I read the first volume of a Japanese comic, Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind I, for
my East Asian Studies class. At first,
it was hard to get in to, and it started out very slowly with Nausicaa
exploring the forest and coming upon an ohmu skin. It wasn’t until later that I found out what
an ohmu was, and it wasn’t until the end of the first volume that I found out
its purpose.
The land was polluted and
destroyed by the industrial civilizations and the seven days of fire that
occurred. Nausicaa is the princess of
The Valley of the Wind, and she is loved by everyone, a great leader to take
over after her father. The Valley is a
small kingdom on the edge of the frontier, given frail protection against the
poisons of the sea of corruption by the constant winds blowing from the
ocean. The ohmu and the great insects are
there to purify the air and land and leave after they have completed their
purpose.
At the end, Nausicaa realizes that maybe it is the people who are the real pollution to the planet. This was very interesting to read and see that it connects the problems of today’s world and pollution to the planet, not just in places like East Asia, but the U.S. as well. It is also interesting from a gender point of view, how Nausicaa is the main character and she is female. Gender roles are portrayed very different in the U.S. than in East Asia.
At the end, Nausicaa realizes that maybe it is the people who are the real pollution to the planet. This was very interesting to read and see that it connects the problems of today’s world and pollution to the planet, not just in places like East Asia, but the U.S. as well. It is also interesting from a gender point of view, how Nausicaa is the main character and she is female. Gender roles are portrayed very different in the U.S. than in East Asia.
I have always been attracted to the Japanese comics. It often conveys the reality through its illustration under the fantasy world. I can tell that you are an observant person who can reflect after reading and know what it would like to express. I think the setting in Nausicaa is similar to the earth we live right now. Modern people only use the natural resource but seldom really care the pollution. I think this is a great point that it wants to tell us. By the way, do you also like to read other Japanese comics such as one piece. It is a story that Monkey．D．Luffy who wants to find the treasure in the ocean and start a journey. Maybe you can also read it in your free time.
ReplyDeleteHi Eva! I completely agree with you. Many people today do not care about the trash and pollution they create. Although, this is slowly, and greatly, changing for the better! I have not heard of the story you mentioned, Nausicaa was the first Japanese comic I have read. It sounds cool, though! I will definitely check it out sometime!
DeleteEva, I accidentally deleted your comment on the Self Introduction Post! So sorry!! Do you remember what you had said and can comment again?
DeleteAgain, so sorry!
Molly,it's ok. I already post the previous comment on it. Please take a look at it.
Delete