Creatures in Crisis: Apocalyptic Environmental Visions in Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Princess Mononoke
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki has distinguished himself from other contemporary animators with his unique style, values, and reoccurring themes of ecology, politics, flight, and Japanese culture. For Miyazaki, the preservation of Japanese cultural values is one of the main reasons why Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and Princess Mononoke have themes that focus on ecology and environment. Through symbolism, images, and story, Miyazaki integrates elements of Shinto. Followers of Shinto tenets believe that spiritual powers exist in the natural world. Miyazaki constructs a space where the complexity of relationships between humans, spirits, and nature can be explored through the art of anime. These two filmic narratives reflect simultaneously our history and our future with their environmental issues and themes. To bring a sense of heightened awareness and significance to humanity’s struggle with nature, Miyazaki chose apocalyptic and postapocalyptic narratives. Whether set in an ancient past or a postapocalyptic future, the struggle is still the same. What is our role regarding nature: are we stewards or lords over it? Striking a balance with this relationship has always been a challenge for humanity. In these films, Miyazaki wants viewers to confront conflicting ideas
Author: Gwendolyn Morgan
Language: English
Subfield: Literature and Literary Theory
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2338870263