Post by sara on Dec 30, 2002 0:18:13 GMT -5
Yesterday I finally finsished the last volume or the perfect collection as published by Viz Communications. (I finally managed to get it from the library).
Yes, Homer was an inspiration, but this isn't a retelling of the Odessy.
First of all, the artwork alone is an amazing effort. It took 12 years (1982-1994) to completer over a 1000 pages of highly detailed comics, although about have of that time it was on hiatus as Hayao Miyazaki went to work on other projects. Other manga, such as Ranma 1/2, has much simpler drawing and less panels per page.
It is a very good think this was presented with a visual medium. I think it is possible to have made it work as a literary piece, but it would have been difficult to prevent it from getting long-winded and dull.
From the beggining in Volume one to the middle of Volume Two, the story was very much like Princess Mononoke which came later, as Hayao Miyazaki admits himself. However Nausicaa goes into much more depth, much richer in mythological connections and symbolism. I like it's telling of the story over Mononoke. Perhaps it's simply because it's being told to me a second time.
My primary complaint with that story was that it was so clear-cut what should and shouldn't be done. People shouldn't hate other things, they should set aside their wars, etc, as if that was all so simple.
However in the second half of Vol 4 of the perfect collection that changed. The ending wasn't totally different from Mononoke, but it definitely has a different slant. I don't want to spoil it for those who might read Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, but from my interpretation it is about the embracing of the imperfection of humanity, life, and the universe. "...both purity and corruption are the stuff of life" the title character quotes.
But I have criticisms about the ending of this graphic novel as well. First of all, it would have been nice if it was less rushed, but I understand that Miyazaki didn't have all the time in the world to perfect it so I don't hold too much of a grudge on that.
Also, there are too many speeches. I appreciate that Hayao needed a mouthpiece for philosophy, but there was some redundancy, and most of the speeches didn't stick with me. Probably a lot of the content of the speeches was disposable, which is why Hayao didn't bother to address in anything more than a speech. If it was a live action film, the expressions of the actors could probably replace a lot of the speechs (If it was a film period, they wouldn't be talking for so long).
Instead of the speechs, it was the actions of the characters which stay with me, especially the pivotal action of Nausicaa at the climax. I disagree with her choice, but I see it as part of a greater picture, that she is human too and subject to human folly.
There are many better epics out there, but this is a good one nonetheless. You can find out more at nausicaa.tzone.org/miyazaki/manga/nausicaa.html
Yes, Homer was an inspiration, but this isn't a retelling of the Odessy.
First of all, the artwork alone is an amazing effort. It took 12 years (1982-1994) to completer over a 1000 pages of highly detailed comics, although about have of that time it was on hiatus as Hayao Miyazaki went to work on other projects. Other manga, such as Ranma 1/2, has much simpler drawing and less panels per page.
It is a very good think this was presented with a visual medium. I think it is possible to have made it work as a literary piece, but it would have been difficult to prevent it from getting long-winded and dull.
From the beggining in Volume one to the middle of Volume Two, the story was very much like Princess Mononoke which came later, as Hayao Miyazaki admits himself. However Nausicaa goes into much more depth, much richer in mythological connections and symbolism. I like it's telling of the story over Mononoke. Perhaps it's simply because it's being told to me a second time.
My primary complaint with that story was that it was so clear-cut what should and shouldn't be done. People shouldn't hate other things, they should set aside their wars, etc, as if that was all so simple.
However in the second half of Vol 4 of the perfect collection that changed. The ending wasn't totally different from Mononoke, but it definitely has a different slant. I don't want to spoil it for those who might read Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind, but from my interpretation it is about the embracing of the imperfection of humanity, life, and the universe. "...both purity and corruption are the stuff of life" the title character quotes.
But I have criticisms about the ending of this graphic novel as well. First of all, it would have been nice if it was less rushed, but I understand that Miyazaki didn't have all the time in the world to perfect it so I don't hold too much of a grudge on that.
Also, there are too many speeches. I appreciate that Hayao needed a mouthpiece for philosophy, but there was some redundancy, and most of the speeches didn't stick with me. Probably a lot of the content of the speeches was disposable, which is why Hayao didn't bother to address in anything more than a speech. If it was a live action film, the expressions of the actors could probably replace a lot of the speechs (If it was a film period, they wouldn't be talking for so long).
Instead of the speechs, it was the actions of the characters which stay with me, especially the pivotal action of Nausicaa at the climax. I disagree with her choice, but I see it as part of a greater picture, that she is human too and subject to human folly.
There are many better epics out there, but this is a good one nonetheless. You can find out more at nausicaa.tzone.org/miyazaki/manga/nausicaa.html