Empowerment in Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

Environmentalism informs Hayao Miyazaki's "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" in a way that empowers viewers rather than inhibits their agency. Although melodramatic elements exist, there is ambiguity when collaboration must occur between humans of differing values. The film may also inspire young viewers because the hero is not only a child, but also female.

Nausicaa lives in a world where the environment is attacking humans. They see the fight with nature as a dichotomy. The Pejite and Tolmekians want to destroy the “Toxic Jungle.” Nausicaa is involved in learning more about the jungle and the spores that make it toxic. She finds that with water, the spores actually purify the earth and make it flourish, but because of fighting and power struggles she is unable to focus on this. Because of her compassion she earns the trust of the Pejite people and she is even able to calm the Ohmus, the aggressive creatures that fight for the forest. Even the Tolmekians end up relying on Nausicaa’s charity because their violence has brought them nothing.

Unlike “Fern Gully,” which consists of an objectified bad guy (an oil monster), “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” points the blame at humans. Because the audience knows where the problem originates from they are better able to address it. Also unlike “Fern Gully,” where we discussed in class that it is the fairies that save the day, in “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” it is also people that provide solutions. Viewers learn that they can be the source of the issue or the reason for resolution depending on their actions.

The film operates under the ideology that humans are currently in opposition to nature, but that they can co-exist in harmony. This is a common theme within Miyazaki’s films as he incorporates beliefs of Shintoism defined on Wikipedia “as an action-centered religion, focused on ritual practices to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past.” This involves being one with nature. This is seen in Goro Miyazaki’s film, which was written by Hayao Miyazaki, “From Up On Poppy Hill.” A compromise between the past and present is required just as a compromise between nature and humans is required in “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.”

The film expects the viewer to act in its implied hope that the audience will relate to Nausicaa’s character. She is likeable within the story by other characters and off-screen by the viewers. She strives to help people and the natural world. That is something that those watching can do. They can be kind and empathetic. The call to action is not unrealistic and thus allows the audience to exercise agency and follow Nausicaa’s example.