Future Boy Conan (Mirai Shōnen Konan) — 1978 anime by Hayao Miyazaki

Background and production

The series was produced by a Japanese animation studio and adapted from English‑language source material. Miyazaki served as the series' key creative force, contributing direction, story development and design input. The production was completed as a television serial composed of 26 episodes that balance episodic encounters with an overarching narrative about survival and power after catastrophe.

Premise and setting

Future Boy Conan takes place decades after a catastrophic global conflict that left most of the planet submerged and scattered human communities across islands. Conan is introduced as a physically capable, curious and morally straightforward young man raised on an isolated island. Lana is a gentle, empathetic girl with ties to a lost past. Their journey exposes them to remnants of pre‑catastrophe technology, authoritarian settlements, and competing interests that seek control of dwindling resources.

Characters and themes

• Conan — the energetic protagonist, notable for his resilience and ingenuity.
• Lana — compassionate companion whose relationship with Conan anchors the story.
• Supporting figures — include island dwellers, inventors, and leaders who embody varying responses to scarcity and power.

Recurring themes include the contrast between technology and nature, the ethics of leadership, the innocence of youth confronting corruption, and the possibility of rebuilding after destruction. Miyazaki's interest in flight, mechanics and environmental concern is evident throughout the series.

Legacy and reception

Although produced for television, Future Boy Conan has been praised for its storytelling, dynamic action sequences and character work. It is often cited as an influential early project in Miyazaki's career that helped shape motifs later developed in his feature films. The series has been reissued in home video formats and remains a reference point in discussions of classic anime and post‑apocalyptic fiction in animation.