Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind

Sometimes described as “anime’s answer to Dune,” and as the first proper Studio Ghibli film, Hayao Miyazaki’s post-apocalyptic warrior-princess eco-parable NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND celebrates its 40th anniversary!

Set in a devastated future world decimated by atmospheric poisons and swarming with gigantic insects, Nausicaä is the story of a young princess, both brave and innocent, whose love for all living things and passionate determination to understand the processes of nature lead her into terrible danger, sacrifice, and eventual triumph. Like most Studio Ghibli films, there is neither good nor evil, but conflicting viewpoints, weaknesses, and power struggles. Throughout the film, Miyazaki’s animation is awe-inspiring; the depiction of the poisoned forest in particular is a thing of transcendent beauty.