Future Boy Conan (1978) User Reviews

Great Anime TV series from the creator of Nausicaä and Mononoke Hime!

[Professor Nova · 10/10 · 9 September 2000]

It is one of the few animation series that I remember being broadcasted here in Portugal when I was younger (1984). I didn't know who the author was, but I loved it. Best of all, in those days here in Portugal, they would show Japanese Animation with the original voices (Japanese) with Portuguese subtitles.

Now about the series: It has drama, it has action, and it has comedy, all packed in fantastic animation (for 1978). In one series we see all the themes Hayao Miyazaki would use in his films. And a lot of characters are prototypes of others he creates in his films. Fantastic!

Miyazaki's Best TV series

[emasterslake · 9/10 · 4 December 2005]

This was Miyazaki's first TV series he directed. It aired in Japan back in 1978 a year before his first film "Castle of Cagliostro".

It's about an alternate future when WW3 ended in 2008. After that most of the earth's continents are underwater. And forming small separate islands.

On one Island there's a young Boy who's no ordinary kid. Has super strengh and can hold his breathe for a long time. Lives alone with his Granfather on a lonely island where several people use to live on.

One day how ever when a girl appears on the shore of the island that's when Conan goes on his adventure to see the rest of the existing world he didn't know existed.

"Future Boy Conan" is a unique anime series. It showed how great Hayao Miyazaki was way before he got into movie making. A total of 26 episodes each one continues from the other. It's like watching a really long movie.

Has everything you'd expect from a Miyazaki made Anime. A Boy and Girl with mysterious powers or past, Anything that can fly, pigs, women with good role play, and hope for a brighter future.

This was known to be Miyazaki's earlier version of "Castle in the Sky" the 2 Main Characters look a lot like Pazu and Sheeta, and the main villain looks almost like Musca too. This anime had a lot of reused ideas he used for his later anime films too.

Sadly this anime has never been debuted into English before. Even if it did 20 years ago TV Cencorship of America would edit out the violence and certain drug use.

When will it be available in English, only time will tell. It's highly recommended to those who admire Miyazaki and anime. Conan deserves to be on the top 10 classic Animes of all time.

Those who want to see it, try Fansubs or internet search to see the series. It's worth watching.

I give it a 9/10 for a cool anime.

One of the greatest TV series

[jose-cruz53 · 10/10 · 20 November 2012]

Highly dramatic and engaging, this TV series was near perfect and shows Miyazaki's talents for the first time he directed something. Interestingly, Miyazaki's characters that he developed in this TV series served as prototypes for the films he made. Indeed, this TV series is actually one 26 episode long film with many subplots that constitute each of the episodes.

Also, it is impressively dramatic considering it was a TV series marketed for children. The Japanese animated TV series were always much more dramatic and complex than American animated TV series, but in the 1970's anime it was still in its early stages and wasn't as well developed as it became in the 1980's, when it's range expanded to all demographic groups.

An excellent TV series, indeed, one of the most powerful ever made. Yes, I said powerful for an animated TV series from the 1970's, because it is.

they called it "adnan OAS Lena "in Arabic

[ne12abaa3-1 · 11 June 2005]

i saw that series may be 10 times, it was my favorite and still is, to my knowledge they still run the series in Baghdad TV.

the story, the drawing, the coloring, the robots, the castle, and the flying wing, all these were smashing great.

i wish they turn it to a movie, it was one hell of work, and every kid and adult favorite in Iraq back in the 1980. the show was a welcome change to Iraqi channel and a new introduction to sci fie to Iraqis , people started to like sci fie as a choice to see . the show talked about dictatorship and people control ( something every Iraq back in 80's know it), so the show hit more than one spot.

The best anime series of all time.

[xoraxora · 10/10 · 25 June 2011]

I would say its the best "animated anything" of all time, but to avoid excessive hyperbole I reluctantly confine myself to "Japanese anime TV series". This is one of Hayao Miyazaki's earlier projects (by no means earliest), and yet it is his best. The colors are not as rich, the animation not as fluid as in his later works but its still his best. Its a 1970's anime made with 1970s techniques, yet you could not want it any other way. The character's drawing is simple by later standards, monotone faces, quite flat, but they are unforgettable and their visual "flatness" only emphasizes their depth of character. The scenery despite the limitations of technology is simply beautiful. All in all, what Miyazaki achieved with this series is the equivalent of replicating the Mona Lisa using nothing but crayons. I will say no more. Except that I pity that part of the world which never had the pleasure to watch it or even hear of it.

Shame it's never been on UK TV, we're missing out

[chadwholovedme · 10/10 · 7 September 2005]

How I wish I was a child seeing Conan, if not to enjoy without knowledge of Hayao Miyazaki, but to have been able to go to school and talk about it with all my friends. It would have been my favourite show. Instead I've made do watching older, it's excellent though.

To explain the plot, the world has been partially destroyed by man through use of nuclear weapons, tilting the world on its axis, thus sinking most of the land and destroying civilisation as we know it. 30 years later the few survivors are on living on a small island, Conan an 11 year old boy lives with his grandfather peacefully, until a girl washes up on the beach. It would be criminal to go much further since one of the best features of 'Conan' is its storytelling, and at 26 episodes it can take it's time.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki with some help from Isao Takahata, Conan displays many of the traits of a Ghibli movie, best described and a cross between 'Laputa: Castle in the Sky' and 'Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind', both in plot and design. It could be said that these films improved and expanded on the ideas in Conan which could be taken that Conan isn't worthwhile, but it's more like Conan is an opportunity to see 13hrs of Miyazaki doing what he does so well.

Personally it's very difficult to review Conan, I know I love it, but there's so much to write. The plot is pretty complex, its twists and turns are genuinely surprising. The characters are great, since it's early Miyazaki there's a lot of slapstick, much in the vein of Miyazaki's Lupin III movie, the art direction is certainly of lower quality than his later offerings, but it was his directorial debut. Conan is dated in terms of animation, but again like in Lupin the characters are simplified, thus allowing animation to go smoothly, plus the backgrounds are beautiful, the ideas flowing, the design of the main boat is cleverly an upside down boat adapted to sail, at least I think it is! Its a few years before Joe Hisaishi is working with Miyazaki, so the music is less grand, but sweet and catchy.

Conan is a fantastic, while dated is as good a show a child or adult could watch today, plus another excellent Miyazaki project for the converted. I really can't praise Conan enough!

Discotek needs to get their hands on this and put it on Blu-ray!

[MissSimonetta · 9/10 · 6 April 2014]

Though Hayao Miyazaki's work at Studio Ghibli is known the world over, few outside of Japan seem to know or care about the work he did before that in the 70s and early 80s. It's a real shame, because works such as Future Boy Conan (1978) still hold up well today despite the choppy television animation.

The plot is chock full of iconic Miyazaki themes and archetypes which look forward to his later films and manga. The post-apocalyptic setting, motif of flight, morally ambiguous characters, and environmentalist theme should all be familiar to hardcore Miyazaki fans. In fact, the whole thing feels like a dress rehearsal for the later Castle in the Sky (1986): the relationship between Lana and Conan mirrors the later bond between Pazu and Sheeta, the villain Lepka resembles Muska, and Captain Dyce and his crew bring to mind the Dola pirates.

Despite the similarities, though, Future Boy Conan stands well on its own. I would even go as far as to say it equals (or in some cases, even betters) Castle in the Sky. Being a 26-episode TV series, it has more time to let its characters develop and grow. One major difference between FBC and later Miyazaki is it's broad comedy. There's lots of goofy slapstick and silly moments that you don't see the like of in post-Nausicaa Miyazaki. Still, it's good comedy that never feels out of place.

I know most anime fans won't watch anything preceding Dragonball, but Ghibli fans and Miyazaki diehards will enjoy this series without a doubt. It helps show you where all those ideas, characters, and themes of his later films were first allowed to be fully expressed.

The best work of Hayao Miyazaki

[TwiZone · 10/10 · 4 July 2015]

I have seen all 11 of Miyazaki's films multiple times, being a huge fan of his and Studio Ghibli's work, but in my opinion, out of all the works he has done, Future Boy Conan is his masterpiece. I absolutely adore this show! I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved the chemistry between Conan and Lana, I loved how gripping the whole thing was and it ended on a great note!

Future Boy Conan could be the most underrated and overlooked TV show of all time. I've seen this show twice and honestly, I'm tempted to call it my favourite TV show of all time (NO JOKE!). It is that good. So many people are missing out. If you are a Miyazaki fan, I strongly recommend you check out 26 episodes of brilliant story-telling. All the episodes are available in 1080p quality on KissAnime, subbed only. What are you waiting for? Watch it right now. You will not be disappointed!

If only most kids TV shows nowadays were even close to the quality of Future Boy Conan.

10/10 from me!

Under rated gem of a classic

[drdavid0425 · 10/10 · 31 October 2015]

First off let me start by saying that the current cover as of 10.31.2015 for this series is wrong. I grew up watching this show. It aired where I lived in mid-late 80's. It became an instant classic. Most people do not realize that this is a Hayao Miyazaki production. For its time this was beautiful and remains so to this day. The story is captivating and the music is phenomenal. I can say that Future Boy Conan is children friendly. It has an older Disney feel to it. Keep in mind this series was first aired in 1978. But it was released in HD for those interested. I recently (no more than 2 months ago) re-watched the entire series. Considering how rare this series is, If you can find this series, buy it. I assure you, you wont regret it.

One of the best serial ever

[denis-manente · 10/10 · 10 May 2014]

The story of human stupidity blended with the poetry and artistic power of japan animation. In my opinion the best work of Miyazaki and one of the most instructive story about war and peace. The overall plot is perfect and has the rare quality of being suitable for every audience. The story leverage on the respect of nature, importance of friendship, the damages of war and human madness. There are a lot of characters all with a realistic behavior that can summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the peoples. The authors describe incredibly well some old lifestyles, the beauty of the nature, the simplicity of a normal life without extreme technology.

i watched this in 1978 .

[ajikude · 10/10 · 11 October 2020]

Even rewatching this now, the story is epic, many great twists, keeps you edge of seat, not a dull moment, great characters ad the funny parts are hilarious. This is a masterpiece well ahead of it's time. If you have never watched it then put in on your bucket list. For years before I was searching for this on VCD. The whole artwork is great especially for that time. A must see. If you watched this in 1978 and now is still so good then you know it's a 10/10. A timeless masterpiece. Thank you to Nippon Animation and team and voice artists for this diamond gem. Only now after more than 40yrs I realized rhe voice of conan was done by a female actor. I should have known as alot anime boys voices are done by females and not males but it was a nice interesting surprise which made me appreciate the skill of the voice actors. Mieko Nobusawa voice for Lana is also absolutely excellent. A must see (now) cult following anime tv series.

Great animation series

[Canhenha · 10 February 2005]

Conan is a cult case in Portugal, at least for people who are now around their thirties. Having been broadcast in 1984, it garnered a lot of following and deservedly so (it has been put on sale on DVD the past year - 2004). The story, has most of the themes that populates Miyazaki's work: man as the entity that destroys nature, the conflict between nature and technology, elements that would be developed in features like "Castle in the Sky" or "Princess Mononoke". I've been a fan of Mr. Miyazaki's work for some time now, and that started with Conan (and I personally remember having the cards that were placed on sale at the time it was first shown) - this show was magical, funny and the main character represented a freedom that every kid longs or aims for. The animation nowadays is dominated by computers, but somehow this work is a true classic: you still look at it with awe and amazement, for all the uniqueness that made it so special when it first was shown is still all there. A must see!

Must Watch for Miyazaki Fans and Children

[jdshald-785-708376 · 9/10 · 31 December 2021]

If you like early Miyazaki animated films like Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Nausicaa, and Lupin: Castle of Cagliostro you will enjoy watching this TV series. On the surface it seems like a simple children's adventure story but because Miyazaki is such a fantastic visual storyteller, he greatly elevates the material into a fun animated adventure.

The characters are strong willed, independent, charming and cute. However, some of the characters are just archetypes that don't have much depth but it's not a character study show. The drama comes from the unexpected conflict between the characters and the well structured plot that evolves over 26 episodes and takes a group of characters on an adventure. The dialogue at times can be simple but you have to remember that this show was made for kids. Even at it's worst the dialogue is still funny to listen to. I would definitely watch this with friends and fans of Miyazaki movies.

Here are some aspects of the show that made it interesting for me to watch as an animation nerd. Conan is pure miyazaki and an expressive representation of what all young boys aspire to be. Lana is strikingly similar to the Lucita character in the film Castle in the Sky. Captain Dyce is a prototype of a dumb but silly pirate leader seen in Porco Rosso. Mosley is a prototype character of Kushana from Nausicaa and has a redemptive character arc similar to Zuko in Avatar the Last Airbender. Jimsey is the comic relief character who mostly thinks only of food. The bad guy character is your typical James Bond villain who wants power.

There are hundreds of shots in this tv show that Miyazaki would later recreate in his later films. It happens so often that you could make a fun drinking game out of it. My sister and I enjoyed looking out for these shots and the visual similarities added another layer of enjoyment to watching this. Here are the films that I noticed shots that the layouts / staging of the characters and environment were later recreated in subsequent Miyazaki films: Castle of Cagliostro, Nausica, Castle in the Sky, Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, The Wind Rises.

I watched the Japanese Dub Version but will watch the English Dub on next viewing.

Future Miyazaki/Ghibli in a Nutshell

[BabelAlexandria · 10/10 · 5 July 2022]

A fabulous series, Miyazaki's debut as a director, which was broadcast on Japanese tv in 1978, later dubbed into English, and has now been remastered on blu ray for GKIDS. After a world war in 2008(!) involving "geomagnetic weapons," the earth's environment has collapsed, swallowed up by the oceans, with only a few surviving islands and scattered communities of humans (interestingly, the series was before global warming concerns were widespread--the vibe is mostly biblical). My kiddos and I watched this over the month of June, about one 22-minute episode an evening. They were endlessly fascinated by the misrepresented future-past, and by the energetic, hopeful Japanese songs accompanying the intro and closing sequences. But most of all they loved the distinctive animation and gripping plot, which is closest to Nausicaa, but also anticipates most of the early Ghibli films. This was especially true of the central figures, Conan and Lana, who are a near replica of Potsu and Sheeta of Castle in the Sky, and Monsley, who is basically a mean-spirited Nausicaa. In some ways, the show is very dark: as my daughter pointed out, when the evil leader of Industria, Lepka, restarts the "poison moth" plane (apparently a geomagnetic weapon), he seems to have no other goal than to destroy the remaining peoples and rule from above until it runs out of power and crashes: a kind of species-wide death drive. But overall it projects a relentless optimism, above all in the laughter and tenacity of Conan and Lana, who ultimately succeed in re-founding humanity.

Altrifi

[altrifi · 10/10 · 1 May 2020]

Although it is old, it is a beautiful and wonderful anime

Super Underrated Gem/ A true masterpiece

[amitkrjain-04946 · 10/10 · 15 July 2020]

Do watch it. It is very rare to find these days anyways

Excellent drama and entertainment

[zenmateisshite · 10/10 · 3 September 2019]

Future Boy Conan. I agree - the show was amazing in many ways - storytelling in particular, comedy and of course the attention to details. I watched it as a kid but it was so entrenched in our culture that I looked it up as an adult so I can re-watch. This is now the 3rd time I'm re-watching in the past 10 years.

However I had to write this review after reading the others who are praising Miyazaki for his creation but never mention that it is actually based on the novel: The Incredible Tide. I did not read the novel so I cannot say to what extent does it resemble the series and while I do not doubt that Miyazaki is great, come on; give credit where its due. Alexander Key wrote the original story and even the character names are very similar, who knows what else did Miyazaki borrow.

The second greatest children's animation in the world - after Laputa

[echai · 10/10 · 18 June 2009]

There's only one thing to say about this series - get it now! Of course you've probably seen it if you're even reading this but if not then sort it out.

I'm not going to write a review, there are plenty available, this is the internet. I've said all that's important already. Only thing is there aren't enough stars to rate Miyazaki's work on IMDb.

Incidentally you may want to read the English short sci fi novel called "The Incredible Tide" by Alexander Key upon which this series is based.

This animation series appears to be a prototype for Miyazaki's film Laputa: Castle in the Sky - at least its chief characters Pazu and Shita are based on Conan and Lana of this series.

Also check out Sherlock Hound, all of Masterpiece Theatre series and the amazing 1968 collaboration featurelength animation 'Horus Prince of the Sun' by Miyazaki and Takahata.

TEN TEN TEN TEN

[docasesteves · 10/10 · 10 April 2019]

THE BEST animated series of all time. CONAN!!!!!!!!!!

#23. RA and FUTURE BOY CONAN (1978)

[tobiaswellworth · 10/10 · 9 June 2022]

For everyone that likes animation, one name usually stands out: Hayao Miyazaki. Most know him from his incomparable film career, but he earned his dues on television first. He worked on the HEIDI cartoon, a number of others, and this FUTURE BOY CONAN.

It maybe telling that the two shows I most remember growing up are exactly HEIDI and CONAN. I've loved Miyazaki's work even before I could understand they came from him.

Conan is an absolute adventure, with loads of sentiment and joy. It's Miyazaki stretching his storytelling muscles.

A classic

[eagleknight98 · 26 June 2005]

This is one of the first Miyazaki's. He made it in 1978. Was originally released in Italian then dubbed to Japanese. Future boy Conan is a story about a boy and his grand father who were the only survivors of the third world war. Apparently, there were more survivors who did not learn the lesson of preserving life. The anime is not about super beings or the supernatural. It is about ordinary people with ordinary powers driven by pure feelings of goodwill and platonic love. Miyazaki engraved his name in history and in the heart of generations to come with this anime. He gave life to those characters who live in our heart as people we know and learn from. The story line is superb. The characters are lovely. The drawing is magnificent for a 1978 anime. What else are you waiting for....don't miss this anime.

One of the best anime works to ever be created

[manuelmcramirez · 10/10 · 16 July 2022]

Seeing Conan as a child thanks to my father, I can confidently say this movie opened the way to the various other works of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli movies.

Now, many years later (I am 22), after watching many other animated series, I can assurely argue that this is one of the best animes ever created.

In a style similar to Akira, Future Boy Conan set a standart and an example for animes such as Cowboy Bebop, Rurouni Kenshin and many others who would later be considered the breakthrough animes of their generation.

The series consists of only 26 episodes, being short without disregarding character development, displaying amazing creativity and attention to detail and leaving the viewers with the satisfied sensation that they have lived the whole adventure, which is now complete. Not having a dull moment, a filler episode or any sort of fan service (a bit like Hunter x Hunter, Full metal Alchemist, Mob Psycho 100 or Death Note).

Truly a masterpiece, funny but with depth, beautiful story telling and beautiful animation.

A Miyazaki's work ahead of it's time which sadly remains unknown for the majority of the younger generations which many times ignore great animes for being too old.

unforgettable and highly influential cartoon

[borz-54195 · 19 December 2016]

We as children dreamed of being somewhat like the characters in their independent, strength, and heroism. This series have influenced many people I grew up with watching in both good and bad ways. First seeing Conan or Adnan strengths, diving and swimming abilities encouraged us in becoming athletic, outgoing, adventurist children who got themselves in a lot of fun trouble. But at the same time every person I grew up with started smoking because of one of the episodes where Conan takes a hit (not sure if it was cigarette or a drugs) and thus I remember them smoking at the age of 10/11 . as a parent I'll avoid having my children watching the smoking scene.

having this said, the characters developments are amazing, simply all characters are totally good or totally evil , and there were strange behaviors from few characters that didn't fit their development - for example the Captain burning Conan house while they are a sleep knowing they will burn alive !

There were also VERY POWERFUL emotional scenes that were not given the credit or the attention. one of my best cinematic scenes was the time Conan was chained underwater and Lana swam up to take a breath and give it to Conan- that was an extremely powerful, sad and emotional scene that should included music and giving its time and climax-

other scenes were familiar the famous titanic scenes that were possibly influenced from this series. and maybe Jacky Chan took from this as well .

Other than that I got nothing else to say- I wish there will be a movie that captures the characteristic comedy of the same characters - Oh well -

to miyazaki funs

[bavliozcan · 13 August 2006]

hello dear web site managers and miyazaki funs. I am one of the fun of miyazaki s products.especially adventure of Conan is my favorite. I need friendship help for find adventure of Conan s DVD or etc. this miyazaki s product is so important for me to show it to my children and to my friend.because I live in turkey and we have not got that product here so if there is any chance to find that movie and if any person want s to help me to find that movie I will be grateful. Please contact me from email address below.

Best regards Ozcan Bavli

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