Conan, The Boy in Future

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Conan, The Boy in Future
Conan and Lana
未来少年コナン
(Mirai Shōnen Konan)
Genre Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction
TV anime
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Studio Nippon Animation
Network Flag of Japan NHK, Animax
Original run April 4, 1978October 31, 1978
No. of episodes 26

Conan, The Boy in Future (未来少年コナン Mirai Shōnen Konan?, lit. Future Boy Conan) is an anime series, which premiered across Japan on the NHK network between April 4 and October 31, 1978 on the Tuesday 19:30-20:00 timeslot.

Spanning a total of 26 episodes, the series was produced by Nippon Animation and featured the likes of Hayao Miyazaki (director, character designs, storyboards), Isao Takahata (storyboards) and Yoshiyuki Tomino (storyboards). It is an adaptation of Alexander Key's novel The Incredible Tide.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Contents

[edit] Story

The story begins in July 2008, during a time when mankind is faced with the threat of extinction. A devastating war fought between two major nations with ultramagnetic weapons far greater than anything seen earlier brings about total chaos and destruction throughout the world, resulting in several earthquakes and tidal waves, the earth thrown off its axis, its crust being rocked by massive movements, and the five continents being torn completely apart and sinking deep below the sea.

An attempt by a group of people to flee to outer space failed, with their spaceships being forced back to earth and vanishing, thus shattering their hopes. But one of the spaceships narrowly escaped destruction and crash landed on a small island which had miraculously survived the devastation. The crew members of the spaceship settled there, as if they were seeds sown on the island.

Amidst these survivors, a boy named Conan was born, bringing a new ray of hope to the earth. After several years, during which most of the other survivors had died and the only people left on the island were Conan and his grandfather, he meets a young girl named Lana, and their adventure begins.

[edit] Characters

Conan (コナン Konan?) Seiyū: Noriko Ohara
The main protagonist of the series, Conan, is an 11 year old boy who grew up on the island and was raised by his grandfather. Conan is very strong, and can even hang from a ledge using only his toes. Conan is telepathically linked with Lana.
Lana (ラナ Rana?) Seiyū: Mieko Nobusawa
Lana is the first non-Remnant Island inhabitant, and the first girl Conan sees. Lana is the granddaughter of Dr. Lao, and Lepka wants to use her to get Lao to tell him the secret of solar power. Lana is referred to as possessing ESP, allowing her to communicate with a seagull 'Tikki', as well as sense the presence of her grandpa. She comes from High Harbour.
Grandpa (おじい Ojī?) Seiyū: Masato Yamanouchi
Conan's elderly grandfather.
Monsley (モンスリー Monsurī?) Seiyū: Rihoko Yoshida
A young commander of Industria's armed forces, Monsley is the second non-Islander Conan sees. Piloting the flying boat Falco, she follows Lepka's orders by helping capture Lana, and eventually leading the invasion of High Harbour. Ultimately, Monsley renounces Lepka's ambitions, and joins with Conan against him.
Jimsy (ジムシー Jimushī?) Seiyū: Kazuyo Aoki
A wild boy living alone on the first island Conan arrives at, Jimsy quickly becomes Conan's first 'companion', helping him rescue Lana. Jimsy is a master hunter, and motivated by his stomach.
Dyce (ダイス Daisu?) Seiyū: Ichirō Nagai
Dyce is a citizen of Industria, and the captain of the ship Barracuda. He was ordered to kidnap Lana prior to the start of series, but let her escape due to his obsession with his captive. Dyce is initially a comedic villain in the show, but eventually becomes one of Conan's allies.
Lepka (レプカ Repuka?) Seiyū: Iemasa Kayumi
The head of administration of Industria, Lepka technically serves under the Industria High Council, a group of scientists. However, over the course of the series, he becomes the sole dictator of Industria, and the primary antagonist. Lepka desires to extract the secret of solar power from Lao to power his weapons, allowing him to rule over what remains of the world.
Dr. Lao (ラオ博士 Rao-hakase?) Seiyū: Masato Yamanouchi
The grandfather of Lana, and originally a member of the Industrian High Council, he defected after he learned of Lepka's ambitions. He believes that the people of Industria must be taught to discard their weapons, and begin new lives.
Spoilers end here.

[edit] Anime

Conan, The Boy in Future first aired across Japan on the NHK TV network between April 4 and October 31, 1978, during the Tuesday, 7:30pm timeslot. It has been regularly broadcast across Japan on the anime satellite television network, Animax, who have also later translated and dubbed the series into English for broadcast across its respective English-language networks in Southeast Asia and South Asia.

The series was also translated into numerous other languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Arabic, being broadcast across Europe, Latin America, the Arab world, and numerous other regions.

[edit] Staff

  • Original story: Alexander Key (The Incredible Tide)
  • Planning and production: Nippon Animation
  • Executive producer: Kōichi Motohashi
  • Production manager: Mitsuru Takakuwa
  • Planning: Shōji Satō
  • Producers: Junzō Nakajima, Shigeo Endō
  • Script: Kenshō Nakano/Sōji Yoshikawa/Tetsu Kurumi
  • Music: Shin'ichirō Ikebe
  • Character designs: Hayao Miyazaki/Yasuo Ōtsuka
  • Chief animation director: Yasuo Ōtsuka
  • Art director: Nizo Yamamoto
  • Sound director: Shigeharu Shiba
  • Storyboards: Hayao Miyazaki (ep.1~4,8,12,15~19,22~26), Keiji Hayakawa (ep.3&4,8,12,15), Isao Takahata (ep.7,9&10,13,20), Seiji Okuda (ep.5&6), Yoshiyuki Tomino (ep.14,21), Noboru Ishiguro (ep.11), Takayoshi Suzuki (ep.17)
  • Animation checker: Hidemi Maeda
  • Backgrounds: Atelier Rourke Masamichi Takano, Taisaburō Abe, Junji Kasahara
  • Photography: Tokyo Animation Firm Hitoshi Kaneko, Masatatsu Shimizu
  • Editing: Takeshi Seyama
  • Film developers: Tōyo Genzōsho
  • Effects: Hidenori Ishida
  • Sound recording: Kunio Kuwabara
  • Sound production: Omnibus Promotion
  • Sound studio: Cinebeam
  • Co-director: Keiji Hayakawa
  • Assistant directors: Takayoshi Suzuki, Ken'ichi Baba
  • Production assistants: Nobuaki Hosoda (ep.1~26), Kazuhiko Hoshīde, Kōji Takeuchi, Shūji Uchiyama, Yoshimasa Kanda
  • Finish checker and color design: Michiyo Yasuda
  • Episode directors: Hayao Miyazaki (ep.1~26), Isao Takahata (ep.9&10), Keiji Hayakawa (ep.11~26)
  • Director: Hayao Miyazaki
  • Production: Nippon Animation, NHK

[edit] Theme songs

  • Opening theme: Ima Chikyū ga Mezameru (今地球がめざめる?) (performance: Naozuki Kamata, Yūko Yamaji)
  • Ending theme: Shiawase no Yokan (幸せの予感 ?) (performance: Naozuki Kamata, Yūko Yamaji)

[edit] References

    [edit] External links


    The Works of Hayao Miyazaki
    Films Director, Screenplay, and Storyboard: The Castle of CagliostroNausicaä of the Valley of the WindCastle in the SkyMy Neighbor TotoroKiki's Delivery ServicePorco RossoPrincess MononokeSpirited AwayHowl's Moving CastlePonyo on a Cliff
    Screenplay and Storyboard: Panda! Go, Panda!Whisper of the Heart
    Chief Animator and Concept Artist: Gulliver's Travels Beyond the MoonHorus: Prince of the SunPuss in BootsFlying Ghost ShipAnimal Treasure IslandAli Baba and the Forty Thieves
    TV Series Director, Screenplay, and Storyboard: Lupin IIIConan, The Boy in FutureSherlock Hound
    Scene Design and Layout: Heidi, Girl of the Alps3000 Leagues in Search of MotherAnne of Green Gables
    OVA Director, Screenplay, and Storyboard: Lupin III's Greatest Capers
    Manga Story and Art: Nausicaä of the Valley of the WindThe Age of the Flying Boat
    Misc. Director, Screenplay, and Storyboards: On Your MarkMei and the KittenbusMizugumo Monmon
    Future Projects: I Lost My Little Boy