Fushigi no Umi no Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (ふしぎの海のナディア, Fushigi no Umi no Nadia, literally “Fushigi no Umi no Nadia of the Mysterious Seas”) is a Japanese anime television series created by NHK, Toho, and Korad, from a concept of Hayao Miyazaki, and directed by Hideaki Anno of Gainax. Inspired by the works of Jules Verne, particularly Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and the exploits of Captain Nemo, the series follows young inventor Jean and former circus performer Nadia, who are led off to adventure by a secret in Nadia’s pendant.
The original Japanese broadcast of the series aired from 1990 to 1991 for 39 episodes. Streamline Pictures released eight episodes in the United States on VHS from 1992 to 1993. The full series was distributed in the United States from 2001 to 2002 by ADV Films on DVD and VHS, with an American broadcast airing on ADV’s Anime Network. Following the 2009 closure of ADV, Sentai Filmworks re-licensed the series and re-released it to Blu-ray and DVD in March 2014. GKIDS acquired the license in 2022 and released a new 4K restoration the same year.[2]
Plot – Fushigi no Umi no Nadia
Main article: List of Fushigi no Umi no Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water characters
Set in an alternate universe 1889, the series centers on Nadia, a 14-year-old girl of unknown origins, and Jean, a young, warm-hearted French inventor. Early in the story, the two protagonists are chased by Grandis Granva, Sanson, and Hanson, a group of jewel thieves who pursue Nadia for the blue jeweled pendant she possesses named the Blue Water.
After being rescued by Captain Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus, the jewel thieves and the young protagonists join forces and participate in the struggle against the Neo-Atlantean forces, who seek to dominate the world.
In the process, Nadia and Jean save the world from violent domination by the Neo-Atlantean forces led by Gargoyle, explore worldly mysteries and the powers of the Blue Water, uncover Nadia’s hidden family ties, and ultimately discover the secret origins of Nadia.
Production – Fushigi no Umi no Nadia
This series’ origins date to the mid-1970s when Hayao Miyazaki was hired by Toho to develop a television series. One of these concepts was “Around the World in 80 days by Sea” (adapted from Jules Verne‘s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea), in which two orphan children pursued by villains team up with Captain Nemo and the Nautilus. It was never produced, but Toho retained the rights for the story outline, while Miyazaki reused elements from his original concept in later projects like Future Boy Conan and Castle in the Sky.[3][4]
Gainax’s initial involvement with the project occurred during an internal power struggle within the company. During a pitch with NHK, Group TAC requested character designs and settings. Hiroaki Inoue provided character designs and storyboards for the pitch that were provided by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto and Mahiro Maeda working in secret. After the conclusion of the pitch NHK chose to proceed with Inoue’s Nadia presentation.
However the estimated cost of producing the show would cause Gainax to lose money. After a meeting at NHK where senior Gainax staff demanded Inoue be removed from the project or else they would withdraw, Inoue left the company.
Sadamoto was originally assigned to be director but eventually dropped out, preferring to concentrate on design and animation. Hideaki Anno was chosen as his replacement.[5][6] The series contains references and in-jokes to other anime works including Space Battleship Yamato, Macross and Time Bokan.[7] Portions of the infamous “island” episodes of the series were animated in Korea.[6]
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