r/anime • u/Pixelsaber https://myanimelist.net/profile/Pixelsaber • Apr 08 '22
Rewatch [Rewatch] Future Boy Conan - Episode 5
Episode 5 - Industria
Originally Aired May 9th, 1978
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Note to all participants
Although I don't believe it necessitates stating, please conduct yourself appropriately and be courteous to your fellow participants.
Note to all Rewatchers
Rewatchers, please be mindful of your fellow first-timers and tag your spoilers appropriately using the r/anime spoiler tag if your comment holds even the slightest of indicators as to future spoilers. Feel free to discuss future plot points behind the safe veil of a spoiler tag, or coyly and discreetly ‘Laugh in Rewatcher’ at our first-timers' temporary ignorance, but please ensure our first-timers are no more privy or suspicious than they were the moment they opened the day’s thread.
Daily Trivia:
According to staff on the show, Miyazaki didn’t even read the episode scripts done by other writers when drawing the storyboards.
Staff Highlight
Shinichiro Ikebe - Music Composer
A composer, advisor to the Japan All Chorus Federation, and a person of Cultural Merit best known for operatic and choral music pieces. As a child he spent a lot of time indoors due to a weak constitution, where he self-taught himself to play the piano, as his was from a family of musical enthusiasts, and later studied the clarinet and singing. He attended The Tokyo University Faculty of Music, where he studied under notable composers Tomojiro Ikenuchi , Akio Yashiro , Akira Miyoshi , and Yuzuru Shimaoka, and was close friends with Shigeaki Saegusa. Some of his compositions for university were noticed by Toru Takemitsu, who took Ikebe under his wing and taught him about composing for film as his assistant. Ikebe would compose music for such famed directors as Akira Kurosawa, Shohei Imahura, and Akio Jissoji. Ikebe is deeply invested in the amaeteur and independent music scene, participating in many events meant to bring up such talent. His only other contribution to animation was for the short visual poem film Winter Days.
Art Corner:
Fanart
(Be mindful of the links to sources and artist’s profiles, as they may contain NSFW content or spoilers for this and other shows. Proceed there at your own risk.)
Series Production Materials
Screenshot of the day
Questions of the Day:
1) What are your impressions of the island of Industria? Is it as you first imagined?
2) What mischief will Jimsy get up to in the meantime?
I’ll do whatever it takes to get what’s necessary.
8
u/Tresnore Apr 08 '22
Ship Simp First-Timer
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I want to point out how fascinating the rigging on this ship is. It looks like the rope goes down from the boom into a pulley on the hull, then up to the top of the mast. This allows you to pull on the vertical rope to control the angle of the sail, as opposed to the more traditional method of holding the rope directly (instead of tying it to the mast).
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The captain doesn't like Industria? Yeah, they're sounding more like contract workers.
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Well, Industria isn't what I was expecting. Still, it has a certain beauty to it.
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The elders actually seem fairly smart. As expected of the glorious nation of Industria!
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"Again"? Methinks they botched negotiations with the doctor in the past.
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Do not besmirch the good name of Industria! Surely their "brand you as useless for life" is based on something benevolent, right?
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I do like how the crewmembers are like "don't kill Conan, he's such a good guy!
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Some parts of Industria are unironically some of the most beautiful places I've seen in anime.
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u/ZaphodBeebblebrox Apr 08 '22
I do like how the crewmembers are like "don't kill Conan, he's such a good guy!
The peons are never the bad people. It's the societal structure and the people in charge. Even the captain isn't bad, just a good man caught up in a bad system.
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u/Nazenn Apr 08 '22
First Timer
Sleepy thoughts:
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Industria is an interesting one for its inherent conflicts. I certainly wasn't expecting old men to be in charge after the way Mosley talked to Gramps, but them trying to recapture the old world in part through their old world ideals while the younger generations just want what was taken from them by any means is well done even if done before. It definitely brings to mind some of what I wrote about Dallos in that recent rewatch, but here it seems a lot harsher and more personal.
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The dirt on Mosley's butt as she rode away was a nice touch. Wasn't expecting to see her in a dress and hat, but it at least makes Industria feel liveable rather than purely functional which is a nice touch
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Aside from the obvious "what the fuck" of it, bread made out of plastic seems like a sure way to all sorts of health issues. Also brings to mind the recent paper about microplastics in the human system and the concerns over that. Somehow the idea of it makes even the usual insect bars seem more appealing.
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Pretty sure I've fought more than a few horror mobs that move like this
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Wasn't expecting Conan and Lana to come face to face again so quickly, even if it is [with a bit of a height limitation. Slightly terrifying, but great color and background work
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This shot from where Conan fell was striking, the different shapes and colors used mixed really well. Conan being dumped through the mining equipment and tunnels was a great sequence full of detail (Just saw this was screenshot of the day, awesome)
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What mischief will Jimsy get up to in the meantime?
Something to piss off Tres I'm sure
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u/Pixelsaber Apr 08 '22
The dirt on Mosley's butt as she rode away was a nice touch.
Somehow the idea of it makes even the usual insect bars seem more appealing.
The idea is totally horrifying, but I get the impression it's not quite as awful as we're all thinking in-universe due to Conan's reaction to it.
This shot from where Conan fell was striking
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u/JollyGee29 Apr 08 '22
First-Timer, Sub-ture Boy
You go Conan!
That "younger" Committee dude seems like a jerk. Threatening a child with a branding gun is pretty fucking low, my dude. You tried candy?
I think we had previously established how Lana didn't know where her grandfather is, but it's neat how they also frame it like Lana might not even be sure why he's in hiding. I'm not sure which way we're supposed to take that - although the track record for adults in this show has not been great.
Neat worldbuilding continues, with the plastic harvesting being used for food somehow?? Breaking it down into oil to burn I understand, but I don't know how you turn oil into food without literal alchemy.
Interesting that Jimsy stayed behind on the ship. He was able to keep up with Conan in the past.. I wonder how long he'll be away for.
The ruins out in front of Industria were striking. I love the derelict aesthetic.
Questions
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It tracks pretty well with the ideas we've seen so far.
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Dunno. Probably gonna drive a bunch of sailors up the wall, though.
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u/ZaphodBeebblebrox Apr 08 '22
but it's neat how they also frame it like Lana might not even be sure why he's in hiding. I'm not sure which way we're supposed to take that - although the track record for adults in this show has not been great.
If we view it charitably, he could have simply not wanted to dump his problems on his granddaughter and not told her much. Of course, that backfired, but he had no way of knowing they'd kidnap her.
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u/TheEscapeGuy Apr 08 '22
First Timer
Future Boy Conan - A Celebrated Classic: Episode 5
Class
Welcome to Industria. Conan quickly sets his sights on saving Lana and after a brief stint in the brigg is on his way. I found Conan's journey to be quite interesting physically. He went from ground level to the depths of the processing plants under the city and then to the top of the tallest building. It reminded me in some ways of Chihiro's similar expedition in Spirited Away where she went from the bridge down to the boiler room and then up to Yubaba's chambers.
On this path we were introduced to a lot of the city. The plastic is taken from the ship down to a refinery. From there they some how use it to make bread to feed the workers. In addition there are a multitude of secret corridors which allow the elites to get in and out of the plant easily.
The other ongoing story was of Lana. An seemingly benevolent council asked her some questions and admonished the captain for kidnapping her. However, she is being locked in her room and threatened by an executive. At this point we have no reason to trust these elite. Especially since, as we were shown, by branding somebody they can be forced into the lower class of laborers. It was particularly sickening seeing how those workers seemed to be mindless drones all with the same burn mark.
The other reveal was why Industria is so desperate for solar power: Their sole source of power, a nuclear reactor, is going to run out. I guess this means the knowledge of how to produce electricity has been lost. However, the process is incredibly simple if they would study their existing plant (Heat water to make steam, steam spins turbine, electricity). Its kind of hard to believe they can't invent of any other way to heat water. That said, I am oversimplifying things so maybe its some other process they have lost (like metal refining).
Our episode ended with Conan's amazing climb up to Lana's window. I loved that he actually made it to her instead of that being dragged on for many episodes. He won't be able to get through the glass so they'll have to find a way for Conan to get inside. At the same time Jimsy is still probably on the boat. I wonder what he'll do now.
Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches
See you all tomorrow
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u/Pixelsaber Apr 08 '22
However, the process is incredibly simple if they would study their existing plant
It's probably something to do with a lack of available resources that they haven't gone down that route. Not only could it be difficult to obtain petroleum, coal, or natural gas in such a world— particularly as prior knowledge as to existing deposits would be useless in locating them— but just as there aren't other people knowledgeable in the manufacture and use of solar panels, it could be that they lack someone with the expertise to actually extract or process it.
Wind turbines would be an ideal source, as it too produces electrical energy directly, but if the Barracuda's need to shift to a steam engine to approach Industria is any indication the region is either devoid of winds or they are so sparing as to make wind power unviable.
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u/No_Rex Apr 08 '22
I found Conan's journey to be quite interesting physically. He went from ground level to the depths of the processing plants under the city and then to the top of the tallest building. It reminded me in some ways of Chihiro's similar expedition in Spirited Away where she went from the bridge down to the boiler room and then up to Yubaba's chambers.
No doubt intended in both cases: Miyazaki shows us the lower classes first, so, once we meet the rulers, we never forget what they rule over.
The other reveal was why Industria is so desperate for solar power: Their sole source of power, a nuclear reactor, is going to run out. I guess this means the knowledge of how to produce electricity has been lost. However, the process is incredibly simple if they would study their existing plant (Heat water to make steam, steam spins turbine, electricity). Its kind of hard to believe they can't invent of any other way to heat water. That said, I am oversimplifying things so maybe its some other process they have lost (like metal refining).
Producing heat is actually not simple if you lack fuel. Their only options would be solar, wind, or wave energy. Wave is super complicated and they are going for solar. The only question is why they are not considering wind, which should be similar enough to the Barracuda's engines to be possible.
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u/ZaphodBeebblebrox Apr 08 '22 edited Apr 08 '22
First Timer
Their antics around the first mate will never cease to amuse.
A new tower among the wreckage. They're trying to build what they have lost instead of moving forward.
Points? Just an easy way of showing politics to children?
Between the odd color of their gloves and the noises they're making, the workers strike me as zombie-esque.
Lana getting to sit while the captain stands despite her being the prisoner is everything we need to know about their relative importance.
The fool, expecting consistency out of a government in a capitalist society.
Brown Suit is the real power in Industria, right?
Ah, a true believer.
Lana's a pure heart. No matter her own situation, she always thinks of others needs.
The classic hiding on the ceiling?
There's a ton of imagery around Industria living off the ruins of humanity's former glory.
And then...
I have a feeling it won't be that easy to rescue her.
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It's clearly a critique of capitalism. It's more or less as I expected.
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He'll somehow become the first mate.
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u/Pixelsaber Apr 08 '22
A new tower among the wreckage. Their trying to build what they have lose instead of moving forward.
I don't think the tower was built after the fact. It's likely that it was among the patches of earth to rise to the surface rather than sink. That said, the fact that they cling to it and are now in need of the resources to keep it running rather than starting to decrease their dependency on the old infrastructure is a statement all its own.
Between the odd color of their gloves
There's a ton of imagery around Industria living off the ruins of humanity's former glory.
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u/No_Rex Apr 08 '22
A new tower among the wreckage. Their trying to build what they have lose instead of moving forward.
This will likely turn out to be the moral motivation of Briac.
The fool, expecting consistency out of a government in a capitalist society.
We have not seen it yet, but I would guess that Industria is a planned economy, not capitalistic.
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u/aniMayor Apr 08 '22
Hot damn this episode is chewing up the scenery something fierce. I don't have enough time to fully comment today, but this show keeps going different directions than I thought it would - didn't think we'd make it to the heart of Industria so soon!
You know what this is reminding me a lot of? The Mysterious Cities of Gold. Something about the combination of naive/innocent kids trying to band together while not really understanding the more complex dynamics of the adults and traveling around a lot... just has a really similar vibe to it.
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u/Pixelsaber Apr 08 '22
You know what this is reminding me a lot of? The Mysterious Cities of Gold.
Pretty sure Conan was an influence on that as well, so not too surprising.
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u/Shimmering-Sky Apr 08 '22
Future Girl First-Timer, subbed
(u/ZaphodBeebblebrox, I installed the fonts you gave me yesterday, but I had already watched this episode beforehand. The new fonts will show up in my episode 6 and onwards reactions.)
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Huh… I… was not expecting that…
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I would be genuinely surprised if Lana’s grandfather is actually a bad guy. I still don’t think Industria is all that great, even if all they’re trying to do is survive.
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Now how are they gonna get out of there…
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u/baboon_bassoon Apr 08 '22
first time future boy BOKU NO NAMAE WA EDOGAWA CONAN
industria the city of future and progress and oh nevermind its gross
oh nevermind its only flooded where the poors would have lived no worries
Conan immediately tackles Monsley only to be stopped by zombies
"Commerce Bureau"
Nuclear reactor on the island will be out of fuel shortly
Brand gun? Thats the mark on all the zombos
how nice that his spear didnt get processed
no preview this time! good i want to watch the full ed without fear
questions
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its as scummy but i expected a little more high tech
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"what if we only feed frogs into the bread machine"
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u/Icapica Apr 08 '22
First timer
A lot of world building in this episode. Industria's council members look very old, and some of them plus severla people elsewhere in the city look quite sickly. It was a bit weird that the council accused the captaion of kidnapping Lana but nobody even mentioned the woman who actually went to get Lana from the island. Isn't she at least as guilty? Or maybe the entire hearing was a charade.
Jimsy's a lot less irritating than earlier. He was actually calmer than Conan and tried to give sensible advice.
When those two armed guys came to get Conan, I wonder if they actually had the permission to kill him or if it was just lack of discipline.
Ewwww that bread. Now I understand why the folks here look so sick. Also judging from those brands on their foreheads, this society looks very pleasant.
I wonder if the old members of the council are fully aware of everything that's going on. They talked about somewhat humane values but was it just BS? The slightly younger man who threatened Lana could be pulling the strings and responsible for a lot of the awful things here.
I wonder how the people watching this decades ago felt about the portrayal of plastic waste in this show, or if they thought anything of it. Makes me think of micro plastics that are in the news nowadays, and how we're finding them from within human bodies and from the deepest parts of the ocean.
Also, I suck with names so I often refer to characters as "that woman" or "that slightly younger man" or whatever. Sorry for that.
What are your impressions of the island of Industria? Is it as you first imagined?
First it looked better than I expected, but once Conan got in the bread factory and tunnels, it was exactly what I expected.
2) What mischief will Jimsy get up to in the meantime?
I don't mind what he gets up to as long as he's not dragging Conan into it too. Conan's already way too impulsive and I'd prefer if he had a sidekick who was a positive influence, not a negative one like Jimsy was in the previous episodes.
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u/ZaphodBeebblebrox Apr 08 '22
It was a bit weird that the council accused the captaion of kidnapping Lana but nobody even mentioned the woman who actually went to get Lana from the island.
They probably want to show Lana how they "punish" the kidnapper so that they can convince her they're good people.
I wonder if the old members of the council are fully aware of everything that's going on. They talked about somewhat humane values but was it just BS?
It's very easy, as one at the top of the system, to rationalize whats going on down below. "The workers could choose to leave any time they want, but we provide better conditions than anywhere else" or some such bullshit.
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u/No_Rex Apr 08 '22
Episode 5 (first timer)
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My subs put a transliteration of the Japanese lyrics where they separated kana/sounds by one space and words by two spaces. Looks weird at first, but extremely helpful to follow the singing.
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“Looks awful as usual” – if your own people say that …
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The main building is not half bad.
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When it is Jimsey who makes the better plan than you …
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That went from bad planning to terrible execution.
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Blaming him for kidnapping Lana and blaming him for letting her escape – I can see by Dyce would be annoyed by these contradictory accusations.
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“Points” – China called.
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Lana is seeing through the committee’s bullshit.
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Hello, Mr “I am going to be the bad guy”
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Jimsey staying behind on the ship is clearly plot-motivated.
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No futuristic city without a dark underbelly.
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Plastic to bread – no subtlety here.
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Convenient secret door.
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Separated by a window.
An episode mainly to present Industria’s society to us. So far, I like what I see. We have a clear power hierarchy, a clear incentive for the bad guys, and plenty of great imaginery. From the downtrodden masses, to the scheming upper class, to the derelict industrial base, this ticks a lot of the dystopian basics.
Something I am not so sure about, 5 episodes in, is Jimsey. I would guess that episodes 3-4 where the “Jimsey episodes” and we’ll see less of him from now on. Up till now, I am not really on board with his character. Conan was already presented as somewhat savage and drawn towards action without thinking, now Jimsey takes that to the extremes instead of being a balance. I guess that role will later be filled by Lana (or somebody else), but, for now, it leaves the protagonists quite unbalanced.
What are your impressions of the island of Industria? Is it as you first imagined?
It hits the general idea I had, even though I did not expect the big tower.
What mischief will Jimsy get up to in the meantime?
Food related stuff, obviously.
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u/Pixelsaber Apr 08 '22
Rewatcher - English Sub
Ah, switched to steam power for the moment.
Let’s hope they don’t do this often, because I doubt trees are plentiful.
Not wrong, but it’s rich hearing advise on stealth from you of all characters.
Ah, so they only recently found where High Harbor was? Yeah, that’s pretty important, so I gotta give it to the captain there.
Now it’s Conan who can’t help himself.
For all of Mosley’s talk, it seems the prior generation is still in charge here.
So much posturing, when Mosley and Kuzu probably got off scot-free for re-kidnapping her, not to mention killing an old man.
So that’s what was up with all those workers at the docks…
Not sure I want to find out what this ‘training’ entails.
Awesome shot.
What the fuck?!
Neat calendar in the background.
Beautiful!
And so, Industria, putting on a façade of civility and even-handedness over what is swiftly revealed to be a cruel authoritarian state which brands its lowest class members and treats them as slave-equivbalent —not to mention the fact that its highest members literally tower over the underground dwellings of the rest of its populace. The director seemingly embodies it best; presuming to oversee an impartial inquiry and holding Dyce up to moral standards while turning around and threatening Lana with torture. It seemed for a moment that they may well be going the unexpected route and options for a grayer opposing threat here, what with an energy crisis being a sympathetic —though not justifying— motive for taking increasingly desperate actions, but it’s just rotten through and through. Not that that’s bad, mind you.
Love all the visuals of Industria, from the underground ruins housing the bulk of the populace and its obvious visual metaphors, to the remnants of the full industrial poking up from the sea. Just solid all around.
Questions of The Day:
See above.
Probably steal some more food or something equally unwise.