Third time is the charm for Miyazaki and Takahata. This time around Miyazaki has taken over the majority of the work, while Takahata helps in directing and storyboard. Boy did the duo hit everything just right in this anime.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where the world's scientists have used horrible earthquake machines as weapons of mass destruction to ruin the Earth's tectonic plates thus causing water-world.
The story revolves around a boy name Conan and the little girl Lana who washes up on his isolated little island where he has grown. Conan himself is extremely lovable and not only him. The setting and plot has so much charm, it just can't be explained well enough. Lana is the central focal point of how the plot plays out, but Conan changes the game consistently with his antics that each and every episode remains fresh. The amount of danger is ever present creating a constantly worrisome environment, while somehow also having a mold of serious subject matter as well.
Animation really takes a huge leap, and while that could be technology or Miyazaki taking a step in, either way it's gorgeous. The detail and background art is extremely well done and doesn't reflect the time period this came out in. Pacing fluctuates a bit by switching between action filled scenes and arcs to a sudden halt of melancholy feeling and dialogues. This is done quite well though. This is essentially a 26 episode Studio Ghibli movie having all the Miyazaki trademarks from fun aircrafts, character designs, to the ever present theme of man vs nature.
There is a very lovable cast of characters and even though the main villain is fairly one-dimensional, the story never needs the villain to be anything other than that. It really is about the character interactions, the development of Conan and crew, and the fun sense of adventure throughout. From the industrial waste filled smoke stacks of Industria to the peaceful farmlands, each environment plays a separate role in the story in how Conan and the people he meets along the way view their world.
Honestly, it is disappointing how many anime fans have not watched this. Don’t let the year this came out make cause any sort of hesitation in watching Future Boy Conan at all! Do yourself a favor and find any way you can to watch this anime at all costs.
