 Although this is the first theatrical film directed by  Hayao Miyazaki (qv), he wasnt involved with it when the project  started. Initially, the sole main crew was Yasuo Ôtsuka (qv)  (animation director), and a draft of script was provided by  Seijun Suzuki (qv) and his fellow writers, who were then writing  scripts for TV series of "Lupin III". But Otsuka didnt like the  draft and asked Miyazaki to direct the film. Miyazaki agreed and  provided a completely different plot, which became "Cagliostro".