Nadia (TV series)

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (ふしぎの海のナディア, Fushigi no Umi no Nadia) is a Japanese animated television series created by NHK and Gainax. It was loosely based on Jules Verne's novels Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island.

The series aired in Japan on NHK from April 1990 to March 1991, consisting of 39 episodes. It was directed by Hideaki Anno of Neon Genesis Evangelion fame, although due to creative differences and production issues, Anno left the project before its completion, and the final episodes were directed by others.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water follows the adventures of Nadia, a young acrobat girl, and Jean Roque Lartigue, a brilliant young inventor, as they are pursued by a trio of jewel thieves seeking the Blue Water, a mysterious pendant Nadia possesses. Their adventures lead them to encounters with Captain Nemo and the submarine Nautilus, eventually revealing Nadia's connection to an ancient civilization and a global conspiracy aimed at world domination.

The series explores themes of science versus nature, the consequences of technological advancement, prejudice, and the importance of understanding and accepting different cultures. It is known for its blend of adventure, science fiction, and historical elements, and its complex characters and storylines. Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water has been dubbed and broadcast in numerous countries worldwide and remains a popular and influential anime series.