With both interior and exterior designed by Marc Newson, the Lürssen superyacht features a pioneering methanol fuel-cell installation that places the yacht at the forefront of the yard’s research efforts.
A High-Profile Owner Linked Early in the Build
Although Lürssen has not commented on ownership, the yacht has been widely connected to Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa. In 2022, Maezawa stated publicly that he had commissioned a new Lürssen of similar scale and had appointed Marc Newson to lead the design, continuing a long-running collaboration between the two. The timeline, scope, and design team align with the project that later appeared as Cosmos and now carries the name Nausicaa. Multiple Japanese and international outlets have since associated him with the build, and no alternative ownership has been reported.
Cosmos has remained visible throughout her construction, gaining attention for her propulsion research, design pedigree, and the scale of the commission. That interest intensified in late 2025 when she was seen underway on sea trials off Kiel, marking a significant step toward her 2026 delivery. The name reveal now adds a further point of focus, given its cultural associations and the many possible readings that sit alongside the project’s wider story.
Potential Links to Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
The name Nausicaä holds a prominent place in Japanese popular culture through Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the manga and animated film created by Hayao Miyazaki. The story is a foundational work for Studio Ghibli and remains one of the most internationally recognised Japanese narratives of the late 20th century. For a Japanese owner operating on a global stage, a name with this level of cultural resonance carries clear significance.
The title character is known for a mix of curiosity, independence, and a strong sense of responsibility. She is framed as an explorer, a mediator, and someone who seeks to understand unfamiliar environments. These traits align with themes that have shaped Maezawa’s public ventures, from his spaceflight preparations to his interest in large-scale travel and exploration projects. While the owner has not commented on the meaning of the name, the association naturally prompts comparison.
Personal Alignment with Maezawa’s Public Interests
Nausicaä’s focus on exploration and responsibility aligns with several of Maezawa’s public projects. He has positioned himself at the center of large-scale travel initiatives, including his 12-day stay on the International Space Station in 2021 and his role as the lead passenger for SpaceX’s planned dearMoon mission. His interest in the future of space travel also extends to sustainability. In 2023, Maezawa invested 23 million dollars into Astroscale, a Tokyo-based company developing satellite-servicing and debris-removal technology aimed at preserving long-term access to space. The company framed his involvement as a strategic step toward addressing orbital debris, and Maezawa linked the investment directly to the responsibilities that come with increased commercial spaceflight.
These activities give the name Nausicaä added context. The story’s emphasis on environmental balance and stewardship resonates with Maezawa’s support for sustainable space operations, while its themes of curiosity and wide-ranging travel echo the trajectory of his public ventures. The artistic connection is also relevant. Nausicaä originated as a manga and film created by Hayao Miyazaki, one of Japan’s most influential cultural figures. Maezawa’s long-running interest in contemporary art and high-profile design collaborations fits naturally with choosing a name rooted in a major creative work. The pattern mirrors several of his personal projects, where art, narrative, and technology intersect.
Nausicaä in Greek Mythology
While the name is immediately associated with Miyazaki’s work in Japan, its origin is far older. Nausicaä appears in Greek mythology as the character who aids Odysseus after he is shipwrecked. The themes connected to that figure - hospitality, guidance, and the restoration of a traveler after a long passage - have natural appeal for a vessel built for extensive cruising.
This dual heritage gives the name both international readability and cultural depth. It is accessible to global audiences while still carrying clear meaning at home. For a yacht expected to travel widely, that balance is practical as well as symbolic.
How Nausicaa Aligns With the Yacht’s Character
Cosmos is a major step in Lürssen’s research into future propulsion and will be the yard’s first yacht to integrate methanol fuel-cell technology. The system is designed to support slow-speed, low-emission cruising and was installed on the owner’s request. As a result, the motor yacht has become part of the broader shift toward alternative energy systems in large-yacht construction.
Marc Newson’s design approach gives Nausicaa a profile shaped by the sculptural, flowing forms that define much of his work. Known for projects with Apple, Qantas, Louis Vuitton, and Montblanc, as well as the Aquariva by Marc Newson, he often prioritises smooth surfaces, uninterrupted geometry, and a visual clarity drawn from industrial design rather than traditional marine cues. Those ideas are evident in Nausicaa’s fully glazed bow section, the high-set glass-domed owner’s study, and a low, purposeful silhouette that departs from tiered superstructure arrangements.
The yacht’s technical platform supports this design direction. Nausicaa is arranged for long-range travel with large tenders, a dry-dock system, a substantial helipad, and an Ice Class 1D rating for higher-latitude navigation. Her methanol fuel-cell installation, capable of zero-emissions slow cruising and extended quiet running at anchor, reinforces the impression of a vessel engineered for extended itineraries. Taken together, the design and technical brief create a coherent identity for Nausicaa, positioning her as one of the most distinctive large yachts approaching completion in Lürssen’s recent portfolio.
Positioning Nausicaa as Delivery Nears
Nausicaä stands out in the current landscape of large yacht launches, carrying a level of cultural and narrative weight that is unusual for a vessel of this scale. The name’s presence in both classical mythology and modern storytelling gives it broader recognition than most, and it adds a distinct layer of identity to a project already noted for its design team, scale, and technical ambition. Within Lürssen’s recent fleet, few yachts have adopted names with such clear literary or mythological associations, which adds to the visibility the project has held throughout its build.
As Nausicaä moves through trials toward her expected 2026 delivery, the name reveal offers a clearer sense of the yacht’s character and the narrative tied to her commissioning. With a methanol fuel-cell system, a Marc Newson design, and a commissioning story that has attracted sustained interest, she remains one of the most anticipated large yachts nearing completion.
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