● This is a spoiler-free review.
● 80+ in my rating means very good.
● This review is part of a self-challenge in which I will be reading and reviewing all Ghibli movies. To check out more click here.
● I've added one of the anime soundtracks to the soundtrack section. If you wish, scroll down, start it, and use it as your background music while you read.
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The Story ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ A thousand years after a global war, a seaside kingdom known as the Valley of the Wind remains one of only a few areas still populated. Humans now are living in fear of creatures called Ohmu, insects extremely sturdy that can destroy entire cities. Nausicaä and her brave companions, together with the people of the Valley, strive to restore the bond between humanity and the Earth.The story of Nausicaä is pretty good. I admit that at times it seems pretty slow if you're watching only for the story and not looking for the message underlying what's being exposed. It amazes me that something that has been released for nearly 40 years with critics on war, hatred, ecosystem destruction, and weapons of mass destruction is still relevant to our lives today.════ ⋆★⋆ ════
The Art ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ The art style of Nausicaä is really nice for the time; once again, thinking this movie is almost 40 years old is insane. I noticed parts in which I could almost count the frames, but they don't happen often. In most cases, I was pausing and going back and just being impressed with the level of detail that Miyazaki put into it.
Characters and insects were pretty well drawn and very vivid; I especially liked the Ohmu design and how the shells move. I have no complaints about the art style.
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The Characters ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ There are a small number of characters in this work: Nausicaä, her "uncle," and a few other characters. The story is mainly focused on Nausicaa herself and the people from the village, while all the secondary characters just add to the setting of the movie by cheering Nausicaä through her adversities.As I always like to talk about the main character, Nausicaä was great. Strong, emotional, smart, passionate, and brave. She really helps dictate the underlying theme and depth of the movie without making it super boring.
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The Sound ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ I personally enjoyed the soundtrack; as usual for "Ghibli", the music helps set a thoughtful and relaxing vibe, almost like the soundtrack in some games like The Legend of Zelda. The voice actors were also pretty good, and characters like Nausicaä, Yupa, and Obaba were really capable of conveying their emotions.
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Conclusion
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If you're like me, you skip everything and read only the conclusion because you don't want to get spoiled with other themes. So I will try to be brief on this point:Watch it. Nausicaä is one of my favorites from "Ghibli" and it shines light on themes that are still very relevant. The OST, animation, and design aged well and really can be enjoyed even decades after the release.