Why aren't there more 80's episodes?

[ASTROBUDDY]

I believe Schodt mentioned (in ESSAYS) that Tezuka felt he had lost control over the 1960s series, & ended it out of frustration. On the other hand, I think 193 episodes were proposed from the very start.

In the 1980s series, Tezuka actually had very little to do with it. The two episodes that most show his touch are SPACEPORT R-45 & GADEM (ROBOT VIKINGS). He was continually writing & drawing manga, & as far as anime goes, he cared little for anything other than the few movies he made.

I think what you are referring to is that the fact that in the same manner Conan Doyle felt he had lost control of Sherlock Holmes because the fans began to make him their own that this is how Tezuka felt about the Atom anime. I don't know if 193 episodes were proposed from the beginning, but 193 definitely filled out four seasons and yes you can say Tezuka definitely ended TetsuWan Atomu so he could concentrate on other projects like "Jungle Emperor" which was to become his first color anime.

I

[AprilSeven]

@Jeffbert - well that would explain the continuity break in Spaceport R-45 where the father refers to Dr. Tenma abandoning Atom because he did not grow (and he chose to give his robot son successive maturing bodies). But in the 1980's telling of Atom's origin Tenma did NOT "disown him and sell him to the circus" as before.

I thought it odd they had that reference to the 1960's origin story, but maybe that is simply the script Dr. Tezuka submitted, and they didn't bother to edit his words to be consistent with the 1980's storyline.

[Prettywitchiusaka]

I believe Schodt mentioned (in ESSAYS) that Tezuka felt he had lost control over the 1960s series, & ended it out of frustration. On the other hand, I think 193 episodes were proposed from the very start.

In the 1980s series, Tezuka actually had very little to do with it. The two episodes that most show his touch are SPACEPORT R-45 & GADEM (ROBOT VIKINGS). He was continually writing & drawing manga, & as far as anime goes, he cared little for anything other than the few movies he made.

Really? That's kind of interestign confsidering that Tezuka wanted a color remake of Astro Boy, even creating Jetter Mars as an attempt to do so once his studio went under.

[Novacain]

Really? That's kind of interestign confsidering that Tezuka wanted a color remake of Astro Boy, even creating Jetter Mars as an attempt to do so once his studio went under.

That is interesting! There was an episode from the 1960's series where they introduced colour, I believe. I remember being very surprised by it.

[Dragonrider1227]

I always figured it has less episodes due to cost. You could probably make 3 episodes of the 60s series in the cost to make one 80s episode.
And I once heard it got poor ratings due to not being as super hero and action based as the 60s series did. Which is sad because Tezuka didn't like the super hero and action turn the 60s series turned into since it went against the original idea of the manga

[Prettywitchiusaka]

Still though, at least Tezuka stuck to his guns with the 80s series as oppossed to caving into popular public opinion.

Mind you, a creator should never ignore their audience entirely. But there's a world of difference between taking your audiences advice to enhance your vision, and jusy ignoring them entirely.

[jeffbert]

[QUOTE=jeffbert;195799]I believe Schodt mentioned (in ESSAYS) that Tezuka felt he had lost control over the 1960s series, & ended it out of frustration. On the other hand, I think 193 episodes were proposed from the very start.

In the 1980s series, Tezuka actually had very little to do with it. The two episodes that most show his touch are SPACEPORT R-45 & GADEM (ROBOT VIKINGS). He was continually writing & drawing manga, & as far as anime goes, he cared little for anything other than the few movies he made.

Really? That's kind of interestign confsidering that Tezuka wanted a color remake of Astro Boy, even creating Jetter Mars as an attempt to do so once his studio went under.[/QUOTE]
I believe Tezuka created JETTER MARS in response to a particular network's request to have its own MIGHTY ATOM series, as close to the original as possible. Because Animated Atom was in ndispute over ownership, Tezuka made Mars the main character. There are several JM episodes that are remakes of stories originating in manga, but featured in the B&W series. The one that most closely resembles the earlier version is about the SOLAR, no, FREEZING SPHERE. But instead of a robotic Sherlock Holmes, we have Bond. Oops, it is called Secret Agent James Bond.

Edit: I just made a thread with a few dozen images: 12, Secret Agent James Bond

[Tetsuwan Atom]

Jetter Mars was indeed never intended to be made that already should have been the second version of Asto Boy but wasn't possible because of a sponsor that had the rights from the mushi period.

Anyway the 1980 series is really what me got into Tezuka so i don't know why it wasn't longer cuess it just wasn't necessary and after Atlas was killed the tension wore off because he was made so badass in that series but dammn the colors in that series looked so good at the times it had to shine mostly in the fights.

And Astro Boy is so adorable in that series so i definitely prefer it above the 1960 series.

[Dragonrider1227]

Still though, at least Tezuka stuck to his guns with the 80s series as oppossed to caving into popular public opinion.

Mind you, a creator should never ignore their audience entirely. But there's a world of difference between taking your audiences advice to enhance your vision, and jusy ignoring them entirely.

That is something to respect. He didn't sell him out to popular demand. On the other hand, I'm sure there could've been a happy medium somewhere. Like maybe giving more happy ending to the poor kid D:

[jayrath]

In the 1980s series, Tezuka actually had very little to do with it.

For all I know, that's true. I never met Tezuka. Wish I had! But I can tell you that Nippon Television was all over us, and observed our studio work for several days. The whole cast felt very strongly that we were being held accountable to Tezuka's standards, and we were a little afraid when our "bosses" came over from Japan.