I just realized something...

[Little Brown Fox]

So, if you think about it, Atom would now be as old as he was built to look if he actually existed (since he was created to look like Tobio, who was 9 years old when he died).

That's precisely the point I'm trying to make!

And chronologically speaking, the character, AS a character, being 61 years old, sounds about right.

[Astro Forever]

Haha, ASTROBUDDY! We humans don't seem to tolerate shades of gray too well, so we must ask ourselves questions like these!

But, 'cmon . . . in a suit?? Yup, I think he's perfect at any age!!

I don't recall having seen that one before!!!

[Gemstone2474]

In the 60 & 80's cartoon Astro looks 9,
In the 03 cartoon Astro looks about 11 maybe 12,
and in the 09 movie he looks around 14 possible 15.

So yes Astro truly is ageless.

[GreenDarthVader]

In the manga, Astro Boy gets an upgrade when aliens rescue him from his trip to the sun (last episode of 50s show), and he looks slightly older.

[GreenDarthVader]

In the 60 & 80's cartoon Astro looks 9,
In the 03 cartoon Astro looks about 11 maybe 12,
and in the 09 movie he looks around 14 possible 15.

So yes Astro truly is ageless.

I agree, but I'd replace "looks" with "sounds".

[ASTROBUDDY]

Okay, so I guess you all are making estimates of Astro Boy's perceived age, as I do not (correct me if I'm wrong) recall Tezuka ever stating exactly at what age Tobio was killed so that we could presume that Astro Boy was made to have the appearance of a boy of stated age?

To GreenDarthVader: To me in the 1960s version, he appears to be between 10 & 12.

In the 80s version he appears to me to be about 8.

Its in the 2003-4 version he appears to be about 9, at least in my humble opinion.
And of course in the movie, I believe it is stated Tobio is said to be 13.

So, yep, Astro Boy is ageless!

I

[Little Brown Fox]

Actually, I believe it /was/ stated /somewhere/ that his age is at or around nine years old (physically and mentally speaking), with the movie being the only exception.

In the English dub of the '03 series, he was made to sound and act older; even though I'd heard or read somewhere that it was confirmed that he had "the mind of a nine-year-old boy".

[ASTROBUDDY]

Actually, I believe it /was/ stated /somewhere/ that his age is at or around nine years old (physically and mentally speaking), with the movie being the only exception.

In the English dub of the '03 series, he was made to sound and act older; even though I'd heard or read somewhere that it was confirmed that he had "the mind of a nine-year-old boy".

Please cite exactly where it is stated that he is nine years old. As I stated before I do not recall any where specific that states his exact age, except where Tezuka has said that as he made Astro Boy younger the more popular he became.

I agree that as regards the '03 series they may have intended Astro Boy to appear to be about nine years old and at least to me, as I stated before, he does not appear any older.

Is there any one who can tell me is this now the standard that Tezuka Pro. wants to keep in regards to Astro Boy's appeared age?

I

[F-Man]

Dr. Ochanomizu definitely says that Astro has the body and mind of a 9 year old when saying that he needs to go to school in the 2003 series.

In the manga, wasn't he physically 8? I seem to recall this, but I may be wrong.

[Gemstone2474]

I think every one has their own idea and opinion about how old Astro looks/sounds/is.
And I think thats what Tezuka intended on.
(In his 60's and 80's cartoon, obviously not in the 03 cartoon and the 09 movie)
But still...