Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind Theme by Alex Buckley

Theme

alexbuckley3 — 2025-03-15 18:52:17 UTC

Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki proposes that in order to grow and move forward, there is a necessary period of corruption and darkness, and it is only through that period that we can discover our true selves.

alexbuckley3 — 2025-03-15 18:56:25 UTC

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alexbuckley3 — 2025-03-15 19:06:48 UTC

Introduction to corruption

alexbuckley3 — 2025-03-15 19:14:54 UTC

In these panels we're introduced to the theme of corruption, as some unknown voice calls out in Nausicaas head saying "[w]e will kill him!" (Page 11, panel 2). We later find out this was the voice of an Ohmu that Yupa aggravated which had uncharacteristically sworn revenge. The Ohmu was "blind with rage" (page 16, panel 5) and couldn't see reason until Nausicaa calmed it down with a worm flute. Through these panels we're shown the effects anger can have and how it can cloud judgement and lead people to act out of the ordinary. The Ohmu would normally not pursue beyond the forest, but it was angry enough it lost all reason.

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alexbuckley3 — 2025-03-15 19:54:29 UTC

Nausicaas Corruption

alexbuckley3 — 2025-03-15 23:41:37 UTC

Here we see Nausicaa become enraged at the invading soldiers and become uncharacteristically cold and closed off. She displays incredible skill with her sword and is very different from the Nausicaa we saw earlier who was committed to solving conflict peacefully. When she returns to her senses she's scared of what's happening to her, and resisting the corruption of war. It's fighting with her naturally kind disposition.

Growth From Corruption

alexbuckley3 — 2025-03-16 00:02:34 UTC

Later we see how the entire earth has been corrupted and the bugs and plants are not just poisonous but actually cleansing the earth form corruptions from past generations pollution. Nausicaa discovers this on her own, and then she and the prince accidentally discover that the forest floor has clean and breathable air, showing the planet is starting to recover from the pollution.

alexbuckley3 — 2025-03-16 00:05:26 UTC

alexbuckley3 — 2025-03-16 00:40:41 UTC

We also see Nausicaa start to grow from her own corruption as she returns to her nonviolent ways, standing strong and reassuring her people that they will be safe if they let her stand her ground. She knows that there will be no chance if they try and fight so she's putting aside her fear and anger and desperately trying to make a last stand.