Hi 1magus,
Here's what I know. In Japan there were 50 episodes that ran from April 2003 to early 2004. Unfortunately here in the States there were only about 20 aired and they were butchured compared to the original Japanese, I ought to know, I've got all 50 Japanese eps. on dvd. Not just scenes were cut such as Astro falling aseap in Oshay's car, but the stories were sometimes changed like in the 2 part Atlas episodes. :angry: <_< Damn American censers tampering with beautiful art. The censership in my country has gone to far. Sometimes I wish I lived in Japan, where there's far less censership.
The ratings for Astro were terrible, only about a 2. something rating compared to the Teen Titans 5. lead. I not sure if it was the editing of Astro or the fact that Astro's an angel compared with the more violent characters with attitude in our country. As far as more eps. from Japan, I'm not sure. Astro did say something like what Adrian_68 said at the end of episode 50, so he left it open for more eps. I think both Japan and America are banking on the upcoming movie. In fact the video companies here in the States like The Right Stuf and Manga Video who own the video rights to the 60's and 80's Astro have made a deal with Tezuka productions in Japan not to release any Astro on dvd until after the movie is released. Maybe Tezuka produtions is waiting itself to see if the movie is a sucess before making more episodes.
As far as copyrights:
In Japan Osamu Tezuka Produtions owns the rights to Astro. Tezuka was the creator of Astro. His other charaters include: Kimba the White Lion, Princess Knight, Black Jack and Space Giants(Ambassador Magma) and hundreds more. He died in 1989.
The new series was coproduced with Sony and they own the video rights to the new series.
In America the video rights to the 60's Astro is owned by The Right Stuf. The 80's is owned by Manga Video. And the Sony owns the rights to the new series. Time Warner still has the television rights to Astro and Cartoon Network, owned by Time Warner, has commited Astro to there vast library, though no word on if they'll ever show him again. <_<
So there you are, I hope this is some help. I can post some links later if you're interested in buying some Astro on either dvd or video tape.
