41 Years Ago, This Anime Taught Hollywood a Huge Lesson About Strong Female Leads

The entertainment industry has evolved a lot already and will continue to evolve even further. It already brought us visual effects we've never even dreamed of that took us on many unforgettable adventures. Yet despite these technological leaps, something fundamental often gets lost in translation. That “something” is, of course, the authentic portrayal of female characters.

No matter how much we advance, we almost always end up with characters who either conform to tired stereotypes or swing too far in the opposite direction, becoming unrealistic “strong female characters” who seem to exist solely to prove a point.

This is precisely why revisiting Miyazaki's 1984 masterpiece feels so refreshing even four decades later. He got it right.

The Timeless Appeal of Princess Nausicaä

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) introduces us to a princess unlike any other. And she's not waiting to be rescued.

In a post-apocalyptic world on the verge of environmental disaster, Princess Nausicaä becomes a true beacon of hope. She's actively working to save her world, but not through brute force or aggression (and that's where a lot of strong female lead movies go south). She uses her compassion and vulnerability. They aren’t seen as something to be ashamed of.

This emotional depth stands out a lot because many portrayals of strong female leads tend to equate strength with emotional distance or hostility. And sure, there's certainly room for different personalities in storytelling. Yet there's a concerning trend where characters are stripped of their empathy and emotional depth in an attempt to portray strength.

Nausicaä is different though. She's a warrior who prefers understanding to violence, a leader who serves rather than commands.

Yep, After 41 Years, Nausicaä Is Still More Relevant Than Ever

In an industry that often mistakes physical power for strength, Nausicaä shows that true power can lie in compassion. She shows strength without sacrificing her empathy.

This impact hasn't gone unnoticed by audiences.

“He [Miyazaki] believes that it is deeply disgusting and unacceptable to misrepresent reality or create unrealistic characters. Nausicaa was born from the women in Miyazaki’s life, and an ideal that he believes we should all strive for. I think Nausicaa is not just a strong female character, but a truly strong feminine character,” aang333 on Reddit noted.

Another viewer, Redditor Corporal_Canada, wrote:

“One thing I felt was great about this movie, was Princess Nausicaä herself. In my opinion, she should be a benchmark in how to write a strong female lead character. Too many movies seem to portray woman leads as either assholes or someone who needs the safety of a man.”

And we cannot agree more. We think that this Women's Month Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is a must-watch for everyone craving the real strong female lead.

So whether you're just discovering or revisiting, this masterpiece is waiting for you on HBO Max, Fandango at Home, Amazon Video or Apple TV+.