Captain Future
Pulp hero turned globally dubbed anime adventurer.
Captain Future is a pulp science fiction hero – a space-traveling scientist and adventurer – originally published in the United States in his namesake pulp magazine from 1940 to 1944. The character was created by editors Mort Weisinger and Leo Margulies, with the majority of stories authored by Edmond Hamilton. A 1978–79 Japanese anime adaptation was dubbed into several languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic, and is known in Francophone countries as Capitaine Flam.
- First published
- 1940
- Last pulp issue
- 1944
- Creator
- Mort Weisinger and Leo Margulies
- Primary author
- Edmond Hamilton
- Anime series years
- 1978–79
- Anime episodes
- 53
- Anime production company
- Toei Animation
Lore & Background
Captain Future, whose given name is Curtis Newton, is a brilliant scientist and adventurer who roams the solar system solving problems and vanquishing futuristic supervillains. He was born on the Moon and raised by the Futuremen: Professor Simon Wright (a brain in a life-support case), the robot Grag, and the android Otho. The series makes assumptions about the Solar System that are outlandish by modern standards, with every planet and many moons suitable for life and occupied by humanoid extraterrestrials. Later installments, after Captain Future invents the 'vibration drive,' take the hero to other stars, other dimensions, and even the distant past.
Reader's Guide
The Captain Future anime series, produced by Toei Animation in 1978–79, consisted of 53 episodes based on 13 of the original stories. Despite differences in cultural references and medium, the animated series remained true to the original in many ways, from didactic scientific explanations to the emphasis on brains over brawn. The series was translated into several languages and distributed globally; four episodes were dubbed into English and released on video as The Adventures of Captain Future, and later an edited TV movie was produced by Harmony Gold. The character's francophone name is Capitaine Futur, though he is better known in Francophone countries as Capitaine Flam.
Did You Know?
- Captain Future was created by editors Mort Weisinger and Leo Margulies, not by author Edmond Hamilton, who wrote most of the stories.
- The pulp magazine ran from 1940 to 1944, coinciding with World War II.
- The anime series was produced by Toei Animation and ran for 53 episodes in 1978–79.
- The character's spaceship, the Comet, is equipped with a camouflage device giving it the appearance of an actual comet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Captain Future?
Captain Future is a pulp science-fiction hero who operates as a space-traveling scientist and adventurer. The character debuted in a U.S. pulp magazine in 1940 and later received a 53-episode Japanese anime adaptation in 1978–79.
Who created Captain Future?
The character was conceived by editors Mort Weisinger and Leo Margulies for the Captain Future pulp title. Edmond Hamilton authored the majority of the serialized stories published between 1940 and 1944.
How many episodes are in the Captain Future anime?
The Japanese anime series comprises 53 episodes that aired during its 1978–79 run. It was subsequently dubbed into several languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Arabic.
What is Captain Future called in French-speaking countries?
In Francophone markets the anime is broadcast under the title Capitaine Flam rather than the original English name.
What is Captain Future's role in the story?
He functions as a scientist and interstellar adventurer, journeying through space to confront threats and solve crises across the cosmos. That pulp-era premise carried over directly into the anime adaptation.
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