Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water is a Japanese animated television series inspired by the works of Jules Verne, particularly Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and the exploits of Captain Nemo. The series was created by Toho, from a concept of Hayao Miyazaki, and directed by Hideaki Anno of Gainax. The series follows a young inventor named Jean and a former circus performer named Nadia, who wishes to return to her home in Africa. In its original Japanese broadcast, it aired from 1990 to 1991 and ran for 39 episodes, and distributed by ADV Films in the United States. ADV’s Anime Network has broadcast the series in the United States.