Astro Boy (1980 TV series) facts for kids
| Astro Boy | |
English title screen
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Quick facts for kids 鉄腕アトム(Tetsuwan Atomu) |
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| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Noboru Ishiguro |
| Studio | Tezuka Productions |
| Licensed by | |
| Network | Nippon TV |
| English network | |
| Original run | October 1, 1980 – December 23, 1981 |
| Episodes | 52 |
| Related works | |
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Astro Boy (鉄腕アトム, Tetsuwan Atomu, lit. "Mighty Atom"), also known as New Mighty Atom (新・鉄腕アトム, Shin Tetsuwan Atomu), is a colorful remake of the 1960s anime series. Both shows are based on the popular manga series created by Osamu Tezuka.
This version of Astro Boy focuses more on Astro's amazing robot powers. It also has a slightly more serious storyline than earlier versions. Some of the more intense moments in the original Japanese series were changed or removed in the English versions. For example, scenes where robots were heavily damaged were often edited out.
The original Japanese series had 52 episodes. However, the English versions (American and Canadian) only had 51 episodes. This is because the first two Japanese episodes were combined into one. This meant that the full backstory of the main bad guy, Atlas, was not shown. Because of this, the title of episode four, "Atlas Lives Again," didn't quite make sense in the English dub. Also, when Astro meets Atlas later, Astro acts like he knows him and remembers their past fight, even though viewers of the English dub didn't see it.
Contents
Plot Summary
The story begins in the year 2030 in Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Tenma, the Minister of Science, is trying to create a robot that can feel human emotions. After many tries, he meets Skunk Kusai, who offers him a special "Omega Factor" circuit. This circuit is said to make a robot more human-like. Dr. Tenma refuses Skunk's offer.
Later, Dr. Tenma's nine-year-old son, Tobio, suggests his father build a robot that looks like a child. Inspired by Tobio, Dr. Tenma goes to work, forgetting his promise to take Tobio to an amusement park. Upset, Tobio drives a flying car home but crashes and is fatally injured. Before he passes away, Tobio asks his father to name his new robot "Tobio" and make it the strongest robot in the world. He also asks his father to love it like a son.
Dr. Tenma then creates a powerful robot with 100,000 horsepower. This robot can fly and has lasers and machine guns. However, Skunk gets copies of Dr. Tenma's plans. He takes them to the evil Count Walpurgis, who wants to use the Omega Factor in a super robot to take over the world.
The Prime Minister of Japan worries about Dr. Tenma's robot son. He orders the robot to be taken apart. But Dr. Tenma secretly finishes building the robot that night. He names him "Tobio" and takes him home to raise him. Raising a robot is tricky, and Tobio struggles to control his super strength.
One day, Tobio's mind goes blank, and he is called to the middle of town. Atlas, Walpurgis's new super robot, has been activated and is trying to connect with Tobio. When the connection fails, Tobio gets his senses back. He then faces a robot control vehicle piloted by Dr. Tenma and his assistants. The vehicle malfunctions and goes out of control. Tobio saves everyone nearby.
After this, Dr. Tenma realizes the public will soon know about Tobio. He decides to take Tobio on a ship to America. On the cruise, Tobio has trouble controlling his strength. After a difficult meal, Dr. Tenma becomes angry and sends Tobio away. Tobio hides on deck and is tricked into joining Hamegg's Robot Circus.
At the circus, Tobio is renamed "Mighty Atom/Astro Boy." He is treated badly by Hamegg but finds kindness from a performer named Kathy. Professor Ochanomizu, a local scientist, finds Astro Boy at the circus. With Kathy's help, he helps Astro Boy escape. Professor Ochanomizu becomes the new head of the Ministry of Science. From then on, Astro Boy learns more about the world and becomes a hero, protecting Tokyo and beyond.
Meet the Characters
Atom/Astro Boy
Astro is a kind and gentle robot with a strong sense of right and wrong. He has seven secret superpowers. He was built to look exactly like Tobio, Dr. Tenma's son. Dr. Tenma first treated Astro like his own son. But Astro had trouble controlling his strength. After Dr. Tenma sent him away, Astro joined Hamegg's Robot Circus. There, he learned to control his powers and met Dr. Ochanomizu. Astro starts unsure of himself but grows into a confident hero.
Atlas, another robot, often tries to get Astro to help him take over the world. Astro and Atlas were made from the same plans, so they are like brothers. But Astro always refuses to join Atlas's plans. He is voiced by Mari Shimizu, Patricia Kugler Whitely (American version), and Steven Bednarski (Canadian version).
Uran/Zoran
- Sarah (Canadian dub), Uranie (French dub)
Uran is Astro's sweet but determined little sister. She was built by Dr. Ochanomizu as a New Year's gift for Astro. She has half of Astro's power, with 50,000 horsepower, making her quite strong. Uran is shown as a cute, tomboyish girl.
Uran is good-hearted and looks up to Astro, especially after he saves her in episode 14. In this series, Uran's role was smaller than in the 1960s show. Her look was also made softer to appeal to more viewers. She sometimes starred in her own episodes, which had special ending songs with pictures of her in different costumes. Uran is voiced by Masako Sugaya (Japanese) and Becke Wilenski (American).
Doctor Tenma/Dr. Boynton
- Doctor Boynton (American dub), Professor Balfus (Canadian dub)
After several failed robot designs, Dr. Tenma created Astro Boy based on his son Tobio's idea. Dr. Tenma worked very hard to make a robot that could act and feel like a real human. In his focus, he forgot his promise to take Tobio to the amusement park. Tobio then had a car accident and passed away.
Dr. Tenma continued to build the boy robot. Once finished, he named the robot Tobio (Astro Boy) after his son. However, Astro Boy's inability to control his strength made Dr. Tenma angry. While on a cruise, Dr. Tenma sadly sent the robot away. Dr. Tenma is last seen calling out for Tobio and does not appear again in the series. He is voiced by Tamio Ōki and Del Lewis (American version).
Professor Ochanomizu/Dr. Elefun
- Dr. Elefun (American dub), Dr. Cole Green, later Professor Peabody (Canadian Dub), Professor Caudrine (French dub)
Dr. Ochanomizu took over from Dr. Tenma as Minister of Science. He rescued Astro Boy from Hamegg's Robot Circus. Dr. Ochanomizu believes robots should have rights. He created the "Robot Bill of Rights," which gives robots equal status to humans. He often acts like a father figure to Astro Boy, giving him advice. Early in the series, Dr. Ochanomizu builds Astro a robot mother, father, and a little sister named Uran. He is voiced by Hisashi Katsuta and Brian Parry (American version).
Atlas
Atlas is Astro's brother and main rival. He was created by Walpurgis and Skunk, who copied Astro's original design plans. Atlas was made to look like a child and was meant for stealing, but he was too innocent for crime. Only Livian, Walpurgis's robot maid, showed him kindness. He cared for her in return, seeing her as his only true friend. Walpurgis put an Omega Factor into Atlas, which allowed him to go against robot laws.
After Walpurgis and Skunk damaged Livian, Atlas became very upset and attacked them. He then rebuilt himself and Livian as adult robots. He also gained a horse and an electric sword. The new Atlas believed robots were better than humans. He often asked Astro to join him in taking over the world. Atlas and Astro have many similar powers.
The new Atlas and Livian look like adults. Atlas later gained a floating crystal castle. He dealt with Skunk and then Walpurgis. He stopped Walpurgis for good after his creator tried to force him to use a powerful weapon by threatening to disable Livian. However, Livian escaped, and Atlas defeated Walpurgis and his castle. Later, Atlas and Livian gave up their lives to save Earth from alien invaders. He is voiced by Katsuji Mori and Paul Nelson (American version).
Higeoyaji/Daddy Walrus/Wally Kisagari
- Victor (later Percival) Pompous (American dub, first animated series) Daddy Walrus (American dub, second animated series), Max McNugget (Canadian dub), Monsieur Morse (French dub)
His real name is Shunsaku Ban (Albert Duncan in the American dub). Daddy Walrus is Astro's teacher. He is shown as a judo expert, a good private detective, and a skilled flower arranger. He is a trained martial artist, and a funny part of the show is how he acts scared but then quickly becomes brave and defeats much larger opponents. He strongly supports robot rights and is one of Astro's biggest fans. He often has strong disagreements with Inspector Gumshoe. Even though he can be loud and short-tempered, Daddy Walrus truly cares for Astro and Uran and would risk his life for them. He is voiced by Kazuo Kumakura and Bob Gonzalez (American dub).
Livian
- Selena (Canadian dub), Vivian (French dub)
Livian was Walpurgis's robot maid. She became friends with the young Atlas and took care of him. She was damaged for accidentally breaking a decoration. Because of this, Atlas became very upset and attacked Walpurgis. Atlas rebuilt Livian and himself as adult robots, making Livian look like a princess. She is the only one who shows kindness to Atlas, and he never harms her. Livian once left his crystal castle to warn Astro about Atlas's plans. She later told Astro that he and Atlas were brothers. She is voiced by Keiko Yokozawa and Becky Wilenski (American version).
Jump
- Blip (Canadian dub), Plume (French dub)
Jump is a yellow dog with brown spots. He was Tobio's pet dog. Jump was very loyal to Tobio and rushed to the scene after Tobio's car crash. When Astro first met Jump, Jump was scared of him. It's not known how Dr. Ochanomizu found him, but when Astro visits his new robot home and parents, Jump is there too. Jump grows to like Astro and his family, though Uran doesn't always show him the same respect as Astro.
Skunk Kusai
- Slippery (Canadian dub), Sirius (French dub)
Skunk is a mysterious thief and gang leader in Tokyo. He is known for his blue skin and sharp eyes. At the start of the series, he worked with Walpurgis to copy Astro's design plans. Skunk was supposed to train Atlas, but Livian ended up doing most of the teaching. After Skunk set up Astro and Atlas's first fight, Walpurgis damaged Livian. Skunk barely escaped Atlas's angry reaction.
Skunk went to Tokyo and started a gang. They briefly used the adult Atlas for robberies when he returned. Throughout the rest of the series, Skunk uses different robots for his own plans. He especially uses them in the episode "The Light Ray Robot." He develops a strong dislike for Astro because Astro always stops his plans. Sometimes, Skunk tries to destroy or tease Astro. He is voiced by Seizō Katō and Jay Rath (American version).
Tobio Tenma
- Toby Boynton (American dub)
Tobio was a nine-year-old boy and the son of Dr. Tenma. He was badly hurt in a car accident. After feeling ignored by his father, he drove his car alone and crashed into a truck. While in the hospital, he told his father to create a robot that looked like him and to raise it like a son. He passed away in his father's arms. He is voiced by Mari Shimizu, Patricia Kugler Whitely (American version), and Steven Bednarski (Canadian version).
Other Characters
- Astro's Dad – Voiced by: Takeshi Kuwabara (Japanese); Richard Ganoung (English)
- Astro's Mom – Voiced by: Misako Hibino (Japanese); Kahlei Slick (English)
- Detective Tawashi/Inspector Gumshoe – Voiced by: Ichirō Nagai (Japanese); Paul Nelson (English)
- Detective Nakamura/Chief McLaw – Voiced by: Yūsaku Yara (Japanese); Greg Zerkle (English)
- Kenichi/Kenneth – One of Astro's classmates. Voiced by: Kumiko Takizawa (Japanese); Dave Miller (English)
- Shibugaki/Alvin – One of Astro's classmates. Voiced by: Kazuya Tatekabe (Japanese); Richard Ganoung (English)
- Tamao/Theodore – One of Astro's classmates. Voiced by: Yōko Matsuoka (Japanese); Debbie Holmes (English)
- Midori/Mindy – One of Astro's classmates. Voiced by: Saeko Shimazu (Japanese); Becke Wilenski (English)
- Sultan/Saltan – Voiced by: Shōzō Iizuka (Japanese); Dave Miller (English)
- Ham Egg – Voiced by: Ichirō Nagai (Japanese); Greg Zerkle (English)
- Black Jack/Dr. Roget – Voiced by: Nachi Nozawa (Japanese); Brian Parry (English)
- Pinoco/Penny – Voiced by: Junko Hori (Japanese); Debbie Holmes (English)
- Rock – Voiced by: Yū Mizushima (Japanese); Dave Miller (English)
Broadcast and Release
There are two different English versions of the show. The first was made in 1982 by Tezuka Productions and Nippon TV. This version aired in Australia from 1983 to 1998. It was only shown in a few places in the U.S. This is the version that was later released on DVD in both Australia and the United States.
The second English version was heavily edited and re-recorded in Canada in 1985. This version was only for Canadian TV. In the Canadian version, many characters had different names. Because of Canadian broadcasting rules, this version also had a special intro that told Astro's origin story. It also had an ending where Astro would report on his adventure to a computer named Geronimo. Astro's report always had a small mistake, and a narrator would ask viewers to find it.
In India, a Hindi-dubbed version of the show was shown on Pogo from 2008 to 2009.
The first English dub of the 1980 series has been released on DVD by Madman Entertainment and Manga Entertainment. The Madman set includes more deleted scenes and the first two episodes in Japanese with English subtitles. The Manga Entertainment set has a newly edited Japanese audio track to match the U.S. version of the first episode. The Manga set is no longer being printed since March 2012.
The series started streaming on RetroCrush in 2020.
The "Lost" Episode
The first two episodes of the series were combined into one for the English dubs. This removed the important story of Atlas's origin. These two original episodes are available in full, with Japanese audio and English subtitles, on the Madman Entertainment DVD release. You can also watch these two episodes (and the other 50) online with crowd-sourced subtitles on Viki in most countries.
