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OK, so being that I was born in 1986, I'm slightly too young to have watched Astro Boy as a kid (or at least too young to remember watching it), and I didn't watch the 2003 series either, so basically I have very little background to the series. There were a couple of things I didn't quite get in the ending:

What was the 'part' Dr. Tenma returned to Atlas?

Which 'Tobio' was Dr. Tenma talking to in the epilogue? The original, or Tobio-Astro Boy? If he was talking to the original Tobio, does that mean he had plans to build Astro Boy before Tobio's accident? Or was he speaking to Tobio-Astro about his intentions for his future?

Thanks very much for any help, here.

Strange as it sounds, I'm glad someone asked this. I'm a bit of a rambler and I like explaining things. Y'know, like one of those old dudes in the movies. XD

The "part" is a mistranslation. The original says more along the lines of "body", which is why after he says that, he brings in a capsule containing what appears to be a suspended human. What Tenma returns to Atlas is actually the body of Daichi.

Let me explain.
Atlas is a cyborg, and is said to be so in the game. Rather than a robot based on a human, he actually has the brain of Daichi in a mechanical body. As macabre as this all may sound, what Tenma is giving to him is his original body, and when he says that Black Jack can "put the parts together", he really means that the surgeon can put his brain back into his body, thus enabling Atlas to become human again. (This does not happen in the anime, but instead only in the GBA game.)
Black Jack then dryly says that Tenma will be the one stuck with the bill, since he's asking him to do this.


Now, as for Tenma's words, signing off the game...
That is a little more for debate. The implication is that he had intended to create Astro while Tobio was still alive.
And, although Astro is Tobio in spirit, he refers to them separately. He's talking 'to' the original Tobio, rather than Astro!Tobio, which implies that in this game, unlike in the anime, Astro is not the same person as Tobio and doesn't have his soul. Hopefully that's a good enough explanation, but if not just tell me what's up.


Well, class? Any questions?

"Daichi" wrote:He's talking 'to' the original Tobio, rather than Astro!Tobio, which implies that in this game, unlike in the anime, Astro is not the same person as Tobio and doesn't have his soul.

I was under the impression that in the 2000 series, Astro and Tobio weren't exactly the same person either. Astro says it all in one sentence in the last episode: "I'm not Tobio, I'm Astro".

Mm, yes, that's true. I hadn't been thinking of it at the time (such an oversight on my part!), but they are indeed separate people in the 2003 version. So Astro was trying to prove his identity as a unique person to Tenma.

In the older anime, however, they seem to be essentially the same in spirit.

In any version, though, they are similar, but they are almost never really 100% the same. Whereas, Atlas really is Daichi... And that really is cause for confusion.

Thanks Daichi, Fafner and welcome Vague Rant- hugs

Thanks all, very helpful. I ended up watching a couple of episodes of the 1980s series last night just for the hell of it; Atlas's whole character/history/etc. was reworked, huh?

It's curious that in the intro, the canonical son died/Astro built story is in place, but the epilogue seems to contradict it. Oh well, the game didn't have the best of translations even in the parts that did make sense. Fun, though.

Speaking of the TV series, which would you say is the best one to get started with? At the moment I have access to the 1980 series on DVD (my brother has it), but I tried watching it and the dub is atrocious. There are two episodes of the Japanese version in that DVD set, which are what I watched last night and quite enjoyed. I also watched the first episode of the 1963 show in English; the dub was probably not as bad in that one, but the show didn't attract me as much as the 1980s series did.

So, which is generally considered to be the best? 1963 in English, Japanese, 1980 in English, Japanese or 2003 in English, Japanese?

I think all of the series' versions have its preferences and weaknesses, it depends on each one's background and expectations.
Those who grew up watching the 60's series would probably name this one for being best as it may contain childhood memories and feelings associated with one's childhood.

For some of us it's more than just a childhood memory, it's a passion. Therefore I'm finding it hard to prefer one series before the other, I love them all. However, when I'm allowed to surrender myself to the the bias of childhood I clearly say: 80's english & french!

Thanks- i love all of the Astroboy's series- hugs

Quite simply, the 2003 version. Unlike the previous anime, it has a continuing story, and a very deep and beautiful one at that. The characters are vivid, colourful and loveable, and the animation is topnotch.

The previous versions didn't have the heart that the 2003 edition does, nor do they have the touching themes of redemption, healing, and familial love.
I believe that you will truly find it to your liking, especially if you enjoyed Omega Factor.

Truly there are none greater.

hug and thanks Daichi and everyone else- love the 2003 series and wish other children did too- hugs