The world of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is set approximately one thousand years after the “Seven Days of Fire,” a global catastrophe that destroyed industrial civilization. This event left behind a heavily polluted planet and the vast, hostile environment called the Sea of Corruption, or Toxic Jungle. This jungle dominates the landscape, forcing humanity to cling to survival in the few remaining unpolluted areas. While inhabitants perceive the jungle as a deadly, encroaching menace, its existence serves a complex purpose beyond simple destruction.
The Origin and Appearance of the Sea of Corruption
The Sea of Corruption, or Toxic Jungle, is a direct biological response to the global contamination following the ancient war. Catastrophic weapons and industrial self-destruction saturated the land and seas with persistent, non-biodegradable pollutants and heavy metals. The Toxic Jungle began to grow as a planetary defense mechanism against this widespread poisoning.
The jungle is characterized by giant fungal structures and towering flora that release dangerous spores. The air within the Sea of Corruption is unbreathable to humans without specialized filtration masks, and the water is equally toxic. This environment establishes a clear boundary between the toxic, purifying zone and the shrinking habitable lands.
The environment is protected by colossal, mutant insects, notably the armored Ohmu, which aggressively defend the flora from human interference. The continuous expansion of the Toxic Jungle is an organized, slow march across the globe to cover and process polluted areas. For surviving human kingdoms, this steady encroachment is viewed as an existential threat.
The Flora’s Purification Mechanism
The true function of the Sea of Corruption is its role as a biological filtration system, a massive, self-sustaining process of bioremediation. The flora and fungi act as biological filters designed to actively absorb dangerous contaminants from the soil and water. Specific fungal strains and plant species demonstrate a profound capacity for bio-accumulation, drawing in heavy metals (like cadmium, lead, and arsenic) and complex organic pollutants.
The plants are toxic to humans and animals because they are saturated with the poisons extracted from the ground. This sequestration process locks the pollutants within the tissues of the jungle’s organisms. Deep root systems of the giant fungi and plants draw up toxic groundwater, addressing the entire column of contaminated matter.
The spores released by the flora spread the purification effort to new areas and accelerate the breakdown of pollutants. The entire ecosystem operates under a singular, long-term directive: to cleanse the planet of ancient industrial poisons. The jungle’s toxicity is merely a byproduct of its successful, ongoing work as a planetary cleanser.
The Final Stage of Ecological Restoration
The purification cycle culminates in the death and petrification of the flora, the final step in ecological restoration. Once a section of the Sea of Corruption has absorbed the maximum amount of toxins, the plant and fungal structures die. The organic matter then decays and mineralizes, effectively crystallizing the absorbed poisons.
This decaying process leaves behind a layer of clean, non-toxic sand or soil, which cannot support the life of the toxic jungle. The former Sea of Corruption recedes, leaving behind a new, healthy environment suitable for human habitation without the need for filtration. This purified land is the ultimate goal of the jungle’s existence.
This cycle demonstrates the Sea of Corruption is not a permanent feature but a temporary, necessary stage in the planet’s recovery. The jungle advances into polluted areas, processes the contamination over many decades, and then recedes, creating new earth for future generations. This vast, self-sacrificing endeavor is the planet’s slow, deliberate path toward ecological equilibrium, freeing the world from the scars of the ancient war.