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Future boy
CONAN

WORKS:

Overview:

The stage production Future Boy Conan is a physical theatre adaptation of the classic 1978 animated series Future Boy Conan, the directorial debut of Hayao Miyazaki, produced by Nippon Animation. This masterpiece of animation, rich with dynamic expression and a fully realized world, is filled with elements that would later become hallmarks of Miyazaki’s work. Now, it has been brought to the stage by Inbal Pinto—renowned for her singular approach to spatial storytelling in Japanese productions such as the musical The Cat That Lived a Million Times and the stage adaptation of Haruki Murakami’s The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. A longtime admirer of Miyazaki’s creations, Pinto transforms the inspiration drawn from the original work into a multidisciplinary theatrical experience that transcends imagination—combining acting, movement, music, visual art, costume, and light into a cohesive work of total art.

Keyword:

  • Physical Theater
  • Large Cast
  • Moving
  • Thought-Provoking
  • Long Play
  • All Ages
  • Live Performance
  • Live Music
  • Life
  • Love
  • Friendship
  • Family
  • Social Issues

Performing Group:

HoriPro Inc

Genre:

Physical Theatre

Status:

Performance Availability: From 2027 onward. Sales Format: Production / Licensing.

Time:

80 min (Act 1) / 80 min (Act 2)

Dialogue:

Japanese / English

Subtitle:

Japanese / English

Capacity:

800 to 1,500

Cast:

21

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1

Synopsis:

After the Final War destroys civilization with super-electromagnetic weapons, young Conan lives in isolation with his grandfather, believing themselves the last, on a remote island.

Their quiet life changes when a girl named Lana washes ashore, and a bond forms between them.

But soldiers from Industria—a city striving to revive modern society—arrive and take Lana away, killing Conan’s grandfather in the process. Overwhelmed with grief, Conan recalls his grandfather’s words: “One cannot and should not live alone.”

Determined to save Lana, he sets out into the world on a handmade raft, embarking on a journey that reveals the true power of friendship and connection.

2

Concept:

Future Boy Conan, the first full-length animated series directed by Hayao Miyazaki—widely known for works such as My Neighbor Totoro—has been reimagined for the stage as a physical theatre production, making full use of expressive movement and visual effects. This early masterpiece by Miyazaki can rightly be described as a “treasure chest,” containing many of the themes and ideas that would later be further explored in Studio Ghibli films.

Although the story delves into profound issues facing contemporary society, it remains entirely accessible and engaging. At its heart is a 12-year-old boy whose pure and honest desires—to eat his fill of delicious food, to laugh with his friends, and to protect those he cares about—set him on a thrilling journey. His sincere actions ultimately lead to a dramatic confrontation with adults determined to bring about the world’s destruction, resulting in a vibrant and dynamic adventure tale.

The striking visual world created through the interplay of set design, costumes, and lighting, combined with distinctive music and choreography, offers a truly unique theatrical experience that appeals to all the senses. The exhilarating adventure of Conan and his companions is sure to dispel the sense of stagnation that clouds the modern world.

3

Crew & Cast:

  • Nippon Animation Co., Ltd.

    Producer of the Original Anime (Original Anime's Director: Hayao Miyazaki, Scriptwriter: Akira Nakano, Satoshi Kurumi, Soji Yoshikawa）

  • Inbal Pinto

    Director / Choreographer / Set Designer

  • David Mambouch

    Co-Director

  • Yasuro Ito

    Playwright

  • Umitaro Abe

    Composer

  • Sayaka Osaki

    Lyricist

  • Yoann Tivoli

    Lighting Designer

  • Masahiro Inoue

    Sound Designer

  • David Polonsky

    Animator

  • Hiroaki Miyauchi

    Hair & Makeup Designer

  • Hiroko Oshima

    Assistant Set Designer

  • Mayumu Minakawa

    Assistant Choreographer

  • Hirono Suyama

    Assistant Director

  • Mitsuaki Adachi

    Stage Manager

  • Horipro Inc.

    Producer and Presenter

Company Profile:

HoriPro Inc

Since its establishment in 1960, HoriPro Inc. has grown to become one of Japan’s leading comprehensive entertainment companies, with a wide range of business activities spanning talent management, music, television drama production, and the creation of live entertainment.
The Live Entertainment Division began its journey in 1981 with the Japanese premiere of the Broadway musical Peter Pan and has since produced and presented a diverse array of musicals, straight plays, concerts, and dance performances.
Since its premiere, Peter Pan has been staged every summer, and this year marks its 45th anniversary. The production continues to be beloved by audiences and is widely recognized as a work that brings dreams and inspiration to children.
Moreover, works directed by the late Yukio Ninagawa—such as Musashi, Shintokumaru, Kafka on the Shore, and NINAGAWA Macbeth—have been performed in cities including New York, London, Paris, Singapore, and Seoul, receiving high acclaim on the international stage.
In recent years, HoriPro has been focusing on creating original productions in anticipation of international presentations and licensing opportunities. These include a musical adaptation of the manga Death Note, a visually striking stage version of the novel The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, a musical play based on the beloved picture book The Cat That Lived a Million Times, a stage adaptation of the film Ikiru, and Nakamura Nakazo, which explores the world of Kabuki. These diverse productions transcend genres and have been highly acclaimed for their artistic excellence.
Each work is brought to life through collaborations with creators from both Japan and abroad, resulting in productions that meet global artistic standards.
Looking ahead, HoriPro will continue to explore new theatrical experiences by collaborating with international artists and drawing on its unique creative perspective to develop original works across a wide range of genres.

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Performance Record:

2024

May

Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Playhouse

2024

June

Umeda Arts Theater Drama City

This Year's Other Works:

CONTACT:

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SOIL is a JPASN project dedicated to bringing Japanese theater to the world.
We serve as the liaison for contracts and communications with international partners and actively promote the participation of Japanese productions in overseas theater festivals. If you have any questions or feedback about SOIL,
please feel free to contact us using our contact form.

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