In late November, Viz Media released this spectacular Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind box set. It contains the entire 1,110+ page graphic novel in two volumes, includes numerous color illustrations, a full poster, and packages everything in a wonderfully-stylish case. For the true Miyazaki fan, this set is the crown jewel of your collection.
There's only one small problem: The Nausicaa box set may already be out of print. It's difficult to tell, because as much as I appreciate and applaud Viz for publishing Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli books, they do a lousy job selling them. Even their website is a dismal mess when you want to find something. For now, however, I must assume that the original print run has finished, and it's up to the publisher to decide whether to invest in another run.
Obviously, I will insist on more pressings of Nausicaa, a graphic novel masterwork that rivals Art Spiegelman's Maus for brilliance. It remains criminally overlooked by Miyazaki fans here in the US; I daresay that most folks don't even know these books exist, or that one could find them at the local bookstore...that is, if Viz could actually be bothered to stock them.
It's times like this when I wish I had the money to start a publishing company and just do it myself. I don't know about you, but I'd love to read Miyazaki's second volume of memoirs, Turning Point. I'd also like to read Isao Takahata's and Yasuo Otsuka's memoirs, Yoshifumi Kondo's posthumously-released art book, Michiyo Yasuda's book on color theory, and pretty much all of Miyazaki-san's comics. If I ever come into a large amount of money, I'll definitely give it a try.
In any case, Viz still has the seven-volume Nausicaa books, which are available separately. If you haven't discovered this novel, I strongly urge you to get your hands on some copies. And we'll cross our fingers and hope this terrific box set reemerges soon. Viz needs to get on the ball and start doing their damned jobs. There's no excuse for this.
11 comments:
Augh, that's sad that the hardcover edition is already out of print. I always prefer hardcover copies, and it's a shame that most comics are collected in paperback. Thank God I got a copy before it went out of print.
I'm amazed, Miyazaki has been growing in popularity immensely, and many of my friends are Miyazaki fans, yet none of them have actually read Nausicaa until I lend them my copy. This is probably my second favourite comic...(I'm sorry, there's still a very special place in my heart for Calvin & Hobbes :P)...and definitely my all-time favourite graphic novel. It's possibly Miyazaki's greatest work.
Wow, glad I picked up a copy then! Still have my old set too, they're better for lending out.
Yeah, I remember being stunned that the manga even existed, and that it continued for so much longer than the film covered! It seems strange to me that it's never mentioned anywhere on the US DVD or Bluray.
At some point in the future, it would be extremely interesting to see if Nausicaa will ever be adapted again. I feel like we're unlikely to see this from Miyazaki, but I wonder if one day it will be taken on as a TV series by somebody entirely different.
A while back I found this on Amazon for an absurdly cheap price, on sale (I believe it was only $60-ish). Recalling the MUCH higher price just months before, I jumped on it and ordered it. Then I waited. And waited...and waited. I finally received an email from Amazon saying they couldn't ship it. No explanation as to why, nothing. I was highly disappointed. But instead I purchased the whole series in the original paperback form, and I agree that it's certainly a must-read for an Miyazaki fan. Nausicaa takes on a whole new dimension.
Buy it from Amazon it is a lot cheaper than from Amazon. ($35 vs about $100!)
@Blogan the same thing happened to me. I got really excited and oredered it on Amazon for 40 dollars.
Waited literally a month and a half with no shipment and they eventaully cancelled it. :(
I really hope they make another print run.
Just checked my Amazon wishlist- it's listed as "In Stock April 25". So watch that space, looks like it might have been reprinted?
Hey guys, i googled this and discovered that they have it at Barnes and Noble. Just ordered it off the site. total was like 38 bucks. link is here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nausicaa-of-the-valley-of-the-wind-box-set-hayao-miyazaki/1113243721?ean=9781421550640
Wow, so glad I got it back then for my birthday. It was my first time reading it and it was amazing! Plus, I got it off of Amazon for like 50% off.
So Barnes and Noble seem to be selling this again at a sane price (after previously running out and having to restock):
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nausicaa-of-the-valley-of-the-wind-box-set-hayao-miyazaki/1113243721?ean=9781421550640
Only $35. Jump on it while you still can.
I just ordered it from Barnes and Noble. They have it for the very reasonable price of $35.05. A very great bargain, it seems to me!
Barnes and Noble has it for $35.05. Just got mine the other day. It's absolutely epic in its sweep and grandeur....
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