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July 26, 1964--Astro Boy's first movie is premiered in Japan. (It can be found on YouTube under the above title!) [The film's title has been translated into English as, "Astro Boy, the Brave in Space"; as "Astro Boy, Space Hero (Hero of Space)" and "Astro Boy, Hero of the Universe".] It features three episodes from the "Mighty Atom" TV series along with snippets from one or two other episodes. The three main episodes are: "The Robot Spaceship" based on the manga story of the same name, (known in English as " The Phantom Spaceship"): "Earth Defense Squadron" based on the 1961-1963 Tezuka manga feature "Number 7" (English title, "The Moon Monsters") and "Last Day on Earth" based on the manga story of the same name (and known in English as "Attack from Space"). For this theatrical release two of the episodes were some of the first experiments of Tezuka's Mushi Pro. in color production.
The U. S.'s National Broadcasting Company which had syndicated the "Astro Boy " series in the U. S. had provided Mushi Pro.with the money and expertise to convert their studio to color production. (To produce the "KImba, the White Lion" series in color, that NBC was willing to buy, but only if it were in color.) They had taken "Earth Defense Squadron" one of the highest rated episodes of the series when it aired in Japan in January of 1964 and given it the full color treatment. They also partially added color to scenes from "Last Day on Earth".

One interesting fact about "Earth Defense Squadron" is that it had been produced as a pilot for a possible series. While the main character of the original manga series was known as "Shichiro Oshima/Number 7" for the "Mighty Atom" episode he was given the name, "Musashi Miyamoto" which was the name of Japan's most famous Samurai and master swordsman. This so that his rival "Number 5", could be named "Kojirō Sasaki", who was Musashi's biggest rival.(Those who know about "The Samurai Trilogy" a film series that starred Toshiro Mifune will know all about Miyamoto and Sasaki.) In the episode, Number 7 & Number 5 are always shown as feuding. (In the English dub Number 7 is given the name "Philbert Capfield" and number 5 is given the name, "Tex McCue''; thus parodying the famous Hatfield and McCoy feuders.)

The film also include scenes from the first episode, " The Birth of Atom/Astro Boy" and "Mission to Mars/Expedition to Mars" as filler and to bridge the episodes together.
The color episode, "Earth Defense Squadron/The Moon Monsters" can be seen in Japanese with English subtitles as a special feature in the DVD box set Volume two of the complete Astro Boy series form the Right Stuf International. The version in English of "Attack from Space" is the partially colored version as it was the best copy of the episode available, so the English soundtrack was added. So there you have a little bit of Astro Boy history.--Astrobuddy

I realize that some of you may not have access to the manga series of Astro Boy reprints from Dark Horse or the box set of DVDs of the original series from the Right Stuf Int., so I am going to provide a short synopsis of the three episodes that comprise "Astro Boy, Hero of the Universe!"

First is: "The Robot Spaceship" aka "The Phantom Spaceship":
The Institute of Science has succeeded in creating a spaceship comprised of robot parts each with its own electronic brain. The leader of an opposing country wants a spaceship like the aforementioned ship to use to battle any country that opposes her country. Astro Boy must stop her from getting such a ship. Of course there is more to this plot than I have mentioned, but I don't want to give away any more story spoilers.

Second is: "The Earth Defense Squadron" or "The Moon Monsters".
Dr. Elefun on the way to the moon to meet his old friend, the Commander of the Squadron is abducted by aliens and Astro Boy is sent to the moon to rescue him. With the help of the Squadron Astro Boy sets out to do just that.

Third is: "The Last Day on Earth" or "Attack from Space".
A robot named Bem (or Beemo in the English dub) is running away from his home planet because a bomb he s carrying is wanted by some scientists of his planet. Astro Boy comes to his aid.

So there you have it without revealing too much of the basic stories involved in this production.--Astrobuddy

i seen it before

How interesting! And how did you like it? Do you understand Japanese? I am curious to hear your thoughts.--Astrobuddy