The deluxe box set for Hayao Miyazaki`s acclaimed manga series, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, is once again available. This elegant two-volume hardcover collection, though currently marked as `temporarily out of stock,` has reappeared with a substantial price reduction. Originally released by Viz Media in 2012, this set has consistently been in demand and often difficult to find in 2025.
About the Deluxe Box Set
The Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Manga Box Set unites all seven volumes of Miyazaki`s masterfully written and illustrated narrative into two premium hardcover books. Each oversized Deluxe Edition features stunning watercolor artwork by Miyazaki on its cover and endpapers. The set comes with a slipcase, also adorned with original artwork by the creator, perfect for storage and display. An additional highlight is a foldout watercolor poster depicting Nausicaä, the titular princess.
Manga vs. Film Adaptation
While widely recognized for the 1984 Studio Ghibli animated feature film, the saga of Nausicaä first emerged in written form in Japan in 1982. At the time of the film`s release, the manga was still in its nascent stages. Consequently, the movie serves primarily as a condensed adaptation of the first volume, with elements and themes drawn from the second.
The manga did not conclude until 1994, a full decade after the animated film premiered. Therefore, those whose sole exposure to Nausicaä is the movie have roughly an additional 1,000 pages of the intricate story awaiting them. The combined two-volume set spans 1,104 pages. Viz Media introduced the English translation in 1990, making the complete narrative accessible to English readers for nearly three decades.
Although individual trade paperback volumes of the series exist, acquiring them separately typically proves more expensive than purchasing the comprehensive box set.
Thematic Depths and Other Works by Miyazaki
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is set in a post-apocalyptic future where humanity has ravaged the Earth, turning it into a toxic wasteland. Survivors seek refuge in enclosed cities, protected from the poisonous atmosphere and giant mutant insects that roam outside. The story centers on Princess Nausicaä, who embarks on a quest to prevent a militaristic faction from harnessing an ancient weapon capable of annihilating all life.
This compelling narrative shares striking thematic parallels with Princess Mononoke, another revered Studio Ghibli creation that profoundly explores humanity`s ongoing struggle against the natural world. Both films are celebrated for their breathtaking visuals and intricately designed characters.
For a deeper dive into the world of Nausicaä, fans might explore the official artbook for the anime or the compilation of watercolor illustrations created by Miyazaki during the manga`s development and its film adaptation.
While Nausicaä stands as Miyazaki`s unique manga series, he has penned several other original stories. Shuna`s Journey is a notable example. This illustrated novel, first published in Japanese in 1983, was translated into English in 2022. Miyazaki himself crafted both the narrative and its accompanying watercolor artwork. Devotees of Studio Ghibli films are highly likely to find Shuna`s Journey equally enchanting.