Dive together in the fascinating universe of this robot to the big heart, born of the visionary imagination of the legendary Osamu tezuka.
Astro Boy, Or "Tetsuwan Atom"In Japanese, made his remarkable debut in 1952 in the pages of manga D'Osamu tezuka, before taking off in the anime in 1963. The story of Astro Boy takes place in a world futuristic where robots Coex with humans, offering a deep reflection on the nature of humanity, social justice and peaceful coexistence.
From mechanical emotion to the quest for justice
In a futuristic world where robots and humans coexist, enter the scene Astro Boy, or simply "astro", a android surplus created in 2003 by Dr. Tenma, head of the Ministry of Science. The basic idea? Replace his late son Tobio, died tragically in a car accident.
Dr. Tenma, in an attempted robotic fatherhood, shapes Astro like Tobio, hoping to fill the gaping vacuum left by the loss of his son. However, he quickly realizes that Astro's skills are not exactly those of a human child, especially when it comes to aging or expressing emotions. In the original edition of 1960, Dr. Tenma, disappointed, Balance Astro to a director of sadistic circus named Hamegg. It starts well, right?
But hey, expect a surprise! Astro quickly reveals unusual talents and an incredible skill in combat. He then embarked on a mission against crime, L'injustice And all the annoying things lying around. His enemies? Malventy robots, machines that have become crazy, even extraterrestrial invaders. It is a bit as if he had won a use of universal cleaner!
Astro Boy et Cie: the characters
Doctor Tenma
Doctor Tenma, known under a panoply of alias such as Doctor Umatarô Tenma, Doctor Nagamiya Tenma, Doctor Balthus, or even Doctor Peabody - he obviously likes the changes of name as much as the scientific experiences. This great brain of Japanese robotics had everything to succeed. His son Tobie unfortunately found the release of this world in a car accident. The typical reaction of a dad who loves science too much? Create a robotic clone with superpowers To fight misfortunes. This is how Tobie-Robot was born.
But as in any good story, things are not going as planned. Tenma realizes that cuddling a robot, even if he looks like his son, it's like trying to grow a plastic plant. It doesn't take. Tobio-Robot is therefore balanced in a circus like an old old-fashioned plush. But fate has decided otherwise. Tobio-Robot is reborn under the name ofAstro.
Astro
Astro, also known as Tetsuwan Atomu or Astro Boy, is the Ultimate super-robot, a kind of Tobia 2.0, if you prefer. Made like the deceased son of Dr. Tenma, he was rejected by his creator ... But that's where the story takes an unexpected turn.
By happy coincidence (or perhaps a divine intervention of the god of robots), Astro was discovered by Professor Ochanomizu, who took him under his wing and transformed it into a Earth defender superhero.
Equipped with a colossal force fed by a 100,000 horsepower engine (which has been rising to a million horses for even more punch), Astro can fly Faster than your pizza delivery man on Friday evening. But wait, there is more! He has a machine gun at his disposal, a finger capable of triggering a laser beam destructive and an arm that turns into laser gun. Without forgetting his eyes, which can project blinding light beams.
Professor Ochanomizu
THE Professor Ochanomizu, affectionately nicknamed Professor Caudrine or Doctor O'Shay in certain adaptations, is a old scientist Japanese, recognizable by his prominent nose that would make Pinocchio pale. He is a true champion of peace and harmony between robots And humans, a bit like a hippie in a white laboratory blouse.
Acting as a paternal figure for astro, he is still there for him, whether for wise advice or to give him a little well -placed trip.
His name, Ochanomizu, literally means "tea water" in Japanese, which is perfect for a scientist who probably spends half of his day sipping tea while watching complex equations. And as if that were not enough, it is also the name of a metro station in Japan!
Astro Boy
From manga to modern adaptations
THE manga published by 1952 has 1968, then reviewed the day with a series of newspapers (1967-1969) and two others series in the years 70 And 80.
The adventures ofAstro Boy were then translated into English by Dark Horse Comics, just to not lose non-Japanese on the way. The other characters have kept their Japanese names, just to keep a little exoticism.
Astro Boy, accompanied by his band, even ventured into the world of biography in "Edu-manga", learning everything about celebrities like Helen Keller, Albert Einstein and Mother Teresa. A real jack-of-all-trades robot !
And of course, there have been more modern adaptations with police intrigue, but purists prefer original versions.
Finally, there was a prequel in 2014, Atom: The Beginning, because why not?
Astro's cinematographic adventures
In 1962MBS released a movie live-action : A minute animated at the beginning, then the rest in real shots for 75 minutes.
Tezuka had the opportunity to meet Walt Disney at the Universal Exhibition of 1964, Or Disney expressed interest in "doing something similar" to Astro Boy.
Then, in 2005, A Japanese film IMAX is out, "Astro Boy vs igza ", but hey, it was a Japanese exclusivity.
In 2009, Imagi Animation Studios released a Astro Boy version With Freddie Highmore in the title role and Nicolas Cage in Dr. Tenma. They even released a adaptation Comic To accompany the film, just to touch all audiences.
Paper to the controller
Konami released the game Mighty Atom For the Nintendo Famicom in 1988. It is said that it is so difficult that even the robots cry in front.
In 1994, Banpresto published his own game Mighty Atom For the Super Famicom. Like the Konami game, it follows the adventures of manga.
Sega, for his part, released two games based on Astro Boy. One for Game Boy Advance, and the other for PlayStation 2 with a slightly darker intrigue, just to change a little.
There were even Mobile games ! Did you know that he also made crossovers In other video games? In particular the Android and iOS Great Battle mobile game! Tezuka All stars and the game of puzzle crossover Crystal Crisis!
Some awards
Astro Boy was widely rewarded for His Excellency, receiving a multitude
price and ofpraise from criticism and fans around the world.
Sales
THE manga sold at 100 million copies
Classification
Astro Boy was classified 6th in a classification of experts for "Biggest manga of all time"Organized by the Japanese Media Arts Festival in 2006
And
In a survey of 2009 organized by Asahi Shimbun for "Biggest manga from the Shōwa era", Astro Boy was classified 5th, the manga of Tezuka THE
better classified on the list.
NIIZA Saitama
April 7 2003, the city of Niiza, Saitama recorded the character of Astro Boy as
A resident To coincide with his date of birth in the manga.
Popular series
The Animated Years 1960 was named the 86th best series hosted by IGN, qualifying it as First popular animated series.
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