(Available to watch on Amazon Prime as well as HBO Max)

One film in the modern day that draws inspiration from The Odyssey and particularly my case study of Nausicaa is “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” which is an animated movie written by Hayao Miyazaki.  He clarifies that the lead character in his story who is named Nausicaa has direct ties and inspiration to Homer’s Nausicaa.  In the film, Nausicaa is a princess of her land and alone leads a journey to get these scary monster-like aliens back to their homes. Despite their appearance, she still offered to help them and acted as a compass to the creatures. This parallels Homer’s version in which Princess Nausicaa offers Odysseus clothes and acts as a guide into the town. Both princesses are extremely hospitable and kind when they don’t necessarily need to be. Another parallel we see in this movie and the book is the journey home.  The Odyssey is about Odysseus and his long journey home while similarly, the book tells the bug’s journey back home to the toxic jungle. Both versions of Nausicaa are an invaluable asset in their journeys.  

In The Odyssey, Nausicaa takes a very minimal role in the story.  She helps Odysseus and then he is on his way, not much more thought goes into her.  With that being said she is a very interesting character and her kindness attracts many people in the entertainment industry.  When Miyazaki first read about her character he was instantly intrigued by her. I find his movie adds to my understanding of my case study because it shows how her characteristics would show in a more modern person. The animated, colorful movie makes a more light-hearted warm version of Nausicaa. It is important that we can see these Greek stories being represented in a more untraditional modern sense so we can relate these stories to more first-hand experiences.  In typical stories, monsters are seen as bad and aren’t normally helped, but instead fought.  For example in The Odyssey, Odysseus and his men fight the Cyclops just because they are different than them.  We talked in class recently about whether Odysseus would be considered a monster.  He is often times inhumane, and unkind and often puts himself before others.  In “Nausicaa of the Wind and Sea” the parallel would suggest that Odyssey is in fact a monster just like the insects.  

For people who have never read The Odyssey but have just watched the movie, I think he did a good job of mimicking who Nausicaa is and the kindness we see in Homer’s version. It is also a good way for kids to start recognizing Greek names and having minor associations with them, as these stories are greatly influential.  In The Odyssey, it says “But this man is lost, poor thing. We must look after him.”  Nausicaa is almost a motherly figure in the book, especially when Odysseus isn’t his usual powerful self. After learning about Miyazaki’s take on Nausicaa im now see that her main attributes are empathetic, kind without judgment, and a very strong female character throughout any story.