“NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND / 風の谷のナウシカ” ORIGINAL JAPANESE B1 THEATRICAL POSTER – HAYAO MIYAZAKI / PRE-GHIBLI MASTERPIECE Holy Grail Rarity | Ultra-Rare B1 Oversize | c. 72.8 × 103 cm (28.7 × 40.6 in) | Excellent

“NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND / 風の谷のナウシカ” (1984) – ORIGINAL JAPANESE B1 THEATRICAL POSTER – HAYAO MIYAZAKI / PRE-GHIBLI MASTERPIECE
Holy Grail Rarity | Ultra-Rare B1 Oversize | Original Japanese Release Campaign (1984) | c. 72.8 × 103 cm (28.7 × 40.6 in) | Excellent 

An exceptional, original first-release Japanese B1 theatrical poster for Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (風の谷のナウシカ)—the pre-Ghibli film that made Ghibli possible. Released before the studio’s establishment, this landmark film achieved the artistic and commercial success that paved the way for Studio Ghibli’s founding in 1985. For collectors, its original Japanese theatrical paper represents a particularly significant chapter in animation history.

This spectacular ensemble composition captures the film’s epic scale: Nausicaä stands above her sweeping, wing-shaped glider, framed by towering Ohmu and their glowing red eyes, while an extraordinary gathering of characters fills the foreground. Fiery orange and gold contrast with deep violet, blue clothing, silver armour and crimson drapery—an image of both impending catastrophe and extraordinary resolve.

In the ultra-rare B1 format, the illustration acquires remarkable presence. Sourced by Japan Poster Shop in Hokkaido, Japan, this example combines the impact of large-format theatrical artwork with excellent original-paper presentation and no pinholes. A true holy grail for the dedicated Miyazaki collector, and a commanding centrepiece for an important animation collection.

Date & Japanese Theatrical Release

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind opened in Japanese cinemas on 11 March 1984, distributed by Toei. Its animation production was undertaken by Topcraft, before Studio Ghibli existed.

The prominent announcement across the top of this poster reads:

「’84年春休み全国洋画系一斉ロードショー！」
“Nationwide roadshow release for the 1984 spring holidays, through the foreign-film cinema circuit!”

This advance-release wording is an especially evocative feature of the design: it advertises Nausicaä as an upcoming theatrical event, preserving the anticipation surrounding its original Japanese release. The sheet also carries the Toei distribution credit and the Eirin mark numbered 83436, visible in the detailed photographs.

The Film & Its Place in Cinema History

The pre-Ghibli film that made Ghibli.

Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, produced by Isao Takahata, and featuring music by Joe Hisaishi, Nausicaä brought together creative figures whose work would become central to the Ghibli story. Crucially, it was a Topcraft production, not a film made by an already-established Studio Ghibli. Its success helped create the conditions for that new studio to follow.

Set a thousand years after the devastating Seven Days of Fire, the film follows a young princess attempting to bridge the divide between humanity and a seemingly hostile natural world. Amid poisonous forests, enormous insects and competing human powers, Nausicaä’s defining strength is her refusal to abandon compassion. The film’s conflict between destruction and coexistence gives its extraordinary fantasy imagery a lasting emotional and environmental resonance.

For collectors, this first-release poster is therefore more than memorabilia from a celebrated film. It is an artefact from the threshold of the Ghibli era—a tangible connection to the moment before that studio’s identity, reputation and international following took shape.

Design Notes

This is a particularly dramatic ensemble-style campaign design, bringing the film’s central characters and apocalyptic atmosphere together in one densely illustrated composition:

• Nausicaä and the glider: At the upper centre, the blue-clad heroine stands above the broad wings of her glider, isolated against a vertical shaft of golden light.
• The monumental Ohmu: Their armoured forms and glowing red eyes dominate the background, giving the image an overwhelming sense of scale.
• The character ensemble: A sword-bearing Nausicaä anchors the lower left, balanced by Kushana in elaborate armour and a flowing crimson cloak at right, with Lord Yupa and other characters gathered between them.
• Exceptional colour and line: Expressive black outlines, textured passages of colour and the contrast between fiery orange, violet, blue and red give the artwork a vivid, hand-drawn immediacy.
• Bold Japanese typography: The large red title 風の谷のナウシカ, blue-and-red release announcement and small yellow NAUSICAÄ lettering complete a strikingly balanced theatrical design.

The diagonal slogan reads:

「火の7日間が地球を変えた…」
“The Seven Days of Fire changed the Earth…”

At B1 scale, the combination of intimate character detail and immense background creatures becomes especially powerful. The illustration rewards close inspection while retaining a strong, unmistakable presence from across a room.

The Japanese B1 Format and Why It’s So Hard to Find

The familiar Japanese B2 theatrical format measures approximately 51.5 × 72.8 cm. At approximately 72.8 × 103 cm, B1 provides twice the paper area, transforming the same general category of cinema advertising into a substantially larger display piece.

Large-format B1 theatrical posters were intended for prominent promotional display, including cinema lobbies and larger poster frames. Their dimensions also made them more demanding to handle and store than B2 sheets. For Nausicaä, original first-release B1 examples are incredibly rare. We have never encountered another. 

The distinction is not simply size—it is the opportunity to acquire scarce original theatrical material with exceptional visual impact. Its appeal rests on the ultra-rare B1 format, original 1984 release campaign, historic importance and outstanding surviving presentation.

This example’s absence of pinholes is a particularly attractive feature for collectors seeking an original large-format poster that retains a clean, uninterrupted appearance.

About the Artist: Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli

Hayao Miyazaki is the defining creative figure behind Nausicaä. The credit printed immediately above the Japanese title reads 「原作・脚本・監督／宮崎 駿」—“Original story, screenplay and direction: Hayao Miyazaki.” These are the same principal creative roles recorded in the film’s official credits.

The poster brings the richness of his imaginative world into sharp focus: unusual flying machines, intricately realised creatures, resolute young characters and the uneasy coexistence of beauty and danger. Its crowded human foreground and immense insect forms suggest a world far larger than any individual within it.

For a Miyazaki collection, this is a compelling place to begin—or a significant piece around which to build: original Japanese release material for the film that stands at the foundation of the Studio Ghibli story.

Condition Report

Overall presentation: Excellent / superb original-paper presentation.

A beautifully preserved large-format example with no pinholes, rich colour and strong illustrative detail. The fiery orange background, deep violet passages, blue costumes and bold red title retain excellent visual impact.

• No pinholes: A particularly desirable feature of this original theatrical display sheet.
• Original paper, unbacked: Presented without linen backing, with both the front and reverse shown in the photographs.
• Minor handling wear: Light paper undulations and small edge and border creases are visible in the detailed images, particularly around portions of the upper and right-hand margins.
• Overall appearance: The artwork remains the clear focus, with the minor handling traces doing little to diminish its impressive presentation.

Authenticity: Original Japanese theatrical B1 poster for the 1984 first release—not a modern reproduction or later reprint.
Documentation: Certificate of Authenticity included.

(Please refer to the images provided—this is the exact poster offered. Additional imagery available on request.)

Please note the price is fixed for this item. It is not included in any of our periodic sales (e.g. Black Friday)!