Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind 1985

One thousand years after the catastrophic Seven Days of Fire—a harrowing war that decimated civilization and led to ecological disaster—vast expanses of the Toxic Jungle emerge, becoming a lethal habitat filled with mutated insects. Within this dire landscape lies the Valley of the Wind, where an ancient prophecy speaks of a deliverer, described as “clothed in a blue robe, descending onto a golden field.” The courageous princess, Nausicaä, ventures into this perilous jungle, striving to communicate with its bizarre inhabitants, including the towering, armored Ohm creatures, in hopes of fostering understanding and coexistence between humans and nature.

One fateful morning, a colossal cargo plane from the militaristic Empire of Tolmekia crashes into the valley despite Nausicaä’s attempts to aid its descent. The only survivor, Princess Lastelle of Pejite, implores Nausicaä to obliterate the cargo before her demise. This cargo holds the embryo of a Giant Warrior, a devastating bioweapon that played a crucial role in the destruction wrought during the Seven Days of Fire. Tolmekia abducted the embryo and Lastelle from Pejite, but the excessive weight caused their aircraft to crash into the jungle, triggering an assault from the enraged insects. As one of the injured creatures threatens her, Nausicaä employs a bullroarer to soothe it, guiding the creature away from her homeland.

Not long after, soldiers under the command of Princess Kushana](/actor/mahito-tsujimura) invade the valley, leading to the tragic death of Nausicaä’s father, Jihl. During a momentary clash, both Nausicaä and the Tolmekian forces are restrained by the valley’s wise swordsmaster, Yupa. Kushana, now in possession of the Giant Warrior’s embryo, concocts a plan to mature it into a weapon capable of incinerating the Toxic Jungle. However, the valley’s sage, Obaba, cautions that such destruction is impossible, warning of dire consequences as many have tried and failed, leading to losses of countless lives at the hands of the Ohm.

Amidst this turmoil, Yupa stumbles upon a hidden garden thriving with untreated jungle flora, tended by Nausicaä. His findings reveal that vegetation nourished in clean soil lacks toxicity, while the jungle’s surface is tragically contaminated. The events swiftly escalate when Kushana takes Nausicaä and five villagers hostage to Pejite, only to be ambushed mid-journey by a Pejite missile, resulting in a crash landing amidst the deadly jungle.

Through a series of harrowing encounters, Nausicaä discovers that the jungle’s flora purifies the polluted topsoil above, turning it into a haven of life below. Exploring the ravaged landscapes of Pejite alongside Asbel, the twin brother of Lastelle, she realizes the locals have unleashed the insects against their enemies, employing brutal strategies reminiscent of their own despair. Captured yet resilient, Nausicaä escapes with the aid of Pejite sympathizers, including Asbel and his mother, only to uncover a plan by two soldiers to lure the Ohm towards the valley.

As chaos ensues with the premature hatching of the Giant Warrior, Nausicaä battles against the odds, freeing a baby Ohm from captivity but leaving her dress stained with its blood. In a heart-pounding confrontation, she confronts the raging Ohm herd only to be overwhelmed. Remarkably, the Ohm revive her with their golden tentacles, reminiscent of the prophecy, as she walks gracefully over them, embodying the savior foretold.

With the valley secured, the Ohm retreat, and the Tolmekians depart, paving the way for the Pejites to unite with the Valley’s inhabitants in rebuilding their lives. There, deep within the heart of the Toxic Jungle, a non-toxic tree begins to grow, symbolizing hope and renewal in the aftermath of devastation.