Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Vol. 7

This is a review of the entire 7 volume Viz version of the Nausicaa manga, but I'm attaching it to Vol 7 because it contains many of my favorite moments. That said, it does not stand alone, and you have to read the entire series to comprehend it. First, some context: I am not a fan of Japanese graphic novels in general, nor most Western graphic novels. The only other graphic novel that I even consider worthy of my time is Alan Moore's The Watchmen. Even with the Watchmen, I only enjoyed it on an academic level, without any real attachment. I am also a relatively late adopter of Miyazaki's anime, having started watching his movies only after the American release of Spirited Away. I have become thoroughly attached to a number of his films (Princess Mononoke and Porco Rosso, in particular), but the film version of Nausicaa is not among my favorites. While enjoyable, I found it somewhat cliche ridden, preachy, and lacking in depth (I was pleasantly surprised to read that Miyazaki had similar thoughts in later interviews, having been somewhat "forced" into the project). Nausicaa the manga is different. This manga is one of only three or four works of literature that have made an indelible mark on me. It is what I come back to during those rainy days when I want an enjoyable escape; to meet with old characters that are like old friends. Although each character begins as a familiar archetype, they develop in ways that are at once surprising and yet remarkably natural. I don't think there is another work of fiction where I felt as emotionally attached to the characters as I did while reading Nausicaa. The plotting also has a natural meandering quality that is not calculating like most modern novels (this is probably because Miyazaki didn't plan that far ahead writing it over the course of 13 years). The story is at once a coming of age tale, a tale about journey, a war story, an adventure story, a story of political intrigue, a science fiction epic, and a treatise on a number of philosophical themes. Somehow all the various threads and themes climax together brilliantly to a conclusion that is at once thrilling, emotionally satisfying, deeply thought provoking, and perfectly placed. Nausicaa is also what I return to when I want to think deeply about ecology, religion, war and peace, life and death, or any of the other themes that permeate Nausicaa. That is not to say that Miyazaki has anything incredibly novel to contribute to the volumes of philosophy and treatises that came before him. But Nausicaa captures the essence of so many of those debates while weaving them into the core of a thoroughly "human" story. It does so in such an effortless way, that I feel I can relate those deep questions again in a very intimate way, rather than the distant appreciation I feel after reading through deeper academic texts. Nausicaa inspires deep thoughts and makes me enjoy thinking them like no other work of art has. More than any of his films, I feel that Nausica

This book concludes the story of Nausicaa. The ending might surprise some people or even disappoint others. Nevertheless, Nausicaa remains a great book that is well worth your time. Go read it!

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.

This graphic novel has a great and diverse plot creating a wonderful experience in japanese animation. Loved it!

The Nausicaa books are sooooo good that the only bad thing about them is that the storey doesn't go on forever! read the fist book and you will understand what I mean.