AstroBoy Online Forums

After seeing one example of all three versions of Astro Boy episodes, I think I can make a fair and accurate judgement between all 3 versions.

AstroBoy 1.0 [the 60's BW] is the best in my opinion. His personality, voice and stories were clearly the best. I liked his " I'm a nice guy, but don't mess with me" demeanor, and his willingness to mix it up.

AstroBoy 2.0 [the 80's series], comes close to the 60's version, but the voice is unnerving to me. Since I have seen only one [Uran the Tomboy] so far, I will reserve judgement on the character issue until I see a few more episodes [Cybotron, please put more 80's eps on the board!].

AstroBoy 3.0 [The current one] is really a pain. He has absolutley no backbone, and does not have the gumption to mix it up with his foes. The two-parter with Atlas , and "The Rise of Pluto" are two prime examples. The old Astro would have taken the fight to his foes, instead of letting himself get abused in those two stories. He lets his emotions get the better of him and does not get a handle on them in messy situations. Oh and the " I do not want to fight you" whine would get the other two versions to laugh him off the show!

Maybe I need to see more of the current stuff to understand this, but I feel that the character can be written a little better, smarter, with more fortitiude than what is displayed today.

The voice is OK, but the overall character needs a backbone. B)

I dunno, the 3rd Astro (2003) is acting like a progressive learner, I thought the first episode was great.

This one's started off with a childish interest in everything and like the manga Atom he doesn't really resort to all out retalliatory violence unless it becomes the absolute last straw, looking to defeat conflicts using the brains more than the arm pulse cannon.

You know he doesn't use that thing very often it seems, he's apt to lock and load but he shows great fire discipline.

I don't have a favorite right now fromt the 3.

id rather have the voice of the 80's astroboy, than the current series we see before us(smartassboy)

I think the Astroboy '03 wasn't shabby at all.

Don't you think it's wonderful and a noble deed to convince your enemies first to turn to your side rather than use brute force on them immediately?

I think that what makes Astroboy '03 my favorite character because he's the most galant and selfless Astroboy.

I know I discussed this somewhere, perhaps I will search for the thread later. Anyway, to summarize my thoughts:

• 1. 60s had extensive manga-style humor, kid's cuteness, and interesting plots.
• 2. 80s had less manga-style humor,kid's cuteness, and interesting plots.
• 3. 2003 had no manga-style humor. Even Metropolis had Lamp's candle. kid's cuteness, and interesting plots.

I think each has its own strong points, & enjoy all. However, I favor the 60s because I remember the "Go, go, go!" & the theme music's tune.
It has the precious memories for me.

Originally posted by jeffbert@Jul 15 2004, 02:02 AM
However, I favor the 60s because I remember the "Go, go, go!" & the theme music's tune.
It has the precious memories for me.

I grew up watching the 60's series, and after watching the episodes now [on my DVD vol. 1, the only set of 60's Astro I have so far], I think they have held up very well [after 40+ years], and I think they would put the 2003/04 episodes to shame. Like I said about the 80's episodes, I need to see two or three more to get a better feel of how Astro Boy was written and presented to the audience.

60's show is the best. the selection of the voices for the characters is one of the high points. the 60's show has a narraration which is unusal for a cartoon, almost like it was written for adults? the only thing i don't like about it is the attempts at humor with the weird facial expressions is a bit much a times. astro may have a additude with villians, but he only fights when he has to and does not stop untill they are utterly defeated, which makes a lot of sense...

Its so trendy to slag off whatever is new. I havent seen either of the other Astroboy series, but i think the new one is pretty damn good, and he doesent lack back bone at all.

Sorry to contradict WorkinClassHero, but you should see the other series too, and you will probably see they are better Of course graphism is better with the new version, but most people here ( including me ) think that the new version lack interresting plots, and don't follow the spirit of both previous versions and the mangas.
And remember: saying that the other series are better doesn't mean the new one is bad, it is just "less good"

Originally posted by fancyfree@Jul 14 2004, 10:33 PM
60's show is the best. the selection of the voices for the characters is one of the high points. the 60's show has a narraration which is unusal for a cartoon, almost like it was written for adults? the only thing i don't like about it is the attempts at humor with the weird facial expressions is a bit much a times. astro may have a additude with villians, but he only fights when he has to and does not stop untill they are utterly defeated, which makes a lot of sense...

Perhaps you have seen something like this:


Hyoutan-Tsugi is one of Tezuka's special characters, who only appears when the plot becomes too serious.