In Hayao Miyazaki's animated film and manga of the same name, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, audiences are introduced to a unique world populated by giant insects. Now, the official Studio Ghibli store has teamed up with Kamen Rider creature designer Takayuki Takeya to create a series of hyper-realistic, palm-sized action figures inspired by one of Nausicaa's fictional insects.
As detailed on Ghibli’s online store, Donguri Sora, Takeya worked with professional sculptor Tsuneyuki Ida to recreate Nausicaa’s Ushiabu insect with “realistic and lifelike” designs. As shown below, the figures are meticulously detailed, with careful attention paid to the details on the wings, legs, face, and carapace. Additionally, the legs and wings are articulated, allowing them to be positioned in a variety of ways. There are three versions in total, — “Original,” “Movie Color,” and “Clear” — all measuring approximately 65 millimeters (or 2.5 inches) in length. To recreate the illusion of flight, each figurine also comes with a transparent base.
The new Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind action figure collection is Studio Ghibli's most unique collection ever
Ushiabu designer Takayuki Takeya originally worked as the creature designer/supervisor for Kamen Rider ZO (1993) — a live-action film in Shotaro Ishinomori's iconic Kamen Rider series. In the film, Kamen Riders face off against a number of insectoid foes, including Kumo Woman — a hideous hybrid of human and spider. According to Donguri Sora's website, the Ushiabu design team let Takeya take the lead on the project, using his creative expertise to develop a more “accurate” version of the famous insect. Including tax, each figure costs 5,500 yen ($37.62), making them a great gift idea for Nausicaa fans and Kamen Rider enthusiasts. While Donguri Sora does not currently offer international shipping, their products are often available through international e-commerce sites like eBay.
Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is the first film by Studio Ghibli.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is Hayao Miyazaki's first entirely original anime project. An alternate version of his own popular manga Nausicaa, the film adaptation of Nausicaa follows its titular heroine – a young princess with a special connection to the natural world. Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, the remaining human factions must fight a vast Toxic Forest, which is also guarded by giant insects. One day, Kushana, Princess of Tolmekia, approaches Nausicaa's village with a proposition to destroy the Toxic Forest once and for all. After reluctantly joining the Tolmekians, Nausicaa makes a startling discovery about the forest's origins. Armed with her newfound knowledge, the princess sets out in search of a peaceful solution.
Released in 1984, Nausicaa became a huge hit, grossing over 1.48 billion yen in domestic ticket sales. Its success eventually led to the founding of Studio Ghibli and subsequent hits such as Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, and the heartbreaking Grave of the Fireflies, among others. Viewers in the United States and Japan can watch Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, along with the entire Studio Ghibli film library, on Max. The original Nausicaa manga is also available in English on VIZ Media.
Donguri Sora: List of Takeya-style Free-Action Ushiabu Insect Statues: Original Color Version, Movie Version, Transparent Version
