On Friday, “Future Boy Conan” is set to stream on Retrocrush, marking a major moment for anime fans as it represents Hayao Miyazaki’s directorial debut. This series premiered a year before his first film, “Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro,” and years before he founded Studio Ghibli alongside Toshio Suzuki and Isao Takahata. Initially released on Blu-ray in the U.S. in 2021, this marks the first time Western audiences can legally stream the 26-episode series.
The story unfolds 20 years after a devastating war-induced apocalypse. It follows an adventurous 11-year-old, Conan, who lives on a secluded island with his grandfather. When Lana, a mysterious girl pursued by enigmatic figures, is discovered on the island, Conan and Lana embark on a journey that spans the planet’s unique landscape.
“Future Boy Conan” is considered a classic, having left a lasting impression on animators and securing Miyazaki’s legacy as a creative powerhouse. Its influence is seen in recent acclaimed anime.
Masaaki Yuasa’s 2020 anime “Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!,” inspired by Sumito Ōwara’s manga, centers on three high school students aiming to create a legendary anime series. Midori Asakusa, brimming with creativity, excels in character design; Sayaka Kanamori is adept at managing projects without personal artistic interest; Tsubame Mizusaki, a model restricted from pursuing her passion, is an exceptional animator. The trio navigates various projects, honing their skills and realizing their visions on screen.
During the first episode of “Eizouken,” Midori watches an episode of “Conaso of the Lost Island,” a fictional rendition of “Future Boy Conan.” This moment sparks her realization of the magic of anime creation.
The creative team behind “Eizouken!” was so determined to pay homage to “Future Boy Conan” that they meticulously recreated its scenes, as obtaining original footage was not possible due to complex rights issues. Eunyoung Choi of Science Saru, the studio behind “Eizouken,” explained that they painstakingly replicated each drawing, voice, sound effect, and piece of music to faithfully include the homage in their series.
For admirers of Hayao Miyazaki or “Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!,” this is a golden opportunity to experience Miyazaki’s first directorial work. “Future Boy Conan” is both a timeless masterpiece and a testament to animation’s power to ignite the imagination.
“Future Boy Conan” can be streamed on Retrocrush, while “Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!” is available on Crunchyroll.
