Based on the classic Nemo comic strips by Winsor McCay. As a pioneer of animation, McCay produced the first Little Nemo animated film in 1911. Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata were initially attached to this project, but they departed due to "creative differences." Ray Bradbury is also believed to have left the project during its earlier stages. Little Nemo - Adventures in Slumberland is the first Japanese anime to receive a national (wide) U.S. theatrical release.