"New" Astroboy trailer 2003 series

September 23, 2004

Thanks for posting that episode list. Might use that when/if I can look for shows to download.

You're welcome. Season 2 on that list is actually the 80s version. Season 1 is the 60s version and features the titles of all episodes even if they weren't televised here. In season 2 the episode order is a little but not too much different that the way they were televised in North America. For example, the biggest Robot on Earth 2 part series is close to the end of the series in North America but in its original Japanese airing it's actually in the middle of the series. Some of the beginning episodes were condensed as well.

September 28, 2004

Genndy Tartakovsky with a mention on the Astroboy movie

http://www.suntimes.com/output/television/...ews-jack24.html

Animation beyond Emmys even busier for Tartakovsky

September 24, 2004

BY MISHA DAVENPORT Staff Reporter Advertisement

Former Chicago resident Genndy Tartakovsky isn't short on talent, just Emmy awards. The 34-year-old animator has scored three hits in a row with two of his creations -- "Dexter's Laboratory" and "Samurai Jack" -- and another that he writes and directs -- "Star Wars: Clone Wars." All three are fixtures in Cartoon Network's lineup.

For a decade, he attended every Emmy Awards show as a nominee but left empty-handed. It earned him the moniker "the Susan Lucci of animation" -- a perennial nominee who never takes home the award.

And just as in Lucci's case, the Emmy dry spell couldn't last forever. Tartakovsky walked away with two Emmys this month, with statues for both "Samurai Jack" and "Star Wars: Clone Wars." One of the wins was bittersweet -- "Samurai Jack" is out of production.

We recently spoke with Tartakovsky about his Emmy wins and his future plans:

Q. What's it like to finally win an Emmy?

A. Ever since I was a kid, I've always wanted to win an award -- any award. As an immigrant growing up in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood, all of my friends had trophies. I was on all of these Little League teams, but we never won. All I ever wanted was a stupid trophy. So, the Emmy wins are great.

Q. After eight nominations, you finally have two trophies. Were you surprised?

A. With "Star Wars," I was pretty comfortable that we were going to win. There was only one other show in the category of animated program one hour or more -- "The Powerpuff Girls."

Q. And "Samurai Jack"?

A. It was one of the biggest shocks I've every experienced. For the last 10 years, I've been going to the Emmys; I have never thought I'd ever win. I was barely listening. We were up against "The Simpsons" and "SpongeBob SquarePants."

Q. After all these years of being nominated for "Samurai Jack," what was it about this episode ("Birth of Evil") that made it Emmy-worthy?

A. Well, to start, it's one of my favorite episodes. Sometimes you win and it's not your favorite, but that isn't the case here. It's really epic. It's 44 minutes long and tells a dramatic story with a lot of heart. It's the origins of [samurai Jack's nemesis] Aku. It's set in feudal Japan and has some of the best fight scenes we've ever done.

Q. So why end the series?

A. The truth is, I didn't choose to take him off the air. [it was] Cartoon Network. I don't think they hated it, I just think they didn't know what to do with the show. "Jack" is geared to kids but also caters to adults.

Q. The show is about a samurai who is thrown into the future by an evil wizard. Do we get to see Jack make it back to his family and his own time?

A. It's just the final four episodes. There isn't a big Hollywood ending that wraps everything up.

Q. You're leaving Jack stranded like Gilligan on the isle?

A. For now. I definitely want to finish the story. I'd like to do a full-length movie if they let me.

Q. Meanwhile, you're continuing "Clone Wars," right?

A. Yes. We're doing 12-minute episodes this time as opposed to the three-minute episodes last time. It really allows us to open up both character development and action.

Q. So, what happens this time?

A. That's probably the most cool thing about the new episodes. We follow the same story from the [prologue] scroll in "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith." So it's sort of a preview to what will happen in "Episode III."

Q. Can you give us any specifics?

A. Let's just say we see more of General Grievous, who will also be the new villain in "Episode III" as well.

Q. What did you find you were limited to in terms of creative freedom because you were dealing with characters from the "Star Wars" franchise?

A. Nothing, really. George Lucas was pretty good about it. He took a look at the character designs and the story and said "This looks great. Go ahead and do it."

Q. The artwork in the series is very distinct. How did it come about?

A. The character design is all the work of ["Clone Wars" co-art director] Paul Rudish. He's been drawing "Star Wars" characters a certain way since he was kid. We wanted to do the animated series exactly the way he's been drawing those characters all these years. They're not too cartoony or too artistic. Rudish has found that fine line. It's unique, but still feels like "Star Wars."

The background of the series was inspired by Ralph McQuarrie, who did the production designs and paintings for the first series of films. In a way, the series follows up his paintings.

Q. And after "Clone Wars" starts its second season, you move onto writing and directing the big-screen adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's "Astro Boy." What can you tell us about it?

A. I just finished writing the script. It's a mixture of live action and CGI.

Q. Directing live action is new for you. Are you nervous?

A. The way I wrote it, it's more like 80 percent CGI to live action.

Q. And the plot?

A. Basically, it's just his origin. I'm a fan of the original manga [Japanese] series, so I've tried to stay true to the origins. It's about a scientist who loses his son in an accident and creates a robot version of him. I read as much as I could from the comics and tried to take away the heart and gist of it.

Cartoon Network airs "Birth of Evil," the Emmy-winning episode of "Samurai Jack," Saturday at 5 p.m., followed by the final four episodes of the series.

WP -- Samurai Jack won an emmy! I didn't know that!

Positively Kanyon · September 29, 2004

I'm actually enjoying this new Astro Boy series. Of course, it won't even touch the original but the effort and quality of animation this series has is unbelievable!

September 30, 2004

I'm actually enjoying this new Astro Boy series. Of course, it won't even touch the original but the effort and quality of animation this series has is unbelievable!

That's cool. Enjoyment is what it's all about. I haven't gotten into the new series but there are people talking about it over at the www.astroboy-online.com website.

October 1, 2004

Awesome bit of information here which briefly describes all episodes of the 60s series. It's a great read. Check it out.

http://en-f.tezuka.co.jp/anime/sakuhin/subtitle/ts002.html

1st Episode: The Birth of Astro Boy January 1, 1963

Dr. Tenma, Director General of the Science Ministry, loses his dearest son Tobio in an accident, so he decides to create the robot Astro Boy, who looks like Tobio, using the best of the Science Ministry's technology.

2nd Episode: Frankenstein January 8, 1963

Franken, who has been classified as an inferior product at the robot factory, harbors a violent hatred for humans. As a result, humans begin to say, "We cannot trust robots," and even start to persecute the good robots.

3rd Episode: Adventure on Mars January 15, 1963

Astro Boy is appointed leader of an exploration to Mars. Lieutenant Cap, who has to work for Astro Boy, however, rises in revolt against Astro Boy because he does not like the idea of robots ordering humans around.

4th Episode: Guernica January 22, 1963

Many cities fall one after another due to a huge group of monsters called "Guernica." Astro Boy fights against Guernica to save the people.

5th Episode: Sphinx January 29, 1963

Astro Boy is captured by a gang of thieves looking for treasures hidden in a Pyramid, and he tries to destroy the beast of the god Sphinx, which has a lion's body and the face of a beauty.

6th Episode: Lightning Man February 5, 1963

Skunk steals the invisible robot Denko that was made of paper glass, and releases prisoners from jail. He wants to use Denko in order to build an empire of gangs...

7th Episode: Captain Atom February 12, 1963

A swarm of aliens who look exactly like specific earthlings such as Dr. Ochanomizu and Higeoyaji immigrate to the Earth from a planet very similar to ours. However, a food shortage occurs, and humans begin to attack the aliens with cell-reducing fluid.

8th Episode: Ghost Manufacturing Machine February 19, 1963

Dr. Ochanomizu is taken away to the country Gorgonia, where he finds the Dictator Hillar's plot to conquer the world with a cloning machine, which is also a ghost-manufacturing machine that can make endless copies of any objects.

9th Episode: Black Looks February 26, 1963

A group called Black Looks sets out to exterminate robots, and they attack in succession. Astro Boy begins to fight against them.

10th Episode: The Fool Ivan March 5, 1963

Astro Boy lands on an unknown planet, where he finds the tomb of a female leader of an expedition and a stupid but faithful robot Ivan that guards the tomb.

11th Episode: Time Machine March 12, 1963

A boy who comes from the future is looking for his father, who has gone to capture ancient creatures and has never come back. So Astro Boy and the boy depart for the ancient world in search of the boy's father.

12th Episode: Cruciform Island March 19, 1963

Dr. Serizawa is an escaped convict trying to steal the underground resources of Cross Island by using the robot Puke that can transform itself into anything. He is planning to run away on a rocket. Astro Boy follows the man to Cross Island.

13th Episode: The Eyes of Christ March 26, 1963

A priest has marked one of the eyes of Jesus in the church before he dies. This seems to be a clue to the identity of a gang that had broken into the church. Now the same gang starts to go after Higeoyaji, who has discovered the gang's secret.

14th Episode: The Artificial Sun April 2, 1963

Suddenly an artificial sun appears. It is a threat to the world from the gang Kaito Kinsankaku. Astro Boy sets out to destroy the gang, together with detective Sherlock Homespan.

15th Episode: Plant People April 9, 1963

A flying disk from Planet Alfee is busily collecting water from the Earth. Astro Boy learns that they are collecting water for their hometown because it suffers a water shortage. Planet Alfee, however, had already been ruined...

16th Episode: The Vehicle, White Planet April 16, 1963

The vehicle "White Planet" participates in the Round-the-world Grand Prix, but a gang breaks it to prevent it from winning. So Dr. Ochanomizu offers to load White Planet with Astro Boy's artificial intelligence.

17th Episode: Robot Land April 23, 1963

"Robot Land" is a theme park where robots dressed as the main characters of children's books entertain children. In its underground factory, however, slave robots are forced to make weapons.

18th Episode: Gadem April 30, 1963

A gang tries to smuggle the robot Gadem, which begins to act violently in a passenger boat. Then Astro Boy, who happens to be on the boat, tries to stop them.

19th Episode: Astro Boy vs. Garon May 7, 1963

The robot Garon, who re-models planets, is transported to Earth by mistake, and humans consider attacking it with nuclear weapons. Astro Boy, however, takes to other means to face Garon.

20th Episode: Gaseous Beings May 14, 1963

A "gas man" enters into Dr. Ishizu's body in space, and comes back to the Earth. Then a number of gasmen enter into human bodies, and begin to act violently. Astro Boy challenges these invisible cosmic creatures to a fight.

21st Episode: SatelliteR-45 May 21, 1963

A member of the cosmic patrol is struggling against gangs. When Astro Boy comes to help him, however, he says that he does not need any help from a robot. He does not know that he is also a robot.

22nd Episode: Sea Serpent Island May 28, 1963

Astro Boy heads for Sea Serpent Island to rescue the girl Anna, who has been captured, but he is also caught. Moreover, Astro Boy's body begins to rust because the island is rich in salt...

23rd Episode: The Mutant June 4, 1963

A mysterious murder case occurs. Astro Boy happens to be on the scene and is arrested as a suspect. The real culprit, however, is a mutant created by X party, which plans to conquer the world.

24th Episode: The Submarine Kingdom June 11, 1963

Why don't we destroy humans and build a kingdom only of robots? Disposable bomb robots for a submarine kingdom make this suggestion to Astro Boy.

25th Episode: The Deep-underground Tank June 18, 1963

Dr. Jordan runs away from a president who plans to conquer the world. Astro Boy gets on a deep-underground tank with him to fight against the president. But they lose control of the tank and it begins to head toward a volcano.

26th Episode: Atlas June 25, 1963 Rendition:Hayashi Shigeyuki

Atlas has the same kind of power as Astro Boy, but he has an evil heart. For Astro Boy, the fight with Atlas means fighting with his own dark side.

27th Episode: Planet Pearl July 2, 1963

To build a submarine dam, bombs for construction work are set up in a place where inhabitants of Planet Pearl have been living secretly. When Astro Boy finds that out, he plays a major part in rescuing their community under the sea.

28th Episode: Mad Machine July 9, 1963

Mad Machine causes all machines to go wrong and malfunction. The machine goes out of control, and the city is thrown into chaos. Because Astro Boy is also a machine, he begins to malfunction...

29th Episode: The Memorable Day July 16, 1963

When Astro Boy gets inside the unfinished time machine in Jiro's room, he hears the voice of Jiro, who is supposed to be dead. Jiro might have traveled to another time and perhaps is having trouble coming back.

30th Episode: Fuhrer ZZZ July 23, 1963

The President of ZZZ Gang is so eager to conquer the world that he even kills his twin brother. So Astro Boy stands up to destroy his ambition.

31st Episode: The Black Cosmic Ray July 30, 1963

A monster appears in the city, and it turns out to be Dr. Dorian, who has been exiled to Mars. He turns into a monster because he cannot get cosmic X rays on the Earth.

32nd Episode: Hot Dog Corps August 6, 1963

Dr. Ponkotsu implants dogs with robot brains. Then the dogs form the "Hot Dog Army" to take on the humans.

33rd Episode: Two Magicians August 13, 1963

A man takes on the police with a robot thief. Then a gifted magician is suspected of theft, so he and Astro Boy go against the robot thief together.

34th Episode: Midoro Marsh August 20, 1963

35th Episode: The Human Farm August 27, 1963

Astro Boy sets out on a rocket to rescue people who have been kidnapped for use as livestock on a planet that looks like the Earth.

36th Episode: The Religion of Pui Pui September 3, 1963

The religious group "Pui Pui" is looking for a wonder drug that will give them immortality. Then Dr. Tatsuji, who has succeeded in developing such a drug, is taken away by the religious group. So Astro Boy fights them to ensure the peaceful use of the drug.

37th Episode: Uran September 10, 1963

Dr. Ochanomizu gives Astro Boy a younger sister as a birthday present. This younger sister Uran is a very cute girl, but she is such a tomboy that Astro Boy is kept terribly busy settling the confusion she causes.

38th Episode: The Disturbed Small Planet September 17, 1963

The small planet Mezusa goes out of its orbit and heads straight to the Earth. To save the Earth from a collision with the planet, Astro Boy heads for the planet with a convict who is a bomb professional.

39th Episode: Red Cat September 24, 1963

Dr. Shisoku despairs of human beings that continue the ongoing destruction of nature, and makes animals attack cities in his machine that hypnotizes with ultra short waves.

40th Episode: Neo Caesar October 1, 1963

A man named Caesar dreams of rebuilding the Roman Empire with robots under his control. However, he is destined to follow the same path that as that of Julius Caesar.

41st Episode: X Bomb October 8, 1963

X Bomb, which is capable of turning any substance to water, drops into the Pacific Ocean. There are fifty hours left till the explosion. Astro Boy goes to recollect it, but learns that Uran, who has followed him, has been swallowed along with the bomb by a whale.

42nd Episode: The Yellow Horse October 15, 1963

Astro Boy gets into a satellite owned by the drug smuggling organization "Yellow Horse." There, the members of the organization are secretly creating missiles for use in war.

43rd Episode: His Highness Dead Cross October 22, 1963

The robot president Rag is the target of an assassin. Then Astro Boy finds out that the culprit is Dead Cross, Rag's creator. He had created Rag to run in the presidential election, but when Rag gets elected, he begins to hold a grudge against Rag.

44th Episode: The Egyptian Conspirators October 29, 1963

Uran is kidnapped. She is made a hostage in an operation to steal Cleopatra's necklace from Astro Boy. The gang of conspirators believes that whoever possesses the necklace can build the greatest empire in the world.

45th Episode: Cleopatra's Necklace November 5, 1963

The gang of conspirators obtains the coveted necklace, and at last sets about conquering the world. However, Astro Boy stands in the way of their boss, Cleopatra.

46th Episode: The Robot Spaceship November 12, 1963

The robot spaceship "Lever Robot" is stolen. Astro Boy is sent to retrieve it, but in the process has his energy stolen.

47th Episode: The Cosmic Crab November 19, 1963

Ham egg exchanges a pig from the Earth for the huge crab that the alien Pork has. He is trying to make a lot of money by making a show of the creature in a circus...

48th Episode: The Tenma Tribe November 26, 1963

Nuu, member of the Tenma Tribe, a rarely seen race of people, comes from the depths of the mountains of Mongolia. People rush to the city just to try and see Nuu, throwing the city into a big chaos. Moreover, a gang plots behind the scenes to capture Nuu.

49th Episode: Transparent Giant December 3, 1963

Dr. Hanabusa develops an electrical transmitter for substances. No sooner does he get into the machine for testing than his rival scientist breaks the machine, which makes Dr. Hanabusa an invisible man. Astro Boy tries to save the doctor.

50th Episode: Astro Boy Goes to the West December 10, 1963

To find Hekku, who had departed to the west in the past but has not returned yet, Astro Boy and Higeoyaji also travel back in time.

51st Episode: The Little Elephant Pura December 17, 1963

The robot elephant Zora malfunctions and runs away into the jungle. There, Astro Boy is taking care of a little elephant Pura that has gotten separated from its fellows.

52nd Episode: The Snow Lion December 24, 1963

An old man who comes from Planet Regel to the Earth brings a snow lion with him. Then, aliens from Planet Regel start to spray cosmic snow that sucks up all energy... Astro Boy takes off for space to save the Earth, where cities have stopped functioning.

53rd Episode: Goodbye 1963 December 31, 1963

It is New Year's Eve, 1963. Uran finds a picture while cleaning the house. With the picture as a clue, Astro Boy and Dr. Ochanomizu begin to piece together the past. This episode is a special edition that includes an introduction of "The making of the film of Astro Boy."

54th Episode: Duel on the Alps January 4, 1964

Dr. Tenma, who once dumped his "child" Astro Boy, wants him back and asks the gang Skunk for help. Skunk's group, the "Illusionary Club," succeeds in abducting Astro Boy and his family...

55th Episode: Rejuvenating Gas January 18, 1964

The royal family of the palace satellite Yoranna gets what they are told is "rejuvenating gas" from earthlings. When it turns out to be just teargas, however, they launch an H-bomb missile toward the Earth in retaliation.

56th Episode: Earth Defense Army January 25, 1964

Aliens planning to collect information about the Earth abduct Dr. Ochanomizu. Atom, on a mission to rescue the doctor, visits Earth Defense Base on the moon, but the aliens destroy the base.

(In color)

57th Episode: Robot School February 1, 1964

Humans can see the beauty of things and be impressed by them. In order to learn these feelings, called "heart," Atom, Uran and Lara start attending a robot school.

58th Episode: The Thirteen Mysterious Statues of God February 8, 1964

Atom and Dr. Ochanomizu decipher ancient code of 200,000 years ago. Discovering that hidden hints in the thirteen statues of god in Western Island might lead them to the secrets of outer space, they head for the island.

59th Episode: The Robot Buron X February 15, 1964

Gaston, who has stolen a blueprint of a robot from a UFO requests the Science Ministry to build the robot exactly as shown on the blueprint, without indicating its source. The completed robot Buron turns out to be a destructive weapon, and starts to destroy everything.

60th Episode: The Demon Bees February 22, 1964

61st Episode: Space Parasites February 29, 1964

The last of the Nazis demand the government of the Earth to turn over the planet, threatening to shower it with space parasites. When the government refuses to surrender, a group of UFOs containing space parasites come swarming toward the Earth.

62nd Episode: The Phantom Ship March 7, 1964

Wishing to have a "heart" like a human, Atom has his body equipped with a heart that can feel fear. Soon after, a phantom ship appears over the Indian Ocean. Atom is sent to investigate it, but he is scared out of his wits.

63rd Episode: The Artificial Iceberg March 14, 1964

Dr. Zulu places a bomb in an artificial iceberg and tries to trigger a flood. Discovering the plot, Atom sets out to prevent the explosion, but...

64th Episode: Count Bat March 21, 1964

Tick and Tack get lost in the depths of the Unzen Mountain, and decide to stay for a night in a deserted house inhabited by a vampire. The vampire (Dr. Pedan) tries to turn Tick into a vampire, but Atom comes to rescue them.

65th Episode: Brave Escapee March 28, 1964

A massive tidal wave breaks. Atom flies up to stop the wave, but crashes into the sea. Then an escapee robot Boggy saves the unconscious Atom.

66th Episode: The Space Viking April 4, 1964

In order to rid the earth of space pirates, Atom destroys their mother ship. The pirates, however, are holding some hostages and demand that Atom withdraw. Atom is helpless.

67th Episode: Heroes of the Night April 11, 1964

While playing in the toy section, Uran imbues some of the toys with artificial intelligence. Among these are some with evil hearts. Atom asks the good toys to help him stop the bad dolls from doing misdeeds.

68th Episode: Rebellion of the Dinosaur People April 25, 1964

Atom is babysitting in an ancient amusement park when a dragon flies off with a small child in front of his. Then the dinosaurs demand food for ransom. So Atom...

69th Episode: The Secret of the Clock Tower May 2, 1964

Dr. Temp, who has completed his killing-beam machine, is planning to ruin the "Conference of Scientists." Discovering the plot, Atom takes on the doctor.

70th Episode: Rafflesia May 9, 1964

Rafflesia, the largest flower on earth, is found to be in fact a plant man from outer space. This flower, which needs radioactivity to survive, is stronger than it looks, and even Atom is no match for it.

71st Episode: The Last Day of Earth May 16, 1964 Screenplay: Yamamoto Eichi Rendition: Yamamoto Eichi

"Red Star" is heading toward the Earth. Watching Atom struggle to save the Earth from a collision, Bem, a high-powered bomb robot, decides that the only way to save the Earth and Atom is to blow himself up.

72nd Episode: 7 Days of Drifting in Space May 23, 1964

Atom is chasing gangs who have run away by rocket. Then he finds them in a shelter station being attacked by aliens. He helps the gangs, but finds himself drifting in space with them after the station is destroyed.

73rd Episode: Big Titan June 6, 1964

The daughter of Dr. Putt, a descendant of the Mohican tribe, is kidnapped. When he sees Uran, who is a look-alike of his daughter, he takes Atom and his fellows for the kidnappers.

74th Episode: Earth Expedition June 13, 1964

It is thought that a highly advanced civilization might exist underground. To test this hypothesis, Atom and Uran set out on an underground expedition. There they get attacked by underground men.

75th Episode: Flying City June 20, 1964

In order to collect the hidden treasures of the Inca that are scattered around the world, the old man Kapack, who has the power to move things with his mind, asks Tondale for help. Tondale, however, plans to get all the gold to himself, and starts an attack on the world with a special machine that enhances mind power.

76th Episode: The Monster Machine June 27, 1964

Dr. Morse succeeds in corresponding with Planet Paranoia, which is more civilized than the Earth. With the help of Atom, the doctor assembles a mysterious box following the instructions on a blueprint sent from the planet, but...

77th Episode: Cape Town Lullaby July 4, 1964

A boy named "Looks" is deeply attached to the robot that has brought him up. He loves the robot as if it were his mother. From the day the robot is destroyed by another robot, he begins to hate all robots. Then he forms an exclusive organization called "Black Looks," and starts to oppress robots...

78th Episode: The World in Five Hundred Thousand Years July 11, 1964

Atom and his friends jump into the far future world by accident. There, they see the cruel Pepper tribe treating their enemy tribes as slaves.

79th Episode: Dr. Brain July 18, 1964

Dr. Kanekura kills world famous brain surgeon Dr. Ibal, making it look like an accident. Since the incident, a strange robot named Friday follows him around. In truth, Dr. Ibal's brain waves are controlling the robot.

80th Episode: Humanoid Bill July 25, 1964

Atom meets a strange creature in the wooded outskirts of Tokyo. It is a humanoid, a product of science. The humanoid named Bill does not know whether he is a creature or a machine.

81st Episode: Dreaming Machine August 1, 1964

What kind of dreams do robots have? Atom participates in an experiment of a dream machine created by Dr. Poron, and becomes the first robot that dreams. In his dream, he turns into a human.

82nd Episode: The Robot Olympics August 15, 1964

Atom participates in the Olympic games for robots, where he finds a group of robots destroying other participants in a vicious act of sabotage designed to ensure that they win the games.

83rd Episode: The Strange Bird, Garuda August 22, 1964

Dr. Raja, who believes in the Indian god of destruction Carley, creates a robot bird. Then it comes flying over Japan. The bird Garuda demands Atom as a sacrifice to Carley...

84th Episode: The Dolphin Civilization August 29, 1964

Claiming to possess every inch of the ocean floor, Hall tries to build an autocratic submarine civilization. He starts to persecute the aboriginal Dolphin tribe. Atom stands up to preserve the peace on the ocean floor.

85th Episode: The Demented Beltway September 5, 1964

One of the latest means of traffic the new city boasts, the Beltway, is almost complete. However, someone tries to obstruct its construction, setting the site aflame. Atom sets off to protect the Beltway.

86th Episode: The Time Gun September 12, 1964

Dr. Tempo is waiting for a chance to become the next director of the Science Ministry. With his time gun that can send its targets to the past, he sends the bothersome Atom and Dr. Ochanomizu to the middle Ages.

87th Episode: Princess Kaguya (new) September 19, 1964

Atom exchanges messages with a star nymph, and sets out on an expedition to find the pure water the nymph needs. The star nymph is, in fact, a princess of the Planet Keios. She is trying to turn into a cocoon with pure water on a full-moon night in preparation for emergence.

88th Episode: The Bacteria Corps September 26, 1964

The pilot of a rocket that has made an emergency landing is suffering from a strange disease. After they hear a voice from within the pilot's body, Atom and Higeoyaji are reduced to tiny figures, and get into the body. Inside, they see bacteria-sized aliens.

89th Episode: Gomes' Ghost October 3, 1964

Dr. Ochanomizu accepts a request to repair robots in the Scambo Empire. The robot he repairs, however, turns out to be the president of the Empire. The doctor's life is in danger, as he now knows the secret.

90th Episode: The Robot Fortress October 10, 1964

A robot child has a fight with a human child, making the child cry. The humans become angry when they hear this, and a war breaks out between humans and robots.

91st Episode: Garon's Counterattack October 24, 1964

Garon, a robot Atom has sent back to space, comes back. Seeing Atom struggle hard to fend off Garon, the Earth Robot Army stand together to attack Garon.

92nd Episode: Three Robot Knights October 31, 1964

In order to save patients suffering from space disease on Mars, a serum is sent to Mars from the Earth. All the transport ships carrying the serum, however, get destroyed on their way. Atom, together with the three robot knights, goes into space to protect the last of the serum.

93rd Episode: Cobalt November 7, 1964

There is a robot that has been dumped along with other junk during the cleaning of the warehouse in the Science Ministry. It is a prototype of Atom, made by Dr. Tenma, named Cobalt. When Cobalt wakes from sleep, he tries to go back to the Science Ministry, but...

94th Episode: Angel in the Alps November 14, 1964

The construction of a dam near the Bering Strait is hampered by difficulties. Dr. Zeman's research is required to solve the problem. Atom goes to ask for help from the doctor who lives a secluded life in the depth of the Alps because of his hatred for civilization. Atom, however, finds the doctor being attacked by another robot that is after the research material.

95th Episode: The Evil Punch Card November 21, 1964

A missile base is completely controlled by computer. Now, the computer is out of control, setting the stage for nuclear attack. In fact, this is a means of personal revenge by Dr. Yakoref, who has lost the competition for the design of the base. Atom starts to disassemble the computer, but...

96th Episode: Robot Future November 28, 1964

Dr. Akuta, who is after the gold ingot on Mars, controls a robot called "Future." The robot, however, becomes humble after hearing out Atom. Then Atom and Future pursue the doctor, who has run away with the gold ingot.

97th Episode: Confrontation in Space December 5, 1964

Planet Hyper is the most civilized planet in the galactic system. Now it chooses a pair of a human and a robot each from both the Earth and Planet War to have them fight against each other, and decides to destroy the loser's planet. Atom and Ponkotsu Tetsu, the safebreaker, are chosen to represent the Earth.

98th Episode: Zeo's Legacy December 12, 1964

A big robot is excavated from the construction site of a tunnel. It turns out to be a time capsule that was created to pass down information on a super ancient civilization of a million years ago to posterity.

99th Episode: Little Columbus December 19, 1964

Colon-bu-bu, the explorer of the underground state of Chombo, heads for the ground hoping to see a new world. Then he meets Cobalt, and takes him underground as prisoner.

100th Episode: The Robot House December 26, 1964

On Christmas night, Dr. Ochanomizu opens the will of his scientist friend who died 10 years before. It says that he has left an invention in Bururu Mountain. Atom and his friends happen to be on the mountain, and encounter a boy called Akio who lives alone there. They become friends, but...

101st Episode: The Unmapped World January 2, 1965

The visiting Prince Dorian of the Camellia Kingdom disappears. Atom goes searching for him using the latest four-dimensional detection device, and finds the prince wandering in another world. That world is inhabited by people who have been spirited away from various time periods.

102nd Episode: Queen of the Devils' Place January 9, 1965

Uran is going to be in a movie. Her role is Tarzan. When she goes on location to the jungle, however, a mysterious woman takes her away. The woman is planning to make Uran, who is dressed as a boy, a prince of the demon's place-a place where nobody grows old.

103rd Episode: Stairs Leading into Space January 16, 1965

Humans are drawn toward a flight of stairs that suddenly appear one day, and they start to walk toward a spaceship hidden among the clouds. When there are no humans left on earth, the robots start to talk about taking over the planet.

104th Episode: The Devil's Balloon January 23, 1965

A balloon in the shape of Atom appears over the city. Children love Atom so much that they begin to run after the balloon and disappear. Because such incidents frequently occur, Atom comes to be regarded as a fearful enemy of children.

105th Episode: General Atom January 30, 1965

Atom is shot by a maser gun that ruins artificial intelligence. He loses all his memory, and is shot away into space.

106th Episode: The Boy from Outer Space February 6, 1965

Ham Egg sees a UFO in the woods that seems to have made an emergency landing, and finds an alien child. He notices the child's super strength, and plans to win the child fame as a wrestler.

107th Episode: Release of the Earth February 13, 1965

Atom is involved in an explosion during the construction of a dam. The impact sends him into a parallel world where Tobio, the son of Dr. Tenma, never died in an accident that killed him in our world. In other words, it is a world where Atom has not been born.

108th Episode: Saturn Man February 20, 1965

Three scientists gain supernatural power on the surface of the moon. Then Dr. Arden- who has a grudge against Dr. Ochanomizu-stages an attack against him. In order to protect Dr. Ochanomizu, Atom fights fiercely against the scientists who have supernatural power.

109th Episode: Phoenix February 27, 1965

Atom finds a big egg in a cave on a little island where he is playing with Uran. He asks Dr. Ochanomizu to identify the egg, but they are unsuccessful. So Atom goes back to the island, where he encounters a strange bird that lives there.

110th Episode: Expedition on Mercury March 6, 1965

Atom is investigating a super thermal bomb that has fallen on earth. Then he heads for Mercury to find its launching site. On his way, however, Atom loses his sight in an accident, and gets involved in a power struggle with aliens on Mercury.

111th Episode: Robot Polymer March 13, 1965

Claiming to be the strongest robot in the world, the huge conceited robot Polymer makes a raid on Atom's house. He tries to show that he is the strongest of all by defeating Atom, but...

112th Episode: Samson's Hair March 27, 1965

Dr. Ochanomizu succeeds in developing the robot Samson, who is activated by solar power. Samson, however, malfunctions and becomes violent when exposed to moonlight.

113th Episode: "Back," the Country without Laughter April 3, 1965

A country called "Back" suddenly withdraws from the World Peace Union, and announces to its people a ban on invention and laughter. Atom and Dr. Ochanomizu visit the country to find out what is behind this closed-door dictatorial policy.

114th Episode: Metro Monster April 10, 1965

A huge slug appears in a subway station yard, and begins to eat trains. Atom sets out to destroy it, but the slug proves to be a much tougher enemy as it appears in unexpected places.

115th Episode: The Big Runaway Safe April 17, 1965

The machines in the Mint Bureau experience accumulated stress due to overwork. So they are given hands and legs so that they can rest for a day. Once the machines have known the freedom and joy of moving around, they begin to run away from work.

116th Episode: The Biggest Robot on Earth (part one) April 24, 1965 Screenplay: Tezuka Osamu Rendition: Shibayama Tatsuo

The strongest of all robots, Pluto, has electromagnetic horns that can destroy anything. Pluto destroys the world's most powerful robots one by one. Depicted here is Atom's hard struggle to challenge this mighty enemy.

117th Episode: The Biggest Robot on Earth (part two) May 1, 1965 Screenplay: Ishitsu Arashi Rendition: Uenashi Mitsuo

The strongest of all robots, Pluto, has electromagnetic horns that can destroy anything. Pluto destroys the world's most powerful robots one by one. Depicted here is Atom's hard struggle to challenge this mighty enemy.

118th Episode: Robot Grabby May 8, 1965

A robot named Grabby is a 1/2 G fighter robot that has run away from a country called Nickrasia. Atom tries to help Grabby, who is too gentle to live as a weapon.

119th Episode: The Flying Lens May 15, 1965

Planet M, shaped like a convex lens, is approaching the Earth. It reflects solar light toward the Earth, turning its surface into an incandescent hell. Humans, however, cannot cooperate in tackling this global issue because they all motivated by their own greed.

120th Episode: Time Hunter May 22, 1965

(Remake of 11th episode " Time Machine")

121st Episode: Ganimate May 29, 1965

Atom and Dr. Ochanomizu wander into a space graveyard that lies outside every sphere of gravitation, drifting in space forever. Then an earthling named Bemski, who hates the Earth, rescues them, and...

122nd Episode: The Monster Mantler June 5, 1965

A big earthquake wipes out the city. Atom is buried under a collapsed building, but still manages to fight a huge monster that has appeared in the city. Unfortunately Atom has lost his seven powers during the earthquake.

123rd Episode: Captain Dog June 19, 1965

Higeoyaji's pet dog Pero has a diamond that it takes back from space. Then Dr. Fooler puts Pero's memory into the computer of Captain Dog, the robot dog, to make it find diamonds. Atom follows the robot-dog, which is heading for Mars.

124th Episode: Parting Gift July 3, 1965

An alien who comes to the Earth as an ambassador of friendship leaves a present for Dr. Ochanomizu. It is a blueprint of a highly efficient robot. When he assembles it, it turns out to be a robot that can offer the best of services to humans. Dr. Ochanomizu is pleased, envisioning a more comfortable life for humans, however...

125th Episode: Find the Bacteria July 10, 1965

A petri dish containing the bacteria of a dreadful infectious disease is lost by a simple mistake. In order to protect humans from the danger of biohazard, Atom flies off to the depths of the Himalayas following the trail of the bacteria.

126th Episode: Roboids July 17, 1965 Screenplay: Toriumi Jinzo Rendition: Takagi Atsushi

An army of Roboids that look like robots but are extremely close to creatures come to the Earth from the outer space. Dr. Ochanomizu sends all the robots on earth to fight off the Roboid Army, but the robots are destroyed one after another by the mighty foes.

127th Episode: The Experimental Robot July 24, 1965

"Please help me," a robot pleads as runs into the house of Dr. Ochanomizu. He tells the doctor that in a country called Yumani, the science minister Mooshy is demolishing robots in an experiment. So Dr. Ochanomizu and Atom travel to the country, but...

128th Episode: Treasures of the Inca Empire July 31, 1965

A passenger plane flying over the Amazon crashes. Atom, who is on board, saves a girl called Milly who has a map showing the places where treasures of the Inca Empire are hidden. But a group of men looking for the treasures are after her.

129th Episode: Atom vs. Atom August 14, 1965

A fake Atom, equipped with 200,000 horsepower, appears. This robot has been created to beat Atom by gangs around the world who have always been beaten by him.

130th Episode: The Storm on Mars August 21, 1965

Strange incidents occur frequently at the construction site of a base on Mars. Robots are also being demolished one after another. When Atom and his friends travel there to investigate, a gigantic army of ants attacks them.

131st Episode: The Moon Champion August 28, 1965

Shooting, fencing, an obstacle race, and wrestling: Atom wins easily in these four games, advancing to the final league of the Moon Champion. However, war robot Goram, controlled by Ham Egg, starts to get in Atom's way.

132nd Episode: Prince Louis September 4, 1965

The mother of Prince Louis steals Shadow II, a new-style robot designed for spying. She is planning to replace her son's body with the latest robot. She does not know that ShadowIIis loaded with a time bomb...

133rd Episode: Revenge After Ten Years September 11, 1965

The ordinary robot Riboryu suddenly turns violent and lets Dr. Marus and his accomplices escape from jail. Riboryu has been preprogrammed to save Dr. Marus after ten years.

134th Episode: Operation Escape September 18, 1965

Dr. Elite, who has succeeded in developing a high-speed rocket engine, is taken away with his daughter to a country called Dark. When Atom receives an SOS message through a carrier pigeon, he sets out to bring them back from Dark. However, the doctor is scared of flying, so they have to escape by other means.

135th Episode: The Robot-Dog Backy September 25, 1965

Atom goes to see a robot-dog contest with Dr. Ochanomizu. There, Atom becomes aware of poor stray robot-dogs left behind in the shadow of more beautiful, more accomplished robot-dogs. He feels sorry for the forgotten dogs.

136th Episode: Inspector Jaguar October 2, 1965

Police inspector Jaguar is the only robot that is allowed to arrest humans. A group of people, however, takes this as an insult and set a trap for the inspector.

137th Episode: Little Cooley October 9, 1965

A sister-robot and her younger brother-robot run away from a space station and head for the Earth. The two robots are equipped with heat resistant devices that enable them to work near the sun. When their bodies touch each other, the surrounding temperature rapidly drops. If they come to the Earth, everything will freeze...

138th Episode: A Long Day October 16, 1965

Abnormal weather suddenly hits the Earth. After an investigation, it becomes clear that the problem has been caused by Earth's orbit having gone astray. Then Atom realizes that behind this are evil aliens trying to destroy the Earth.

139th Episode: Astro Boy Stolen October 23, 1965

It is an injustice that robots should never grow up, thinks a new scientist who has been appointed to the Science Ministry. He puts Atom's artificial intelligence into the body of an adult robot. Meanwhile someone steals Atom's body.

140th Episode: The King and Atom October 30, 1965

Puka-Puka Island is a southern island. In its animal kingdom, however, is a white bear that cannot exist on a southern island. Atom and his friends head for Puka-Puka Island to find out why the bear is there, but an unseen enemy obstructs their way and makes it impossible for them to approach the island.

141st Episode: The Locomotive March November 6, 1965

Children love March, an atomic-powered locomotive. Getting jealous of its popularity, Gold challenges March with another locomotive called "Horsepower." The match starts based on a rule that the loser has to be disassembled. Gold obstructs March by various means.

142nd Episode: Minya's Star November 13, 1965

There is a diary of a female soldier who never had the chance to return to Earth after her emergency landing on an ice planet. Now Atom, who is riding on a sightseeing rocket, is forced to land on the same planet, and finds the diary. Then humans begin to quarrel shamefully over the two diamonds mentioned in the diary.

143rd Episode: Bird Street Story November 20, 1965

Bird Street, is a preserved 20th century-street where robot boys and human boys confront each other in endless petty quarrels. A robot boys ask Atom to join them, but...

144th Episode: Lost Friendship November 27, 1965

Atom saves Robot Muller from villains, and a friendship develops between them. Muller plays happily with Atom and Uran, but in fact he is a robot for terrorist use, made to destroy a nuclear power plant.

145th Episode: Atom in the Deep Sea December 4, 1965

Dr. Ochanomizu assigns Atom a new mission that requires him to find an H-bomb plane from the deep waters and to defuse it. Then Atom's mother becomes angry because he is always summoned for dangerous missions.

146th Episode: Report from the Future December 11, 1965

Dr. Muder reports, "Tomorrow, robots will start a rebellion" when he comes back from a time machine trip to the next day. Hearing this, humans start a riot, shouting that the robots should be destroyed now. The scared robots run into a fortress.

147th Episode: Mid-air Screen December 18, 1965

A machine for projecting pictures in the air has recently been invented. Then the owner of a theater steals it, and starts to take away energy from machines and robots in order to get enough energy for screening.

148th Episode: Robio and Robiet December 25, 1965

The Ijio family and the Yani family have been on bad terms for generations. The robots made by the doctors in each family also hate each other. Between these enemy families, however, a fragile love begins to grow, and...

149th Episode: The Can Capriccio January 1, 1966

A can with a parachute falls from the sky on Atom's house on New Year's Day. He tries hard to open it without success. Meanwhile, a can opener falls from the sky in a different place...

150th Episode: Miss Magnet January 8, 1966

Miss Magnet produces strong magnetic force when she laughs. One day a group of gangs abduct Dr. Tera, the one who created her. They are planning to rob a bank using Miss Magnet's power.

151st Episode: Lonely Atom January 15, 1965

Robot Pulse hypnotizes Dr. Ochanomizu to develop Lucky Machine, a machine that controls the human brain. Then people manipulated by its hypnotizing radio wave start to ignore Atom, leaving him all alone.

152nd Episode: The Robot Bombs January 22, 1966

Robot Bomb Wide wants to be useful to humans. So takes to attacking Atom, mistaking him for a bad robot.

153rd Episode: The Red Merry-Go-Round January 29, 1966

Uran is on a merry-go-round in an amusement park when she disappears. The merry-go-round turns out to be an electrical transmitter for sending certain substances that was made by Dr. Umazuki, who lost his daughter and horse ten years before.

154th Episode: Blue Bird Story February 5, 1966

Whenever it hears small birds crying out for help, a robot named Blue Bird rescues them, sometimes even wrecking a building if necessary. Now Blue Bird is trying to rescue a small bird that has wandered into a nuclear power plant...

155th Episode: The Crazed Boundary February 12, 1966

In a terrifying country called Libea, robots are under constant surveillance and are sent to an asylum if they disobey orders. Atom sneaks into the asylum to rescue the oppressed robots.

156th Episode: Robot Mayor February 19, 1966

Atom and his friends visit a city governed by a robot mayor. The artificial intelligence of the popular mayor, however, turns out to be malfunctioning. When Atom realizes this, he thinks the mayor should not continue his work any more, but...

157th Episode: Gypsy's Star February 26, 1966

A robot planet Kipia has drifted into space, and now it is approaching the Earth. When Atom sets out to investigate the planet, he finds that the Kipia people want to make friends with earthlings. Then, in pursuit of Kipia appears the robot planet Garoa, the destroyer of civilization.

158th Episode: Funny Companion March 5, 1966

There is a pair of handcuffs that are impossible to take off from a villain's wrists unless he mends his ways. Atom gets handcuffed with a thief by accident, and has to go to jail with him because he cannot mend his ways.

159th Episode: Devil and Angel March 19, 1966

Gifted botanist Leaf has created the plant people Freru and Zaboa. Freru is fair like an angel, while Zaboa is an evil monster. When Zaboa becomes violent in the city, Atom and Freru set out to stop Zaboa.

160th Episode: The Golden Flute March 26, 1966

The flute expresses the player's feelings through its tunes. Ryuryu, who possesses the flute, comes to Japan in search of her beloved grandfather, but...

161st Episode: Dream-selling Aliens April 2, 1966

The artificial intelligence of all robots goes awry because of some strange radio waves from space. Dr. Ochanomizu, at a loss as to what to do, has to make the difficult decision of cutting the energy supply of all robots...

162nd Episode: Operation Candy April 9, 1966

Atom's friend Carl immigrates to Brazil, where he gets eaten by a dreadful monster. Carl's father sends Atom some articles left by his son, but the monster's egg is mixed among those articles.

163rd Episode: Road to Another World April 16, 1966

A flaming car disappears as if being swallowed up in another dimension, leaving behind a silver coin that was used in the ancient civilization of the Mu continent. Atom tries to solve the mystery of Mu.

164th Episode: The Space Spider April 23, 1966

Atom and Dr. Ochanomizu investigate a UFO. Judging the empty disk dangerous, they stage an attack on it with a missile. Then a huge spider appears from the same type of disk that has landed on earth, and starts attacking humans.

165th Episode: A Great Fuss over Babies April 30, 1966

The king and queen of Family Kingdom are distressed at not being able to have a baby. So they decide to adopt a baby robot that wins a contest. Dr. Ochanomizu also participates in the contest with his robot, but...

166th Episode: The Jewel-Eating Monster May 7, 1966

Since the science ministries of the world refuse to stop producing war weapons, Dr. Jugemu starts to destroy the ministries with a monster figure that produces tremendous power when it consumes jewels.

167th Episode: Plenty of Balloons May 14, 1966

Uncle Poi, who works in a toy factory, is making balloons with hydrogen gas for children. When the machine goes out of order, numerous balloons fly up in the sky. If they are left alone, the balloons may explode violently.

168th Episode: The Island That Jumped Up May 21, 1966

Newsta Island, which had suddenly appeared, is now attracting a good number of tourists as a resort. When Atom and his friends visit the island, a big earthquake occurs. Then Atom realizes that the island, in fact, is a UFO.

169th Episode: Gift from the Future May 28, 1966

People on a time machine from the future leave something behind on earth. It turns out to be a dinosaur that existed in ancient times on Earth. Atom and Uran love the dinosaur and keep it as a pet, but...

170th Episode: Two Princesses June 4, 1966

Two princesses are fighting over sovereignty in a certain country. The princess of the northern castle asks Atom for his cooperation, thus involving him in their dispute.

171st Episode: Kutcher Forever June 11, 1966

Dr. Kutcher, inventor of artificial intelligence, is dead. People become crazy trying to uncover his immense legacy. In the middle of this, Atom receives a message from the doctor who is supposed to be dead.

172nd Episode: The Herald Brothers June 25, 1966 Rendition: Kataoka Chuzo

The Herald brothers are trying to defeat every robot in the world. Dr. Herald, disguised as a robot, is controlling them. Then he even captures Atom.

173rd Episode: Robotty July 2, 1966

Robotty is a robot of a size smaller than a tiny bean. He asks Dr. Ochanomizu to make a robot-friend for him because he feels lonely all by himself. So Dr. Ochanomizu makes a robot of the same size for him.

174th Episode: The Great Submarine Canal July 9, 1966

Strange incidents start occurring, such as an event where a vessel that had disappeared in the Japan Sea turns up in the Pacific Ocean. Dr. Ochanomizu thinks that there could be a submarine canal right beneath Japan. So Atom goes in search of the canal, and encounters subterranean people on the ocean floor.

175th Episode: Robot Wars (part one) July 23, 1966

Super artificial intelligence robot Logos threatens to melt the ice on the South Pole and to sink the world into the ocean unless the world surrenders. In response to this threat, Atom and his friends go off to destroy Logos.

176th Episode: Robot Wars (part two) July 30, 1966

Super artificial intelligence robot Logos threatens to melt the ice on the South Pole and to sink the world into the ocean unless the world surrenders. In response to this threat, Atom and his friends go off to destroy Logos.

177th Episode: The Gigantic Robot August 6, 1966

In a country called Herenia, the national budget is all used to make the world's largest robot Gorem. The robot, however, turns violent because its artificial intelligence is imperfect.

178th Episode: Chi-tan's Nighttime Adventure August 20, 1966

Uran secretly takes the baby robot Chi-tan to a robot hospital to make it speak. A robot machine, however, remodels Chi-tan at its discretion. Chi-tan becomes huge, and turns violent in the city.

181st Episode: Ghost Manufacturing Machine September 10, 1966 Screenplay: Tomino Yoshiyuki Rendition: Tomino Yoshiyuki

Dictator Hiller takes Dr. Ochanomizu away, and tries to coerce the doctor into making Hiler clones on a massive scale in order to conquer the world. Atom heads to a country called Boruboa to rescue the doctor.

182nd Episode: Demented Cobalt September 24, 1966

Atom is asked to cooperate in defeating the dictator of Planet Batra, and he heads for the planet. The dictator Gammer, however, lures Cobalt out and turns him to a robot that will never disobey him. Now Atom has to fight against his own brother.

183rd Episode: Japanese People from Space October 1, 1966

58 million aliens that look exactly like Japanese people immigrate to Japan, causing a serious food shortage. An alien scientist Dohyar plans to take over Japan by making Japanese people small with cell-reducing fluid. (Remake of the 7th episode "Captain Atom")

184th Episode: Time War October 8, 1966

People who have white blood come from the future with Robot Jijiru following them. Blood transfusion are needed to save them. When Atom and Dr. Ochanomizu fly to the future, they discover a post- nuclear war-world. Man has become extinct, and there is a continuous war between artificial men and robots.

185th Episode: Star of Africa October 22, 1966

Due to trouble with their plane, Atom and Uran find themselves wandering in Africa. Then they find a cross that emits a mysterious voice. The cross has the power to become the god of robots when fitted with artificial intelligence.

186th Episode: Monsters Come out at Night October 29, 1966

Due to trouble with their rocket, Atom and other passengers are forced to land on an unknown small planet. On the planet lives a huge monster that eats plants that grow during the night.

187th Episode: Baily's Legend November 5, 1966

Atom and Uran visit the Robot Museum. There, Atom finds an empty showcase labeled "Baily." As the name sounds familiar to Atom, he sets out to investigate it and finds that Baily is an important benefactor to him.

188th Episode: Tengu of Kurama November 19, 1966

Robot Tomson, who has the ability to see through objects, sees that most statues of Buddha in Kyoto are fake. Then Atom and his fellows go searching for the real statues, and get surrounded by a group of long-nosed goblins.

189th Episode: Confusion at the Shooting Studio November 26, 1966

Atom and Uran go to see the shooting of a film. There, they see robots that look exactly like themselves, and take part in the filming after secretly changing places. In the shooting studio, however, stunt robots are treated as harshly as if they were objects.

190th Episode: Miracle of Mesopotamia December 3, 1966

Atom and his friends set out on an adventure to look for the mystery capital Mesotamia. When they are hit by a sandstorm, they find a hole up in the sky that they think could lead them to the capital. It seems likely that Mesotamia is a civilization created by aliens who came to the earth 2000 years ago.

191st Episode: Wandering Roppi December 17, 1966

Aliens attack a boy and an old man in the deep woods. After Atom saves them, he learns that the boy Roppi and the old man are also aliens. Roppi tells Atom that he is a prince and that he has run away from his planet.

192nd Episode: Medussa's mansion December 24, 1966

A doctor studying the mysteries of eternal youth has built Medussa's mansion. Atom and his friends visit the mansion and find Medussa's box, which contains the secret of eternal youth. When they open it, they find a young man named Siegfried lying inside.

193rd Episode: The Greatest Adventure on Earth December 31, 1966

As the temperature of the Earth rises due to the influence of a sunspot, all humans evacuate the Earth and head for space. Only robots are supposed to remain on the Earth, but there is one villain left, and he is trying to seize this chance to conquer the planet.

October 4, 2004

Cartoon Network airs "Birth of Evil," the Emmy-winning episode of "Samurai Jack," Saturday at 5 p.m., followed by the final four episodes of the series.

I wish I'd read that before yesterday.

Hopefully Cartoon Network will air it again, because I wanted to check out Samurai Jack. Or do they show it on a regular basis?

October 4, 2004

Cartoon Network airs "Birth of Evil," the Emmy-winning episode of "Samurai Jack," Saturday at 5 p.m., followed by the final four episodes of the series.

I wish I'd read that before yesterday.

Hopefully Cartoon Network will air it again, because I wanted to check out Samurai Jack. Or do they show it on a regular basis?

I don't know about the Cartoon Network because I don't even know if it's available in Canada. Or cartoon station is called Teletoon and there are laws in Canada about having too much foreign content on television.

Samurai Jack airs or should I say aired on YTV here in Canada on Friday nights at 10 PM and 1AM Saturday morning. However, they took the show off the air and now I'm left with having watched only part of the series. Worse yet, I've missed random episodes so it's going to tale a lot of work or hopefully more DVDs in the future to catch up. I don't know why YTV took the show off the air but I would have to guess it just wasn't getting enough viewership. I don't see young ones taking to the show too much (just like I predicted about Vision of Escawflone on Fox awhile back) and with alduts you always have that segment of the population that think cartoons are only allowed to be watched by kids. Though all the people I know who watch the show some (which would be about 7 people) are alduts. I miss the show and it's something I'll definitly have to catch up on someday. I've been watching Star Trek, The Original Series for the first time in my life save a few episodes here and there in the past so that's been helping to ease the pain.

Samurai Jack is a show that grows on you. At first, it may seem a little odd but after a bit it just grabs on to you and won't let you go. Really, it's what Kill Bill Vol 1 tried to be. The epitome of coolness with tributes to everything from Resident Evil to Zelda to Lupin the 3rd to Dragonbal to Commodore 64 fighting games to Kurosawa to Star Wars to Alien. One of the best shows I've ever seen for just completely marking out for stuff. "Couple on a train" (Not sure if that's the name of the episode) is as good a 30 minutes as I've ever seen on TV.

For anyone interested, here are some comments about Samurai Jack (remember the director directing the CGI/Live Action movie of Astroboy) from various people on the IMDB.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0278238/usercomments

WP -- Really scared on the prospect of live action being in Astroboy. Since this is Taktorov's first movie to my knowledge this could possably screw him over since it's going to be one tough task to do Astroboy in a live action movie and make it come off looking good.

October 5, 2004

Or cartoon station is called Teletoon and there are laws in Canada about having too much foreign content on television.

Really? Never knew that.

I actually checked my local TV listings, and found that Samurai Jack airs on the Spanish cartoon network but not the English cartoon network, which is odd. :\

October 5, 2004

Or cartoon station is called Teletoon and there are laws in Canada about having too much foreign content on television.

Really? Never knew that.

I actually checked my local TV listings, and found that Samurai Jack airs on the Spanish cartoon network but not the English cartoon network, which is odd. :\

Yup, for example a certain percentage of shows on Teletoon or other Canadian speciality channels have to be from Canada or at least partly from Canada. That's not to say we don't have imported shows because nothing would be further from the truth. THere's just a limit of them. I forget what the rules exactly are right now and which channels have to abide by them. I know it did come up for debate fairly rescently. The reasoning is that people in power are worried about Canadian culture.

October 5, 2004

I can't say I've seen Astroboy before, but have heard some very good things about it. I'm a little unsure where to start, though, considering I don't think it airs on TV in the UK.

October 6, 2004

I can't say I've seen Astroboy before, but have heard some very good things about it. I'm a little unsure where to start, though, considering I don't think it airs on TV in the UK.

The newest series from what I've seen while being watchable is not must see so don't worry about it. Astroboy was strongest in the 60s and the 80s. If interested www.astroboy-online.com has episodes for download at times. The original Japanese version of the 80s is better than the Canadian or the American version. With the 60s I would assume the Japanese version is better but there are no Japanese versions of the 60s going around.

October 6, 2004

I'll be sure to d/l a few when I get a better connection (which should be soon, the one I have now sucks), thanks for the tip. What place/s would you recommend for getting some episodes on DVD (or even VHS for that matter)?

October 7, 2004

I'll be sure to d/l a few when I get a better connection (which should be soon, the one I have now sucks), thanks for the tip. What place/s would you recommend for getting some episodes on DVD (or even VHS for that matter)?

From astroboy-online.com

Madman to Release Original 1980s Series on DVD! Posted Sep 7 2004, 09:59 PM

Madman Entertainment have announced that they will be releasing the original 1980s colour seires of Astroboy on DVD this summer!

The Deluxe Tin Box Set will feature 51 episodes spanning over 10 discs, plus and extras DVD containing original artwork, character profiles, biographies and more!

But that's not all. Madman want to hear from you some ideas on what you would like to see as extras in this awesome DVD pack. We've set up a special topic on our forums specifically for this purpose, so head on over and get posting!

WP -- The edited American dub unfortnately though. Several of these episodes were out not too awful long ago on VHS tape.

Apparantly Japan has the 60s episodes on DVD but they're not subbed. Region 2 by the way. About $1000 however

There are bootleg DVDs which cover half of the 80s series. The subtitles are definitely not the best and there were a few glitches but it was certainly watchable. I got mine from discountanimedvd.com but they don't have them anymore. Others may have them but I can't vouch for their credability. Some do say that people who supply the bootleg DVDs or video games help the mafia/terrorists and kill kittens so if you don't want to do that don't buy.

October 13, 2004

Here's some information about a short movie that was made for Tezuka's museum. Enjoy!

http://en.tezuka.co.jp/anime/sakuhin/mv/mv025.html

Astro Boy: Shinsen-gumi

Astro Boy

Shimizu Mari Bluebon

Morikawa Tomoyuki Maria

Yamada Miho Tonto

Amano Yuri Uran

Motoi Emi Dr. Ochanomizu

Katsuta Hisashi

Screenplay: Kuwahara Satoru

Director, Rendition: Kuwahara Satoru

Animation Director: Seya Shinji

Original pictures: Seya Shinji, Uchida Hiroshi, Yoshimura Masateru, Nishida Masayoshi, Katayama Miyuki, Studio Comet, Trans Arts, Animation Studio, Media Vision

Motion pictures: Beijing Sharaku Art Co., Ltd. Hosoi Mieko, Iwasa Yuko, Hata Asuka, Yamaguchi Fumio, Nakagawa Wataru, Kin Meichin, Yoshida Aya

Animation Check: Okamura Takashi, Tanaka Yoshimi

Art Director: Okada Kazuo

Backgrounds: Okada Kazuo, Saito Masami, Shibata Masato, Iwasaki Kiyohiro, Kanno Takanobu, Nagashima Tetsuhiko, Ohashi Noriko, Matsumoto Hiroki

Color Settings: Okano Tsuyoshi, Saito Kyoko, and Shimata Rika

Finish Inspectors: Okano Tsuyoshi, Saito Kyoko

Finishing: Beijing Sharaku Art Co., Ltd.

Digital Processing: Kawazoe Megumi, Aburaya Yumi

Special effects: Ota Noriyuki

Title, RisuWork: Maki Pro

Music Production: COMPANY AZA

Music: Hasebe Toru

Sound Production: Arts Pro

Recording Studio: Tabback

Editing: Morita Editing Room

Video Editing: Studio Twinkle Land

Photo finishing: Imagica

Camera: Takahashi Production

Producer: Kubota Minoru

Production Coordinator: Arai Masahiko

Production Manager: Yanagisawa Mitsuko

Tezuka Osamu World is located in the Kyoto Station Building with a 300-inch theater that shows his original short animation films. One animated film filled with the essence of his most famous pieces, and another that introduces a historical episode of Kyoto, are shown as a double feature movie with the Phoenix as a narrator. As we know, Tezuka Osamu's most famous work is Astro Boy, which has been popular among all generations. From the huge number of his original Astro Boy series, the episode "The Blue Knight" was chosen for screening here. It depicts the confrontation between the blue knight, who regards humans as enemies for their dominance over robots and other creatures on the Earth, and Astro Boy, who rejects war because he believes that humans will someday realize their mistakes. The Phoenix asks us why humans choose war as a means of solving problems, while it looks back on the history of Kyoto and ponders on the riot at Ikeda-ya by the Shinsen-gumi in the last days of the Tokugawa regime.

And another link:

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encycloped...ime.php?id=3278

October 17, 2004

A couple of comments from the Internet Movie Database about Astroboy. I thought they'd be interesting to read.

IMDb user comments for

"Shin Tetsuwan Atom" (1980)

Comments index for Astroboy

Old Joe

Hamilton, Australia

Date: 16 October 2002

Summary: Astroboy is a cartoon legend around the world!

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.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

([email protected])

Canada

Date: 22 July 2001

Summary: My childhood all time favorite!

I used to watch this show back in 1984 here in Canada soooo much, if one saturday something was preventing me to watch it, I was programming my vcr to not loose any single episode!

It is Osamu Tezuka most famous character: Astroboy, in a not so distant future, robot are capable to think as humans and even to have emotions...Astroboy lives with his sister and parents (who are robots too), goes to school (with humans)...

But in a world where robots are considered inferiors being (just like black peoples back in the 19th century), Astro is using his super powers to fight for justice and help others... but he has a lots of enemies, and an evil brother who wishes to become master of the universe : ATLAS, and Astro is the only one capable of stopping him...

This is truly one of the best japanese show ever, in many countries around the world(including USA), however like many anime, ASTROBOY was censored in the US version, and the french dub in my country is based on the US version, not directly from the japanese version, so many things were cut and lost.

Another weird thing, the episodes order in the dubbed version(except from the first 3 episodes) is a complete mess! Like is someone had drop the tape pile during the dubbing process and never been able to put them back in the correct order...

A must seen, even today!

Some comments about the 1960s episodes

IMDb user comments for

"Astroboy" (1963)

Comments index for Astroboy

lambiepie-2

Los Angeles

Date: 26 April 2003

Summary: A Japanese Anime Kids should have today

There are levels of Japanese Anime in my book. The upper level is what is being shown today that I don't think children should watch, but they do. Another level is the Adult Japanese Anime which children should watch..but they do. Then there is the 60's/70's Japanese Anime which every child should have a chance to see.

Astro Boy was my best friend. Every week on Wee-Willy Webber's Wonderful Cartoon Club, a local Philadelphia Children's show, we were treated to imported Japanese Anime, and Astro Boy was the first.

Forget Pinnochio, Astro Boy is what children can identify with. And besides, it didn't talk down to children either. The story (spoiler) is simple: A man loses his son in a car accident, he is so hearbroken that he builds a robot that looks like his son. He gets disappointed and sells his son to a robot fair. A scientist gets ahold of him, and the adventures begin. It's been years, but that is the gist of it.

This series has EVERYTHING for a child to grasp: robots, monsters, action. Not too violent, but it has its moments, Astro Boy is out to always save the day. And why not, he's very much equipt for it. Excellent Introduction to Children's Japanese Anime ages 5 on up.

A personal note: When I was watching A.I.-- I thought of Astro Boy many times than not throughout the film. Note to Speilberg: Ya shoulda done this one, it's up your alley and what you were actually looking to do.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

raymondo1960

Tezukaville, NC

Date: 6 February 2002

Summary: The Grandaddy of anime

Astroboy (based on the Japanese cartoon character Mighty Atom) was the creation of Dr Osamu Tezuka, an influential figure in the early development of manga (Japanese comics). Atom was the first animated series produced by Tezuka's TV and film production company, Mushi Studios. The initial episode was shown as a TV special on New Year's Eve (one of the most widely viewed evenings on Japanese television) and an instant success. NBC networking executives visiting Japan saw the popularity of the series and purchased the US broadcast rights. Shortly thereafter, the English version, renamed Astroboy, was in syndication throughout America. The story line follows the adventures of a robot created in the likeness of a scientist's dead son. The scientist goes mad and sells the boy robot to a circus. In the climax of the first episode, the robots, though horribly mistreated by the circus owner, rescue circus patrons from certain death when a massive fire destroys the main tent. In reward for their heroism, the robots are granted their freedom. The remaining episodes deal with a wide range of issues, from the longing of robots for human emotions and families, to the destruction of the environment. Pretty hefty stuff compared to the funny animal hi-jinx of Saturday morning! In retrospect, the series is pretty remarkable. Though the translation was greatly softened and sometimes edited for juvenile audiences, the often dark and profound subject matter still is quite apparent. Some episodes, particularly toward the end of the English dubbed series, also exhibit increasingly dreamlike and surreal imagery. Simultaneously there was an increasing amount of violence in these programs and American parents were concerned on the effect of such shows on impressionable young minds. Sadly the American series was canceled after 104 episodes, but the Japanese productions continued for another 89 episodes. In the final episode produced in Japan, Atom sacrifices himself to save the world by manually guiding a missile toward a runaway asteroid.

IMDb user comments for

"Astroboy" (1963)

Comments index for Astroboy

lambiepie-2

Los Angeles

Date: 26 April 2003

Summary: A Japanese Anime Kids should have today

There are levels of Japanese Anime in my book. The upper level is what is being shown today that I don't think children should watch, but they do. Another level is the Adult Japanese Anime which children should watch..but they do. Then there is the 60's/70's Japanese Anime which every child should have a chance to see.

Astro Boy was my best friend. Every week on Wee-Willy Webber's Wonderful Cartoon Club, a local Philadelphia Children's show, we were treated to imported Japanese Anime, and Astro Boy was the first.

Forget Pinnochio, Astro Boy is what children can identify with. And besides, it didn't talk down to children either. The story (spoiler) is simple: A man loses his son in a car accident, he is so hearbroken that he builds a robot that looks like his son. He gets disappointed and sells his son to a robot fair. A scientist gets ahold of him, and the adventures begin. It's been years, but that is the gist of it.

This series has EVERYTHING for a child to grasp: robots, monsters, action. Not too violent, but it has its moments, Astro Boy is out to always save the day. And why not, he's very much equipt for it. Excellent Introduction to Children's Japanese Anime ages 5 on up.

A personal note: When I was watching A.I.-- I thought of Astro Boy many times than not throughout the film. Note to Speilberg: Ya shoulda done this one, it's up your alley and what you were actually looking to do.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

raymondo1960

Tezukaville, NC

Date: 6 February 2002

Summary: The Grandaddy of anime

Astroboy (based on the Japanese cartoon character Mighty Atom) was the creation of Dr Osamu Tezuka, an influential figure in the early development of manga (Japanese comics). Atom was the first animated series produced by Tezuka's TV and film production company, Mushi Studios. The initial episode was shown as a TV special on New Year's Eve (one of the most widely viewed evenings on Japanese television) and an instant success. NBC networking executives visiting Japan saw the popularity of the series and purchased the US broadcast rights. Shortly thereafter, the English version, renamed Astroboy, was in syndication throughout America. The story line follows the adventures of a robot created in the likeness of a scientist's dead son. The scientist goes mad and sells the boy robot to a circus. In the climax of the first episode, the robots, though horribly mistreated by the circus owner, rescue circus patrons from certain death when a massive fire destroys the main tent. In reward for their heroism, the robots are granted their freedom. The remaining episodes deal with a wide range of issues, from the longing of robots for human emotions and families, to the destruction of the environment. Pretty hefty stuff compared to the funny animal hi-jinx of Saturday morning! In retrospect, the series is pretty remarkable. Though the translation was greatly softened and sometimes edited for juvenile audiences, the often dark and profound subject matter still is quite apparent. Some episodes, particularly toward the end of the English dubbed series, also exhibit increasingly dreamlike and surreal imagery. Simultaneously there was an increasing amount of violence in these programs and American parents were concerned on the effect of such shows on impressionable young minds. Sadly the American series was canceled after 104 episodes, but the Japanese productions continued for another 89 episodes. In the final episode produced in Japan, Atom sacrifices himself to save the world by manually guiding a missile toward a runaway asteroid.

WP -- Always thought it was the sun

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

rlcsljo

Hollywood, CA

Date: 5 August 2000

Summary: Surprisingly sophisticated kid's cartoon show

This cartoon show was typical of the many 1960's cartoon shows that came from the time that tried to be appealing to both children and adults.

When I was young, I was amazed by the cool robots and monsters.

When I saw it later, I was surprised by the sophisticated themes that were presented under the science fiction cartoon genre. Some themes were runaway technology; obedience to morality and programming; science can lead to both good and bad.

Time warp: apparently a tv show back in the 1960's only had 30 seconds of commercials per half hour!

Some comments about this generation's Astroboy

IMDb user comments for

"Astro Boy tetsuwan atomu" (2003)

Comments index for Astro Boy

([email protected])

australia

Date: 11 August 2004

Summary: excellent.

i personally rate this series 9/10. I have never seen the first ones but i think the sound and graphics are pioneering, like those of star wars in the 70s and 80s. The backgrounds could beat poke'mons in two seconds, and i love the way that the animation rolls nicely. The characters i am undecided on. For two reasons, one, some i hate utterly, and two, some i really like. The robot astroboy himself certainly is a great character, but his voice reminds me of a squeaky ballerina. I expected more of a gruff voice. Tenma certainly is well played, and while some of the plots deserve to be stuck onto he first doctors plots in the sixties, others are unbelievable but fit well. Skunk, the criminal, certainly contains good villain style. Id recommend this cartoon to any body who likes good anime shows, or robots and technology.

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StayinFrosty

Ontario, Canada

Date: 27 June 2004

Summary: Good update, unsure about English version

Having good memories of the Astroboy series that aired in the 80's, I was excited to hear about a remake. Overall I'd say the new crew has done a fine job. There are some changes in the story line (Astro working at a circus, getting his trademark red boots, etc) but these may be revealed later. It doesn't seem to have as clear allegories for racism and segregation either, but again, there is still time for this to show up. The show retains a similar look to the original Astroboy with great visuals. The music captures the style of the show very well.

I'm not too keen on some of the voices, though. I have only seen the English-language dub so I don't have the original Japanese for comparison, but I find Astro's voice to be somewhat out of place. Another character, Dr. Tenma, is a slender Asian man and has a voice that sounds like James Earl Jones! Those two aside, the other voices are pretty good. I also especially like that Astro's rockets still have the same sound as the 80's show!

As for editing, a real problem with anime aired in the United States, I can't give definite comment, having never seen the original Japanese series. I did notice that Astro was told he was based on a real boy without mentioning what happened to that boy (he was killed in a car accident before the series takes place). A couple characters' names have been changed as well, Dr. Ocha-no-mizu (whom I knew as Prof. Peabody, others, Dr. Elefun in the last series) is now called Dr. O'Shay. I'm not sure why. If they wanted to shorten it, they could've just called him "Dr. Ocha" ("tea" in Japanese). Astro's sister, Uran (Sarah, Astrogirl), is now called Zoran. Once again, I'm not sure why. Also note, it's now called "Astro Boy" (2 words) instead of Astroboy (1 word). Maybe to distinguish between the old and new series?

Another thing I've noticed is that at least some of the episodes are being aired out of order. E.g. Astro's first day of school after we'd already seen him there, his sister appearing with no explanation as to where she came from, only to vanish again until her proper introduction several weeks later. I've learned that this is the distributor's doing and not that of the network that airs the show. I wonder why companies do this. Do they think the viewers won't notice?

Overall, "Astro Boy" seems to be a decent update of the classic show. I look forward to the new movie (slated for 2005).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

kingjim

Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Date: 1 May 2004

Summary: Great 21st century remake of a classic!

This new cartoon "Astro Boy" (two words) is the 21st century remake of the popular 80's cartoon "Astroboy" (one word). "Astro boy" is a pretty good modernization of the Astroboy we know and love. It is obviously set in the future which looks more futuristic than in the 80's "Astroboy". The animation is improved, which is obviously done with computers in some parts whereas the original "Astroboy" was all hand drawn. But story-wise, "Astro Boy" is not quite as good as the original 80's "Astroboy". Where "Astro Boy" is pretty good, the original "Astroboy" is excellent! But the new "Astro Boy" is still recommended viewing for all Astroboy fans out there. The new "Astro Boy" gets a 9 out of 10. The original "Astroboy" gets 10 out of 10.

October 17, 2004

And in case anyone missed it here's an article about an Astroboy video game on the PS2

http://www.syracuse.com/news/poststandard/...03015292641.xml

More From The Post-Standard | Subscribe To The Post-Standard

'Astro Boy' has ups and downs

Sunday, September 05, 2004

JEFF KAPALKA

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Sometimes, it takes a while for a character to earn his own video game. In the case of Tetsuwan Atom (or Astro Boy, as he's known in the United States), it took more than four decades. I first encountered Astro Boy about 40 years ago. (His original cartoon series was a staple feature of Mike Price's old Baron Daemon kids show on WNYS, now WIXT. I loved that show. But I digress.) Who knew this sci-fi cartoon hero was the opening salvo of the anime invasion that would later give us "Akira," "Pokemon" and Matthew Sweet videos?

Astro was the creation of Osamu Tezuka, Japan's "God of Comics." (To truly gauge Tezuka's impact on Japan's culture, think of a combination of Walt Disney and Stan Lee.) The character was a plucky robot with a heart of gold (and, at least in the American dubbed edition, an annoyingly high voice), who used his powers for the betterment of human and robot kind. He was a "cosmic ranger" who "laughs at danger," as his theme song would have you believe.

And now, finally, he's the hero of two new games. "Astro Boy: Omega Factor," Sega for Nintendo Game Boy Advance, $29.99, Rated E (all ages). The first, "Astro Boy: Omega Factor" for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance, is a wonderful old-school side-scrolling action game, where Astro, in a mission to unite the robot and human races, leaps, flies and punches his way through 13 varied stages, building his Omega Factor and fully realizing his ultimate potential. Along the way, he'll encounter more than four dozen different Tezuka anime characters, each teaching Astro a little something about justice, compassion, courage, and evil? (That can't be good!)

From Our Advertiser

The graphics are gorgeous (especially the gigantic boss characters).

You can plow through the game in Easy Mode in a couple of days, but you'll want to revisit it and play in harder settings to unlock all of the hidden characters, bonus areas and the "real" ending. "Astro Boy," Sega for Sony PlayStation 2, $39.99; Rated E (all ages). Unfortunately, as good as "Omega Factor" is for the GBA, that's how lacking "Astro Boy" is for the Sony PlayStation 2.

On its face, it has a similar plot: Astro still wants to unite robots and humans in peaceful coexistence, and rockets through Metro City to solve various cases, perform heroic deeds and punch out rogue robots.

Sounds good in theory, but the levels are short, yet repetitive, the graphics are sub-par (some cartoon characters were never meant to be rendered in 3-D), and the camera is not your friend. I don't even want to talk about the long load times. It was painful to play this game after experiencing the quality of its GBA cousin.

Final verdict: if you're a Tezuka otaku (fan), rent the PS2 game and buy the GBA edition. "Asterix and Obelix Kick Buttix," Atari for Sony PlayStation 2; $29.99; Rated E (all ages). Other favorite old-time cartoon characters are also coming to the PS2. I don't know if you've ever come across the adventures of Asterix the Gaul in your travels, but you should. Goscinny and Uderzo's tales of the Gaulish village that refuses to surrender to the Roman Empire (circa 50 B.C.) are laugh-out-loud funny. (Try to locate a copy of "Asterix and Cleopatra" for an example of a truly comic comic strip.)

And so is "Asterix and Obelix Kick Buttix," a budget-priced PS2 game published by Atari. You'll play as the diminutive warrior and his oversized compatriot (simultaneously), as they run riot throughout the Roman Empire, freeing their fellow villagers from the clutches of Caesar and his hordes.

As in the books, this means bashing the pemmican out of the hapless army. (Luckily, the Gauls have a strength-enhancing potion. Or rather, most of them do. Obelix never gets to partake, as he fell into a cauldron of the stuff as a youngster, so any more would be overkill.)

The game covers six countries over 40 levels of smashing and bashing. Some sequences can have you battling more than five dozen enemies at a time, so expect some slowdown. (Not to mention some sore fingers.) Graphics are beautiful, the one-liners are snappy, and the animations are amazing.

Plus, at about $30, it won't hurt your wallet that much.

Jeff Kapalka, of Utica, reviews video games and comics for Stars. Write to him at [email protected] or c/o Stars, P.O. Box 4915, Syracuse, NY 13221.

Another Astroboy article this time about reading material

ASTRO BOY™ CINE-MANGA™ BY TOKYOPOP INC... ROCKETING SOON TO A BOOKSHELF NEAR YOU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

LOS ANGELES (February 4, 2004)- TOKYOPOP Inc. and Sony Pictures Consumer Products are proud to announce their latest joint endeavor - a jet-fueled Cine-Manga™ version of Astro Boy, one of Japan's most iconic anime titles. The same team that brought Jackie Chan Adventures from television to the printed page is working together again to bring Astro Boy's all-new adventures to a portable paperback format. Astro Boy, produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan and Tezuka Productions, airs Monday through Friday on Cartoon Network's popular Toonami block beginning March 8th. Debuting this August, the Astro Boy Cine-Manga will capture all of the onscreen action for readers with digital images taken directly from the animation. TOKYOPOP's growing line of Cine-Manga - essentially television to go - is already sold by retailers throughout the U.S., including major booksellers and mass merchants.

Astro Boy, a favorite in Japan since its debut in the '60s, is the brainchild of legendary "God of Manga," Osamu Tezuka. The story is set in 2030 and revolves around the adventures of Astro, a jet-powered and fearless robot who courageously fights to protect mankind from evil and defend his fellow robots from injustice. In a futuristic, robot-based world, a brilliant, but evil engineer, Dr. Tenma, creates Astro to replace his lost son but soon abandons him. Rescued and adopted by the kindly Dr. O'Shay, Astro becomes a reluctant hero fighting evil with his incredible strength, laser weaponry, jet-rocket feet and telepathic computer brain. Mankind's only hope of surviving the attack of rebellious robots is a robot himself . . . the fearless, selfless, incorruptible champion known as Astro.

"We are delighted at the chance to work with Sony Pictures Consumer Products on such a cool project," said TOKYOPOP's Senior Editor of Cine-Manga, Elizabeth Hurchalla. "Astro Boy is an incredibly fun title, and we're confident that fans and newcomers alike will love seeing these adventures transcend the screen to steal their hearts."

"Astro Boy, with its exciting and jet-powered story line, has all the components for awesome Cine-Manga," stated Al Ovadia, executive vice president, Sony Pictures Consumer Products. "And we're sure that TOKYOPOP, with their extensive manga background, will develop a Cine-Manga that is as action-packed and exciting as the anime TV series."

About TOKYOPOP

TOKYOPOP Inc. is the leading North American publisher of manga, the fastest growing segment within the publishing industry. With exclusive rights to hundreds of licensed and original book, video and music properties, the company has rapidly become a media convergence leader. TOKYOPOP has millions of books in print and publishes many hit manga series, including Love Hina, Chobits, Rave Master, Initial D, GTO, Battle Royale and Cowboy Bebop. The company pioneered Cine-Manga™, releasing such titles as Finding Nemo, SpongeBob SquarePants, Lizzie McGuire, Astro Boy and Transformers Armada. TOKYOPOP television properties include Rave Master, GTO and Reign: The Conqueror. The company has also expanded its presence as a licensor, representing merchandising rights for Rave Master, Initial D, Stray Sheep and others. Visit www.TOKYOPOP.com for additional information.

About Sony Pictures Consumer Products

Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP), based in Los Angeles and London, handles the merchandising and branding efforts for some of the most recognized properties in film and television and, through Spider-Man Merchandising, L.P., a limited partnership with Marvel Enterprises, the upcoming motion picture Spider-Man 2. SPCP properties include such titles as the Academy Award-winning short, The ChubbChubbs™, currently in development as an animated series and feature film, television properties such as Astro Boy™, Jackie Chan Adventures™, and classic favorites such as Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie, both in development for feature films. SPCP is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), whose global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, operation of studio facilities, development of new entertainment technologies and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries.

For press information, please contact:

TOKYOPOP Inc., Los Angeles

Kristien Brada-Thompson

323.692.6853

[email protected]

Information about Qrio and Astroboy!

Robot Dubs Part for AstroBoy

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=4538

posted on 2004-01-19 08:02:50

CNN has an interesting article about Qrio, a real 58-centimeter-tall robot that makes a cameo appearance in Astro Boy and provides its own voice. The BBC also has an article about Qrio's cameo. Thanks to Aaron Web for pointing this out.

Robot pops into studio for acting debut

Cartoon show uses Sony's humanoid Qrio for voiceover

Thursday, January 15, 2004 Posted: 11:18 AM EST (1618 GMT)

Standing in front of a monitor TV and a microphone, Sony's humanoid robot delivers lines for an episode of "Astro Boy."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- Sony Corp.'s toddler-shaped robot waddled into a Tokyo recording studio Thursday to dub a voice part for a popular television cartoon show, where the talking, dancing machine makes a cameo appearance.

Surrounded by a pack of photographers, the 58-centimer-tall (23-inch-tall) silver robot with glowing eyes walked slowly up to a microphone, stopped, waved and muttered, "All this attention is making me nervous."

Sony's humanoid robot, called Qrio, uses software that changes text into an electronic voice. It took up its new challenge with gusto, delivering a couple of lines for an episode of "Astro Boy," a weekly TV show from Sony Pictures Entertainment, set to start airing in the United States Saturday.

In one scene, an animation version of Qrio tells a story to a group of children sitting under a tree.

As the scene played on a monitor in the studio, the robot said on cue in a squeaky voice, "At last the young man fell under a spell. But he could not give up."

Qrio, which stands for "quest for curiosity," isn't for sale but works as "an ambassador" for the Tokyo-based electronics and entertainment giant, performing at exhibitions and playing master of ceremonies at events.

Sony senior manager Yuichi Hattori said Qrio's appearance in Astro Boy is a fine example of "synergy," the dynamic boost Sony has promised -- but hasn't always delivered -- when the company's divisions work together and enhance each other to produce more than a sum of its parts.

"It's synergy. Qrio is designed to introduce Sony technology. And Sony Pictures is part of that effort," he said.

Hattori acknowledged the robot wasn't really responding to the director's commands but being controlled from a booth by wireless LAN, or local area network, to utter preprogrammed lines.

At its debut as a voiceover actor, the robot earnestly displayed its array of talent. When asked to say the lines with more musical feeling, it started singing. When told to say them more quickly, he blurted the lines like a tongue-twister.

Miki Maruyama, 16, an actress who used a microphone next to the robot's to do the children's voices, was impressed.

"I couldn't believe it was a robot. It said the lines better than me," she said.

"Astro Boy" is based on a 1950s comic book series by Osamu Tezuka which became a hit TV show in Japan. A generation of Japanese has grown up on Astro Boy, a robot with a heart of a little boy. The latest remake began airing here last year.

"Our message is that robots are our partners," said Kazuya Konaka, the show's director. "This has demonstrated that robots and human beings can work together."

At the very least, Sony, which is carrying out cost cuts to turn around its business, is saving money: Qrio works for free.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 17, 2004

Man, where do you find all this good stuff? It's all very informative and makes for a good read.

October 17, 2004

Man, where do you find all this good stuff? It's all very informative and makes for a good read.

Alas, I can not take credit for everything. google.ca is everyone's friend. I'll have to search for some more articles later.

By the way Ray, how far are you in on the Benoit tape right now? Once you're done I would reccomend doing a quick check through the tape to see if 6/3/88 Benoit vs Smith is on their or not. I rescently talked about it on the smarkschoice site. I was looking through my friend's unlisted tape collection and we found an old wrestling tape that I put together for him. Smith vs Benoit was on second so we checked that one out.

WP -- Who knows that all cool people like Benoit, Kobashi, Tsuruta, the Harts and Trish Stratus watch Astroboy and all uncool people don't. So the lesson of the day is this. Be cool and watch Astroboy because there are only two groups of people in this world. Those who watch Astroboy and those who don't. Really though when you think about it there's only one group because the other "group" just doesn't matter. Yeah, that's harsh but oh, it's true, it's true.

October 18, 2004

By the way Ray, how far are you in on the Benoit tape right now? Once you're done I would reccomend doing a quick check through the tape to see if 6/3/88 Benoit vs Smith is on their or not. I rescently talked about it on the smarkschoice site. I was looking through my friend's unlisted tape collection and we found an old wrestling tape that I put together for him. Smith vs Benoit was on second so we checked that one out.

I think the last match I watched was the highlights of the Benoit/Smith English deathmatch. I don't think I saw the 6/88 match on there, but it's possibly that I missed something. Sort of taking a break from wrestling at the moment though, so I haven't finished the tape yet.

WP -- Who knows that all cool people like Benoit, Kobashi, Tsuruta, the Harts and Trish Stratus watch Astroboy and all uncool people don't. So the lesson of the day is this. Be cool and watch Astroboy because there are only two groups of people in this world. Those who watch Astroboy and those who don't. Really though when you think about it there's only one group because the other "group" just doesn't matter. Yeah, that's harsh but oh, it's true, it's true.

Hopefully I get in the group after only seeing two episodes... :ph34r:

October 18, 2004

By the way Ray, how far are you in on the Benoit tape right now? Once you're done I would reccomend doing a quick check through the tape to see if 6/3/88 Benoit vs Smith is on their or not. I rescently talked about it on the smarkschoice site. I was looking through my friend's unlisted tape collection and we found an old wrestling tape that I put together for him. Smith vs Benoit was on second so we checked that one out.

I think the last match I watched was the highlights of the Benoit/Smith English deathmatch. I don't think I saw the 6/88 match on there, but it's possibly that I missed something. Sort of taking a break from wrestling at the moment though, so I haven't finished the tape yet.

WP -- Who knows that all cool people like Benoit, Kobashi, Tsuruta, the Harts and Trish Stratus watch Astroboy and all uncool people don't. So the lesson of the day is this. Be cool and watch Astroboy because there are only two groups of people in this world. Those who watch Astroboy and those who don't. Really though when you think about it there's only one group because the other "group" just doesn't matter. Yeah, that's harsh but oh, it's true, it's true.

Hopefully I get in the group after only seeing two episodes...

Yeah, it's good to take a break once in awhile. It'll be interesting to see how long it lasts. The death match looked like it could've been a great one. You agree?

WP's workout partner and fellow board member of the Astroboy fan club - Trish Stratus says you're in!

Other board member include Captain Kirk, Adam West, Bruce Lee, Chris Benoit, the Cuban Assasin, Bret and Stu Hart, the Ohtani of Time, Franco Colombu, Mei Ling from Metal Gear Solid and Claire Redfield. All voted in favour except for the Assasin.

You're in. Any faithful poster in this thread is automatically in. The only non Astroboy watchers that are allowed in are people who abide by Tezuka's message in their daily lives.

October 20, 2004

Yeah, it's good to take a break once in awhile. It'll be interesting to see how long it lasts.

Well you were right, it didn't last long. But that's a good thing.

The death match looked like it could've been a great one. You agree?

Yep, could've, especially considering their other matches were really good.

Oh, btw, just so you know the match you asked about is on the tape, and I'm lucky too because it was a very good match.

October 20, 2004

Yeah, it's good to take a break once in awhile. It'll be interesting to see how long it lasts.

Well you were right, it didn't last long. But that's a good thing.

The death match looked like it could've been a great one. You agree?

Yep, could've, especially considering their other matches were really good.

Oh, btw, just so you know the match you asked about is on the tape, and I'm lucky too because it was a very good match.

Yeah, I really enjoyed that one. See you on smarkschoice.com !

If you missed it, this is what I wrote it about it before on smarkschoice:

What I've been watching

My buddy and I watched a bunch of stuff just rescently. Lyger vs Ohtani 96 (AWesome, Ohtani's best single match ever), Benoit vs Ohtani (Awesome, just a notch below Lyger vs Ohtani), Misawa/Akyima vs Williams/Ace 6/7/96 (fantastic but not quite as good as I remembered), Benoit vs Eddie 6/12?/93 (awesome), the 94 Benoit vs Honaga tourney final (super match!) and the two Benoit/Ohtani vs Sasuke/Eddie matches(tremendous!!).

Also been watching some OZ Academy. THe show mith Oz vs Shimoda as the main event. Fun card all the way through.

BENOIT vs JOHNNY SMITH STAMPEDE 6/3/88

This was the second match on the tape after Lyger vs Ohtani 3/96 and I loved it. It's hard to pick wether this or the 12/31/88 is better. JIP so we get to miss a little bit of stuff at the beginning but hardly anything is missing as we're still at the initial parts of the match where Benoit is domination Smith. Some pretty good stuff here with a submission revenge spot and a real nice sequence of moves. Benoit doesn't completely dominate here early though as Smith still mangaes to show he's a techincal threat but at the same time putting Benoit over big time.

I can't remember how Smith took over because my friend who I'll dub "Jack" here and I were talking about Smith's work in All Japan/Stampede and how he was an underappreciated talent. The best part of the match comes right here where Smith takes over in a long heel control segment which is probably tied for my favourite heel control segment in a Benoit match where he's wrestling as face. Smith first starts working on Benoit's upper body but switches over in what has always been one of my favourite transistions ever in wrestling. The flying splash which was one of Benoit's finishers at the time is met by Johnny Smith's knees in a superb visual.

Benoit's ribs are now hurt bad and Smith proceeds to work on them most notably hitting maybe the best knee to the stomack of a charging opponent I've ever seen. Not to be outdone, shortly afterwards in a revenge spot Benoit reverses a Johnny Smith irish whip and plants his own knee to Smith's stomach. The thing is this spot here may have also been the best knee to the stomach I've ever seen! At this point in the match all I can think of is how this bout reminds me of just a good old fashioned wrestling fight that Benoit and Regal are so find of. Just a real great sense of struggle here. Makahn Singh the heel ring announcer is right on this marking out about how both competitors could now have broken ribs.

Smith keeps working on Benoit's stomach with Benoit hanging on as Benoit's still not out of danger yet. Now in desperation Benoit hits one of the fastest, most beautiful looking flying crossbodyblocks me eyes have ever laid eyes upon. He gets a two but Smith kicks out and Benoit is thrown out of the ring where Smith proceeds to slam him on the cement floor.

One other thing I gotta mention here is that Smith has been giving knees to Benoit's injuredstomach constantly ever since Smith brought up the knees to counter Benoit's splash off of the top rope. Sounds like a simple move and not too exciting, right? Well not here because Smith is a true heel and the way he goes about hitting them almost makes it impossable to cheer for him. Smith arragontly which fits his charactor goes for a few kneedrops in a roll only for Benoit to simply roll out of the way of one of them and I'm finding myself marking out for that just as much as any other highlights on this match.

Benoit finally gets his comeback which was very well earned and the match ends not too long after that. A good ending to the match which fit into the way Stampede was run but not as good as the heel control segment Johnny had on Benoit. Overall, I loved this match. The first part of the match was very good, the second part when Smith was controlling Benoit was excellent and the third part which was Benoit's comeback and the match finish I'd dub good. Some of the best execution I've seen for a few particular manuevers and a match that had a real good battle feel to it. Smith was a true, fantastic heel and Benoit a great face.

One other cool thing about this is that "Jack" mentioned how the face commentator Ed Whalen sounded like the hockey announcer who's name I'm forgetting right now. He thought his technique was that of a hockey announcer. Well, the neat part was that Ed Whalen did announce quite a bit of hockey games! Well, from memory NHL games!

Yeah, I see the break didn't last too long from the What are you watching thread. See you on smarkschoice! Are you going to discuss this match there?

Yeah, Astroboy and Benoit/Smith matches. "Old School" doesn't get better than that.

October 21, 2004

ASTROBOY the MASCOT of the 7TH TECHNO-PARADE!!!!!!!!!!

600.000 people according to organizers', 1 00.000 according to the police force , Saturday in Paris, whereas the "sound systems" still spit their decibels, places Bastille, in front of tens of thousands of young people, at the end of the course.

All the observers agree to underline an multitude record for this new edition which crossed the capital, of Montparnasse to the Bastille, under a radiant sun. In its edition of Sunday, the daily newspaper the Parisian one evokes a "delirious success".

The year spent, Techno Parade had gathered 300.000 people according to organizers', 100.000 according to the police force, which constituted already a record.

Brice Mourer, president de Technopol, the association of defense of the electronic musics which organizes walk, affirmed Saturday with the AFP that "the police officers and the services of the general Information present on site agreed to note a very clear increase in the participants".

"I am rather surprised that the Prefecture of Police force announced the same figure as last year...", added Mr. Mourer.

Henri Maurel, president-founder of Radio FG which took part in the creation of Techno Parade in 1997, insists for its part on "the massive and popular reality of this immense festival of street where there was much more than 100.000 people".

This 7th edition involved in its swell, since the pavements and terraces of coffee, of tens of thousands of badauds of all generations, applauding the "teuffers".

The Minister for the Culture, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, arrived towards 17h at the foot of the Institute of the Arab World, declared himself impressed. "Of as close, as a minister, it is the first time as I attend Techno Parade", underlined the minister who compared his presence to a "direct support" for the electronic musics.

"I like the shock of the generations, the periods, the times and of creations", it added, in reference to the Days of the Inheritance which it had launched the morning even.

7th Techno Parade was opened by the Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, and the former minister Jack Lang, at the side of Astroboy, character of the Japanese mangas become the icon of the amateurs of techno, behind a streamer where was registered: "Let dance to us", watchword of Technopol association.

Mr. Delanoë recalled that the town hall of Paris will dedicate "in a 2006" place to the electronic cultures in the theatre of lyric Gaîté, "among the headlight projects of the municipality".

"With the techno Parade, it is the combat for the freedom of expression and so that the city is not a universe of aggressiveness and loneliness", still Mr. Delanoë said.

For its part, Mr. Lang, which mixed with compact crowd within the procession and received innumerable handshakes on behalf of the young people of which it crossed the road, judged that Techno Parade contributed "to leave the techno the excommunication" but which it remained "still prejudices, fear, ignorance towards the electronic cultures and those which like this music".

In October, at the time of the Year of France in China, the sizes of the "French touch" mobilized Saturday, will take part in Shangaï with the first "Festival Dj French Touch" with the participation of Radio FG.

WP -- "the police officers and the services of the general Information present on site agreed to note a very clear increase in the participants".

HaHa! No doubt due to Astroboy being there!

More stuff about the techno parade. Beware, some of it is in French:

Each day brings its harvest of foutage of mouth, and those which did not completely go crazy can be satisfied with are delirious of the politicians and the journalists to realize that this country beats the countryside very seriously. There is a certain number of things which for a reason or another are GLOP, and instead of saying Glop-glop or in good orwellien, DOUBLEPLUSBON, the villains who control us and who take to us for idiots with an unsuspected degree bring out us the adjectives empathic of the novlangue moralo-victimaire, used in a perfectly incongruous way. Miko, Gervais, Pepsi-Cola and Ariel would never think of explaining us why it is necessary to buy Ariel because it is a detergent in the process of disappearance, Pepsi drinking because it is an alternate and minority drink, to eat Gervais ices because it is a basic right of the human person, to carry of Nike because it is culture, and to smoke of Dunhill because they are opprimmées cigarettes. The advertising executives take to us for crowned idiots, but compared to the politicians they show a respect inouï. [ NB it has the "ethical trade however there" which gains ground... ] Thus the Tass Agency pays to us without the least nuance of irony on behalf of the journalist, the impressions of will nomenklatura on the festif and French equivalent processions in onion row of Pyongyang and Havana, namely above "Techno Parade". As each one knows, the techno is a music of shit (in general), listened with a terrorist volume by young people shootes with the shit and has the exta, often on the property of others which they vandalisent in the passing. I suppose that with that, one can add some denatured middle-class men who encanaillent themselves. The techno enormously brings back money full to people whose one cannot say only the artistic talent equalizes that of Horowitz, nor even that of the least down-and-out ex-Soviet who plays of the accordion in the subway. The techno is a commercial form of défoulement, extremely vermin for the "residents" to which have imposes it. Défoulement of nothing concerns the politicians, if it is not that their work consists in sanctioning degradations and harmful effects which it causes. In addition, the so concerned politicians of risk zero, total safety and the principle of precaution, as well as public health, should (it is a minimum) thunder the young idiots who foutent themselves in the air in the happenings technos. One could deprive them of dessert, spin an adhesive to them, or force them to disencumber the table. It is what one does with the malicious motorists who make of the 135 on a deserted motorway or who roast a stop hidden by a bush. It is what would occur if the senile demagogues who régentent our private life were coherent with themselves. But they issued that the techno it was GLOP, undoubtedly because they have full with small buddies who put full the pockets with that of them, and also because they adore the mass, the mountains of undifferentiated individuals, embrigadés for trémousser in unison in a vast urban pigsty, that excites them, or rather that reassures them, because what could be more worrying for our princes than the individual in full possession of his reason and ready to say high what it thinks of them? With the consumer of ecstasy already ratatiné intellectually by the édukazion nazionale, with the trémoussages to make laugh pity macaques and ouistitis, with the thundering noise which reduces the pulp brain, no risk: one can continue to distribute the gifts, to organize his small orgies, and to be distributed the good juicy places in all peace. Teuf to nausea and a pinch "of alternation" to give the exchange, and the paradise of the untouchable, irresponsible apparatchik and above the laws is not close breaking down. Here how GLOP is said when one is called Lang or Delanouille:

Two DJ make dance crowd Saturday September 18, 2004 in Paris © AFP François GuillotPARIS (AFP - 15:06) - 600.000 people according to organizers', 100.000 according to the police force: a polemic started on the participation in Techno Parade, Saturday in Paris, whereas the "sound systems" still spit their decibels, places Bastille, in front of tens of thousands of young people, at the end of the parcours.Tous the observers agree to underline an multitude record for this new edition which crossed the capital, of Montparnasse to the Bastille, under a radiant sun.

The sun was radiant, as it should be. Ah, as I like these small discrete keys whose scribouillards of the AFP have the secrecy, to slip to us without seeming to touch there which it should be approved (or not) évenement in question. An attack in Iraq could be only "fatal", which would be a pleonasm if the epithet were not carefully selected according to the context, and the sun of the technoparade could be only "radiant".

In its edition of Sunday, the daily newspaper the Parisian one evokes a "delirious success". The year spent, Techno Parade had gathered 300.000 people according to organizers', 100.000 according to the police force, which constituted already a record. Brice Mourer, president de Technopol, the association of defense of the electronic musics which organizes walk, affirmed Saturday with the AFP that "the police officers and the services of the general Information present on site agreed to note a very clear increase in the participants".

With those which would wonder why the techno is glop, the answer is in this paragraph: the techno is ménacée of disappearance. The proof? There is a "association of defense of the electronic musics". The techno it is like the baby seals, the bear panda or the panther of snows (damage that one in did not release one in the medium of the bawlers). What can threaten the techno well? The news service of the Party undoubtedly thought that it was not convenient that we know it. There are undoubtedly the idiots who would like to kill the teufeurs who come ratiboiser their fields and to break the ears to them, with blow of buckshot. They already made the blow with the factory inspectors, these Robin of the wood of solidarity. Mistrust. There is also the lobby of the night clubs, which is undoubtedly not glop since they refuse the entry with the young beurs of the districts in difficulty, in all cases it is written in the newspaper. It mémés there which lives on the course of the techno parade, which is surely old and middle-class and crypto-lepenists, since they live in Paris and that in Paris it only mémés there which cannot make roller skate and do not find the techno-parade formidâble. There are all people who do not love the young people, since the young people like the techno, it is the ministry for the youth which said it.

"I am rather surprised that the Prefecture of Police force announced the same figure as last year...", added Mr. Mourer. Henri Maurel, president-founder of Radio FG which took part in the creation of Techno Parade in 1997, insists for its part on "the massive and popular reality of this immense festival of street where there was much more than 100.000 people".

1997 are the an(n)us horribilis which marks the seizure of power by the partisans of prohibition to prohibit, of the beach under the paving stones, and the free love at twelve years. Since this date, not only one day was not passed without a soixante-huitard not being devoted to its small exhibition in order to convince us at which point it is cool and at which point the middle-class men are wedged. This 7th edition involved in its swell, since the pavements and terraces of coffee, of tens of thousands of badauds of all generations, applauding the "teuffers". Of course the teuf achieves the unanimity. Because how not to like the techno? The State says that it is glop, that made of the noise, and that prevents from thinking, it is thus happiness. And only insane can be opposed to happiness. Only insane can consider that it is entitled to peace, so that the private life of the others does not encroach on his, to use the public highway to circulate there... insane which did not understand that in year II of the EFG, the individual does not count any more, only remain the organic masses of the social body, which stress in measurement and chorus the slogans anti it PEN, anti-Bush, anti-Goldstein, anti-rich person, anti-capitalists, under the crook of small the führers festifs of obligatory happiness. Because in year II of the EFG, whatever the subject, 80 % of French agree, except if it is a question of knowing which will be a president of the UMP or if the Holland collectivist is preferable to the Borloo collectivist. And maintaining a whore:

Le ministre de la Culture, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, arrivé vers 17h au pied de l'Institut du Monde arabe, s'est déclaré impressionné. "D'aussi près, en tant que ministre, c'est la première fois que j'assiste à la Techno Parade", a souligné le ministre qui a assimilé sa présence à un "soutien direct" aux musiques électroniques. "J'aime le choc des générations, des périodes, des époques et des créations", a-t-il ajouté, en référence aux Journées du Patrimoine qu'il avait lancées le matin même. Fin de l'intermède putassier. La 7e Techno Parade a été ouverte par le Maire de Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, et l'ancien ministre Jack Lang, au côté d'Astroboy, personnage des mangas japonais devenu l'icône des amateurs de techno, derrière une banderole où était inscrit : "Laissez-nous danser", mot d'ordre de l'association Technopol.

Ah, voilà pourquoi ils ont besoin de leur propre S.P.A. : il y a des méchants qui voudraient les empêcher de danser. On se demande bien pourquoi. Au fait, ça doit pas être très cool d'accoucher le jour de la techno-parade. Puisqu'on reporte les épreuves du bac pour la fête de la musique, on pourrait peut-être hospitaliser préventivement les femmes enceintes la veille de la techno-parade et de toute autre teuf où la rue est rendue à sa finalité première. Mais avec la gestion ultralibérale de l'hôpital, ça ne sera pas facile à faire passer.

M. Delanoë a rappelé que la mairie de Paris dédiera "en 2006" un lieu aux cultures électroniques dans le théâtre de la Gaîté lyrique, "parmi les projets phare de la municipalité".

Ah bon, c'est pas déjà fait ?

Maintenant retenez votre souffle, même Néron n'aurait pas trouvé ça :

"Avec la techno Parade, c'est le combat pour la liberté d'expression et pour que la ville ne soit pas un univers d'agressivité et de solitude", a dit encore M. Delanoë.

Alors là, je reste sans voix.

Les moeurs sexuelles de Delanouille déteignent sur son discours, je ne vois pas d'autre explication. Il faut avoir un vaste talent pour énoncer le contraire de ce qui est avec une pareille précision. Delanouille est le symptôme le plus fascinant de l'inversion des valeurs. Il est comme ces lésions du cerveau qui, judicieusement placées, permettent d'éclairer son fonctionnement. Delanoé lutte contre l'agressivité en agressant le peuple avec du bruit, il se bat pour la liberté d'expression avec des décibels qui empêchent de parler, et lutte contre la solitude avec de la "danse" où on se trémousse tout seul. Franchement, Bertrand, en bon collectiviste tu devrais promouvoir la danse des canards, la bourrée ou la sardane. Ce n'est pas parce qu'on est avec 600.000 autres imbéciles qu'on n'est pas désespérément seul ; seul par son incapacité à communiquer avec autrui, parce qu'on est privé du langage. D'ailleurs, dans le techno, il n'y a pas de paroles...

Et maintenant le clown officiel du régime :

Pour sa part, M. Lang, qui s'est mêlé à la foule compacte au sein du cortège et a reçu d'innombrables poignées de main de la part des jeunes dont il a croisé la route, a jugé que la Techno Parade contribuait à "sortir la techno de l'excommunication" mais qu'il restait "encore des préjugés, de la peur, de l'ignorance envers les cultures électroniques et ceux qui aiment cette musique".

Putain, c'est tout de même extraordinaire, la glaciale objectivité des journalistes professionnels du service public ! Moi je trouve que ça sonne mieux quand on annonce franchement la couleur :

Le Maréchal Pétain s'est mêlé à la foule compacte au sein du cortège et a reçu d'innombrables poignées de main de la part des jeunes dont il a croisé la route. Le Caudillo s'est mêlé à la foule compacte au sein du cortège et a reçu d'innombrables poignées de main de la part des jeunes dont il a croisé la route. Le Grand Timmonnier s'est mêlé à la foule compacte au sein du cortège et a reçu d'innombrables poignées de main de la part des jeunes dont il a croisé la route. Le Petit Père des Peuples s'est mêlé à la foule compacte au sein du cortège et a reçu d'innombrables poignées de main de la part des jeunes dont il a croisé la route.

A part ça, Djack confime le noeud du problème : la techno est mal aimée. Les gens sont wacistes, ils n'écoutent pas de techno. Ne pas écouter de techno c'est être paralysé par la peur de l'autre. Et la peur de l'autre est mère de toutes les injustices et de toutes les violences. Et l'Etat lutte contre ça en disant que la techno c'est glop et en forçant les gens à en écouter lors de la techno-parade pour qu'ils apprennent à surmonter leurs préjugés intolérants et leur peur de l'autre. Et accessoirement pour qu'ils apprennent à fermer leur gueule face aux décibels du régime.

antibruit

le 20/09/2004 à 20h57

Let smoke us! [ actu ] - @ 19:22:53

Small tower with the straight-pride this afternoon with Pingui , to see, listen to, and take photographs.

The techno parade, it is a little the initiative of the Town hall of Paris in direction of the 15-18 years and the junkies. One crosses there small ten very heteroclite tanks in their musical programming (of good the techno bourrine Berliner to the trance, via the rates/rhythms brésiloïdes). And around, under the volutes of green smoke, of the people who move a little, the muscles and the eyes anaesthetized by the THC. Même apathy on the tanks, even the dances of the circuits of the Loire by the Suzanne bus are more dynamic. One also does not cross badly idols of Romain Duris, look rasta, beautiful musical Scuménisme for a revolted youth, you see, counters the injustices of the world and the guys shitting who go taffer when us one is cools and that one is more with the listening of the vibrations of the world. Finally good, not too my kind.

If not, one can cross Astroboy and be made take in photograph with him, it is undoubtedly the funniest attraction of a long soft procession, filled of fêtards not festifs, a little as for an environment left box at 7 hours the morning, glances hâves and chests posted without no possible pride at unconscious beaufs of their sadness. The only smiles are those of the dealers, who have to make crowned deals today.

Addendum: 600 000 participants according to organizers', 100 000 according to the police force. Compared to crowd of the gay pride, I would say hardly 200 000 people. The organizers had to take courses of calculation at FO

Music

The "Techno Parade" makes vibrate the center of Paris

The center of Paris vibrated with the decibels of the "Techno Parade", whose some thirty floats or trucks of sound crossed five kilometers of streets of the capital under a radiating sun and almost summer temperatures.

The noisy caravan of the diverse types of electronic music, animated by about 150 DJ and accompanied by globes, left to first hour afternoon the Saturday of Montparnasse in the direction of its destiny, the seat of the Hem.

According to the organizers, 600,000 people participated in the "Techno Parade", whereas, according to the police, they were 100.000.

"Dejadnos to dance", said the poster of head of the manifestation, opened by the mayor of Paris, the Socialist Bertrand Delanoe, accompanied by its coreligionist and ex- minister of Culture Jack Lang, and that Lucia the official mascot of the event, "Astroboy".

Thousands of young people danced by the streets, with the hair dyed, or stiff with resistant super gel, and shining clothes (sometimes very little) of colors chillones.

Delanoe said that "I understand and I like music techno", that is "a form of art and expression of the youth of today", and remembered that the city council has decided to destine the premises of the theater of the Gaité Lyrique to "the electronic cultures".

Lang, on the other hand, recognized that music techno continues provoking "prejudices and fear".

In the Prefecture of police the telephone complaints of Parisians against the deafening noise of the "Parade" rained, culmination of the "electronic Encounter", that for one week have been offering to the fans musical conferences, guarded exhibitions and.

Astroboy picture from the parade!

October 24, 2004

Awesome bit of information here which briefly describes all episodes of the 60s series. It's a great read. Check it out.

http://en-f.tezuka.co.jp/anime/sakuhin/subtitle/ts002.html

1st Episode: The Birth of Astro Boy January 1, 1963

Dr. Tenma, Director General of the Science Ministry, loses his dearest son Tobio in an accident, so he decides to create the robot Astro Boy, who looks like Tobio, using the best of the Science Ministry's technology.

2nd Episode: Frankenstein January 8, 1963

Franken, who has been classified as an inferior product at the robot factory, harbors a violent hatred for humans. As a result, humans begin to say, "We cannot trust robots," and even start to persecute the good robots.

3rd Episode: Adventure on Mars January 15, 1963

Astro Boy is appointed leader of an exploration to Mars. Lieutenant Cap, who has to work for Astro Boy, however, rises in revolt against Astro Boy because he does not like the idea of robots ordering humans around.

4th Episode: Guernica January 22, 1963

Many cities fall one after another due to a huge group of monsters called "Guernica." Astro Boy fights against Guernica to save the people.

5th Episode: Sphinx January 29, 1963

Astro Boy is captured by a gang of thieves looking for treasures hidden in a Pyramid, and he tries to destroy the beast of the god Sphinx, which has a lion's body and the face of a beauty.

6th Episode: Lightning Man February 5, 1963

Skunk steals the invisible robot Denko that was made of paper glass, and releases prisoners from jail. He wants to use Denko in order to build an empire of gangs...

7th Episode: Captain Atom February 12, 1963

A swarm of aliens who look exactly like specific earthlings such as Dr. Ochanomizu and Higeoyaji immigrate to the Earth from a planet very similar to ours. However, a food shortage occurs, and humans begin to attack the aliens with cell-reducing fluid.

8th Episode: Ghost Manufacturing Machine February 19, 1963

Dr. Ochanomizu is taken away to the country Gorgonia, where he finds the Dictator Hillar's plot to conquer the world with a cloning machine, which is also a ghost-manufacturing machine that can make endless copies of any objects.

9th Episode: Black Looks February 26, 1963

A group called Black Looks sets out to exterminate robots, and they attack in succession. Astro Boy begins to fight against them.

10th Episode: The Fool Ivan March 5, 1963

Astro Boy lands on an unknown planet, where he finds the tomb of a female leader of an expedition and a stupid but faithful robot Ivan that guards the tomb.

11th Episode: Time Machine March 12, 1963

A boy who comes from the future is looking for his father, who has gone to capture ancient creatures and has never come back. So Astro Boy and the boy depart for the ancient world in search of the boy's father.

12th Episode: Cruciform Island March 19, 1963

Dr. Serizawa is an escaped convict trying to steal the underground resources of Cross Island by using the robot Puke that can transform itself into anything. He is planning to run away on a rocket. Astro Boy follows the man to Cross Island.

13th Episode: The Eyes of Christ March 26, 1963

A priest has marked one of the eyes of Jesus in the church before he dies. This seems to be a clue to the identity of a gang that had broken into the church. Now the same gang starts to go after Higeoyaji, who has discovered the gang's secret.

14th Episode: The Artificial Sun April 2, 1963

Suddenly an artificial sun appears. It is a threat to the world from the gang Kaito Kinsankaku. Astro Boy sets out to destroy the gang, together with detective Sherlock Homespan.

15th Episode: Plant People April 9, 1963

A flying disk from Planet Alfee is busily collecting water from the Earth. Astro Boy learns that they are collecting water for their hometown because it suffers a water shortage. Planet Alfee, however, had already been ruined...

16th Episode: The Vehicle, White Planet April 16, 1963

The vehicle "White Planet" participates in the Round-the-world Grand Prix, but a gang breaks it to prevent it from winning. So Dr. Ochanomizu offers to load White Planet with Astro Boy's artificial intelligence.

17th Episode: Robot Land April 23, 1963

"Robot Land" is a theme park where robots dressed as the main characters of children's books entertain children. In its underground factory, however, slave robots are forced to make weapons.

18th Episode: Gadem April 30, 1963

A gang tries to smuggle the robot Gadem, which begins to act violently in a passenger boat. Then Astro Boy, who happens to be on the boat, tries to stop them.

19th Episode: Astro Boy vs. Garon May 7, 1963

The robot Garon, who re-models planets, is transported to Earth by mistake, and humans consider attacking it with nuclear weapons. Astro Boy, however, takes to other means to face Garon.

20th Episode: Gaseous Beings May 14, 1963

A "gas man" enters into Dr. Ishizu's body in space, and comes back to the Earth. Then a number of gasmen enter into human bodies, and begin to act violently. Astro Boy challenges these invisible cosmic creatures to a fight.

21st Episode: SatelliteR-45 May 21, 1963

A member of the cosmic patrol is struggling against gangs. When Astro Boy comes to help him, however, he says that he does not need any help from a robot. He does not know that he is also a robot.

22nd Episode: Sea Serpent Island May 28, 1963

Astro Boy heads for Sea Serpent Island to rescue the girl Anna, who has been captured, but he is also caught. Moreover, Astro Boy's body begins to rust because the island is rich in salt...

23rd Episode: The Mutant June 4, 1963

A mysterious murder case occurs. Astro Boy happens to be on the scene and is arrested as a suspect. The real culprit, however, is a mutant created by X party, which plans to conquer the world.

24th Episode: The Submarine Kingdom June 11, 1963

Why don't we destroy humans and build a kingdom only of robots? Disposable bomb robots for a submarine kingdom make this suggestion to Astro Boy.

25th Episode: The Deep-underground Tank June 18, 1963

Dr. Jordan runs away from a president who plans to conquer the world. Astro Boy gets on a deep-underground tank with him to fight against the president. But they lose control of the tank and it begins to head toward a volcano.

26th Episode: Atlas June 25, 1963 Rendition:Hayashi Shigeyuki

Atlas has the same kind of power as Astro Boy, but he has an evil heart. For Astro Boy, the fight with Atlas means fighting with his own dark side.

27th Episode: Planet Pearl July 2, 1963

To build a submarine dam, bombs for construction work are set up in a place where inhabitants of Planet Pearl have been living secretly. When Astro Boy finds that out, he plays a major part in rescuing their community under the sea.

28th Episode: Mad Machine July 9, 1963

Mad Machine causes all machines to go wrong and malfunction. The machine goes out of control, and the city is thrown into chaos. Because Astro Boy is also a machine, he begins to malfunction...

29th Episode: The Memorable Day July 16, 1963

When Astro Boy gets inside the unfinished time machine in Jiro's room, he hears the voice of Jiro, who is supposed to be dead. Jiro might have traveled to another time and perhaps is having trouble coming back.

30th Episode: Fuhrer ZZZ July 23, 1963

The President of ZZZ Gang is so eager to conquer the world that he even kills his twin brother. So Astro Boy stands up to destroy his ambition.

31st Episode: The Black Cosmic Ray July 30, 1963

A monster appears in the city, and it turns out to be Dr. Dorian, who has been exiled to Mars. He turns into a monster because he cannot get cosmic X rays on the Earth.

32nd Episode: Hot Dog Corps August 6, 1963

Dr. Ponkotsu implants dogs with robot brains. Then the dogs form the "Hot Dog Army" to take on the humans.

33rd Episode: Two Magicians August 13, 1963

A man takes on the police with a robot thief. Then a gifted magician is suspected of theft, so he and Astro Boy go against the robot thief together.

34th Episode: Midoro Marsh August 20, 1963

35th Episode: The Human Farm August 27, 1963

Astro Boy sets out on a rocket to rescue people who have been kidnapped for use as livestock on a planet that looks like the Earth.

36th Episode: The Religion of Pui Pui September 3, 1963

The religious group "Pui Pui" is looking for a wonder drug that will give them immortality. Then Dr. Tatsuji, who has succeeded in developing such a drug, is taken away by the religious group. So Astro Boy fights them to ensure the peaceful use of the drug.

37th Episode: Uran September 10, 1963

Dr. Ochanomizu gives Astro Boy a younger sister as a birthday present. This younger sister Uran is a very cute girl, but she is such a tomboy that Astro Boy is kept terribly busy settling the confusion she causes.

38th Episode: The Disturbed Small Planet September 17, 1963

The small planet Mezusa goes out of its orbit and heads straight to the Earth. To save the Earth from a collision with the planet, Astro Boy heads for the planet with a convict who is a bomb professional.

39th Episode: Red Cat September 24, 1963

Dr. Shisoku despairs of human beings that continue the ongoing destruction of nature, and makes animals attack cities in his machine that hypnotizes with ultra short waves.

40th Episode: Neo Caesar October 1, 1963

A man named Caesar dreams of rebuilding the Roman Empire with robots under his control. However, he is destined to follow the same path that as that of Julius Caesar.

41st Episode: X Bomb October 8, 1963

X Bomb, which is capable of turning any substance to water, drops into the Pacific Ocean. There are fifty hours left till the explosion. Astro Boy goes to recollect it, but learns that Uran, who has followed him, has been swallowed along with the bomb by a whale.

42nd Episode: The Yellow Horse October 15, 1963

Astro Boy gets into a satellite owned by the drug smuggling organization "Yellow Horse." There, the members of the organization are secretly creating missiles for use in war.

43rd Episode: His Highness Dead Cross October 22, 1963

The robot president Rag is the target of an assassin. Then Astro Boy finds out that the culprit is Dead Cross, Rag's creator. He had created Rag to run in the presidential election, but when Rag gets elected, he begins to hold a grudge against Rag.

44th Episode: The Egyptian Conspirators October 29, 1963

Uran is kidnapped. She is made a hostage in an operation to steal Cleopatra's necklace from Astro Boy. The gang of conspirators believes that whoever possesses the necklace can build the greatest empire in the world.

45th Episode: Cleopatra's Necklace November 5, 1963

The gang of conspirators obtains the coveted necklace, and at last sets about conquering the world. However, Astro Boy stands in the way of their boss, Cleopatra.

46th Episode: The Robot Spaceship November 12, 1963

The robot spaceship "Lever Robot" is stolen. Astro Boy is sent to retrieve it, but in the process has his energy stolen.

47th Episode: The Cosmic Crab November 19, 1963

Ham egg exchanges a pig from the Earth for the huge crab that the alien Pork has. He is trying to make a lot of money by making a show of the creature in a circus...

48th Episode: The Tenma Tribe November 26, 1963

Nuu, member of the Tenma Tribe, a rarely seen race of people, comes from the depths of the mountains of Mongolia. People rush to the city just to try and see Nuu, throwing the city into a big chaos. Moreover, a gang plots behind the scenes to capture Nuu.

49th Episode: Transparent Giant December 3, 1963

Dr. Hanabusa develops an electrical transmitter for substances. No sooner does he get into the machine for testing than his rival scientist breaks the machine, which makes Dr. Hanabusa an invisible man. Astro Boy tries to save the doctor.

50th Episode: Astro Boy Goes to the West December 10, 1963

To find Hekku, who had departed to the west in the past but has not returned yet, Astro Boy and Higeoyaji also travel back in time.

51st Episode: The Little Elephant Pura December 17, 1963

The robot elephant Zora malfunctions and runs away into the jungle. There, Astro Boy is taking care of a little elephant Pura that has gotten separated from its fellows.

52nd Episode: The Snow Lion December 24, 1963

An old man who comes from Planet Regel to the Earth brings a snow lion with him. Then, aliens from Planet Regel start to spray cosmic snow that sucks up all energy... Astro Boy takes off for space to save the Earth, where cities have stopped functioning.

53rd Episode: Goodbye 1963 December 31, 1963

It is New Year's Eve, 1963. Uran finds a picture while cleaning the house. With the picture as a clue, Astro Boy and Dr. Ochanomizu begin to piece together the past. This episode is a special edition that includes an introduction of "The making of the film of Astro Boy."

54th Episode: Duel on the Alps January 4, 1964

Dr. Tenma, who once dumped his "child" Astro Boy, wants him back and asks the gang Skunk for help. Skunk's group, the "Illusionary Club," succeeds in abducting Astro Boy and his family...

55th Episode: Rejuvenating Gas January 18, 1964

The royal family of the palace satellite Yoranna gets what they are told is "rejuvenating gas" from earthlings. When it turns out to be just teargas, however, they launch an H-bomb missile toward the Earth in retaliation.

56th Episode: Earth Defense Army January 25, 1964

Aliens planning to collect information about the Earth abduct Dr. Ochanomizu. Atom, on a mission to rescue the doctor, visits Earth Defense Base on the moon, but the aliens destroy the base.

(In color)

57th Episode: Robot School February 1, 1964

Humans can see the beauty of things and be impressed by them. In order to learn these feelings, called "heart," Atom, Uran and Lara start attending a robot school.

58th Episode: The Thirteen Mysterious Statues of God February 8, 1964

Atom and Dr. Ochanomizu decipher ancient code of 200,000 years ago. Discovering that hidden hints in the thirteen statues of god in Western Island might lead them to the secrets of outer space, they head for the island.

59th Episode: The Robot Buron X February 15, 1964

Gaston, who has stolen a blueprint of a robot from a UFO requests the Science Ministry to build the robot exactly as shown on the blueprint, without indicating its source. The completed robot Buron turns out to be a destructive weapon, and starts to destroy everything.

60th Episode: The Demon Bees February 22, 1964

61st Episode: Space Parasites February 29, 1964

The last of the Nazis demand the government of the Earth to turn over the planet, threatening to shower it with space parasites. When the government refuses to surrender, a group of UFOs containing space parasites come swarming toward the Earth.

62nd Episode: The Phantom Ship March 7, 1964

Wishing to have a "heart" like a human, Atom has his body equipped with a heart that can feel fear. Soon after, a phantom ship appears over the Indian Ocean. Atom is sent to investigate it, but he is scared out of his wits.

63rd Episode: The Artificial Iceberg March 14, 1964

Dr. Zulu places a bomb in an artificial iceberg and tries to trigger a flood. Discovering the plot, Atom sets out to prevent the explosion, but...

64th Episode: Count Bat March 21, 1964

Tick and Tack get lost in the depths of the Unzen Mountain, and decide to stay for a night in a deserted house inhabited by a vampire. The vampire (Dr. Pedan) tries to turn Tick into a vampire, but Atom comes to rescue them.

65th Episode: Brave Escapee March 28, 1964

A massive tidal wave breaks. Atom flies up to stop the wave, but crashes into the sea. Then an escapee robot Boggy saves the unconscious Atom.

66th Episode: The Space Viking April 4, 1964

In order to rid the earth of space pirates, Atom destroys their mother ship. The pirates, however, are holding some hostages and demand that Atom withdraw. Atom is helpless.

67th Episode: Heroes of the Night April 11, 1964

While playing in the toy section, Uran imbues some of the toys with artificial intelligence. Among these are some with evil hearts. Atom asks the good toys to help him stop the bad dolls from doing misdeeds.

68th Episode: Rebellion of the Dinosaur People April 25, 1964

Atom is babysitting in an ancient amusement park when a dragon flies off with a small child in front of his. Then the dinosaurs demand food for ransom. So Atom...

69th Episode: The Secret of the Clock Tower May 2, 1964

Dr. Temp, who has completed his killing-beam machine, is planning to ruin the "Conference of Scientists." Discovering the plot, Atom takes on the doctor.

70th Episode: Rafflesia May 9, 1964

Rafflesia, the largest flower on earth, is found to be in fact a plant man from outer space. This flower, which needs radioactivity to survive, is stronger than it looks, and even Atom is no match for it.

71st Episode: The Last Day of Earth May 16, 1964 Screenplay: Yamamoto Eichi Rendition: Yamamoto Eichi

"Red Star" is heading toward the Earth. Watching Atom struggle to save the Earth from a collision, Bem, a high-powered bomb robot, decides that the only way to save the Earth and Atom is to blow himself up.

72nd Episode: 7 Days of Drifting in Space May 23, 1964

Atom is chasing gangs who have run away by rocket. Then he finds them in a shelter station being attacked by aliens. He helps the gangs, but finds himself drifting in space with them after the station is destroyed.

73rd Episode: Big Titan June 6, 1964

The daughter of Dr. Putt, a descendant of the Mohican tribe, is kidnapped. When he sees Uran, who is a look-alike of his daughter, he takes Atom and his fellows for the kidnappers.

74th Episode: Earth Expedition June 13, 1964

It is thought that a highly advanced civilization might exist underground. To test this hypothesis, Atom and Uran set out on an underground expedition. There they get attacked by underground men.

75th Episode: Flying City June 20, 1964

In order to collect the hidden treasures of the Inca that are scattered around the world, the old man Kapack, who has the power to move things with his mind, asks Tondale for help. Tondale, however, plans to get all the gold to himself, and starts an attack on the world with a special machine that enhances mind power.

76th Episode: The Monster Machine June 27, 1964

Dr. Morse succeeds in corresponding with Planet Paranoia, which is more civilized than the Earth. With the help of Atom, the doctor assembles a mysterious box following the instructions on a blueprint sent from the planet, but...

77th Episode: Cape Town Lullaby July 4, 1964

A boy named "Looks" is deeply attached to the robot that has brought him up. He loves the robot as if it were his mother. From the day the robot is destroyed by another robot, he begins to hate all robots. Then he forms an exclusive organization called "Black Looks," and starts to oppress robots...

78th Episode: The World in Five Hundred Thousand Years July 11, 1964

Atom and his friends jump into the far future world by accident. There, they see the cruel Pepper tribe treating their enemy tribes as slaves.

79th Episode: Dr. Brain July 18, 1964

Dr. Kanekura kills world famous brain surgeon Dr. Ibal, making it look like an accident. Since the incident, a strange robot named Friday follows him around. In truth, Dr. Ibal's brain waves are controlling the robot.

80th Episode: Humanoid Bill July 25, 1964

Atom meets a strange creature in the wooded outskirts of Tokyo. It is a humanoid, a product of science. The humanoid named Bill does not know whether he is a creature or a machine.

81st Episode: Dreaming Machine August 1, 1964

What kind of dreams do robots have? Atom participates in an experiment of a dream machine created by Dr. Poron, and becomes the first robot that dreams. In his dream, he turns into a human.

82nd Episode: The Robot Olympics August 15, 1964

Atom participates in the Olympic games for robots, where he finds a group of robots destroying other participants in a vicious act of sabotage designed to ensure that they win the games.

83rd Episode: The Strange Bird, Garuda August 22, 1964

Dr. Raja, who believes in the Indian god of destruction Carley, creates a robot bird. Then it comes flying over Japan. The bird Garuda demands Atom as a sacrifice to Carley...

84th Episode: The Dolphin Civilization August 29, 1964

Claiming to possess every inch of the ocean floor, Hall tries to build an autocratic submarine civilization. He starts to persecute the aboriginal Dolphin tribe. Atom stands up to preserve the peace on the ocean floor.

85th Episode: The Demented Beltway September 5, 1964

One of the latest means of traffic the new city boasts, the Beltway, is almost complete. However, someone tries to obstruct its construction, setting the site aflame. Atom sets off to protect the Beltway.

86th Episode: The Time Gun September 12, 1964

Dr. Tempo is waiting for a chance to become the next director of the Science Ministry. With his time gun that can send its targets to the past, he sends the bothersome Atom and Dr. Ochanomizu to the middle Ages.

87th Episode: Princess Kaguya (new) September 19, 1964

Atom exchanges messages with a star nymph, and sets out on an expedition to find the pure water the nymph needs. The star nymph is, in fact, a princess of the Planet Keios. She is trying to turn into a cocoon with pure water on a full-moon night in preparation for emergence.

88th Episode: The Bacteria Corps September 26, 1964

The pilot of a rocket that has made an emergency landing is suffering from a strange disease. After they hear a voice from within the pilot's body, Atom and Higeoyaji are reduced to tiny figures, and get into the body. Inside, they see bacteria-sized aliens.

89th Episode: Gomes' Ghost October 3, 1964

Dr. Ochanomizu accepts a request to repair robots in the Scambo Empire. The robot he repairs, however, turns out to be the president of the Empire. The doctor's life is in danger, as he now knows the secret.

90th Episode: The Robot Fortress October 10, 1964

A robot child has a fight with a human child, making the child cry. The humans become angry when they hear this, and a war breaks out between humans and robots.

91st Episode: Garon's Counterattack October 24, 1964

Garon, a robot Atom has sent back to space, comes back. Seeing Atom struggle hard to fend off Garon, the Earth Robot Army stand together to attack Garon.

92nd Episode: Three Robot Knights October 31, 1964

In order to save patients suffering from space disease on Mars, a serum is sent to Mars from the Earth. All the transport ships carrying the serum, however, get destroyed on their way. Atom, together with the three robot knights, goes into space to protect the last of the serum.

93rd Episode: Cobalt November 7, 1964

There is a robot that has been dumped along with other junk during the cleaning of the warehouse in the Science Ministry. It is a prototype of Atom, made by Dr. Tenma, named Cobalt. When Cobalt wakes from sleep, he tries to go back to the Science Ministry, but...

94th Episode: Angel in the Alps November 14, 1964

The construction of a dam near the Bering Strait is hampered by difficulties. Dr. Zeman's research is required to solve the problem. Atom goes to ask for help from the doctor who lives a secluded life in the depth of the Alps because of his hatred for civilization. Atom, however, finds the doctor being attacked by another robot that is after the research material.

95th Episode: The Evil Punch Card November 21, 1964

A missile base is completely controlled by computer. Now, the computer is out of control, setting the stage for nuclear attack. In fact, this is a means of personal revenge by Dr. Yakoref, who has lost the competition for the design of the base. Atom starts to disassemble the computer, but...

96th Episode: Robot Future November 28, 1964

Dr. Akuta, who is after the gold ingot on Mars, controls a robot called "Future." The robot, however, becomes humble after hearing out Atom. Then Atom and Future pursue the doctor, who has run away with the gold ingot.

97th Episode: Confrontation in Space December 5, 1964

Planet Hyper is the most civilized planet in the galactic system. Now it chooses a pair of a human and a robot each from both the Earth and Planet War to have them fight against each other, and decides to destroy the loser's planet. Atom and Ponkotsu Tetsu, the safebreaker, are chosen to represent the Earth.

98th Episode: Zeo's Legacy December 12, 1964

A big robot is excavated from the construction site of a tunnel. It turns out to be a time capsule that was created to pass down information on a super ancient civilization of a million years ago to posterity.

99th Episode: Little Columbus December 19, 1964

Colon-bu-bu, the explorer of the underground state of Chombo, heads for the ground hoping to see a new world. Then he meets Cobalt, and takes him underground as prisoner.

100th Episode: The Robot House December 26, 1964

On Christmas night, Dr. Ochanomizu opens the will of his scientist friend who died 10 years before. It says that he has left an invention in Bururu Mountain. Atom and his friends happen to be on the mountain, and encounter a boy called Akio who lives alone there. They become friends, but...

101st Episode: The Unmapped World January 2, 1965

The visiting Prince Dorian of the Camellia Kingdom disappears. Atom goes searching for him using the latest four-dimensional detection device, and finds the prince wandering in another world. That world is inhabited by people who have been spirited away from various time periods.

102nd Episode: Queen of the Devils' Place January 9, 1965

Uran is going to be in a movie. Her role is Tarzan. When she goes on location to the jungle, however, a mysterious woman takes her away. The woman is planning to make Uran, who is dressed as a boy, a prince of the demon's place-a place where nobody grows old.

103rd Episode: Stairs Leading into Space January 16, 1965

Humans are drawn toward a flight of stairs that suddenly appear one day, and they start to walk toward a spaceship hidden among the clouds. When there are no humans left on earth, the robots start to talk about taking over the planet.

104th Episode: The Devil's Balloon January 23, 1965

A balloon in the shape of Atom appears over the city. Children love Atom so much that they begin to run after the balloon and disappear. Because such incidents frequently occur, Atom comes to be regarded as a fearful enemy of children.

105th Episode: General Atom January 30, 1965

Atom is shot by a maser gun that ruins artificial intelligence. He loses all his memory, and is shot away into space.

106th Episode: The Boy from Outer Space February 6, 1965

Ham Egg sees a UFO in the woods that seems to have made an emergency landing, and finds an alien child. He notices the child's super strength, and plans to win the child fame as a wrestler.

107th Episode: Release of the Earth February 13, 1965

Atom is involved in an explosion during the construction of a dam. The impact sends him into a parallel world where Tobio, the son of Dr. Tenma, never died in an accident that killed him in our world. In other words, it is a world where Atom has not been born.

108th Episode: Saturn Man February 20, 1965

Three scientists gain supernatural power on the surface of the moon. Then Dr. Arden- who has a grudge against Dr. Ochanomizu-stages an attack against him. In order to protect Dr. Ochanomizu, Atom fights fiercely against the scientists who have supernatural power.

109th Episode: Phoenix February 27, 1965

Atom finds a big egg in a cave on a little island where he is playing with Uran. He asks Dr. Ochanomizu to identify the egg, but they are unsuccessful. So Atom goes back to the island, where he encounters a strange bird that lives there.

110th Episode: Expedition on Mercury March 6, 1965

Atom is investigating a super thermal bomb that has fallen on earth. Then he heads for Mercury to find its launching site. On his way, however, Atom loses his sight in an accident, and gets involved in a power struggle with aliens on Mercury.

111th Episode: Robot Polymer March 13, 1965

Claiming to be the strongest robot in the world, the huge conceited robot Polymer makes a raid on Atom's house. He tries to show that he is the strongest of all by defeating Atom, but...

112th Episode: Samson's Hair March 27, 1965

Dr. Ochanomizu succeeds in developing the robot Samson, who is activated by solar power. Samson, however, malfunctions and becomes violent when exposed to moonlight.

113th Episode: "Back," the Country without Laughter April 3, 1965

A country called "Back" suddenly withdraws from the World Peace Union, and announces to its people a ban on invention and laughter. Atom and Dr. Ochanomizu visit the country to find out what is behind this closed-door dictatorial policy.

114th Episode: Metro Monster April 10, 1965

A huge slug appears in a subway station yard, and begins to eat trains. Atom sets out to destroy it, but the slug proves to be a much tougher enemy as it appears in unexpected places.

115th Episode: The Big Runaway Safe April 17, 1965

The machines in the Mint Bureau experience accumulated stress due to overwork. So they are given hands and legs so that they can rest for a day. Once the machines have known the freedom and joy of moving around, they begin to run away from work.

116th Episode: The Biggest Robot on Earth (part one) April 24, 1965 Screenplay: Tezuka Osamu Rendition: Shibayama Tatsuo

The strongest of all robots, Pluto, has electromagnetic horns that can destroy anything. Pluto destroys the world's most powerful robots one by one. Depicted here is Atom's hard struggle to challenge this mighty enemy.

117th Episode: The Biggest Robot on Earth (part two) May 1, 1965 Screenplay: Ishitsu Arashi Rendition: Uenashi Mitsuo

The strongest of all robots, Pluto, has electromagnetic horns that can destroy anything. Pluto destroys the world's most powerful robots one by one. Depicted here is Atom's hard struggle to challenge this mighty enemy.

118th Episode: Robot Grabby May 8, 1965

A robot named Grabby is a 1/2 G fighter robot that has run away from a country called Nickrasia. Atom tries to help Grabby, who is too gentle to live as a weapon.

119th Episode: The Flying Lens May 15, 1965

Planet M, shaped like a convex lens, is approaching the Earth. It reflects solar light toward the Earth, turning its surface into an incandescent hell. Humans, however, cannot cooperate in tackling this global issue because they all motivated by their own greed.

120th Episode: Time Hunter May 22, 1965

(Remake of 11th episode " Time Machine")

121st Episode: Ganimate May 29, 1965

Atom and Dr. Ochanomizu wander into a space graveyard that lies outside every sphere of gravitation, drifting in space forever. Then an earthling named Bemski, who hates the Earth, rescues them, and...

122nd Episode: The Monster Mantler June 5, 1965

A big earthquake wipes out the city. Atom is buried under a collapsed building, but still manages to fight a huge monster that has appeared in the city. Unfortunately Atom has lost his seven powers during the earthquake.

123rd Episode: Captain Dog June 19, 1965

Higeoyaji's pet dog Pero has a diamond that it takes back from space. Then Dr. Fooler puts Pero's memory into the computer of Captain Dog, the robot dog, to make it find diamonds. Atom follows the robot-dog, which is heading for Mars.

124th Episode: Parting Gift July 3, 1965

An alien who comes to the Earth as an ambassador of friendship leaves a present for Dr. Ochanomizu. It is a blueprint of a highly efficient robot. When he assembles it, it turns out to be a robot that can offer the best of services to humans. Dr. Ochanomizu is pleased, envisioning a more comfortable life for humans, however...

125th Episode: Find the Bacteria July 10, 1965

A petri dish containing the bacteria of a dreadful infectious disease is lost by a simple mistake. In order to protect humans from the danger of biohazard, Atom flies off to the depths of the Himalayas following the trail of the bacteria.

126th Episode: Roboids July 17, 1965 Screenplay: Toriumi Jinzo Rendition: Takagi Atsushi

An army of Roboids that look like robots but are extremely close to creatures come to the Earth from the outer space. Dr. Ochanomizu sends all the robots on earth to fight off the Roboid Army, but the robots are destroyed one after another by the mighty foes.

127th Episode: The Experimental Robot July 24, 1965

"Please help me," a robot pleads as runs into the house of Dr. Ochanomizu. He tells the doctor that in a country called Yumani, the science minister Mooshy is demolishing robots in an experiment. So Dr. Ochanomizu and Atom travel to the country, but...

128th Episode: Treasures of the Inca Empire July 31, 1965

A passenger plane flying over the Amazon crashes. Atom, who is on board, saves a girl called Milly who has a map showing the places where treasures of the Inca Empire are hidden. But a group of men looking for the treasures are after her.

129th Episode: Atom vs. Atom August 14, 1965

A fake Atom, equipped with 200,000 horsepower, appears. This robot has been created to beat Atom by gangs around the world who have always been beaten by him.

130th Episode: The Storm on Mars August 21, 1965

Strange incidents occur frequently at the construction site of a base on Mars. Robots are also being demolished one after another. When Atom and his friends travel there to investigate, a gigantic army of ants attacks them.

131st Episode: The Moon Champion August 28, 1965

Shooting, fencing, an obstacle race, and wrestling: Atom wins easily in these four games, advancing to the final league of the Moon Champion. However, war robot Goram, controlled by Ham Egg, starts to get in Atom's way.

132nd Episode: Prince Louis September 4, 1965

The mother of Prince Louis steals Shadow II, a new-style robot designed for spying. She is planning to replace her son's body with the latest robot. She does not know that ShadowIIis loaded with a time bomb...

133rd Episode: Revenge After Ten Years September 11, 1965

The ordinary robot Riboryu suddenly turns violent and lets Dr. Marus and his accomplices escape from jail. Riboryu has been preprogrammed to save Dr. Marus after ten years.

134th Episode: Operation Escape September 18, 1965

Dr. Elite, who has succeeded in developing a high-speed rocket engine, is taken away with his daughter to a country called Dark. When Atom receives an SOS message through a carrier pigeon, he sets out to bring them back from Dark. However, the doctor is scared of flying, so they have to escape by other means.

135th Episode: The Robot-Dog Backy September 25, 1965

Atom goes to see a robot-dog contest with Dr. Ochanomizu. There, Atom becomes aware of poor stray robot-dogs left behind in the shadow of more beautiful, more accomplished robot-dogs. He feels sorry for the forgotten dogs.

136th Episode: Inspector Jaguar October 2, 1965

Police inspector Jaguar is the only robot that is allowed to arrest humans. A group of people, however, takes this as an insult and set a trap for the inspector.

137th Episode: Little Cooley October 9, 1965

A sister-robot and her younger brother-robot run away from a space station and head for the Earth. The two robots are equipped with heat resistant devices that enable them to work near the sun. When their bodies touch each other, the surrounding temperature rapidly drops. If they come to the Earth, everything will freeze...

138th Episode: A Long Day October 16, 1965

Abnormal weather suddenly hits the Earth. After an investigation, it becomes clear that the problem has been caused by Earth's orbit having gone astray. Then Atom realizes that behind this are evil aliens trying to destroy the Earth.

139th Episode: Astro Boy Stolen October 23, 1965

It is an injustice that robots should never grow up, thinks a new scientist who has been appointed to the Science Ministry. He puts Atom's artificial intelligence into the body of an adult robot. Meanwhile someone steals Atom's body.

140th Episode: The King and Atom October 30, 1965

Puka-Puka Island is a southern island. In its animal kingdom, however, is a white bear that cannot exist on a southern island. Atom and his friends head for Puka-Puka Island to find out why the bear is there, but an unseen enemy obstructs their way and makes it impossible for them to approach the island.

141st Episode: The Locomotive March November 6, 1965

Children love March, an atomic-powered locomotive. Getting jealous of its popularity, Gold challenges March with another locomotive called "Horsepower." The match starts based on a rule that the loser has to be disassembled. Gold obstructs March by various means.

142nd Episode: Minya's Star November 13, 1965

There is a diary of a female soldier who never had the chance to return to Earth after her emergency landing on an ice planet. Now Atom, who is riding on a sightseeing rocket, is forced to land on the same planet, and finds the diary. Then humans begin to quarrel shamefully over the two diamonds mentioned in the diary.

143rd Episode: Bird Street Story November 20, 1965

Bird Street, is a preserved 20th century-street where robot boys and human boys confront each other in endless petty quarrels. A robot boys ask Atom to join them, but...

144th Episode: Lost Friendship November 27, 1965

Atom saves Robot Muller from villains, and a friendship develops between them. Muller plays happily with Atom and Uran, but in fact he is a robot for terrorist use, made to destroy a nuclear power plant.

145th Episode: Atom in the Deep Sea December 4, 1965

Dr. Ochanomizu assigns Atom a new mission that requires him to find an H-bomb plane from the deep waters and to defuse it. Then Atom's mother becomes angry because he is always summoned for dangerous missions.

146th Episode: Report from the Future December 11, 1965

Dr. Muder reports, "Tomorrow, robots will start a rebellion" when he comes back from a time machine trip to the next day. Hearing this, humans start a riot, shouting that the robots should be destroyed now. The scared robots run into a fortress.

147th Episode: Mid-air Screen December 18, 1965

A machine for projecting pictures in the air has recently been invented. Then the owner of a theater steals it, and starts to take away energy from machines and robots in order to get enough energy for screening.

148th Episode: Robio and Robiet December 25, 1965

The Ijio family and the Yani family have been on bad terms for generations. The robots made by the doctors in each family also hate each other. Between these enemy families, however, a fragile love begins to grow, and...

149th Episode: The Can Capriccio January 1, 1966

A can with a parachute falls from the sky on Atom's house on New Year's Day. He tries hard to open it without success. Meanwhile, a can opener falls from the sky in a different place...

150th Episode: Miss Magnet January 8, 1966

Miss Magnet produces strong magnetic force when she laughs. One day a group of gangs abduct Dr. Tera, the one who created her. They are planning to rob a bank using Miss Magnet's power.

151st Episode: Lonely Atom January 15, 1965

Robot Pulse hypnotizes Dr. Ochanomizu to develop Lucky Machine, a machine that controls the human brain. Then people manipulated by its hypnotizing radio wave start to ignore Atom, leaving him all alone.

152nd Episode: The Robot Bombs January 22, 1966

Robot Bomb Wide wants to be useful to humans. So takes to attacking Atom, mistaking him for a bad robot.

153rd Episode: The Red Merry-Go-Round January 29, 1966

Uran is on a merry-go-round in an amusement park when she disappears. The merry-go-round turns out to be an electrical transmitter for sending certain substances that was made by Dr. Umazuki, who lost his daughter and horse ten years before.

154th Episode: Blue Bird Story February 5, 1966

Whenever it hears small birds crying out for help, a robot named Blue Bird rescues them, sometimes even wrecking a building if necessary. Now Blue Bird is trying to rescue a small bird that has wandered into a nuclear power plant...

155th Episode: The Crazed Boundary February 12, 1966

In a terrifying country called Libea, robots are under constant surveillance and are sent to an asylum if they disobey orders. Atom sneaks into the asylum to rescue the oppressed robots.

156th Episode: Robot Mayor February 19, 1966

Atom and his friends visit a city governed by a robot mayor. The artificial intelligence of the popular mayor, however, turns out to be malfunctioning. When Atom realizes this, he thinks the mayor should not continue his work any more, but...

157th Episode: Gypsy's Star February 26, 1966

A robot planet Kipia has drifted into space, and now it is approaching the Earth. When Atom sets out to investigate the planet, he finds that the Kipia people want to make friends with earthlings. Then, in pursuit of Kipia appears the robot planet Garoa, the destroyer of civilization.

158th Episode: Funny Companion March 5, 1966

There is a pair of handcuffs that are impossible to take off from a villain's wrists unless he mends his ways. Atom gets handcuffed with a thief by accident, and has to go to jail with him because he cannot mend his ways.

159th Episode: Devil and Angel March 19, 1966

Gifted botanist Leaf has created the plant people Freru and Zaboa. Freru is fair like an angel, while Zaboa is an evil monster. When Zaboa becomes violent in the city, Atom and Freru set out to stop Zaboa.

160th Episode: The Golden Flute March 26, 1966

The flute expresses the player's feelings through its tunes. Ryuryu, who possesses the flute, comes to Japan in search of her beloved grandfather, but...

161st Episode: Dream-selling Aliens April 2, 1966

The artificial intelligence of all robots goes awry because of some strange radio waves from space. Dr. Ochanomizu, at a loss as to what to do, has to make the difficult decision of cutting the energy supply of all robots...

162nd Episode: Operation Candy April 9, 1966

Atom's friend Carl immigrates to Brazil, where he gets eaten by a dreadful monster. Carl's father sends Atom some articles left by his son, but the monster's egg is mixed among those articles.

163rd Episode: Road to Another World April 16, 1966

A flaming car disappears as if being swallowed up in another dimension, leaving behind a silver coin that was used in the ancient civilization of the Mu continent. Atom tries to solve the mystery of Mu.

164th Episode: The Space Spider April 23, 1966

Atom and Dr. Ochanomizu investigate a UFO. Judging the empty disk dangerous, they stage an attack on it with a missile. Then a huge spider appears from the same type of disk that has landed on earth, and starts attacking humans.

165th Episode: A Great Fuss over Babies April 30, 1966

The king and queen of Family Kingdom are distressed at not being able to have a baby. So they decide to adopt a baby robot that wins a contest. Dr. Ochanomizu also participates in the contest with his robot, but...

166th Episode: The Jewel-Eating Monster May 7, 1966

Since the science ministries of the world refuse to stop producing war weapons, Dr. Jugemu starts to destroy the ministries with a monster figure that produces tremendous power when it consumes jewels.

167th Episode: Plenty of Balloons May 14, 1966

Uncle Poi, who works in a toy factory, is making balloons with hydrogen gas for children. When the machine goes out of order, numerous balloons fly up in the sky. If they are left alone, the balloons may explode violently.

168th Episode: The Island That Jumped Up May 21, 1966

Newsta Island, which had suddenly appeared, is now attracting a good number of tourists as a resort. When Atom and his friends visit the island, a big earthquake occurs. Then Atom realizes that the island, in fact, is a UFO.

169th Episode: Gift from the Future May 28, 1966

People on a time machine from the future leave something behind on earth. It turns out to be a dinosaur that existed in ancient times on Earth. Atom and Uran love the dinosaur and keep it as a pet, but...

170th Episode: Two Princesses June 4, 1966

Two princesses are fighting over sovereignty in a certain country. The princess of the northern castle asks Atom for his cooperation, thus involving him in their dispute.

171st Episode: Kutcher Forever June 11, 1966

Dr. Kutcher, inventor of artificial intelligence, is dead. People become crazy trying to uncover his immense legacy. In the middle of this, Atom receives a message from the doctor who is supposed to be dead.

172nd Episode: The Herald Brothers June 25, 1966 Rendition: Kataoka Chuzo

The Herald brothers are trying to defeat every robot in the world. Dr. Herald, disguised as a robot, is controlling them. Then he even captures Atom.

173rd Episode: Robotty July 2, 1966

Robotty is a robot of a size smaller than a tiny bean. He asks Dr. Ochanomizu to make a robot-friend for him because he feels lonely all by himself. So Dr. Ochanomizu makes a robot of the same size for him.

174th Episode: The Great Submarine Canal July 9, 1966

Strange incidents start occurring, such as an event where a vessel that had disappeared in the Japan Sea turns up in the Pacific Ocean. Dr. Ochanomizu thinks that there could be a submarine canal right beneath Japan. So Atom goes in search of the canal, and encounters subterranean people on the ocean floor.

175th Episode: Robot Wars (part one) July 23, 1966

Super artificial intelligence robot Logos threatens to melt the ice on the South Pole and to sink the world into the ocean unless the world surrenders. In response to this threat, Atom and his friends go off to destroy Logos.

176th Episode: Robot Wars (part two) July 30, 1966

Super artificial intelligence robot Logos threatens to melt the ice on the South Pole and to sink the world into the ocean unless the world surrenders. In response to this threat, Atom and his friends go off to destroy Logos.

177th Episode: The Gigantic Robot August 6, 1966

In a country called Herenia, the national budget is all used to make the world's largest robot Gorem. The robot, however, turns violent because its artificial intelligence is imperfect.

178th Episode: Chi-tan's Nighttime Adventure August 20, 1966

Uran secretly takes the baby robot Chi-tan to a robot hospital to make it speak. A robot machine, however, remodels Chi-tan at its discretion. Chi-tan becomes huge, and turns violent in the city.

181st Episode: Ghost Manufacturing Machine September 10, 1966 Screenplay: Tomino Yoshiyuki Rendition: Tomino Yoshiyuki

Dictator Hiller takes Dr. Ochanomizu away, and tries to coerce the doctor into making Hiler clones on a massive scale in order to conquer the world. Atom heads to a country called Boruboa to rescue the doctor.

182nd Episode: Demented Cobalt September 24, 1966

Atom is asked to cooperate in defeating the dictator of Planet Batra, and he heads for the planet. The dictator Gammer, however, lures Cobalt out and turns him to a robot that will never disobey him. Now Atom has to fight against his own brother.

183rd Episode: Japanese People from Space October 1, 1966

58 million aliens that look exactly like Japanese people immigrate to Japan, causing a serious food shortage. An alien scientist Dohyar plans to take over Japan by making Japanese people small with cell-reducing fluid. (Remake of the 7th episode "Captain Atom")

184th Episode: Time War October 8, 1966

People who have white blood come from the future with Robot Jijiru following them. Blood transfusion are needed to save them. When Atom and Dr. Ochanomizu fly to the future, they discover a post- nuclear war-world. Man has become extinct, and there is a continuous war between artificial men and robots.

185th Episode: Star of Africa October 22, 1966

Due to trouble with their plane, Atom and Uran find themselves wandering in Africa. Then they find a cross that emits a mysterious voice. The cross has the power to become the god of robots when fitted with artificial intelligence.

186th Episode: Monsters Come out at Night October 29, 1966

Due to trouble with their rocket, Atom and other passengers are forced to land on an unknown small planet. On the planet lives a huge monster that eats plants that grow during the night.

187th Episode: Baily's Legend November 5, 1966

Atom and Uran visit the Robot Museum. There, Atom finds an empty showcase labeled "Baily." As the name sounds familiar to Atom, he sets out to investigate it and finds that Baily is an important benefactor to him.

188th Episode: Tengu of Kurama November 19, 1966

Robot Tomson, who has the ability to see through objects, sees that most statues of Buddha in Kyoto are fake. Then Atom and his fellows go searching for the real statues, and get surrounded by a group of long-nosed goblins.

189th Episode: Confusion at the Shooting Studio November 26, 1966

Atom and Uran go to see the shooting of a film. There, they see robots that look exactly like themselves, and take part in the filming after secretly changing places. In the shooting studio, however, stunt robots are treated as harshly as if they were objects.

190th Episode: Miracle of Mesopotamia December 3, 1966

Atom and his friends set out on an adventure to look for the mystery capital Mesotamia. When they are hit by a sandstorm, they find a hole up in the sky that they think could lead them to the capital. It seems likely that Mesotamia is a civilization created by aliens who came to the earth 2000 years ago.

191st Episode: Wandering Roppi December 17, 1966

Aliens attack a boy and an old man in the deep woods. After Atom saves them, he learns that the boy Roppi and the old man are also aliens. Roppi tells Atom that he is a prince and that he has run away from his planet.

192nd Episode: Medussa's mansion December 24, 1966

A doctor studying the mysteries of eternal youth has built Medussa's mansion. Atom and his friends visit the mansion and find Medussa's box, which contains the secret of eternal youth. When they open it, they find a young man named Siegfried lying inside.

193rd Episode: The Greatest Adventure on Earth December 31, 1966

As the temperature of the Earth rises due to the influence of a sunspot, all humans evacuate the Earth and head for space. Only robots are supposed to remain on the Earth, but there is one villain left, and he is trying to seize this chance to conquer the planet.

As an addition to these episodes I thought it would be a good idea to get some more descriptions of these shows. These are from the http://www.astroboy.tv/ website

But first an article from the USA Today

http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20020116/3774919s.htm

Page 4D

'Astro Boy' zooms back with a movie, new comics, DVD

By Andy Seiler

USA TODAY

Astro Boy as you fly,

Strange new worlds you will spy.

Atom-celled, Jet-propelled,

Fighting monsters high in the sky.

Astro Boy, the first Japanese cartoon series to come to the USA and one of the country's top-rated syndicated shows of the '60s, is coming back. And he'll be speaking 60 languages, propelled by nuclear power and armed with a machine gun attached to his behind.

Among places the little powerhouse, known in Japan as Tetsuwan Atomu (''Mighty Atom''), will be popping up:

* At the movies. Producer Don Murphy is making a photorealistic, computer-animated Astro Boy feature film to be released in 2004. He describes the tale as ''a classic Pinocchio story. It will be true to the original stuff,'' he says, ''but a contemporary version.''

* In comics. In March, Dark Horse Comics will publish the original Astro Boy graphic novel by Osamu Tezuka, translated into English, for the first time in the USA. The title is highly anticipated among comics fans because it gave birth to the graphic novel form and inspired the black-and-white TV show as well as a less-successful color series in the '80s.

* On DVD. The Right Stuf, a specialist in Japanese animation videos, has restored and released 35 of the 104 American Astro Boy episodes and plans to put them out on DVD this year. Unlike the many Japanese cartoons that followed, most notably Speed Racer and Pokémon, these shows have been absent from American TV for years because they are not in color.

''Astro Boy really started it all, and that's how we market it,'' says Right Stuf president Shawne Kleckner. The show ''has a very large fan base of people who are in their mid-30s to late 40s.''

Raymond Tucker, 41, of Greensboro, N.C., is one of those fans. He operates the fan site www.astroboy.tv.

''It always had these imaginative, intricate story lines, with little pieces of Eastern philosophy slipped in,'' Tucker says. ''The whole premise of the series is that you have robots who are recently emancipated slaves. They're fighting social prejudice, trying to defend themselves and maintain their rights as individuals.

''I've also seen episodes that have really strong eco-warnings, with catastrophic inventions that start to destroy the environment.''

Fred Ladd, who oversaw the Americanization of the series after NBC licensed it for syndication, recalls having to cut violence, adult language and even some nudity from the Japanese series to make it presentable to American children. Where the Japanese version would say someone was dead, the American one would say ''He's in a coma,'' or ''Get him to a hospital.''

At the time, Ladd says, ''it was very tough stuff.''

And now back to our regular scheduled Astroboy episode description listings

EPISODE 1

THE BIRTH OFASTROBOY

Professor Boynton, head of the Institute of Science, is driven mad by the death of his son, Aster. The Doctor resolves himself to preserve his son's likeness in the form of a super robot who

"...will live forever....FOREVER...HA-HA-HA!!!"

EPISODE 2

COLOSSO

Astro is feeling extremely lonely. He wants a family of his own and Dr Elefun agrees to help. While the robot factory is building Astro's parents, an unfinished robot named Colosso is activated prematurely. When Colosso meets a gang of thieves, they enlist him to commit their crimes. Aware only that a robot is responsible, Inspector Gumshoe blames Astro for the crime wave.

**Special Note: in the original Japanese version, Colosso was named "Frankenstein"

EPISODE 3

EXPEDITION TO MARS

Astroboy is selected to lead a search party to find the survivors of the first manned expedition to Mars. This meets strong objection from the spaceship's captain, who protests taking orders from a robot.

WP -- Hmmm, sounds similar to an episode of the 80s where the spaceship's captain has a hard time taking orders from Astro. Great episode by the way.

As if the mission wasn't problematic enough,

Astroboy finds a stowaway while en route to Mars.

EPISODE 4

THE SPHINX

Astroboy wakes up in the middle of the desert, nearly drained of power and unable to remember how he got there. He is helped by Ali Baba, but in return Astro must battle 'The Sphinx'. This is not a real sphinx, but a robot which guards a desert tomb

EPISODE 5

CROSS ISLAND

After Dr I.M. Sinister and his 2 henchmen 'Red' and 'Mouse' escape from Sing Song Prison, they hide at the mining colony of Cross Island disguised as robots. The gang overpowers Dr Elefun, who is repairing the robot miners. As chance has it, one boy robot on the island was built by Dr Sinister. While holding Elefun at gunpoint, Sinister demands not only HIS robot but the use of parts from Astroboy, so he can build a super-robot capable of changing into an array of animals

WP -- Once again interesting as this is similar yet different to an 80s episode. There was a robot in one of the hopes who could shapeshift into a few different animals.

In a compelling scene from a classic episode, Astroboy and Dr Sinister's robot duel. Too many transformations and a bad fall leave him a helpless heap of untransformed animal parts

EPISODE 8

THE SILVER COMET

This comes from Jeff in Oklahoma

"(I remember an) episode featured a character named Tommy Speed. He was a racing car driver and he and his sister, TwinTails, are testing racing vehicles for a worldwide competition. Tommy enters the race, but I forget if the vehicle's electronic brain is damaged or sabotaged by a competitor the night before the race. Astro Boy had been assigned to be Tommy's bodyguard, but Dr. Elefun realizes that Astro Boy's electronic brain will have to be installed in the car so Tommy can enter the race. Just as Astro Boy is de-activated Dr. Elefun removes the activator tube), Tommy goes to bed. TwinTails says she is tired and also goes to bed. The door of the laboratory opens, and there is Tommy's sister. "What are you doing up so late?" Dr. Elefun asks. "I'm TwinTails, Tommy's sister," she says. "I have something to tell you..." The scene shifts to the next morning, and Tommy has started the race. No sooner has he gotten out of sight then there is Astro Boy, flying alongside him! He tells Tommy that TwinTails is a robot and donated her electronic brain to Tommy's car. I think Tommy is chased and overtaken by a rival and they start to dismantle the car; there was a dramatic scene when Tommy broke away from his captors, throwing his body over the remaining unit. "No! No! Not TwinTails' electronic brain!" I don't remember the ending." ...Whew!!! Thanks much Jeff!!

WP -- Very similar to an episode of the 80s

EPISODE 9

HULLABALOO LAND

A bedtime story about a swan princess named "Princess Lollipop" seems to come to life when a robot swan crashes near Astroboy's house. This swan princess, however, is an escaped robot from "Hullabaloo Land", an amusement park where fairy tales are brought to life by robot performers. Lollipop pleads with Astro, telling him that the robots of Hullabaloo Land are being mistreated by the park's general manager, Baron Hoodwink and his robot dragon "Firesnout".

WP -- This was similar to a great episode where... well .... fairy tales are brought to life by robot preformers.

EPISODE 11

STRANGE

VOYAGE

'Lucky' Louie the Lug has slipped by the police at a space port and boarded the first commercial flight to the Moon. Astroboy pursues him seeking to recover stolen diamonds, but the liftoff is underway before he can apprehend the criminal. When meteors collide with the ship, Astro escapes in a damaged space raft with Louie, a little girl named Marvel, Radio Announcer 'Stark' Raving, socialite Mona Toujour and crooked insurance magnate 'Rocco' Gibraltor. They land on a strange asteroid which is a frozen vacuum by night, but has breathable air by day.

WP -- I'd really love to see this episode. There was an episode of the 80s that was based off this plot and was simply put awesome.

GANGOR THE MONSTER

Astroboy & Mr Pompous are on an ocean liner which becomes

the scene of a string of robberies commited by a centipede-like "Robot Monster".

EPISODE 17

THE HAUNTED SHIP

Here's another synopsis from Jeff Major in Oklahoma:

"I remember an episode in which the beginning shows Astro Boy and two of his friends at an amusement park. I can't for the life of me remember the two boys' names, but one always wore a ball cap and pop-bottle glasses. He was fairly intellectual but a physical weakling. The other boy was made to look purposefully goofy; he had small, rat-like eyes, big lips and ears. The most comical feature about him was that with all of his looks, he appeared vaguely Japanese! He was a little simple but wanted to be like Astro Boy because of his strength. Anyway, all three of them go into a "Haunted House" at the amusement park. There are ghosts, spooky noises and bats flying around and the two human boys are scared pretty badly, but Astro Boy uses his searchlights in his eyes to show the boys that the ghost they see is only a projection. As one of the bats flies by, he jabs at it, knocking it to the ground. It's electronic, and its parts come out of it as it hits the ground. The boys are relieved and kind of disappointed at the same time as they all leave, telling Astro Boy something about emotions (I don't remember what). Astro Boy becomes very upset and runs away from them. They shout after him to stop, and in his mind he is thinking, "I wish I had a real heart!" Dr. Elefun hears about this and brings Astro Boy into the laboratory. He installs a new "Experimental Heart," evidently a prototype. To test it, Dr. Elefun opens a door in the lab and out jumps a Gorilla. Astro Boy yells, leaps across the room and plasters himself against Dr. Elefun, shaking and shivering. Dr. Elefun is amused that it works so well

October 24, 2004

And the rest:

EPISODE 17

THE HAUNTED SHIP

Here's another synopsis from Jeff Major in Oklahoma:

"I remember an episode in which the beginning shows Astro Boy and two of his friends at an amusement park. I can't for the life of me remember the two boys' names, but one always wore a ball cap and pop-bottle glasses. He was fairly intellectual but a physical weakling. The other boy was made to look purposefully goofy; he had small, rat-like eyes, big lips and ears. The most comical feature about him was that with all of his looks, he appeared vaguely Japanese! He was a little simple but wanted to be like Astro Boy because of his strength. Anyway, all three of them go into a "Haunted House" at the amusement park. There are ghosts, spooky noises and bats flying around and the two human boys are scared pretty badly, but Astro Boy uses his searchlights in his eyes to show the boys that the ghost they see is only a projection. As one of the bats flies by, he jabs at it, knocking it to the ground. It's electronic, and its parts come out of it as it hits the ground. The boys are relieved and kind of disappointed at the same time as they all leave, telling Astro Boy something about emotions (I don't remember what). Astro Boy becomes very upset and runs away from them. They shout after him to stop, and in his mind he is thinking, "I wish I had a real heart!" Dr. Elefun hears about this and brings Astro Boy into the laboratory. He installs a new "Experimental Heart," evidently a prototype. To test it, Dr. Elefun opens a door in the lab and out jumps a Gorilla. Astro Boy yells, leaps across the room and plasters himself against Dr. Elefun, shaking and shivering. Dr. Elefun is amused that it works so well. There comes a report of a "Ghost Ship" out on the ocean, to which Astro Boy is assigned to find out what happened to it. He gets to it and finds that it is inhabited by a radioactive slime that scares him to pieces. No matter what he does, it still comes after him. He totally forgets to use all of his abilities because he is so overcome with fear. He climbs the mainmast and shouts "I wish I never had a heart!" Suddenly, there is a muffled metallic =Clang!!= He says calmly, "I'm not afraid anymore!" He defeats the slime (I forget how; maybe he burns it with his jets or something) and returns to Dr. Elefun, satisfied that he's had enough emotional involvement. I don't remember how it ends and I thought it was kind of strange to have an episode like that, especially since Astro Boy exhibited plenty of range of emotion before and after the heart installment episode. He could blush when he was complimented, he could laugh appropriately, he could be sad and he could display happiness. I guess the real message of that one was to not let fear control you. Food for thought." Wow, what a memory, and thanks again Jeff!!

WP -- That Jeff guy sure has a great memory!

EPISODE 18

THE TIME MACHINE

Here's a synopsis from fan Charles Garofalo:

"I believe this story introduces Mr. Pompous, as Astroboy's neighbor, rather than teacher like in the manga. A time machine crashlands in Pompous's backyard, nearly wrecking his house and alerting Astroboy. A teenager named Teddy Tyme comes out, he's from the 23rd Century, and he's going back to the past to get his father, who's been gone too long. Astroboy and the excitable Mr. Pompous go with him. Ted's dad has gone way into the past trying to get specimens for a zoo he's building, Astroboy and company have to contend with a tribe of tailed cavemen aggravated over the kidnapping of one of their members by Dr. Tyme and then, even farther in the past, some dinosaurs. When Tyme is nearly killed by a rampaging dino, he gives up on his zoo idea and reforms. Back in the 21st Century the crabby Mr. Pompous nearly has a fit when he sees an unflattering cave painting that very closely rsembles himself..."

Thanks very much for that detailed listing, Charles!

EPISODE 19

THE COSMIC GIANT

A meteor that crashes to Earth contains the parts for a super robot from outer space, which when assembled could destroy the world.

The Cosmic Giant (known in Japan as "Garon") was one of Tezuka's most popular creations, generating a spinoff manga series and even its own line of toys and merchandise

WP -- I believe he made it to the 80s series as well.

EPISODE 20

TOXOR, THE MIST MAN

Here's another one from Charles Garofalo:

"Strange firefly-like lights hovering in space attract the curosity of astronaughts. Unfortunately, when a scientist goes up to to investigate the phenomena, the lights enter his ship and transform into mist-men, gaseous space aliens who've seen all the 1950s science fiction films and know just how to take over earthmen's bodies. They accompany him back to earth and start taking over people, making them commit sabotage of the worst sort (a disturbing premonition of the real future with its anthrax scares, one fellow puts deadly germs in the reservior), and killing people strong enough to resist their will. Astroboy not only has to contend with the mist-men (they can't take over robots) but with Inspector Gumshoe, who thinks his well-intentioned actions are the actions of a rogue robot. This is the first show where Gumshoe acts like J. Jonah Jameson to Astroboy's Spiderman."

Thanks very much for another great entry, Charles!

WP -- Sounds like a great episode!

EPISODE 23

THE DEADLY FLIES

When people all over are suddenly falling ill, Inspector Gumshoe mistakenly suspects Astroboy of being involved. In reality Mr "X" is responsible, aided by his "X" gang and a team of lookalike robots whose sizes range from a few inches to 8 feet tall.

EPISODE 24

KINGDOM

OF THE SEA

Astroboy, Dr. Elephun and Mr. Pompous are taken to a mysterious undersea city, populated by intelligent robot bombs, who somehow escaped their mandatory destruction at the end of an interstellar war.

EPISODE 25

THE STRANGE

BIRTHDAY PRESENT

This one comes from Jeff Major in Oklahoma:

"I also remember the episode in which Astro Boy got his little sister -- Astro Girl -- in a beautifully-wrapped box for his birthday (which was after Dr. Elefun gave him his parents in a similar box). The entire episode showed how he was responsible for "socializing" his little sister, who was not a very apt pupil. She had more fun snapping off stop signs and dancing with them than obeying her brother! She then went to a robot wrestling match and beat up another robot 10 times her size. She was discovered by a robot scientist who was testing cloning techniques and wanted a robot subject to see what would happen. Out of curiosity, she submitted to his experiment and when she went home she kept splitting down the middle, grasping both sides of her head and shoving the halves back together! Her robot mother said, "If you have a headache, then you'll have to go to bed." In her bedroom, AstroGirl was afraid of getting spanked for what she had done. Before she could do anything else, she halved again but the other half of her jumped across the room. There was an eerie whine as both halves filled in their empty sides, and suddenly there were two identical Astro Girls. One stays at home, the other goes to the robot wrestling arena without telling anyone. Before the robot scientist realizes what he has done, she re-enters the competition -- and is destroyed by the competing robot because she only had half of her strength. The other Astro Girl comes to the arena and cries over her dead twin, and Dr. Elefun and the other scientist conspire to restore the remaining twin -- which they are able to do."

Thanks so much for this GREAT blow-by-blow description of an all-time classic episode!!

WP -- Another episode plot that was used for material in the 80s. I haven't the 80s eps since the 80s however.

EPISODE 26

DON TAY'S

INFERNAL MACHINE

The wicked scientist Don Tay has built a super robot named Ferno, capable of generating tremendous heat to destroy other robots, break into vaults and eventually revive an inactive volcano.

EPISODE 27

PEARL PEOPLE

While investigating an underwater disturbance near a dam, Astro with his friends Dinny and Specs find a bed of giant oysters. These are no ordinary oysters! They are hundreds of years old and emit etheral music which causes people to fall asleep.

EPISODE 28

THE WACKY

MACHINE

Dr. I.Q. Plenty has developed an amazing machine to keep the robots under control by rendering them inanimate. The near disasterous side effect is that it gives unintelligent machines such as cars and candy factories their own unpredictable personalities.

EPISODE 29

MEMORY DAY

People on Earth celebrate 'Memory Day' to honor loved ones who live on other planets. The robots participate by agreeing to impersonate the absent family members for the day. Astro volunteers to pose as a little boy for his parents. Complications arise as Astro tries to mimic the son's nervous ticks and eat his favorite foods (in abundance!!!) Adding to the problems is the fact that the missing boy's older brother has gotten involved with a group of gangsters.

(special thanks go to Raquel in Alabama for helping to fill in details on this one, which I've only seen in its original Japanese version)

EPISODE 31

MYSTERIOUS

COSMIC RAYS

Gray Dorian is returning from Mars. Although he is a man in his 80s, he appears to be in his 30s. He has learned to harness cosmic rays to keep himself young. His former partner Dr. Geiger suspects that these experiments may have had grave side effects, which Astroboy soon discovers.

EPISODE 33

THE THREE

MAGICIANS

Astroboy comes to the aid of Abracadabra, the greatest robot magician in the universe, who is implicated in a series of art robberies that occur whenever his show comes to town.

This longplay record album as seen on the astroboy.tv/ site was released by the Simon Says record label in the 1960s. It features the entire TV soundtrack for "The Three Magicians"

EPISODE 34

THE BEAST FROM

20 FATHOMS

Mysterious goings on prompt efforts to drain Foggybotom Lake. Talking dinosaurs who spit a potent venom gain hypnotic control of the workmen draining the lake, and it's up to Astroboy to put an end to it. (**This episode was produced by animators handpicked by Tezuka, but he was so disapponted with the end result that all prints in Japan were destroyed. Luckily for us, a print had already been shipped to the US and this english dub is all that survives of "The Lost Episode" of Astroboy.)

EPISODE 35

PLANET X

After dark, four total strangers (a reporter, an opera singer, a doctor and a small boy) meet in a park. Each of them is there because they'd received a mysterious note urging their that they attend. Astroboy arrives explaining that he sent the notes and each of them are not on Earth at all, but were abducted by aliens and are prisoners on Planet X. They are to escape in a rocket Astro has hidden in the park. Soon after lift-off, they are pursued by flying space mines which form an energy web after exploding, holding the rocket captive.

EPISODE 37

ASTROBOY

GOES TO SCHOOL

Dr Elefun decides that enrolling Astroboy & Astrogirl into robot school will further their education into human sensibitilies such as beauty. (Being robots, they can't appreciate these things) During a class project to find something beautiful, Astrogirl befriends another robot named Lala Palooza. They are captured by the evil engineer Al Mechanic. He is set on redesigning ALL machines to be purely functional rather than beautiful, starting with his two captives.

EPISODE 38

THE ASTEROID MENACE

Astroboy is sent on a mission to ward off the danger of a runaway asteroid named Medusa. To help him are three scientists who are doing prison time for their diabolical schemes.

EPISODE 43

DITTO

Astroboy's aid is summoned by ambassador Nobby Nobody from the Land of Goshen. His mission is to help Ditto, the world's first robot president, to crush Prince Upley and his clandestine army of robot haters. This episode, while one of the most faithful to th original manga, caused quite a stir among parents concerned about violence on american TV. Among the complaints were the treatment of Astroboy's friends (who are variably crushed by water absorbing stones, hung from crosses and electrocuted) and Astroboy's frequent use of his 'BUTT-guns' (machine guns hidden in Astro's rear). This was also among the first episodes I saw in adulthood, and stands in my opinion as one of the best in the series.

EPISODE 44

CLEOPATRA'S HEART

Inspector Pompous finds himself in possesion of "Cleopatra's Heart", a heart-shaped gem which once belonged to the legendary queen of the Nile. The evil scientist Rasburton thinks that by stealing it he can fool the nation of Egypt into believing his robot is their ancient queen, returned from the dead.

EPISODE 45

THE RETURN OF

CLEOPATRA

Astroboy and Dr Elefun are returning the "Heart of Cleopatra" to the Egyptian Museum. It is soon stolen by Rasburton, bringing him ever closer to setting his robot of Cleopatra on the Eqyptian throne.

EPISODE 50

WESTWARD HA!

Astroboy, Dr. Elefun and Mr. Pompous are summoned by Dr. Ben to find his son, Heck. Heck has stolen an experimental time machine and travelled to the old west. Once the threesome arrives in the past, the townsfolk accuse these strangers of committing a recent string of robberies.

EPISODE 52

"SNOW LION"

Earth is being bombarded by a strange worldwide snowstorm, but this is not ordinary snow. It's actually made up of intelligent microorganisms designed to drain energy from machines and robots. Only a super robot like Astroboy can remain active, but even he can't fight off the most sinister of these energy leeching creatures known as the "Snow Lion".

WP -- There's an episode similar to this in the 80s series

EPISODE 53

DOGMA PALACE

The underground country of AntHillia is ruled by King El Dupey and his army of Super Troopers. His goal is to turn his people into slaves and destroy all robots. Two robots named Ronald and Donald ask Astroboy for help when their inventor is captured and made into a slave.

EPISODE 55

VAMPIRE VALE

Vampires seem to be behind the strange disappearances from a village in Transmellvania, but Astroboy suspects a hoax.

EPISODE 56

THE TERRIBLE TIDAL WAVE

Astroboy's new neighbors, the Pog family, are actually fugitives. They fled their country and a life of slavery but their owners are in hot pursuit. When their flight takes them to a coastal lighthouse, a series of tidal waves threatens to wash them all away.

EPISODE 57

THE VIKING KING

(aka VIKINGS)

A band of space pirates calling themselves the Vikings are terrorizing the space ways. Astroboy teams up with Lieutenant Judy to end Long John Floater's rampage.

EPISODE 58

THE DEVIL DOLL

When Happy Klaus the toy maker is told that good toys are no longer in vogue, he creates a toy devil with a mind of its own. Meanwhile at the grand opening of a gigantic toy fair, Astroboy and Astrogirl are locked in the department store hosting the fair. Astrogirl proceeds to install electronic brains on all the toys, but something mysterious is afoot. All the mannikins come to life at the behest of the Devil Doll to steal the store's jewels and send them back to Klaus.

EPISODE 59

DINOSAUR DILEMMA

An amusement park populated by robot dinosaurs is overrun by real dinosaurs. These dinos, however, are genetic mutations with near human intelligence

WP -- Sound familiar? The same plot was used for the Jurassic Park movie

EPISODE 61

THE FLOWER MONSTER

When Dr Eubank enlists Astro to retrieve the rare Galaxia plant from the jungle, none of them suspect that the flower is an extraterretrial species which eats radioactive isotopes and has near human intelligence.

EPISODE 62

ATTACK FROM SPACE

Beamo is a fugitive from the planet Norico, and he's guarding a strange object that resembles a refrigerator. He goes undercover taking a job as a baker, but is soon found out by three scientists from his planet. Beamo's secret object is actually a super bomb capable of destroying a planet, and his pursuers will stop at nothing to get it back. **Note: In its original Japanese version, this episode was tinted in two-tone color

Astroboy and Beamo begin as friends, then things turn bad when Dr Elefun becomes involved

EPISODE 63

SHIPWRECK IN

SPACE

While pursuing some criminals, Astroboy and the fugitives find themselves trapped in a runaway rocket. Rather than saving himself, Astro stays on board to protect the bandits. When they reach a distant outpost in space, it has been overrun by a group of intergalactic gourmets, who refuse to share the food with the hungry castaways.

EPISODE 64

BIG TITAN

Astrogirl is abducted by Dr. Buck and indian scientist who mistakes here for his missing daughter Keema.

EPISODE 66

INCA GOLD FEVER

Astroboy and Dr Elefun, venture to South America with Dr Gustav Usurper. They're investigating reports of strange lights around the Incan ruins. When Astro breaks off from the group, Elefun and Usurper blunder into an Incan tomb. There they meet Keepu, last of a long line of Incan priests. He has mastered 'telekinesis' and plans to use his powers to recover the Incan artifacts which have been plundered over the centuries.

EPISODE 67

THE MONSTER MACHINE

Using a great space radio telescope, messages are received from the planet "Numan Luman". These messages contain the plans for a gigantic machine which once activated cannibalizes the parts of all other machines within reach. How can it be stopped??

EPISODE 68

THE HOOLIGAN

WHODUNIT

Astroboy goes to Antartica where he faces down Horace Hooligan, leader of the anti-robot legion. Hooligan has vowed revenge on all robots, who he blames for his mother's death.

EPISODE 69

FUNNEL TO

THE FUTURE

Astroboy and Dr Elephun pass between two mysterious mountains and emerge into the future where human beings no longer live, and the world is populated by intelligent insects & plants.

WP -- A classic episode

EPISODE 70

SUPER BRAIN

The brilliant brain surgeon, Dr Numbskull Cranium, dies in a car crash after operating on the rich Herringbone Tweed. Shortly afterward, a robot named Monstro comes calling on Tweed vowing revenge. Could there be a connection??? Hmmmm...

EPISODE 71

A MIGHTY

MINUTE

Astoboy meets an befriends "Minute", a small animal with near human intelligence and the ability to speak. Unexpectedly, he is able to foresee future calamaties and disasters, but his suspicious owner, fearful of losing his precious pet, wants to keep him hidden from the outside world.

Astroboy and Dr Elefun marvel at the clairvoyant mutant 'Minute' who must live in a germ-free glass bubble

EPISODE 72

THE DREAM MACHINE

Astroboy is to be the test subject for Dr. Blinken's amazing 'Dream Machine', a remarkable device capable of giving robots the ability to dream.

EPISODE 73

ROBOT

OLYMPICS

Astroboy has entered the prestigious World Robot Olympics, but is suspicious that one of his rivals, "Humbug 1", is somehow cheating.

EPISODE 74

DUNDER

THE BIRD OF DOOM

This synopsis comes from Raquel in Alabama, who has a remarkably detailed memory of Astroboy episodes which she saw growing up in Puerto Rico:

"I remember this episode where a giant robot bird is destroying ships with the strong wind generated by his wings. He demands Astroboy to surrender or he will continue to do so. The bird was created by a mad scientist who wants to destroy Astroboy. The giant robot bird goes to Astroboy's house looking for him. I remember Astrogirl wanting to go with her brother, but their mother stops her. I don't remember very well after that, but somehow Astroboy arrives on this island, where the creator of Dunder has a cult of some kind, worshipping a god or godess. Astroboy hides by dressing up as one of the worshippers until he could find Dunder. When he finally finds him, they engage in a battle, where Astro destroys Dunder eyes, leaving him blind. Unable to continue fighting, Dunder hides with his creator in a cave, hoping he will give him his eyes back. There, he questions his creator about why he wants to destroy Astroboy. I'm not very sure about this, but I think the reason he gives him is because if Astroboy is destroyed, then he will be the creator of the most powerful robot in the whole world: Dunder. Somehow, Astroboy finds the cave and Dunder fights him again, blind and all. At the end of the episode, Dunder dies, but before, he tells Astroboy how much he admires him and how much he wishes he would have been a good robot like him."

Thanks so much Raquel for this wonderful description!!

It's worth mentioning that in this episode, Astrogirl briefly gets the ability to fly. She's given jets to defend herself against Dunder's attacks. Ultimately she has to give this up when Astro's jet power is damaged by one of his battles with Dunder.

EPISODE 75

DOLPHINS IN DISTRESS

An underwater city built by Mr Heel, a greedy developer, has alarmed the race of fish people known as "The Dolphin Tribe". They threaten war against the surface people if their undersea expansion doesn't end. When Dr Elefun and Astroboy agree to stop the developers, the conflict is abated, but only temporarily. Angered by Elefun's presumption and the Dolphin Tribe's demands, Mr Heel kidnaps "Finny", the son of the Dolphin king. Fighting breaks out and it is up to Astro and Elefun to set things right above and below the sea.

EPISODE 76

THE MAD

BELTWAY

Dr. Elefun wants to build a "Beltway", a citywide moving sidewalk, much to the objection of manufacturer Toby Toggle, who prefers that the city use his air cars for public transit. When engineer Cal E. Brate takes the job of designing the Beltway, he becomes to object of many threats and mysterious accidents. When his sister Maria disappears during one of these accident, it's almost too much for him. It's up to Astroboy to get to the bottom of it all.

EPISODE 77

THE TERRIBLE

TIME GUN

Dr Tempo is insanely jealous of Dr Elefun, and wishes to be the head of the Institute of Science. When he develops a gun which will send anyone or anything to another time, he sends Dr Elefun and Astroboy back to the middle ages.

EPISODE 78

THE SPACE

PRINCESS

One of my all-time favorite episodes. Luna Luna, the space princess, has landed on Earth near Mystery Lake. Under the full moon, she can undergo the remarkable transformation into a queen. When her brother Dodo encounters the evil hunter Villainous, the influence of "human brainwaves" (!?!?) overwhelm the simple minded alien. The wicked pair plot to sell the Princess to the circus and ensure Dodo's ascent to the throne.

Astroboy tells Doctor Elefun:

"The waters of Mystery Lake contain the secret ingredient of Moon Mist. When the princess bathes in the mist, she can transform into a queen and return home."

EPISODE 81

MYSTERY OF

AMLESS DAM

In the town of Amless, many humans hate robots. When a young boy disappears near the Amless Dam, the boy's father blames the robots and a bitter fight ensues.

EPISODE 83

THE THREE

ROBOTIERS

An outbreak of space sickness has struck a major exploration post, but whenever serum is sent by rocket, it's intercepted by space pirates. Astroboy must take a shipment of serum accompanied by 'Un', 'Deux' and 'Troix', super robots built by the French Professor BonBon and patterned after the Three Musketeers.

EPISODE 84

BROTHER

JETTO

During a recent house-cleaning at the Institute of Science, Dr Elfun worries that Jetto, and experimental prototype for Astroboy, may have been inadvertently revived. It's up to Astro to find Jetto (who's none too bright) and keep him out of mischief.

EPISODE 85

ANGEL OF

THE ALPS

A gigantic dam built to bridge the Bering Strait keeps collapsing. Dr Elefun knows that the one scientist who could save the project is Angus Muse, who has sworn off contact with the outside world. He lives in the Alps with his granddaughter Angelica. When her parents were killed by the robots of Mr Vile, Dr Muse swore off all contact with machines, ESPECIALLY ROBOTS. It's up to Astroboy (disguised as a human boy named, oddly enough, Aster Boynton) to change his mind.

EPISODE 86

THE MAGIC PUNCH CARD

Dr Figaro Newton has developed plans for the most advanced robot factory ever in history, much to the dismay of his arch rival Dr Grabitol. When Grabitol's men ambush Newton's armored tank in the Bogey Desert, they substitute a sabotaged version of the factory's programming (written on a punch card) for the real program. Once the factory operates with the bogus program, it takes on a mind of it's own and runs out of control.

EPISODE 87

THE GREAT ROCKET ROBBERY

The robot named Future has the most sophisticated electronic brain ever developed. His advanced brain is even able to predict future events with great accuracy. His inventor, Dr Goldthumb, wants to use Future's heroic feats to draw attention from his TRUE ambition, to commit the largest gold robbery ever in space. Future's robot conscience, however throws him into a complex moral dilemma: whether to obey Goldthumb, as he was designed, or to do what is right and stop the robbery.

EPISODE 88

CONTEST IN SPACE

The inhabitants of the planet Roha are concerned that the two developing worlds of Earth and Saturn may soon engage in armed conflict and threaten the peace of the galaxy. They decide to choose a team of one human and one robot to represent each planet in a contest of survival on the planet Moribund. Astroboy is in the middle of breaking up a robbery, when he and the thief (Mr Scrap) are taken away by "Magic Rings" to face off with Alpheta and her robot Omegum. The winners' planet will be spared and the losers' planet destroyed.

EPISODE 89

THE GIFT

OF ZEO

While digging a tunnel for a new superhighway, the giant robot ZEO is found frozen in an ice cave. When the dormant robot becomes active, he destroys portions of the highway, but only those built with sub-standard materials. He leaves quality structures unharmed. Many fear Zeo as a monster but others revere him as a blessing in disguise. Who will win, the fearful who would destroy him or the hopeful who would cherish him?

EPISODE 90

A DEEP DEEP SECRET

Jetto is captured by the miniature explorer Columboo from the underground world known as Terra Firma. There he is enlisted to fight for the army of Terra Firma's Queen Itchy Beller against the nation of Poi Poi.

EPISODE 91

THE WONDERFUL

CHRISTMAS PRESENT

While on vacation in the mountains, Astroboy befiends a young boy who lives alone in a robot house, where his every need is automatically attended to. It's up to Astro to save this scientific marvel from theives who wish to steal its plans.

EPISODE 92

UNCHARTED WORLD

While trying to sneak away from his guardians, royal prankster "Prince Priceless" disappears through a dimensional doorway. Astroboy attempts to rescue the Prince from this parallel world, where he finds many people who have mysteriously vanished over the years.

WP -- Gotta love parallel worlds!!!!

EPISODE 93

JUNGLE

MYSTERY

Astrogirl gets a job to stand in for the jungle movie actor "Starzi" (who is actually a robot) While dressed as Starzi, she's abducted by a shadowey figure which swings in from the trees. It is Reeba, the Jungle Queen, who's 30 thousand years old, but lives in a mysterious valley where time has stopped and nothing ages. She has kidnapped Astrogirl thinking that she has captured Starzi, who she wishes to make her Jungle Prince.

EPISODE 94

THE TERRIBLE

SPACEMAN

People of Earth are suddenly and inexplicably wandering trancelike in a great march. When Dr Elefun succumbs to this overwhelming urge Astroboy must investigate

(*This episode is NOT an english translation of the Japanese episode "Roboids", though it is so listed in several references. References thoughout to the "Terrible Spaceman" lead me to believe that the Roboid identification is incorrect, and probably based on an administrative error)

EPISODE 95

THE MIGHTY MITE

FROM URSA MINOR

A boy from outer space posessing amazing physical strength lands on earth in his flying saucer. Cacciatorri the Great "discovers" the boy and exploits the boy's abilities in the wrestling ring. Meanwhile the boy's saucer is giving off radiation which is causing the plant life near it to grow out of control.

WP -- More wresting. Cool!

EPISODE 96

GENERAL

ASTRO

The villain Patch blasts Astroboy with an iota ray-gun. While unconscious Astro is blasted into space. Luckily, the rocket ricochets back to Earth, and crashes into a far off country. When Astro awakens, he has lost his memory and is mistaken for General Astro, leader of a rebellion against a cruel dictatorship.

(Special thanks to Raquel in Alabama for setting me straight on this storyline. Seems my memory was scrambled by Patch's iota ray!!)

EPISODE 97

MYSTERY OF THE

METAL MEN

An explosion at a dam throws Astroboy to a parallel Earth which is controlled by giant robots. Here Astro meets the parallel Dr Elefun and Inspector Pompous. He also meets Dr Boynton and a living Aster Boynton (who never had the fatal car crash, but is shunned by Dr Boynton for being a coward)

EPISODE 98

THE SUPER HUMAN BEINGS

A jealous rival of Dr Elefun's endows his three assitants with super human powers over gravity and magnetism. In exchange they are to help exact revenge over the good doctor.

EPISODE 99

PHOENIX BIRD

Astroboy and his robot family venture by boat to a group of islands. While exploring the caves for "spooks", Astrogirl finds a large inexplicable egg. After Dr Elefun examines the egg at the Institute of Science, he finds it to be nearly indestructible. Astroboy returns to the islands and finds it belonged to a family of Phoenix Birds, beautiful gigantic birds who communicate through telepathy and live hundreds of years.

EPISODE 100

MENACE FROM MERCURY

When Dr Elefun discovers a thermal bomb buried on Earth, he organizes a search party to fly to Mercury (the source for the bomb). Astroboy is selected to lead the party accompanied by a kindly old robot named Victor and a brash egotistical robot named Hector. Complications arise when Astroboy loses his sight due to an accident and Hector conceals the spare parts, hoping to take command of the mission in light of Astroboy's injury.

EPISODE 101

DANGEROUS MISSION

When the small country of Halava withdraws from the World Peace League, Astroboy Inspector Pompous and a prissy scientist named Dr Quad are sent to investigate. They are pursued by the dictator Ahmud, but are assisted by a rebellious boy inventor named Bobka. Bobka is an orphan and always in hiding because Halava has strict laws of inventions of ANY kind.

EPISODE 103

PRISONERS IN SPACE

Astroboy and Dr Elefun are adrift, their ship a derelict in the "Space Graveyard". When they are seemingly rescued by a men from Earth, they are in fact being held prisoner by Dr Sowbelly, a renegade scientist who has sworn off all ties with his home planet.

EPISODE 104

DOUBLE

TROUBLE

The ambassadors from the planet Ursa Minute leave a gift with the people of Earth. They are designs for a robot slave which performs all duties and chores for its owner. Problems arise as each robot also takes on its owner's appearence and role in society, rapidly taking control of the world.

WP -- Just wanted to make a mental note of this site -- http://www.alphalink.com.au/~roglen/index.htm

October 24, 2004

I'm curious about how many people are actually reading this thread and who you are. If you are reading it please just make a quick post saying that you are indeed reading. Thanks very much. All cooperation is sincerely appreciated.

October 24, 2004

Some information stolen from haruka-chan at astroboy-online.com

Long time no post....oops. Anyway seeing as most of you don't browse the Madman forum and i doubt any of you went to Animania and to the Madman panel here is some great info for you! First all all quick explanation for those that don't know. Animania is a Sydney anime convention and as per usual at conventions Madman (the ones the distribute mostly all anime here) have a panel where they announce upcoming releases over the next few months, announce any new titles and answer questions. So of course i grabbed some important Atom info from there!:

In regards to the 80s series release on Nov 10th:

- The video masters are from Japan, provided happily by Tezuka Productions. Therefore they are lovely and crisp and clear

- The tin box will contain a now 24 page colour booklet

- The extra DVD will contain the original episode 1 and 2 from the 80s series subtitled AND the 1st episodes of the 1960s, subtitled probably (Sly couldn't remember 100% if it was subbed or dubbed)

NEW ANNOUNCEMENT!

Madman will be releasing the 1960s Atom series on DVD! There is no set date or details at this time as it is a recent announcement but i asked Sly whether it would be subbed or dubbed. That isn't decided at the moment and they obviously have to do some more research but i explained about Japan having the full set of episodes on DVD and only a handle of the dub being available. My guess is they will go with the subtitled option however he did say they might release a bit of both subbed & dubbed. More details will come as they start work on the project.

ALSO:

For those interested they will also be releasing Kimba on DVD (yes the original series i think he said)

And that's it for your infrequent update from the one connected with the rest of the Oz anime world! ^^ Exciting news, huh? Oh but if anyone lives in Melbourne btw.... i think they are paying for a big billboard to advertise the 80s series picts would be nice if you're from around there.

WP -- Some better news. The first two episodes of the 80s series are awesome and hopefully they'll remain unedited. Still not perfect but we at least get some subbed Astroboy. Hopefully if we keep our fingers crossed we can actually see 1960s subbed Astroboy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I'd like to reiniterate what I said earlier in the thread:

I'm curious about how many people are actually reading this thread and who you are. If you are reading it please just make a quick post saying that you are indeed reading. Thanks very much. All cooperation is sincerely appreciated.

October 25, 2004

Review of Astroboy Toys -- 2003 series

http://www.mwctoys.com/REVIEW_080404b.htm

Astro Boy and Atlas

King Randor steps up tonight with a great guest review of the new Astro Boy figures - take it away, your majesty!

Ask many people, 30 or older, if they remember a cartoon named Astro Boy, and chances are they’ll say yes, fondly. Astro Boy was apparently one of the first anime cartoons that came over to US. Well, Astro Boy is back, now, with a new cartoon, and new figures from Bandai, to boot. I was overall very impressed with the new cartoon, I definitely want it when it comes out on DVD, and so yes, I decided to pick up a few of the figures, recently. Here, we have Astro Boy, and Atlas.

Packaging - ****

OK, this is NICE packaging,. Shows the figure, and it looks great doing it. Has that retro futuristic look to it which ya gotta love…at least I do.

Sculpting - Astro Boy ****, Atlas ***

To me, Astro Boy is PERFECT. From that ‘50s style hairdo, to the slightly pissed expression on his face, to the look of the hands, the torso, and the boots, this is a DEAD WRINGER. NO IMPROVEMENT NEEDED.

Atlas, on the other hand, while STILL a really nice looking figure, I just COULDN’T give as high a score to. Why, you may ask- let’s start with the scale between him and Astro. Whilst they ARE in scale with each other, in the cartoon, their heads are the same size as each other.

Now, I understand Atlas’s had to be a bit smaller since has that huge helmet, but to me, it was still thrown off a bit. The other point has to do more with articulation, but it DOES effect the sculpt of it. I guess THAT I’ll explain later.

Paint - Astro Boy ****, Atlas ***½

The paint job on Astro Boy is next to perfect. Whatever paint bleed there IS it’s in an area you wouldn’t even look anyway, and it’s EXTREMELY minor ( like some underneath his torso plate). Otherwise, everything is nice and clean. The Paint wash job- NOT A SINGLE PROBLEM. It’s just perfect.

Atlas, on the other hand, while a pretty good job, has several more, and sadly VERY noticeable areas with paint bleed- like all over his boots. Sadly, it IS that noticeable. However, most other parts of his body are nice and clean, so that I was happy about. And once again, NO problems with paint wash.

Articulation - Astro Boy **½, Atlast **

Ok, HERE’S the area that REALLY takes a hit.

Astro has shoulders, wrist, pelvis, and knee articulation. Now, had the shoulders been ball-jointed, I’d have loved it- sorry, they aren‘t. What about the head, you ask? I’d love to tell you, but it seems so solid, I’m afraid that if I try and turn it, it’ll break off. Well, for the sake of this review, you may ask again, will I be nice enough to break it off JUST for you to prove it to ya? To that, I ask YOU a question- are you willing to pay for another Astro Boy figure for me, to find out?

Now, remember what I said about Atlas? Ok, here’s the scoop- much like Astro, he has shoulders, wrists, pelvis, and knee articulation. Unfortunately, due to the way he’s sculpted, it REALLY hurts the overall look. I think even Al Gore looked more lifelike, sadly.

Accessories - Astro Boy **, Atlas **½

For once, Astro actually takes a bit of a hit over Atlas. Astro comes with an alternate torso- a transparent torso, If you will. And my question is…why? I’m glad he came with something, but it doesn’t make any sense to me. I WILL confess that I haven’t been watching the show as of late, and maybe it’s something new he got, but I think it’s just overall pointless.

Now, as for Atlas, HE gets some accessories. So why the low score? Well, it’s all about what you THINK of those accessories. Atlas comes with four electric bolts that attach to the transmitters on top of his helmet. Now, on the package, they look great. When you actually put them ON him…well, that’s up to YOU to decide. Part of me thinks they look kinda cool, part of me thinks they just look downright goofy.

Both figures come with a card. Each card illustrates a different tech spec of Astro Boy’s mechanics- didn’t really amaze me, but Astro Boy HARDCORE FANS will probably love it.

Action Feature - Astro Boy ***½, Atlas ***

Astro Boy and Atlas BOTH have a pretty nifty action feature- light up eyes. It’s simple, yet looks REALLY great, truthfully. The thing is, somehow it just seems to work SO much better for Astro Boy than it does for Atlas. Maybe it’s just the way Atlas is sculpted or something, but Astro Boy’s glowing eyes just emit wonder, while Atlas…well, it’s still a nice touch.

Value - **1/2

I paid $6.99 each for them- of course I bought them at Suncoast on a RePlay Triple Point weekend, so I made out better than most will, but I don’t think THESE will be too much cheaper elsewhere, truthfully. I say, knock ‘em down about $2 each, and that’s MUCH more appropriate.

Overall - Astro Boy ***, Atlas **½

I was really looking forward to these figures, and they really DO look great, but they SO severely lack, and that’s why I had to give them the score I did. Kids’ll probably like ‘em- though the figures DO suffer from severe articulation issues. Collectors, unless they’re hardcore completists, will likely pass on them, and I don’t blame them. Seriously, at the price of these figures, it’s really your call- is it worth the $5-6.99, or not?

Unfortunately, Suncoast and the other Musicland Affiliates are the only stores I’ve successfully found the figures at, as of now, so I can’t really give you a heads up on anywhere else to look. But I’m sure you’ll see ‘em elsewhere, soon enough.

http://www.toytokyo.com/product_info.php/products_id/2408 -more Astroboy products

http://www.toytokyo.com/product_info.php/products_id/2408 - more Astroboy products

I'm curious about how many people are actually reading this thread and who you are. If you are reading it please just make a quick post saying that you are indeed reading. Thanks very much. All cooperation is sincerely appreciated.

Positively Kanyon · October 25, 2004

I'm regularly read this thread, it's good having all this info in one place!

October 26, 2004

I'm regularly read this thread, it's good having all this info in one place!

Cool! Any others out there?

"New" Astroboy trailer 2003 series

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