Sunday Splash Page #379

"Silent Flight," in Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind vol. 1, by Hayao Miyazaki

I bought the first two volumes (out of 7 total) of the manga version of Nausicaa over a decade ago. I would swear I reviewed them briefly at some point, but can't find proof anywhere in my archives. Maybe I just remember asking David Brothers about the book on his tumblr because he'd mentioned reading it, and I was trying to assess my, dissatisfaction? Disappointment?

It's a gorgeous book, no question. Towering forests where the air is laden with fungal spores that are lethal, and giant insects almost as dangerous. Flying vessels that vary from gliders to "gunships" that kind of look like someone added wings to the business end of a rifle to larger transports that resemble WWII bombers. Ruined cities and the remains of ancient war machines. Miyazaki knows when to draw back and show how small a human is amid a dangerous world, and when to focus on how that person reacts or observes that dangerous world. 

Nausicaa, the future chieftain of the Valley of the Wind, often looks at the forest with a mixture of reverence and sorrow. Appreciating the beauty of her surroundings, but aware this is a place where she has to tread lightly and carefully. Asbel, the surviving prince of a neighboring kingdom Nausicaa meets near the end of volume one sees everything in the forests as a threat. They both cover the lower half of their faces with masks for protection, but where Nausicaa's eyes are open and aware, Asbel's are narrowed in anger and hostility. He attacks before anything can attack him, which only puts him in greater danger.

At least in volume 1, the story seems to be that the world is gradually cleansing itself of the damage humanity inflicted through poison and war, via the encroaching "Sea of Corruption." It leaves behind a land free of the toxins, but the land seems to be a sterile sand, so does that leave anything for humanity if they can hang on? Humanity, meanwhile, is on its usual bullshit, with different kingdoms attacking former allies in a bid for control of ancient weapons, and even some scrabbling for control amid the siblings of the royal family of Torumekia.

Miyazaki establishes very early that Nausicaa has some connection to the natural world that most people don't. She can feel the thoughts and anger of the great insects, but can also be overwhelmed by their anger. I think that was where volume 2 lost me (guessing, because I gave it away several years ago.) It seemed as though the subsequent volumes were going to delve further into Nausicaa as this chosen one, and that there were mysterious figures trying to use magic to manipulate her mind and control her. I just remember not being enthused by that, which is why I never got around to buying the other volumes.