Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind - Characters & Cast

Nausicaä is driven by a profound love for all life and a desire to find a way for humanity and nature to coexist peacefully. She is motivated to protect her people and to uncover the truth about the Toxic Jungle to prevent further destruction.

Nausicaä begins as a compassionate and capable princess who already possesses a deep understanding of her world. Her journey is not one of drastic personal change, but rather of her unwavering beliefs being tested and ultimately validated. She is forced to confront the violence and prejudice of the world, and through her self-sacrifice, she inspires change in others and fulfills a prophecy, solidifying her role as a savior figure.

Kushana is motivated by a desire to protect her kingdom of Tolmekia and to create a world where humans are no longer threatened by the Toxic Jungle. Her motivations are rooted in a pragmatic, albeit aggressive, survival instinct.

Kushana is a complex antagonist who is not purely evil. She is a strong and capable military leader who believes that the only way to ensure humanity's survival is to destroy the Toxic Jungle. While she is ruthless in her methods, she is also shown to have a sense of honor and a deep commitment to her people. Her experiences with Nausicaä and the events in the Valley of the Wind seem to soften her perspective, although the film leaves her ultimate transformation somewhat open.

Lord Yupa is motivated by a desire to understand the world and to find a way for humanity to survive. He is a seeker of knowledge and a protector of the innocent.

Lord Yupa is a wise and skilled warrior who acts as a mentor and father figure to Nausicaä. He is a traveler and an observer, seeking knowledge about the state of the world. He supports Nausicaä's quest for understanding and often provides guidance and a calming presence. His role is to nurture Nausicaä's potential and to represent a more traditional form of wisdom and strength.

Initially driven by revenge, Asbel's motivation shifts to helping Nausicaä and protecting both his people and the Valley of the Wind from further destruction.

Asbel is a pilot from the city of Pejite who initially seeks revenge against the Tolmekians for the death of his twin sister. After being rescued by Nausicaä, he comes to understand her perspective and becomes a loyal ally. His journey is one of moving from a desire for vengeance to a commitment to Nausicaä's cause of peace and coexistence.