Manga Art Essay by Oana Maroti
An example of subverting the classic narrative and constructing a female character without sexualizing her.
Hayao Miyazaki does an excellent job, demonstrating feminist storytelling and art—despite being a man. He takes a female character from the Odyssey—Nausicaä, who saved Odysseus (Ulisse)—and builds the narrative around her.
The entire journey of initiation is experienced from a female perspective and evokes Dune and The Fifth Element, making for a series of adventures perfect for any teenage girl or adult. It is a narrative that draws upon history and fashion design to forge connections, making it educational as well. This comic is crucial for women's representation in media—it is not easily found in all languages.
Hayao Miyazaki made a remarkable effort to portray smart, warrior women—true leaders—without sexualizing them. It is the life's work of an empathetic, inclusive thinker who dreams of peace and has helped boost the self-esteem of many women and teenagers.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind tackles complex social themes and serves as a manifesto for nature conservation and conflict resolution. It is a story about peace. The giant ohms are exploited and rebel. The story is similar to nowadays environmental conservation issues, as natural resources exploitation continues, endangering life.
There is so much more to add regarding Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and the details within the book—many relating to fashion design, quite apart from the obvious aerodynamic studies. Miyazaki engages in intercultural mediation for the sake of peace; having thoroughly studied the subject, he unites the regions where a philosophy of reverence for nature was cherished. We are part of the narrative and can draw a direct connection. It remains for us to educate ourselves and at least take note of the outward form.
This is a recommendation for holiday reading, but also a proposal for inclusion in the school curriculum. We need to teach peace, given that the media is corrupted by riffraff and war. If you want hero-princesses, publish Nausicaä and teach it in schools.
