After a global war, dubbed the “Seven Days of Fire”, a group of survivors reside in a seaside kingdom known as the Valley of the Wind, in a society that strives to harmonise technological progress and simple circumstances. Alas, a “Sea of Decay” is spreading across the neighbouring regions, in the form of an enormous jungle, whose toxic spores Princess Nausicaä begins to study with her glider.

Nature has brought forth vast festering growths and insect-like giants, and the surrounding human civilizations are also threatening the valley’s inhabitants. The resounding success of the film, which is frequently considered an example of the utopically-oriented solarpunk sub-genre, led to the founding of the world-famous Studio Ghibli. Based on his manga of the same name, Hayao Miyazaki crafted a fantastic world teetering on the edge of the abyss, one worth fighting to save.

Hayao Miyazaki began his career at Toei Animation as an in-between artist for GULLIVERʼS TRAVELS BEYOND THE MOON where he pitched his own ideas that eventually became the movieʼs ending. He continued to work in various roles in the animation industry over the decade until he directed his first feature film. After the success of his next film, NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, he co-founded Studio Ghibli where he continued to produce many feature films.

Filmography (selection): 1984 NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, 1988 MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO, 1997 PRINCESS MONONOKE, 2004 HOWLʼS MOVING CASTLE, 2008 PONYO, 2023 THE BOY AND THE HERON

Awards: Award for Best Film (Kinema Junpo Readersʼ Choice, Japan 1985), Ofuji Noburo Award (Mainichi Film Awards, Japan 1985)