Anime - Astro Boy

 

Astro Boy was the first anime series to become a world wide success.  It was first released in Japan on New Years day 1963. It's based on the magna series "Atom Boy" written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka. The series is typically summarized as a series about a robot boy with human emotions that fights for justice. 

I watched the first episode of the 1963 dubbed English  version. I was taken aback by some of the gloomy subject matter. First Astor Boyton III is pictured in his self driving car, it's supposed to be the safest mode of transportation, but he's involved in an accident and dies. Dr. Boynton the boys father, as head of the ministry of science orders a robot replica of his son to be built within a year.  Astro boy is complete and goes to live with Dr. Boynton. The robot proves to be exceptionally smart but after a couple years Dr. Boynton regrets building him, he is disappointed Astro isn't growing like a real boy.  In a heartbreaking scene he sells Astro to the owner of a robot circus.

Hammond Egg runs a robot circus, where robots fight each other and perform other acts for the crowd. In Astro's debut fight he defeats a much larger opponent named Z.O.G. Hammond  tries to get Astro to kill Z.O.G. but he refuses.  Astro displays the same compassion as a young child. Later Astro runs into a pile of old robots headed for sale as scrap metal. They explain that Hammond no longer charges them because they aren't crowd pleaser.  Astro realizes his 12V should be enough to charge them all and sets to it. 

Shortly after, Sparrow the robot performs a  cabonball. There is an accident and he explodes. The circus catches on fire and Astro along with the rescued roboots help save the audience members from the fire. But they are not rewarded for their actions.  Hammond is visited by the new head of the Ministry of Science who would like Astro to live at the center. Hammond out right refuses. The new Ministry of Science turns the TV on and we see The Robot Bill of Rights has just passed. Astro is now free to leave.  A lot happens in this first episode. 

The Astro Boy series is known to cover topics such as human and artificial intelligence relationships, inclusion, prejudice, pros and cons of advancement and trys to place nuclear power in a positive light. Based on the first episode I will recommend the series, but buckledown for 193 episodes. There is also a 1980's series remake in color which was 52 episodes.