Unjustly ignored in the UK where Miyazaki is currently all the rage, this is a charming story that is set in Victorian England. For those of us from the North, who live amongst the remnants of the industrial towns, it makes for a unique story. A hero from Manchester! There is a subtext involving science as danger and science as progress, and the relationships between father and son, but it is difficult to follow and never really works. Perhaps something was lost in translation. Most importantly the art design and attention to detail is stupendous, and really evokes nineteenth century England. There's some great retro mecha designs too. Patrick Stewart also gets a chance to use a Northern accent for once, even if he's from Yorkshire! Not at all disappointing.