Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki spent much of his career building the reputation of his now world-famous animation studio. However, Miyazaki also directed several projects before founding the studio, and a popular Japanese brewery is now supplying a new sake brand for one of these often overlooked animated works .
According to PR Times, Okuhida Sake Brewery will soon release an original sake brand called “Junmai Ginjo Umasou,” which is directly inspired by the 1978 sci-fi adventure anime series Future Boy Conan by Miyazaki. The nods to Conan start with the packaging itself, which features illustrations of “Umasou” and “Haibabaa” – two little pigs owned by one of Conan's friends in the anime. The “potato stamp” design of these pigs also adorns the bottle itself. However, the product is primarily inspired by High Harbor, home of series heroine Lana. Located in the heart of a small island populated by hardworking farmers, High Harbor is a fitting model for a brewing company that prides itself on the quality of its rice.
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Located in Gifu Prefecture, Okuhida Brewery uses a variety of rice to make sake called “Hida Homare,” a regional specialty. During fermentation, this rice is known to dissolve in a way that gives a relatively stronger flavor to the sake. Additionally, Okuhida Brewery is famous for using rice “grown by storing a lot of solar energy,” a method that is said to enhance flavor even further. Notably, the company recommends combining Junmai Ginjo Umasou with dishes that use pork as the main ingredient. Retail price, including tax, is 5,500 yen ($35.09).
Hayao Miyazaki's Future Boy Conan deals with heavy environmental themes
Before founding Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki worked for several famous animation studios. While some of these pre-Ghibli works were created during his time at Toei Animation, Future Boy Conan was produced by Nippon Animation. Based on the popular science fiction novel The Incredible Tide by Alexander Key, Future Boy Conan is a post-apocalyptic story set after a devastating world war. Conan lived peacefully on a small island until one day, he discovered a girl named Lana lying unconscious on the beach. When they awaken, they discover that she is being chased by the leaders of Industria, a large settlement powered by the planet's last remaining nuclear reactor.
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Through this fateful meeting, it is discovered that Lana's grandfather, Dr. Rao, was originally an elite military scientist who developed the technology that led to the destruction of the earth . Eventually, Industria's army discovered Lana and stole her away. Determined to save his new friend, Conan embarks on a journey to rescue Lana. Along the way, he also teams up with Jimsey, an island boy who is forced by the people to exploit more resources for Industry. Overall, this series is very reminiscent of the oft-overlooked Castle in the Sky (1986), which similarly starred a male and female protagonist who go on to stop a ruthless, power-hungry villain. . However, Conan also deals with profound environmental themes that are further explored in films such as Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984) and Princess Mononoke (1997).
Okuhida Brewery’s “Junmai Ginjo Umasou” sake will be available on SakeTsunagi’s online store starting June 18. Although Future Boy Conan is not currently available on most streaming services, it can be rented or purchased digitally through Prime Video, Apple TV, and the Google Play Store.
Conan the Future Boy
Long after a brutal war that nearly destroyed the entire world, a boy with superhuman powers fights to save his friends from those seeking to conquer what's left of civilization.
Release date April 4, 1978
Cast Noriko Ohara, Sabrina Pitre, Ichirô Nagai, Mieko Nobusawa, Masatô Ibu, Erin Mathews
Seasons first
Studio Nippon Animation
Episodes 26
Extend
Source: PR Times
