The co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, has crafted some timeless classics such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and Princess Mononoke. Miyazaki’s works often explore environmentalism, pacifism, and feminism, while portraying complex female characters in leading roles. However, it seems like even legends like him are not without controversy.
An interview with Hayao Miyazaki concerning one of his most iconic heroines, Nausicaä, left some of his fans feeling more than a little unsettled. While Nausicaä has been celebrated as a powerful female character, Miyazaki’s commentary on her physical design, specifically her breasts, sparked a debate among fans.
Hayao Miyazaki’s View on Nausicaä: A Surprising Commentary
David Bednar (@ykarps), a game designer, shared a passage from Hayao Miyazaki’s past interview on X (formerly Twitter). The passage was taken from Starting Point, a collection of Miyazaki’s essays and interviews, and it featured a surprising take on Nausicaä’s character design. In the interview, Miyazaki specifically brings attention to the physical attributes of Nausicaä, stating,
Nausicaä’s breasts are quite large, don’t you think?……. That’s not so she’ll be able to breastfeed her babies in the future or make love to a man who will steal her heart away. I think her bosom has to be large so she can embrace all those poor old men and women in the castle when they are dying.
Although Starting Point contains the full context of the interview, this part alone ignited discussion regarding Miyazaki’s portrayal of women in his films and whether or not this particular remark was a bizarre artistic choice or something more concerning.
Miyazaki has long received praise for his depictions of strong, independent female characters who challenge gender norms. Nausicaä is a beloved heroine who is known for her leadership, compassion, and intelligence. But even Miyazaki’s most devoted fans were puzzled by this specific remark about her appearance.
The oddity of this statement raises a larger question about the male gaze in animation and storytelling. Why focus on the size of her specific body part, especially in a story that is so deeply philosophical and centered on environmental and anti-war themes?
Did Hayao Miyazaki Really Mean to Objectify Nausicaä?
The online reactions to Miyazaki’s comments have been swift and varied. Some fans were quick to defend Miyazaki, arguing that his explanation, while strange, wasn’t meant to objectify Nausicaä but to add depth to her role as a compassionate figure. Others found the entire notion problematic, wondering why Miyazaki felt the need to justify or even mention Nausicaä’s breasts in the first place.
degenerate otaku hayao miyazaki was him at his best
— (Ó Д Ò) 🍔 (@nildicit) July 2, 2019
I wonder if he started talking, saw the guy’s expression and discomfort, and thought to himself “How far can I take this? Let’s start making some shit up!”
— Eirikr (@Ciredieter) July 2, 2019
He probably should have just said that it makes her seem like more of a loving/motherly figure. Same point, much less weird.
— Jaikob (@Jaikthesnaike) July 3, 2019
Dear Mr. Miyazaki,
The fuck?
— Nick (@NickNumbersNOW) September 30, 2020
The same man that’s so outspoken against otaku that waifu-ize their characters. Miyazaki, I love you, but you are a huge hypocrite.
— Christie (@cirsteh) July 3, 2019
Although it’s not fully clear as to what Hayao Miyazaki‘s original intentions for this particular commentary was, perhaps, he specifically wanted to emphasize Nausicaä’s character as a motherly figure, but somehow couldn’t express it in a more decent way. Or maybe, the original message got lost in translation.
Miyazaki himself has expressed discomfort with the idea of s*xualizing his characters, even saying in the same interview, “If a nude scene came up, I wouldn’t have been able to draw it without apologizing.” This suggests that while Miyazaki may have had some abstract reasoning behind his design choices, his attempt to rationalize Nausicaä’s proportions still doesn’t sit well with many.
Regardless of which side of the debate fans fall on, it’s clear that the interview sparked a wider conversation about how we perceive the design and portrayal of female characters in media, even from creators as respected as Hayao Miyazaki.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is currently available to watch on Netflix.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
