Originally posted by jeffbert@Feb 18 2004, 03:36 AM
I think that Tezuka created Atom based upon that character as much as he based him upon [b]Pinocchio. [/b]
In the Dark Horse manga vol 21 page 8, Osamu Tezuka says he was hooked on Pinocchio at the time of creating Astroboy. (although he doesn't specifically say he created Astroboy in Pinocchio's image)
On the topic of Fist of the North Star, the first time I saw the promo clip for it I was really shocked. I don't think I've ever seen animation so violent and gory. But I've come to look at it in the same way as you now. The catch slogan is "an epic assualt on the senses" and that's what it is, in a sort of over-the-top way. I don't think it can be taken really seriously. It's so far out there I'm not even sure it can take itself seriously. But I haven't seen the actual show so I can't comment further. Looks like kind of an early milestone anime though, like Akira but less so. Or at least more genre specific.