Songs from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Main theme and insert songs.
Introducing the theme and insert songs from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind!
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a Studio Ghibli film based on the manga of the same name that Miyazaki serialized in Animage.
It tells the story of Nausicaä, a girl who can communicate with insects.
Music from Ghibli works is always memorable, but the melodies in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind are especially distinctive—many people find they leave a strong impression.
If you haven’t seen the film yet, please give the music a listen.
The songs alone are more than satisfying—you’ll definitely enjoy them!
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Songs of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Main and insert songs (11–20)
Distant Days (Nausicaä’s Theme)Joe Hisaishi
This one is so famous that everyone has probably heard it at least once: the theme song of the protagonist, Nausicaä.
Her image song, however, has a different arrangement, and it’s a track I definitely recommend comparing side by side.
With its bouncy rhythm and the “ran-ran” lyrics, you might think it puts you in a cheerful mood… and yet, doesn’t it also carry a hint of melancholy? The sound itself is very simple, but with key changes and uptempo sections, the arrangement keeps things engaging so you never get bored listening!
Bird Person (~Nausicaä's Theme~)Joe Hisaishi
At first the gentle piano tones feel soothing, only to turn into a bold, rugged melody—you can enjoy a variety of moods within a single piece.
Nausicaä, a person who loved nature and fought powerfully to save the world even on her own.
This song is packed with her character.
It’s an essential image song without which you can’t talk about Nausicaä.
The annihilation of PejiteJoe Hisaishi
Pejite is depicted as a city hostile to Torumekia.
Harboring resentment over the Torumekian army’s invasion and massacre of its citizens to seize the God Warrior slumbering beneath Pejite, they set the Ohmu into a rampage and annihilated the stationed Torumekian forces.
After that, they attempt to send the Ohmu toward the Valley of the Wind as well, but are met with Nausicaä’s resistance.
“The Destruction of Pejite” is a sorrowful piece with strong tones of turmoil and grief.
battleJoe Hisaishi
“Battle” is the soundtrack used in the film’s combat scenes.
Beyond its bold and heroic ferocity, the melody’s faint touch of sorrow is remarkable.
After the climax, there’s a key change and a gentle melody begins to flow, which then leads into the Nausicaä Requiem.
It beautifully portrays the film’s story through music.
Rampage of the OhmuJoe Hisaishi
‘Rampage of the Ohmu’ is a piece used in scenes where the Ohmu’s eyes turn red and it shows its rage.
It’s a thrilling, tension-filled number reminiscent of an RPG boss battle.
The cries of the Ohmu appear in the film, but they’re actually said to be guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei’s guitar sounds processed with effects.
Hotei, famous for the Kill Bill theme, has made unexpected contributions to Japanese animated films as well.
Invasion of KushanaJoe Hisaishi
Kushana’s Invasion is the theme song of Kushana, a princess of the great nation of Tolmekia.
Leading the Tolmekian army, she attempts to burn away the Sea of Corruption using a Giant Warrior, but fails.
She may give the impression of a villain, yet she acts according to Tolmekia’s own sense of justice.
At the core of Studio Ghibli’s works runs the theme that no one is truly a villain and that justice changes depending on one’s standpoint, which underpins this story.
Songs from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Theme and insert songs (21–30)
Counterattack of the Earth Demon ArmyJoe Hisaishi
The Dorok Principality League is depicted as a force antagonistic to Tolmekia.
In the original manga, there are scenes where the Dorok army battles Tolmekia’s Kushana forces, but in the film the Dorok army appears only in flashbacks.
The soundtrack used in those scenes is this track, “The Dorok Army Strikes Back.” It makes extensive use of murky-sounding chords, effectively conveying the oppressive weight of the combat scenes.