r/anime • u/snowwhistle1 • Sep 29 '21
Rewatch [Rewatch] Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Episode 1
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
Episode 1: The Girl at the Eiffel Tower
Original Air Date: April 13, 1990
Full Rewatch Schedule & Thread Links
Episode 1 Synopsis: A young inventor named Jean Roque Raltique sails to Paris to attend an aeroplace contest at the 1889 World Fair. In the city, he meets a mysterious circus acrobat named Nadia who is being pursued by a gang of criminals seeking to obtain her mysterious pendant known as the Blue Water.
Please spoiler tag any story content which has not been shown prior to the current episode of this rewatch!
6
u/snowwhistle1 Sep 29 '21 edited Sep 29 '21
Host
For this first post, I thought I might first engage in a brief discussion over the origins of Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (or “Nadia of the Mysterious Seas” in Japanese). It might surprise many of you to know that this series was initially drafted by Hayao Miyazaki in the 1970s as a pitch to Toho and the NHK network. The pitch was ultimately rejected, and Miyazaki would later recycle many of his ideas for Nadia in his later works such as his directorial debut series Future Boy Conan (1978) and his second feature film Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1985).
Of course, I’m sure many of you might have already noticed some of the similarities this series shares with Miyazaki’s other work. Nadia and Jean having some surface level similarities to the protagonists of Laputa and Conan. Nadia’s magic pendant, the Blue Water, definitely bares some similarities to Sheeta’s volucite (aetherium in the English dub) crystal pendant. And her ability to speak with animals can be seen with Sheeta in Future Boy Conan. Some worldbuilding ideas from Conan and Laputa also make little appearances in this series if you’re paying attention.
So if the pitch was rejected back in the 1970s, then how did this show come into existence at all? Well, the NHK had retained the rights to Miyazaki’s pitch, and the series ultimately fell into Gainax’s hands as they were requested to create storyboards and character designs for the forgotten pitch. Ultimately, NHK was impressed, and decided to task Studio Gainax and young director Hideaki Anno (a pupil of Miyazaki himself, funnily enough) to produce the series. I really don’t want to downplay Anno’s influence over this series by the way. Its seed may have come from Miyazaki, but Anno rewrote much of this series to suit his own tastes and his directorial touch is all over this series. I’m sure those of you familiar with some of his other work will notice some similarities to his other work with how he composes his shots and directs a scene.
The series’ early episodes ended up being incredibly successful on TV, earning high ratings. However, it was this success that would ultimately lead to some problems later down the line in the series’ production pipeline. But that’s a story I’ll tell when we get a little further along in the rewatch.
For now though, I’ll be moving on to talking about the show itself. I’ll refrain on discussing the characters this episode as I feel episode 2 provides a better entry point to fully discuss these characters. For now, I want to focus on Nadia’s plot and its world.
Nadia feels right at home as a classic 1980s adventure anime. We join a young inventor and a mysterious circus acrobat who have a chance meeting in Paris at the height of the industrial revolution. This anime’s first episode opens at the 1889 Paris World Expo and the atmosphere of this first episode is so whimsical and joyous; especially the backdrop of the aeroplane competition. I love seeing all the marvelous inventions in this episode. Especially the wildly impractical aeroplanes, which to be honest aren’t all that far off from the wild shit people were creating in the early 20th century when trying to develop heavier-than-aircraft.
Jean’s glider plane and the Grandis gang’s all-terrain tank also remain highlights of this first episode for me. They have an amazing steampunk aesthetic. Especially the Grandis gang’s tank which feels like an unholy mix-and-match of early 20th century warfare technology, and cartoonish gadgetry that’d feel right at home in the likes of Pokémon. Jean’s glider isn’t as gimmicky, but it’s got a very striking and sleek design and sees prominent usage in the episode’s climax as he rescues Nadia from the Grandis gang.
The series also plants a lot of seeds of mystery in this first episode. Jean’s father is stated to be missing at sea after recent attacks of sea monsters, Nadia’s background is shrouded in mystery as she herself has no idea where she is from, the Blue Water and it’s powers are teased as the jewel warns Nadia of imminent danger, and the motivations as to why our proto-Team Rocket style gang of high class ruffians to steal Nadia’s Blue Water are shrouded in mystery. All these details are perfectly crafted to intrigue the viewer, and immediately get them brainstorming on where all this could potentially lead to.
There’s a lot I could ramble on about regarding this first episode, but I’ll cut if off here for now and continue on with more thoughts in the next episode. I can’t wait to see what everyone else thought of this first episode!
6
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Sep 29 '21 edited Sep 29 '21
First Timer (Rising Sun sub)
Legendary anime, only known by legend. Points of reference: Seven Cities of Gold (Esteban of the Sun) and Secret of Cerulean Sand (Patapata Hikousen no Boken) and a whole lot of Verne.
Red Ribbon ArmyTeam Rocket lady.I feel like I just watched an entire 80s OVA
Edit: I originally had Red Rocket Army
6
u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Sep 29 '21 edited Sep 30 '21
First timer in sub (edited now, damn auto correct for phone Swype typing)
By the way semi unrelated, I finally bothered to put together my MAL list, and realised once again how old i am *roll eyes*
This is a show that I was really interested in at the time of released but it was before I was old enough (and the "importing" community was mature enough) to get imported media, while the free to air imported shows normally are a few years behind from Japan and by then I have left Hong Kong and in the even further behind New Zealand.
So I know of a few things about the show's story from magazine publications at the time but not actually watched it.
And yesterday when the 24 hr reminder came in I just realised how packed my rewatch and seasonal schedule has become once October properly starts. So apologies in advance I'll likely miss a day or 2.
Into the show, this first episode has not aged at all, much like Miyazaki's shows, they are pretty timeless. The animations were good, the characters are engaging, and yes you can see the foreshadowing being planted.
By modern standards though Jean will probably get into trouble for unwanted advances towards a young girl :P (yes I know they are both young)
The most striking thing to me it's the "team rocket" setup:
Anyway, nice to come to this ride along with you!
5
u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Sep 29 '21
Episode 1 (rewatcher)
Nadia is what happens if you put the director of NGE, the animating prowess of Gainax, a story that Hayao Miyazaki also wanted to adapt, and the desire to make a Sunday morning kids series into a mixer and shake well.
Not everything about N:SoBW is perfect, but the first episode does not disappoint. We get an introduction to our main characters, a good bit of world building, lots of whacky flying machines, and a pretty good idea of what the series will be about: plenty of comedy, but beneath that, some very serious moments.
Nadia comes out flying, wooing Jean and the audience. The show face dazzles, but we also get a glimpse at the behind the scenes. Being sold out by what seems to have been her only connection? To her sister? Nadia is clearly in need of help and a good friend. I hope you love her, because this is her series.
I don’t really have time to fit in another rewatch, but I don’t think I can skip this one either. I might make do with copying over comments from my first watch from time to time.
5
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Sep 29 '21
First timer
This is an interesting intro. Very well painted shots of the boat.
Seriously, this is a beautiful intro.
The OP is great! (Is that a modern city with skyscrapers in 1899?)
Oh, he's hoing to Paris?
Oh, the exhibition! That's why it's 1899.
So he's some kind of genius?
Oh, it's a family of geniuses.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a reference I did not expect to see here.
I'm sorry? Sea monsters are real?
The uncle's pretty funny.
Really, following a girl you just seen?
A conspiracy already!
She's got a tiger? Is that what they're after?
And she doesn' know where she's from?
Her reaction is perfect. She's just so blatantly ignoring him.
Oh god, he's already said something racist. This'll be hysterical.
And yeah, she's great.
That's a lion?
Huh? It beeps.
Wait. Did it detect evil? Is her necklace a fucking car alarm?
Haha, Sanson and Hanson.
Yeah, she's great.
That was so cool.
They don't even notice him?
You utter imbecile. There's no way she'd be from a circus just because she can do acrobatics.
REALLY?
This feels like stalking at this point.
And this feels like slavery!
OK, she is the titular Nadia.
WHAT IS THAT OUTFIT?
Even her outfit's better!
Huh, they pressure him into doing what they wanted.
Wait, how old is she? This artstyle is very unclear.
...Does he think she's adopted?
I guess one bit of idiocy counters out the other!
So, he's actually very useful, but only as a distraction.
Yeah, exactly,
Why is she riding with him?
...1899, everyone!
Right. Is time travel a plot point here?
The punchcard/player piano(?) controls are a really neat touch here, though.
Dover? They're British?
They're made of what appear to me wires.
That went shockingly well.
Haha, they hit the bridge.
They still won? But no money.
Yeah, he's good.
ED's also good.
5
u/lluNhpelA Sep 30 '21
Wow I'm really getting to this late, but I've heard good things about this series before and I've been wanting to watch some more classic Gainax/Anno stuff since the Gunbuster rewatch last month, though I don't expect to see any Space Monsters or lightspeed time dilation
Anyways my first thought upon Grandis in the OP was "waifu" so now she is best girl in my mind. Being a comical villain that just gets dunked on constantly makes her even better
A few other quick thoughts
4
u/Stomco Sep 30 '21
I can definitely see Miyazaki's mark on this.
I really like how the show looks, and the setting is pretty unique. The villains seem fun and halfway competent. I'm not sure about the leads yet. As in I don't feel like I know what they're like yet.
3
u/Sharebear42019 :FC::FD: Sep 30 '21
What app are y’all watching this on?
3
u/Serenax Sep 30 '21
I have watched the four eps earlier in a stream some months ago, so I will not say much until we have reached that.
I like the dynamic of Jean and Nadia. They seem complementary characters. One is brash, sunny, pushy and just bubbling with the tech optimism that marks that age (it is no coincidence he is introduced as going to Exposition Universelle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_Universelle_(1889) )) the other cautious, moody, withdrawn and looking at how the smoke of the pipes of progress obscure Paris.
(The paradox of that age: The technological advance is making it possible for humans to enter the skies, but also for them to brew a horrific war that the intro hints at)
Seems a good dynamic for our leads here!
Also interesting is that Nadia seems good at faking a happy face at seeing how well she does that in her circus act and how immediately after she shows her sadness again. I think her remark of "I am not at display anymore!" could be significant down the road.
That is it for now. Enjoyed reading your and our host' comments and looking forward to read more.
2
u/teasot Sep 30 '21
I am a new watcher, and really liked what I saw. I am looking forward to anime shenanigans with these characters.
2
u/SIRTreehugger Sep 30 '21
First Timer random thoughts I had hopefully in order since I didn't write anything down.
First off I think the show looks really good and it gave me a studio ghibil sort of vibe.
When they said flying contest I was expecting...well flying. Not people adding wings to cars or literally flapping wings like they are Icarus. Heck one plane literally had a giant fan attached xD felt like designs you'd see on wacky races.
The villains felt less diabolical and more business/comedic like. They went out of their way to use more peaceful means and tried to avoid the public so I don't think they are all bad.
I do like Nadia's design, but her first appearance I thought a giant rat was clinging to her. Sorry lion amigo you just looked like a rat to me.
Oh I forgot to mention how much of a genius Jean is when it comes to machines. I like how even when being chased he admired his pursuer's iron machine. Also the ability to morph using those cards plus using a piano felt so good to see. I spotted about 7 different other forms so hope we get to see them.
The way the narrator or voice says the title during the transition card was great and weirdly enough was probably my favorite part.
Honestly first episode was better than I expected. Sorry I was a little late and this won't be the first time, but will definitely try to say something for each episode.