How far would you go to turn anime fantasies into reality? Don’t answer that. We’ve seen your J-List orders! This month, Artist-pilot Kazuhiko Hachiya made several safe flights in (or on top of) the OpenSky M-02J, a real-world incarnation of the Möwe glider from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
The aircraft, created by a team led by Kazuhiko Hachiya and designer Satoru Shinohe, is undergoing jet-powered flight tests at Sekiyado gliding field this month. Fittingly, Sekiyado is Japan’s largest glider field. So far, the flight tests have covered roughly four miles (about six kilometers) each, with an average duration of four minutes.
Japan’s Heavenly Autumn Skies
As the Momiji leaves pale to yellow, then blaze red, Japan’s oppressive summer heat recedes, and fine, cool days bring perfect flying weather. The OpenSky team began unpowered flight tests in 2006. Subsequently, their first jet-powered version, the M-02J (J for jet), took its first taxi test in 2010. The 220 lb. (100 kg) craft is capable of a maximum speed of 43 mph (70 km/h), enough punch to turn the blue autumn skies into a canvas for aeronautical art.
You can watch the latest flights on Kazuhiko Hachiya’s YouTube channel.
Miyazaki’s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Painted in Contrails
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, like most works bearing Hayao Miyazaki’s touch, has a daydream magic. A magic that ties his movies to our psyche. Nausicaä is an unforgettable cinematic masterwork. So, it’s unsurprising that fans would devote their lives to manifesting Miyazaki’s vision.
Gorgeously rendered and thematically timeless (because pollution is an increasingly deadly problem), the movie will undoubtedly leave an impression on audiences for decades to come. The 117-minute-long anime is a post-apocalyptic story of giant mutant insects, weird flying machines, and, ultimately, of hope for humanity. In the 41 years since its 1984 release, Nausicaä has inspired many creators. We have games (such as Metal Slug 3 and Panzer Dragoon) and movies (like Star Wars: The Force Awakens), not to mention manga and anime. And, of course, OpenSky’s M-02J.
So, never doubt that a love of anime can take you places!
J-List has many of Miyazaki’s Blu-rays in stock. So, if you’re coming to Studio Ghibli’s classics for the first time or completing your collection, drop in and see what we’ve got. You can find Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind on the J-List store. The Blu-ray features full 1920 x 1080 HD resolution.
Name one anime vehicle you’d love to own. Tell us in the comments. Tachikoma, I choose you! There’s one on my wall, guarding my collection of plastic fantasies. That said, which anime machine would you wish into existence?
Let’s Chat
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Sources: OpenSky’s home page.
OpenSky’s IndieGoGo funding page.
