Astro, le petit robot

This is one of my favorites.

During my childhood in the 1980s, our national TV blessed us with so many classics. And when it comes to the Japanese school of animation, then all of its work are classics. Majingâ Zetto (1972) "known by the name of Mazenger in the Arabic version". Takarajima (1978) or Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Hello! Sandy Bell (1981). Meitantei Holmes (1984) or the comic Sherlock Holmes. And Cubitus (1989). They are all unforgettable shows.

Shin Tetsuwan Atom (1980), or Coocky El-Ajeeb for me, is no exception. I was waiting, so craving, to watch every episode. And really it didn't disappoint me at all. Not even once.

The character was 100% human while being robot. I think the real secret of him is being that all-time-child-superman which's an original idea indeed. The direction was very interesting. There were many artistic touches; after 20 years I still recall some moving endings. The drawings were perfect with yummy colors, and attractive personality. The imagination was thrilling and droll. Let alone some messages that this show managed to deliver with the fun as well. And I'll never forget the character of the younger brother who says only (rabble.. rabble) !

This is a review and maybe a tribute to some of my childhood's best memories. A wonder boy, a wonder series as well.

I grew up watching this show religiously. I'd get up before school at 6.00am and be awestruck at the animation and mature themes. There was an overriding feeling of darkness and despair whilst sitting there with the morning sunrise coming through the curtains of my home. The show had its lighter moments for sure, but scenes of robots with seemingly human like appearance getting destroyed (violently) was something of an awakening to me, especially since I was more familiar with the more kiddie friendly "Thomas The Tank Engine". "Astro Boy" was also very intelligent and philosophical for a show basically aimed at the young and this is why the show has held up very well.

A great series which has now been transferred to DVD in an excellent box set! Long live Astro!

I loved this show as a child and I have never forgotten the theme song or the themes, such morality and compassion and loving themes about helping everyone and everything fairness and equality for all species was a great lesson to learn and Astro is a fantastic role model

When it comes to discussing which is the greatest cartoon in the world, it can be a hot topic to debate. However be sure to hear one name that will come up time and time again, ‘Astroboy'. He is a legend of the cartoon genre. I like him, because we can all learn a valuable lesson from what he stands for and how he goes about trying to fit into the world. Although I am a little old to like such a program, I am proud to admit that Astroboy still gives me great pleasure anytime I see him.

In the year 2000, after the loss of his beloved son Toby in a car accident, Dr. Boynton built an android in his image. Soon, Dr. Boynton figured out that this android would not grow up to the son that he had lost. However he loses the robot to a greedy circus ringleader who made him part of the robot circus. However at the circus, the robot meets Kathy, a kind person who gave him the name Astroboy and let him go with Dr Elfun from the ministry of Science to be used for the good of all. Astro was designed with super powers, the ability to fly, powerful light beam emitters from his eyes which serve as a searchlight, heightened hearing, a machine gun on his hips, ultra-strength of 100,000 horsepower, and a powerful laser from his finger.

This cartoon is brilliant Japanese animation. People from that part of the world are extremely talented, are should be proud of what they can do. The creator of Astroboy is Osuma Tezuka. I like what he did for children's' TV. His role in making Astroboy the success it was is phenomenal. He took on the roles of creating the original story, Framework, main Character design and Screenplay. The director of this version of Astro is Noboru Ishiguro, and I really like the cartoon that he gave us. Tezuka has done many works, but I am certain that Astroboy would have to be up there as one of his finest achievements. I also like the simple but effective message Tezuka had in bringing us Astroboy:

"What I try to appeal through my works is simple. The opinion is just a simple message that follows: 'Love all the creatures! Love everything that has life'! I have been trying to express this message in every one of my works. Though it has taken the different forms like 'the presentation of nature' 'the blessing of life' 'the suspicion on too much science oriented civilisation' anti war and so on."

There was only a few people doing the voiceovers to the characters of Astroboy (in English), but they were extremely well done. I enjoyed all the characters that appeared in the stories of Astroboy. Astro was an exciting robot, who at an instant would go into battle to save anyone from anything remotely evil. Add in Dr Elfun, Daddy walrus, Astro's parents and sister ‘Uran' and his friends from the local school he attended, life was pretty good for Astro.

However, he did have his enemies. The human criminals included Skunk, a greedy man whose only use for robots was to make him rich. Yet Astro's greatest war was with a mighty robot, his brother Atlas. Atlas was like a human criminal, only with super powers. Astro and Atlas had many a fight, with no standout winner. Atlas wanted power and used the earth as his playground. Astro had to save the day many times from Atlas, with the consequences being great for each robot many times.

The fitting tribute for this cartoon is seeing a 17 tape video collection produced by local Australian video group, Siren Entertainment. If you have access to seeing them, by all means do so. Also having all the great merchandise with Astro is another avenue that helps keep his ‘legend' alive. Such items as key rings, t-shirts and coffee mugs still available today, shows me that Astro is as popular as he ever was.

When I think of my childhood, cartoons are a big part of it. Early morning viewings with cartoons such as Inspector Gadget, Voltron and He-Man. However Astroboy has and always will have a special place in my heart. With the passing of Osuma Tezuka (1928-89), we have all lost a great man of the animated Television profession. Astroboy was a Japanese creation many years before people in Western society began viewing it. I am thankful that I had the chance to see it, because Astro has only taught me good things. I love the musical theme(s) that accompany this cartoon. Furthermore when people still say the name ‘Astro' today, it at least proves to me that this cartoon will live on for many decades to come.

Although fun, this show could be a lot better. But it's still good. Highly recommend.