Hayao Miyazaki's directorial debut, a post-apocalyptic animated series, is now enjoying a cult following nearly five decades after its initial release as a flipbook. Now, fans will be able to enjoy one of Miyazaki's most important pre-Studio Ghibli creations in truly nostalgic fashion.
Studio Ghibli's acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki has built an illustrious career at the award-winning animation company, overseeing the creation of classics such as My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service and Laputa: Castle in the Sky. However, some fans may not be familiar with his early work, which is now making a nostalgic comeback. A year before he released his first true blockbuster, The Castle of Cagliostro from the Lupin series, the director directed a series of animated shorts called Future Boy Conan, set in a post-apocalyptic Japan and featuring the signature Miyazaki style that has become so popular with viewers around the world.
Hayao Miyazaki's Future Boy Conan Animation Gets a New Retro-Style Feature
Nippon Animation and publisher Sowa Labs recently announced the release of a series of flipbooks themed around Future Boy Conan, or “Doko Demo Conan,” which translates to “Anywhere Conan.” The company released the first installment, called “Robinoid Edition,” which consists of six A5 sticker sheets that can be stuck to any book and flipped through to enjoy a scene from the classic anime series. The scene in question features the protagonist, Conan, piloting a Robonoid and chasing his future ally, Captain Dyce, who is riding a bicycle. The stickers are numbered from 1 to 150 and are designed to mimic the style of the show’s original animation panels. The sticker sheets will cost 550 yen (US$4) and will be available on Sowa Labo’s online store. The sticker sheet will be available for pre-order from September 5-12, 2024, with shipping starting on September 19.
Future Boy Conan is a forgotten classic before Studio Ghibli Miyazaki – In most of the world
While Miyazaki has written, scripted, and co-directed a number of projects, including Lupin III, Moomin and Heidi, and Girl of the Alps, Future Boy Conan was his first as a full-time director. The 26-episode series aired on Japanese public television network NHK in 1978. The series follows Conan, a boy with superhuman powers living in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by natural disasters and war. After finding an unconscious girl on the beach, Conan is suddenly thrust into a dangerous plot when he helps Lena escape from the evil rulers of Industria, who rule over a dystopian caste system.
Future Boy Conan has been largely overlooked in the annals of history and has failed to reach Japanese audiences, but like Heidi, Girl of the Alps, it has found a home outside of Japan in some very interesting markets. Many in the Arab world have fond memories of the series, as it was dubbed into Arabic and aired on Kuwaiti television. One user on IMDb recounts how the series, which aired on Baghdad television, was his first exposure to anything remotely science fiction. The reviewer ends with a poignant note about how many adult political themes are interwoven with its childlike wonder, subtly reflecting his home country's history of control and dictatorship under Saddam Hussein.
Source: PR Times
