Miyazaki's Conan, Boy of the Future

World-Building: Awesome
Characterization: Delightful
Plot: Perfect pace and flow.

"Conan, Boy of the Future" is one of Miyazaki's masterpieces. I might even go as far as saying that it is his best, simply because of the extra depth and development that the 26 episode series allowed him. The series was first broadcast in Japan in 1978. It is based (loosely) on Alexander Key's novel "The Incredible Tide", although Miyazaki took the brief novel with some potential and turned it into a classic.

The anime series is made up of  26 episodes of just under a half hour each. It is a post-apocalyptic tale showing people's struggle to survive and to find a better way of life after a disastrous third world war, which almost wiped out humanity.  It also contains humor and some serious themes relating to technology, war, and human nature, but it is, more than anything, an adventure. The world-building, characterization, and plot are masterfully done.

There are many elements in this story that Miyazaki fans will recognize, such as strong female characters at the center of events, some thrilling, physics-defying moments, interesting robots and - of course - flying machines.

One of the things that struck me the most when I began re-watching it recently is the pace. It does a great job of setting everything up and giving the necessary background information to orient the viewer in the world, but it does this while jumping straight into the action. The first glimpse we get of Conan is a thrilling sequence that characterizes him very well, with his bravery, his comical nature, his intelligence, and his extraordinary strength.

The other thing I loved about this anime series is the multitude of perspectives and characters we're given. It's not just the story of Conan; there are at least a dozen other characters that have important roles and most of them are dynamic characters that grow as the story progresses.

Above all, this series is just good fun! You will not regret watching it. In my book , it's a must-see not just for Miyazaki fans and Sci-Fi/Fantasy fans, but also for anyone who enjoys a well developed story.