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cat_demon's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
neilrcoulter's review
3.0
When I learned that the film Nausicaä was based on a manga by Miyazaki, I was eager to read it. I’ve now read the first (rather enormous) volume, and I feel puzzled. The story is very imaginative, and there’s much that I enjoy about it. Miyazaki creates a vision of a post-apocalyptic world in which a previous war not only destroyed all the cities but also unleashed a biological force that seems to be taking over, rendering most of the world’s surface uninhabitable by humans. Miyazaki’s fondness for the golden age of aviation shines through in the many aircraft he designs for this world that still has mechanized air travel, but on land, humans travel only by foot or by riding “horseclaw” animals. This first of two collected volumes sets up quite a complex political structure. Two main factions maintain constant war, and within (and beyond) those factions exist other groups with different motivations. Amidst all of this, only the title character, a princess of the small community of the Valley of the Wind, seems interested in bigger questions of whether the planet shall ever again become welcoming to human habitation. Nausicaä frequently rejects either/or ultimatums, certain that there must be other options no one has thought of yet.
That’s all wonderful, and I admire Miyazaki’s imaginative scope for the story. However, I found the manga very difficult to follow at many points along the way. The panels often seemed crowded and unclear. Characters look so similar, I was unable to tell at a glance which character was speaking, or even where in the story’s world the page was taking place. When the war heats up, the story becomes almost entirely frenetic battle action and very little conversation or space to breathe. For me, it all grew uninteresting. The end of the this volume drew me in much more than any scenes in the middle.
I know it seems sacrilegious to say that Miyazaki’s visuals got in the way of the story, but let’s say early Miyazaki’s visuals present many challenges. Compare this manga with Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy manga from a couple decades earlier, and it’s night and day. Astro Boy remains clear, vibrant, compelling storytelling. By contrast, I found the Nausicaä pages cluttered and hard to follow. Both series were published in serialized form. Nausicaä feels choppy, which is what I would expect from a story published a little at a time over years. But somehow, Astro Boy has a natural narrative flow, even from one story to the next very different story.
Of course I’m moving right on to volume two of Nausicaä, and I expect to be drawn in more as the story reaches its conclusion. But here at the halfway point, I’m not as connected as I’d expected to be.
That’s all wonderful, and I admire Miyazaki’s imaginative scope for the story. However, I found the manga very difficult to follow at many points along the way. The panels often seemed crowded and unclear. Characters look so similar, I was unable to tell at a glance which character was speaking, or even where in the story’s world the page was taking place. When the war heats up, the story becomes almost entirely frenetic battle action and very little conversation or space to breathe. For me, it all grew uninteresting. The end of the this volume drew me in much more than any scenes in the middle.
I know it seems sacrilegious to say that Miyazaki’s visuals got in the way of the story, but let’s say early Miyazaki’s visuals present many challenges. Compare this manga with Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy manga from a couple decades earlier, and it’s night and day. Astro Boy remains clear, vibrant, compelling storytelling. By contrast, I found the Nausicaä pages cluttered and hard to follow. Both series were published in serialized form. Nausicaä feels choppy, which is what I would expect from a story published a little at a time over years. But somehow, Astro Boy has a natural narrative flow, even from one story to the next very different story.
Of course I’m moving right on to volume two of Nausicaä, and I expect to be drawn in more as the story reaches its conclusion. But here at the halfway point, I’m not as connected as I’d expected to be.
beebeewin's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Hayao Miyazaki does it again! Much like all the Studio Ghibli films he has worked on this manga is visually stunning and emotionally complex. Far different than the movie, this manga instead really dives deep into the world of Nausicaa. So many more beautiful images of the insects, violence, and societies. Ethically gray characters abound, this manga despite its fantastical setting felt incredibly relatable to our world and the climate crisis we are experiencing. Miyazaki as always touchs on the importance of thinking of others and the natural world, but with less of the hopefulness seen in the animated movie. I was drawn in wondering how such complex problems would be addressed, but I trust Miyazaki will make it happen in thr second half of this series. I think I might like this more than the movie just because of the deep world and characters building. The broader scope really just brings so much more to the story and makes the characters and events feel so real. Will provide a final thought in the second compilation but for now excited to read on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, and War
Minor: Death of parent
lithicin's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
vahalaemma's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rissasreading's review
5.0
Nausicaa is not my favorite of Studio Ghibli but I definitely still enjoy it. This manga is so much different than the movie. The manga has so much more story, different layers, and such a more depressing atmosphere than the movie. I loved all the artwork in this manga as it was all so so so beautiful. My favorite scenes were the ones that focused on the insects as I found those made for some of the most eye-catching panels.
I did find the manga is much harder to follow than the movie as there's so many different story lines it jumps to, and so many characters. Not to say you cannot understand what you're reading but it took a lot of attention being paid while reading this to fully absorb everything within the pages.
I did find the manga is much harder to follow than the movie as there's so many different story lines it jumps to, and so many characters. Not to say you cannot understand what you're reading but it took a lot of attention being paid while reading this to fully absorb everything within the pages.
hiddenbismuth's review
5.0
As a huge Ghibli film fan I really thought I knew where this story would go. As the rating should show I did not. As good as the movie is this book blew it away. The movie focused on Nausicaa and the valley of the wind but this manga introduced the wider world and allowed me to get to know all of the characters better than the movie did.
mathildur's review
adventurous
reflective
tense
4.25
There's so much MORE STORY than we get from the animated movie about Nausicäa??? I had no idea!! I definitely need to revisit this story, there was so much to grasp and I fear I didn't quite get it all on my first readthrough. Definitely loved it though! Nausicäa deals with ecological warfare, the nature of life and the life of all nature, and trying to save humanity from itself, which are themes close to my heart. I can't wait to read the second part of this story now, I'm ready to see how it expands even more!