TV-Series
Description
Patch is the alias used by Dr. Briac Lao, a central supporting figure in the anime Future Boy Conan. He is a brilliant scientist who was responsible for developing solar power technology for both peaceful civilian use and wartime military applications. He is also the grandfather of Lana, one of the story's main characters. Before the events of the series, Dr. Lao served as a member of the Industrian High Council, but he defected after learning of the ambitions of Lepka, the administrator who sought to use solar energy to revive a super-weapon and conquer the world. Believing that the people of Industria had to abandon weapons and build new lives in peace, Dr. Lao fled, taking with him the secret knowledge of how to access the orbiting solar power station left over from the pre-war era.
To escape capture, Dr. Lao attempted to leave Industria in a flying machine, but he was shot down. The injuries he suffered during this escape changed his appearance significantly, and he used this as an opportunity to assume a false identity. Under the name Patch, he became the head of a small salvage ship crew operating in a remote desert region, working for Industria on paper while secretly hiding from those who sought him. As Patch, he presents himself as a weathered and somewhat stern salvage captain who oversees a small team of workers. He initially takes in Conan and Lana when they wander into his territory after crossing the desert, but only after Conan proves his worth by demonstrating his diving skills. Patch keeps his true identity hidden even from Lana at first, observing the two young people carefully while maintaining his cover.
In terms of personality, Patch is cautious, guarded, and deeply shaped by guilt and responsibility. He carries the weight of knowing that his scientific work contributed to the catastrophic war technology that destroyed civilization, and this drives his determination to keep that technology out of destructive hands. He is shrewd and practical, able to command respect from his salvage crew despite his secretive nature, but he is also compassionate and protective beneath his gruff exterior. His decision to shelter Conan and Lana reflects his underlying moral character, even when it puts his concealment at risk.
His motivations are rooted in atonement and protection. He wants to prevent Lepka from accessing the solar energy system and using it for military conquest, to protect Lana and the people he cares about, and to encourage a future in which humanity no longer relies on the weapons of the past. His role in the story becomes increasingly active as the narrative progresses. After his identity is revealed when Lana senses him through their telepathic connection, he reunites with his granddaughter and becomes a key figure in the struggle against Industria's leadership. He works with Conan and the others to restore access to solar power, helps organize the evacuation of Industria's residents as the earth itself begins to break apart, and plays a vital part in opposing Lepka's final attempt to launch the massive warplane Gigant. Though he is a scientist rather than a fighter, his knowledge and strategic guidance are essential to the resistance.
His key relationships shape much of the story. His bond with Lana is central, as he is her grandfather and communicates with her through telepathy, a connection that initially led Lepka to abduct Lana in order to find him. His relationship with Conan develops through mutual trust and respect, with Conan literally saving his life when he is trapped beneath his ship during an earthquake. He also has a long history with the people of High Harbor, where his daughter and her husband helped raise Lana, and he remains linked to the prisoners and resistance figures within Industria, including Luke. His opposite number is Lepka, who eventually captures and tortures him in an attempt to force him to hand over the solar power technology.
Throughout the series, Patch undergoes a quiet but significant development. He moves from a man in hiding, paralyzed by guilt and fear of further destruction, to a central actor who risks everything to save others. In the final stretch of the story, the physical toll of his suffering becomes severe. After being tortured and weakened, he gradually loses mobility and his senses, becoming blind and deaf, and can barely communicate except through the telepathic link with Lana. Despite this, his spirit and resolve endure long enough for him to see the restoration of solar power and the survival of Industria's people. He ultimately dies peacefully, surrounded by those he helped save, and is given a sea burial.
His notable abilities include his deep scientific expertise, particularly his mastery of solar energy systems and pre-war technology, which is tied to the series' central conflict. He is also a skilled engineer who built and piloted a flying machine capable of long-distance travel. Beyond his technical knowledge, he possesses a telepathic bond with Lana that allows them to sense each other and communicate across distances. His most important qualities, however, are his foresight, his leadership among the salvage crew and later among the survivors, and his conviction that the remnants of humanity must reject militarism and choose a future of rebuilding and peace. This belief defines his character and drives him to sacrifice everything, including ultimately his life, to ensure that the destructive power he helped create is never used again.
To escape capture, Dr. Lao attempted to leave Industria in a flying machine, but he was shot down. The injuries he suffered during this escape changed his appearance significantly, and he used this as an opportunity to assume a false identity. Under the name Patch, he became the head of a small salvage ship crew operating in a remote desert region, working for Industria on paper while secretly hiding from those who sought him. As Patch, he presents himself as a weathered and somewhat stern salvage captain who oversees a small team of workers. He initially takes in Conan and Lana when they wander into his territory after crossing the desert, but only after Conan proves his worth by demonstrating his diving skills. Patch keeps his true identity hidden even from Lana at first, observing the two young people carefully while maintaining his cover.
In terms of personality, Patch is cautious, guarded, and deeply shaped by guilt and responsibility. He carries the weight of knowing that his scientific work contributed to the catastrophic war technology that destroyed civilization, and this drives his determination to keep that technology out of destructive hands. He is shrewd and practical, able to command respect from his salvage crew despite his secretive nature, but he is also compassionate and protective beneath his gruff exterior. His decision to shelter Conan and Lana reflects his underlying moral character, even when it puts his concealment at risk.
His motivations are rooted in atonement and protection. He wants to prevent Lepka from accessing the solar energy system and using it for military conquest, to protect Lana and the people he cares about, and to encourage a future in which humanity no longer relies on the weapons of the past. His role in the story becomes increasingly active as the narrative progresses. After his identity is revealed when Lana senses him through their telepathic connection, he reunites with his granddaughter and becomes a key figure in the struggle against Industria's leadership. He works with Conan and the others to restore access to solar power, helps organize the evacuation of Industria's residents as the earth itself begins to break apart, and plays a vital part in opposing Lepka's final attempt to launch the massive warplane Gigant. Though he is a scientist rather than a fighter, his knowledge and strategic guidance are essential to the resistance.
His key relationships shape much of the story. His bond with Lana is central, as he is her grandfather and communicates with her through telepathy, a connection that initially led Lepka to abduct Lana in order to find him. His relationship with Conan develops through mutual trust and respect, with Conan literally saving his life when he is trapped beneath his ship during an earthquake. He also has a long history with the people of High Harbor, where his daughter and her husband helped raise Lana, and he remains linked to the prisoners and resistance figures within Industria, including Luke. His opposite number is Lepka, who eventually captures and tortures him in an attempt to force him to hand over the solar power technology.
Throughout the series, Patch undergoes a quiet but significant development. He moves from a man in hiding, paralyzed by guilt and fear of further destruction, to a central actor who risks everything to save others. In the final stretch of the story, the physical toll of his suffering becomes severe. After being tortured and weakened, he gradually loses mobility and his senses, becoming blind and deaf, and can barely communicate except through the telepathic link with Lana. Despite this, his spirit and resolve endure long enough for him to see the restoration of solar power and the survival of Industria's people. He ultimately dies peacefully, surrounded by those he helped save, and is given a sea burial.
His notable abilities include his deep scientific expertise, particularly his mastery of solar energy systems and pre-war technology, which is tied to the series' central conflict. He is also a skilled engineer who built and piloted a flying machine capable of long-distance travel. Beyond his technical knowledge, he possesses a telepathic bond with Lana that allows them to sense each other and communicate across distances. His most important qualities, however, are his foresight, his leadership among the salvage crew and later among the survivors, and his conviction that the remnants of humanity must reject militarism and choose a future of rebuilding and peace. This belief defines his character and drives him to sacrifice everything, including ultimately his life, to ensure that the destructive power he helped create is never used again.