This has been available in English for some time but in a form that was not designed to appeal to true manga fans. The English edition of Nausicaä had the following flaws (relative to the Japanese original): the pages were reduced in size so the artwork suffered; the sound effects were translated from Japanese into English, requiring alteration of the art work; and the images were flipped to make the book read from left to right (manga read from right to left), which was yet another alteration of the original art work. Extras, such as fold out color inserts and additional pen and ink drawings, were not included. Additionally, the number of volumes was reduced from seven to four and black ink was used instead of the original dark brown.

But Nausicaä fans can now rejoice because a new edition that is as faithful as possible to the original manga is being published. The new Nausicaä manga are restored to their original size, page orientation, number of volumes and ink color and the sound effects have been left in Japanese. Only the dialog and narration have been translated. Extra pen and ink drawings (such as a labeled diagram of Nausicaä's wind-rider outfit) and fold-out color inserts that were in the original manga but not in the first English edition have been included, as well.

More Perfect than the Perfect Collection
The old, four-volume set of Nausicaä was called "The Perfect Collection." This now seems ironic since the new set will be considered far more perfect than the old one by Nausicaä fans.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Volume 1
'Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Vol. 1'
130 pp. Inside front cover: pen and ink sketch of God Warriors during Seven Days of Fire, introductory text. Color insert: fold-out mini-poster with water color painting of Nausicaä on a windmill on one side and a map of Torumekia on the other. Hayao Miyazaki Profile. Hayao Miyazaki essay, "On Nausicaä".

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Volume 2
'Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Vol. 2'
130 pp. Inside front cover: "Wind Rider Outfit for the Sea of Corruption" diagram (pen and ink). Color insert: fold-out mini-poster with water color portrait of Nausicaä on one side and Kushana on the other. Inside back cover: pen and ink sketch of Nausicaä in princess outfit.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Volume 3
'Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Vol. 3'
150 pp. Inside front cover: same as Volume 1. Color insert: fold-out mini-poster with water color portrait of Nausicaä mounted on horseclaw on one side and Torumekia War Front Map on the other. Inside back cover: pen and ink sketch: Nausicaä in flight suit.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Volume 4
'Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Vol. 4'
134 pp. Color insert. Pen and ink sketch, inside back cover.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Volume 5
'Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Vol. 5'
151 pp. Color insert. Pen and ink sketch, inside back cover.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Volume 6
'Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Vol. 6'
159 pp. Color insert. Pen and ink sketch, inside back cover.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Volume 7
'Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Vol. 7'
223 pp.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind: Box Set
'Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind : Box Set (Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind)'

The Original English Edition
The original English edition of the Nausicaä manga is still available and anyone who is curious about this wonderful story, but is reluctant to read a book "backwards," doesn't want to deal with Japanese sound effects or wants to look for a good deal from someone selling their old first edition after buying a new, improved second edition (although I wouldn't count on this happening) should consider buying the old, four-volume set. But, be warned! There is a good chance you will get hooked and end up buying the new edition as well.

Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind, Volume 1 (old edition)
'Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind : Perfect Collection (Vol 1)'

Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind, Volume 2 (old edition)
'Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind : Perfect Collection (Vol 2)'

Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind, Volume 3 (old edition)
'Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind : Perfect Collection (Vol 3)'

Nausicaä of the Valley of Wind, Volume 4 (old edition)
'Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind : Perfect Collection (Vol 4)'

The Old Nausicaä Box Set
'Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind : Perfect Collection Boxed Set (Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind)'

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind: the anime DVD
'Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind'

(Thanks to Marc R. Hairston and Kier DeAnda of the Miyazaki mailing list who provided information that aided me greatly in making up this guide. Go to http://nausicaa.net to find out more about Hayao Miyazaki and to join the Miyazaki mailing list.)