GKIDS announced today it has acquired the North American distribution rights for Future Boy Conan (Mirai Shounen Conan), the 1978 directorial debut by Academy Award-winner Hayao Miyazaki . The 26-episode series, which was produced by Nippon Animation, will be released by GKIDS in late 2021. The acquisition marks the first time that the series will be available in North America. A new 4K restoration will be available in its original Japanese language, as well as a new English dub version.

“We are thrilled to help bring this legendary series to North America,” said GKIDS President David Jesteadt. “With a beautiful new restoration, now is the perfect time for American fans of director Hayao Miyazaki to experience this classic adventure series as it was meant to be seen.”

SYNOPSIS:

Twenty years ago, a terrible war fought with magnetic weapons caused the earth’s axis to tilt, and earthquakes and tidal waves destroyed civilization. Conan is born into this new world, raised by his adopted grandfather on an isolated island. But his life is forever changed when a mysterious girl named Lana washes ashore, pursued by shadowy operatives who seek to use her in a new scheme to control what’s left of the world.

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Writer: Akira Nakano
Executive Producer: Koichi Motohashi
Planning: Shoji Sato
Character Design: Hayao Miyazaki
Animation Director: Yasuo Otsuka
Producers: Junzo Nakajima, Shigeo Endo
Country: Japan
Year: 1978
Genre: Action-Adventure
Run time: 29” (26 episodes) – 13 total hours

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Jerry Beck

Writer, cartoon producer and author of more than 15 books on animation history. A former studio exec with Nickelodeon and Disney; currently on the faculty at both CalArts in Valencia and Woodbury University in Burbank, California.

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