive ! Buvez, mon sein, la naissance du vent ! Une fraîcheur, de la mer exhalée, Me rend mon âme… Ô puissance salée ! Courons à l’onde en rejaillir vivant ! Oui ! Grande mer de délires douée, Peau de panthère et chlamyde trouée De mille et mille idoles du soleil, Hydre absolue, ivre de ta chair bleue, Qui te remords l’étincelante queue Dans un tumulte au silence pareil, Le vent se lève !… Il faut tenter de vivre ! L’air immense ouvre et referme mon livre, La vague en poudre ose jaillir des rocs ! Envolez-vous, pages tout éblouies ! Rompez, vagues ! Rompez d’eaux réjouies Ce toit tranquille où picoraient des focs !

[@marchereve3280]

I Can provide a traduction if you so wish

[@ydk1k253]

The worldbuilding in Nausicaa is insane

[@kaltenstein7718]

That with just the one movie and 7 issue Manga. On the one hand it has us longing for more, on the other the character stories are told to my satisfaction and I would not dare have Nausicaä taken apart like some other old beloved IP to make more money.

[@fortnitesexman]

it's an odd movie in the ghibli line up none of the other movies attempt anywhere near the same creativity when it comes to their world, maybe spirited away? but that's more creative in the inhabitants and such even more odd is how unhinged miyasaki is with his fanservice, it's pretty frequent in nausicaa, and nowhere in the other movies

[@roflomaozedong]

if you love the world of nausicaa you can read the manga it is amazing

[@freelancenerd4804]

I saw this in 89, my first experience with Japanese animation. What a great story and I remember being blown away at all the cool designs in the film. Great breakdown!

[@lovellvideos7060]

Wow I can only imagine watching this film back then...

[@di4352]

This animated film is riveting, I can't watch it without crying, it's such a deeply pained, beautiful, and emotionally wrecking experience. To say casually that it is watched and not lived is an understatement imo. This is a very mature take on the topic of environmental catastrophism from human hands. Hopefully future generations will continue rediscovering its message.

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

5:30 This taught me that Miyazake would have been the same age as Setsuko from 'Grave of the Fireflies' during the firebombing of Japan.

[@AnnaGirardini]

Grave of the Fireflies is a Takahata movie and is partially inspired by his experience during WWII. In reality, Takahata' s sister died and he survived. In the movie, he makes the character who represents himself die too.

[@leddmask]

I feel like this Ghibli film gets slept on compared to most others. Though it gives me so many strong vibes, the music is so wonderful.

[@imkuelllgremlin]

i really recommend reading the full manga, it expands on all of this in a wonderful way. If you loved this films messages, the manga gives you more, looks into the balance of the humans and the forrest

[@michaelkeaton5394]

And tells a complete different story because the movie goes no further than a few elements form the two first chapters...

[@kaltenstein7718]

I coulnd't agree with you more, here are a few thoughts of my own: - The opening credits show humans creating the giant Warriors and thereby creating the last nail in the coffin of the old world. I think this ties in more with the theme of Nuclear bombs and humanity "Playing God" instead of litteral gods descending uppon us like in Hikado Anno's Evangelion. (Interesting note: Anno directed a short film as a promo for a special effects house together with Ghibli using one of the Giant warriors simmilar to the Angles of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Some people say as a reaction towards the Fukushima Nuclear disaster.) EDIT: I just looked into the manga after a long time and would add that its more like Humans creating their own gods, to wipe out humanity for a reset of sorts. And trying to artificially give second birth to earth by creating the Toxic jungle. Nausicaä ultimately refuses this, because she knows that the Master of the ancient vault designed to initiate this rebirth is just planing to secure the ultimate rule over earth with the idea that this would be better for humanity (kinda like Ultron from Marvel) and that humanity would be without the bad that led to the destruction of civilisation. And while she acknowledges the idealism behind this, she knows that this is just not possible. That While Humanity will never be completely good, there still is love and beauty no matter how bad I'd may be. In the end she destroyes the Vault and decides to just leave it up to Nature. That there should be no Gods deciding our fate and that every life, even that of the Insects designed to perish along with the Jungle and the Humans that have been altered to not be abled to live without the toxic jungle are valuable. I interpreted Nausicaä herself as a tragic Hero on my initial reading of the manga, because she is the one that knows better and is given the oportunity to leave everything behind in order to live at peace. Yet she does not and fights for what she think is right while also protecting those around her. I think this is also why she does not die in the end of the Movie, because it tells us activism is not in vein. For her, carrying the burdon of life means carrying all the burdon of humanity (which again is a christian theme). Yet she still choses to do so, instead of withdrawing to an Ivory tower of sorts in pure idealism (like the humans that created the ancient vault) and deciding she is beyond everybody else. Because she sees the love and beauty still remaining in Humanity and she knows that nurishment of it can bring about the change needed in humanity for things to become better (to make them "worthy" of living on a healed earth). So that they would not need to call uppon the created gods from the old world. I just really love this movie and Manga and the many messages they hold on so many different levels.

[@Astr0_Feline]

The part where Giant warrior rotting is so scary

[@cryptidmountain5404]

Same I literally had nightmares as a wee lad

[@growlie2676]

Why does it rot like that? Isn't it a robot?

[@Astr0_Feline]

@@growlie2676it’s a giant creature not a robot

[@growlie2676]

@@Astr0_Feline Thanks for the insight, I couldn't tell.

[@veeot_dragon300]

this film has a special place in my heart. i had the DVD growing up and i can't remember how many times i watched it. even today that song still comes into my head from time to time.

[@maxlovell1905]

This is a truely powerful & moving analysis of Naussica. I really like you're seemingly placed visuals in alignment with the film score & your own commentary. Very impressed and can't wait for more videos like this one!

[@lovellvideos7060]

Thank you!!!

[@InternetGravedigger]

Berserk Nausicaa is terrifying... Pretty sure the forest was actually genetically engineered by the ancients, with the bugs acting as guardians of the forest while it did the work of purifying the land.

[@leonardoalfonso7080]

I could never put my love for this film into words so I am incredibly thankful for the points you brought up in this video. Thank you wholeheartedly.

[@lovellvideos7060]

Appreciate the kind words mate

[@michaelkeaton5394]

If you find the movie too dark, don't read the manga, because in the manga the horror of war level is turned all the way up to eleven...

[@abraham2172]

The war titans were no demons or evil tribe, they were the equivalent of the nuclear bomb, as you said. They were the ultimate weapons of mass destruction built or bread by the ancient, technologically advanced civilisation I would love to know more off. I think theyre not only a symbol for nuclear, but also for chemical weapons since the polluted earth responsible for the deadly poison in the plants was artificially, not naturally. What were those huge sticks the ancient war titans hold? What did they use these for when their mouth blast alone is so powerful? And did their creators lose controll over them when they destroyed their enemies or did both sides have giants so they ended up destroying the whole world? Great video!

[@MagicalBread]

This movie gave me nightmares as a kid

[@lovellvideos7060]

Hahahah which parts can you remember?

[@i.z2335]

Same

[@Nausicaafan-go6lq]

I get the exact same feelings whenever I dive back in the lore of Nausicaa, AKA, my favorite anime and manga story. The lore and the 80's japanese sci-fi beauty is what captured my heart for it. The manga explains some of those mysteries that weren't explained in the film, such as the origins of the Toxic Jungle, the Ohmu, and The Giant God Warriors. Knowing all of this and putting together the complete story makes you love it even more, and I believe there's a lot more to the story than even that... In my eyes, most of miyazaki's movies that contain stories of war, magic, etc, may be part of that story as well when you put the elements together. The prophecy is told through the events of Princess Mononoke, Laputa, and then Nausicaa. Watching them together in order shall provide evidence, but the ultimate evidence comes from the Miyazaki made music video On Your Mark, in which we see the world in the days before the Seven Days Of Fire. Two police officers try to rescue an angel girl bearing a striking resemblance to Nausicaa from the horrors of the industrialized world, and in the end, the officers release her into nature, where she spreads her wings and flies to where she belongs. I believe the girl on the tapestry might be her, and Nausicaa might be a successor to her, as she once again tries to guide the world into the light. Nausicaa is such a complex yet beautiful anime masterpiece with built up mystery and messages to find out and learn from. That's why I love Nausicaa.

[@kaltenstein7718]

oh I never knew that music video was a thing. While it doesn't really fit into the timeline for the girl being Nausicaä., I like the Idea of the legend of this herold being a a real thing with nausicaä just filling that role with her idealism. Princess mononoke, Laputa and Nausicaä being a disconnected Trilogy of sorts released in reverse order is an interesting thought, because they have simmilar themes but I think the mystical nature of what came before the 7 Days of fire really is up to anyone's Imagination (while of course the huge time gap between Mononoke and Laputa and the one between Laputa and the 7 Days of Fire still very much allows for that.). On the other hand we see the Fox Squirrels from Nausicaä in Laputa and the soundtracks of the two movies are so simmilar that I have wondered for some time if music was reused (I think not), so i know 100% subscribe to this fan theory xD. Thanks for sharing

[@kaltenstein7718]

also I've just looked into the 7th Issue and saw that the architecture inside the ancient vault is resembling that found On Laputa..... So maaaaaaybe The destruction of Laputa only saved the technology from human hands for some time... Wild theory

[@GorillaZillas]

@@kaltenstein7718 Could be that Laputa was a parallel project alongside the arbitrators, toxic jungle and vault. The former as a kind of colony ship to escape a dying planet and find a new home elsewhere amongst the stars. With the latter being an attempt to repair and reboot said dying planet.

[@kaltenstein7718]

@@GorillaZillas Laputa is ancient by the time it is discovered, so unless The movie takes place after Nausicaä it doesnt really work.

[@GorillaZillas]

​@@kaltenstein7718That might well be so, taking place far in the future on a completely different planet than the one in Nausicaä. Laputa brought them there, at some point the rulers at the time in their wisdom decided to put the power of the ship outside human hands, possibly fearing it was too much a risk of overcentralised political power that could only end in the corruption of the royal family resulting in a Tyrannical dictatorship over the new civilisation, so for the good of society set the ship to hide itself and then disembarked. And only after a very long time had elapsed, and the colonists had mostly forgotten did Laputa get rediscovered, and the fears that led to it's abandonment confirmed in Romuska Palo's desire to use it to "conquer the world" Could be wrong, but still a fun bit of theory crafting eh?

[@Flynn94]

To me I’ve always seen Princess Mononoke and Nausicaa as a thematic pair, if not directly connected films. Mononoke is the exploration of man’s primordial original sin against nature in favour of technology- and Nausicaa is the story of man’s redemption. And tbh I think a lot of the visual elements are purposefully similar- the raging demon boar of Mononoke to me bears striking similarity to the Ohm in Nausicaa for instance.

[@squidlump]

If you haven’t read the manga I would highly recommend it. It gives the story much more time to breath and I feel it adds so much. Ohma is the bestest boy and deserves all the love in the world

[@Sara3346]

What do you mean we never know where the giant warriors come from? They opening scroll shows human beings assembling them, isn't that a very strong indication that they were built by man through genetic science or some means yet unknown to us?

[@Sara3346]

And the manga elaborates on this doesn't it, doesn't nastica eventually find more of them in stasis waiting for human command? The very fact that the one warrior in this film is so incredibly mentally malleable and willing to follow orders does not make it seem like a natural creature at all.

[@PilgrimXIII]

When your channel becomes famous, people are going to look back on this video and marvel at your strong start to your career. Some of the best work I’ve seen on KZbin about one of the best movies ever made… keep up the great work!

[@lovellvideos7060]

Hahaha wow I really appreciate your comment, extremely generous! Personally I don't think my channel will ever be that popular, but I enjoy making videos like this about stuff I am interested in.

[@marklinnhoefer7335]

This is your first and only video? Respect. Please keep on making content, this was a delight to watch!

[@lovellvideos7060]

Appreciate the compliment and yes this is my first ever video excited to do more in the future!

[@g0ldenratioed6969]

this was honestly my favorite ghibli film and I could never put into words why, but this perfectly explained it

[@calamar1e320]

Fantastic essay! I love your analysis :D

[@lovellvideos7060]

Thank you for the kind comment, much love!

[@oniromoselia]

thank you for making such remarkable content, this film is such an underrated masterpiece and you did it justice

[@lovellvideos7060]

Thank you for the very kind comment, I am glad you enjoyed my video, whilst I am not sure I have quite done the movie justice it was certainly very enjoyable making it.

[@vampiretrunks]

Great video! I was particularly impressed by your video and sound editing. Very good choice to show the sounds of the trees purifying water.

[@hashimtk6602]

The giant warrior beam scene gave me chills

[@Charles36.]

I would love to see HP Lovecraft stories made into an anime like this

[@Rat2rrj]

Dang, I presumed as a kid the 9 were made by humans just like the premature one in the main film 0.0 Also the premature one always makes me think of the song 99 red balloons "the war machine springs to life, opens up one eager eye"

[@priscillapanson19]

In my opinion the movie nausicaa really is a Amazing movie with beautiful art and storyline. It might be a old movie but age can never take the beauty of nausicaa valley of the wind. It really shows how to be brave and to keep courage no matter what it truly is beautiful. ❤️

[@famousrapper8561]

I like the old animation style a lot more than the general anime stuff. (Aside ghibli

[@ghibli1979]

The balance of life and death,the toxic jungle and the beautiful wind valley.

[@unwindshow]

This video is beautiful thank you!

[@zoy_sause8520]

this is stellar analysis man

[@ifipaidmybartabtheu.swould9208]

just gotta say very well done essay and i hope to see more on your channel down the line

[@lovellvideos7060]

Thanks, appreciate that mate, glad you enjoyed it

[@daddad87]

What a great video, love the editing! I just started my "Studio Ghibli marathon". I'm planning on watching all the movies in chronological order and I couldn't imagine a better start than Nausicaä. You mention a lot of things which I did not pick up on while watching the movie. I'm subscribing and waiting for new videos)

[@lovellvideos7060]

Thanks for the nice comment!! You will have to let me know once you have watched them all which is your favourite, I would recommend to not just watch the Miyazaki movies though. There are some great Ghibli films by other directors that get overlooked. Also you might want to check out Castle of Cagliostro which Miyazaki directed before Nausicaa. Also are you watching in english of japanese?

[@daddad87]

@@lovellvideos7060 I'm watching them all in Japanese. I'm definitelly planning on watching all movies, not just Miyazaki's. My favourite Ghibli movie I saw so far is the Grave of the Fireflies which is by Takahata as far as I remember. But thank you for the suggestion, I have not heard of Castle of Cagliostro but I'll be sure to check it out.

[@lovellvideos7060]

@@daddad87 I'd definitely recommend the native language, and whilst I don't think I could say Grave of the Fireflies is one of my favourites (its a bit too depressing for that) it definitely one of the best!

[@corvaxblackfeather6529]

This by far is the Top 1 Miyazaki movie for me .... i remember watching it on Tape back then... searched for it as a Teen all over the city stores ... and finaly now found a blueray copy of it. Nausicaä has given me the first taste of a 'Wasteland' movie, beautifully animated, awesome written and with charakters you don't forget so easy .... plus ... the most cutest critter ever ^^ Teto

[@limbodog]

I know Miyazaki said that Princess Mononoke was sort of a retelling of Nausicaa where it was more clear that he intended to say that coexisting with nature was critical. And I took that to mean that the toxic jungle and its inhabitants did not randomly evolve, but rather were designed. That some ancient tribe (country) saw the damage that had been done and set about creating a way to eventually fix it even though they did not expect to last long enough to see the results. I saw it as humanity learning not to fight against nature, but to embrace it and work with it.

[@bleuemoone8710]

You really should make more videos like these. Very well made, structured etc. And I look and you only have this one? Keep going and people will watch :)

[@lovellvideos7060]

Very much appreciated my friend

[@nanosum1]

Really beautiful video. The art in this movie is amazing

[@tangbein]

I imagine the grandparents who accompanied their grand children to the cinema, when this was released in Japan, relived some haunting memories.

[@TheMightyPika]

Fantastic vid, bro.

[@conlanbadger7032]

Nausicaä is my favorite studio ghibli movie

[@garumanthefiremage]

nice video man, keep making more vids! :)

[@tankstriker6634]

Watching the scene with the tapestry.. it implies the giant warriors were man made i believe

[@lovellvideos7060]

But who are these men?? :)

[@tankstriker6634]

@@lovellvideos7060 all i can figure is its.. implied nuclear era with out it being literal nukes. 7 days of fire a man-made thing manages to nearly destroy the full planet. they mention giant warriors (many times) as these near god like beings. now this might be a stretch but its possible the people from laputa did this as, (little evidence for this so not accurate just an idea), fox squirrels appear in both movies. i always thought that it was possible nausicaa is before or after castle in the sky. which, the effect of the unfinished warrior they show is massive and as we know laputa is a massive castle with very powerful weapons, even the robot in that movie with a small laser could cut through military metals and concrete easily.

[@lovellvideos7060]

@@tankstriker6634 Hahaha I like your theory, both movies have a cool history presented by the opening credits, have you read the Nausicaa manga by any chance??

[@tankstriker6634]

@@lovellvideos7060 unfortunately no but i have seen vehicles from the manga be made on games within steam workshop

[@lovellvideos7060]

@@tankstriker6634 Haha, I would highly recommend it, if you dont fancy paying for a physical copy I could see if I could find an link to it online for you

[@jackmarino8162]

I love this video. You should add a section about the recurring motif of hearts.

[@Cartoonandanimelove1]

Such an underrated film and one of my favorites. This essay sums up perfectly my feelings.

[@RababaInc]

this was a beautiful interpretation thank you 🌱

[@qaztim11]

Huh, i just realized that there are some similarities between the princesses design and Malenia from Elden Ring. The whole Sea of decay and the creatures there also feel a lot like the scarlet rot and play with similar themes of death, decay and the rebirth that comes from it.

[@chovue2363]

Just watched this film for the first time today and had the exact same thoughts. 😀

[@The_krazy_kriegsman]

every time i watch this movie i cry at least once this movie is a masterpiece thank you miyazaki for all the great movies and dreams they brought me and thank you lovell for that video

[@whimai412]

Hope we see a smidge more content soon. Glad I found this channel early though :)

[@samlaxson3623]

i freaking love Nausicaa of the valley of the wind, it ties with The Triplets Of Belleville and A Monster In Paris for my favorite movie

[@arepa13]

Love this movie thank you so much for this video

[@catman4859]

Studio ghibli should be regarded as a world treasure.

[@ceegronlee]

Excellent video. You should make more!

[@lovellvideos7060]

Appreciate that mate, next video I'm gonna do will about Akira

[@dapperninji646]

I enjoyed this. very much.

[@DralonIsBack]

Love the vid

[@cylesmith8291]

Hidaki Ano got one of his first jobs animating the giant attacking at the end, now you can see how he got inspired for Neon Genesis.

[@Momoney1556]

I wish you would do more videos over the ideas of his movies because this was amazing to listen too well sewing.

[@lovellvideos7060]

Thanks, I will definetely make videos in the future, I appreciate it though

[@Momoney1556]

@@lovellvideos7060 WOOOO I can’t wait 😁

[@lovellvideos7060]

@@Momoney1556 The video I'm working on right now isn't a Miyazaki or Ghibli film but it's definitely an anime classic

[@Naytowl]

Such a great film

[@lovellvideos7060]

Agreed, much love my friend

[@xSayHiToEarlx]

Great work.

[@saintschizoid]

I love this movie but I always felt like it was held back by trying to be somewhat aimed towards kids. I wouldn’t call it a kids movie but despite the themes of the horrors of death, disease, apocalypse, and war, you never really see a viscerally impactful human death. The only people I can remember actually dying on screen are Nausicaa’s dad and Asbel’s sister, and both of those were very pg. I just feel like the message of the importance of pacifism, non-violence, and mercy would’ve really hit harder if the true horror of the loss of life was really portrayed.

[@budakbaongsiah]

The manga didn't hold back, just saying.

[@Nighzmarquls]

The thing that I think gives much deeper context is the manga. It preceded the film and tells a larger and deeper story then it does. It touches on many things and to some extant it does explain many of the mysteries you point at. But something I find very valuable and inspiring is it does not diminish the themes of the film in doing so. If anything it strengthens them further. And finds other things to say as well. I recomend to anyone moved by this film to seek out reading them.

[@dragon1011dk]

I agree but the movie has something the books don't have. The music. I was surprised with the tune and length of the books and if "LoveIlVIDEOS" feel the movie is bleak, then I hope he never reads books without someone to hold his hand.

[@Nighzmarquls]

@@dragon1011dk I concur the manga is very dark by comparison.

[@thescrimble]

Cried 3 times watching this 👍 Excellent video

[@lovellvideos7060]

Hahaha, wow much appreciated :)

[@EndlessMalice]

Ive never related the giant warriors to Nuclear bombs...thats so powerful. Btw what are your thoughts on the final shot of the movie? Where were shown Nausiccas cap in thr fossil forest with a flower by it. Do you think its a flash forward to her being buried there after her death? Or something else

[@lovellvideos7060]

First of all appreciate your comment, I'd have to go and rewatch to make sure but I believe the cap is simply left behind from when they fall down there, I don't believe Nausicaa is seen with it again, I agree with you it looks like a memorial/grave but I think it is purely symbolic for the healing of the world, new life growing, similar to the ending of Princess Mononoke

[@EndlessMalice]

@@lovellvideos7060 I see, that certainly makes sense

[@lovellvideos7060]

@@EndlessMalice Could certainly be more to it that I'm missing tho

[@riloe1]

@@EndlessMalice It's the chiko nuts from her pouch growing in the sterilized forest floor. For me, a bittersweet note to end on, showing us that life can prevail and the earth will eventually heal.

[@Aquastorm12]

Its honestly more likely than you think. If you read the manga, its revealed that the God warrior carries radiation in its body and if you're within proximity to it for too long, it will eventually kill you.

[@stringbean3194]

I have always felt such deep melancholy for each and every beaitufl piece by Miyazaki. I've watched all except the newest and the grave of the fireflies when I was little I was practically brought up on them. And I have never met anyone who has loved them or understood them as deeply as myself... my friends won't watch them and the one who tried said they fell asleep because 'they got bored'... So thank you, so much for reminding me that good people can see these films as more than just pretty art or boring slow stories... because there (to me) have been such rarity of people I have met to look deeper than the surface of these masterpieces!

[@obbscur2]

very good video, great closure

[@heliarche]

Thanks for the recommendation.

[@DouglasMeloche]

Thank you for such an incredibly thoughtful review of the most powerful film I have seen from Eastern Cinema

[@mhiggs8001]

Ya’know, the bugs actually sound like the meters we use to detect radiation, I’ve forgotten the name. Maybe the giant ohms are somewhat representative of creeping radiation? It was just an interesting thought I had, nice video essay.

[@xenomaster1931]

Brilliant video!

[@lovellvideos7060]

Thanks mate ;)

[@wasfureinbua]

wow awesome!

[@ghibli1979]

Beautiful

[@britfox7766]

Fantastic video, I feel there aren't enough essays on Miyazaki's films so one this good is a rare pleasure. I must disagree with one of your points, that none of Miyazaki's films are personal, and I point to Grave of the Fireflies as my example. EDIT: Sorry, didn't realise GotF wasn't Miyazaki, my bad :)

[@lovellvideos7060]

First of all thank you for the compliment, I do not take that for granted! I would say that undoubtedly his movies have personal elements within them (his love of planes for example), but their core themes to me speak more about Miyazaki's view on humanity and life as a whole compared to individual experiences. Whilst I love Grave of the Fireflies, are you aware it is directed not by Hayao Miyazaki but by Isao Takahata, who I would agree has made movies that on the whole do seem more personal.

[@britfox7766]

@@lovellvideos7060 Oh sorry, I thought GotF was a Miyazaki, my bad :( Will you be making videos on similar topics in the future? (Considering subscribing)

[@lovellvideos7060]

@@britfox7766 Hahah no worries! I would love to make more videos in the future. My only issue is that I am currently at university so the free time I have is limited and I try and spend as much of it as I can socialising and getting outside. However the summer is when I have planned to pick up on a few projects and get quite a few videos out hopefully. I've got draft scripts for other animated films as well as some live action ones. Appreciate your interest though!

[@britfox7766]

@@lovellvideos7060 No worries, I appreciate it's especially difficult at uni.

[@loos8832]

Out of all the post-apocalyptic scenarios that media has portrayed, I always thought the ending of nausicaä omitted the most hope. The world has and is evidently falling apart, but it just makes the scenes shown in the ending title sequence shine so much brighter. The so said horror is disproved, in my opinion.

[@mr.b89]

You should check out Yokohama kaidashi kikou if you haven't already, that or girls last tour :)

[@aritovi]

Good work

[@samuelvillarreal4157]

Just hearing the theme I get teary eyed

[@Fudzbo]

I'm starting realize that there are A LOT of ghibli films I haven't seen yet.

[@skeletorrocks2452]

It's funny how no one ever considers the sentience or the feelings of the god weapon. 🤔 What would you be? Before the world told you what to be? An interesting and sad movie. While inspiring at the same time.

[@budakbaongsiah]

You'll get the answer (sort of) from the manga. Unless you've read it.

[@14glagla]

Thanks for this excellent review, but to me this movie is also an hymn to what the ancient greeks called "agapè"; the form of love described as a deep and profound sacrificial love that transcends and persists regardless of circumstance

[@Ahov]

This film has brilliantly interwoven themes: evolution, empathy, war, climate change, post-apocalyptic, collective consciousness among others.

[@elmo2800]

You should make more of these types of videos.

[@brezzendorf]

Is you think about it, there are things that's darker than meets the eye in every Miyazaki's works. And it's worth to be explored

[@jacqueskalisz8155]

Great video ! Very good analysis, iven if the manga go iven further on themes like the place of humanity on rebuilding the world, what humanity and life are (7 and last tome: "life is the light that shines in the dark"), psychological pain, remission of the bad, the ability of humans to come back to live within nature,... and gives answer to, for example, the origine of the "warrior gods", in a very more complex story with much more caracters, even more denses, and Nausicäa is even more transcendental in his role of saviour of humanity, even against humanity herself all of this makes me prefer the manga to the anime I hope you will make others videos on others Miyazaki's masterpiece X ) (especially The Castel on the sky...) (sorry for my mistakes, I'm french and barely speak english)

[@brandonstarr8089]

Good job!

[@phoenix1461]

3:20 where did you get the music for the giant warriors march?

[@tugpetit2204]

In the manga, giant warrior are not the analogy with nuclear bomb, the fongus too.

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

10/10 film, along with Mononoke.

[@lovellvideos7060]

If you are still interested in recommendations that are similar, I find Nausicaa to be pretty unique in terms of its setting. The two Ghibli films you mentioned are also ones I would recommend, (Mononoke & Grave of the fireflies) other big anime films that are kind of similar, I would say AKIRA and Laputa. Check out Angel's Egg if you haven't already, it's pretty different, with very little dialogue but if you have the patience I really enjoy it.

[@BlackSailPass_GuitarCovers]

@@lovellvideos7060 Thank you for the recommendations :) These films are truly unique gems, with a mood and style like no other. I just finished watching Akira yesterday as it happens. What a trip... If anybody reading has suggestions for me, please send a reply (with me @ so I get notified). God bless.