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Last night I was looking through the thread of 2003 screen shots, and stopped on this particular image.



I couldn't figure out at first what it was about it that was so different - and then it dawned on me: his eyes aren't fully open with the five spiky eyelashes that look so . . . well, weird!

It's as he's always got this robotic, unblinking stare throughout the series (see below)


Yet in the 60's anime (and also in the 80's) his eyes are not always 100% wide open (and that makes them much more expressive)


I wonder if they did that on purpose. . . to make him look more like a machine? They can loose those five eyelashes forever, as far as I'm concerned. I was glad they didn't carry that over to the 2009 movie!

Interesting observation. I had never paid attention, but I can see what you mean. He's always well drawn in the 2003 series, but perhaps not quite as natural, not as soft.

Wow, I didn't notice that much. Astro/Atom was drawn really well in the 2003 series but he didn't seem very natural.

Now that I think about it that eye thing is a huge part of it! One thing that I noticed off the bat with the 2003 version was that he didn't have a natural "body curve" I guess. I think this is because he was drawn in circles instead of lines. He has these huge arms, and these constant non-blinking eyes. As well as these briefs/speedo which look like some kind of diaper thing that was spray painted or something. He looks more natural when he's in his school clothes. But now I can see where you're coming from.

What I noticed about 2003 Astro are two things:

1. His spikes are more further back
and
2. He looks like a mouse XD

I didn't really like his 2003 look all that much, because the anime itself went too kiddy in design @.@ it was like all the character's bodys are flatable as balloon and if you poked them with a needle they'd all pop.

Yeah, and I've never done that comparison but his '03 eyes looks kinda... enlarged.

And also I think that the '03 series wanted to make him more human-like, since, well...his 'door' in his chest is absent most of his time, his actions are more fluent and the 'lines' between his joints like in the '80 series aren't there either.

And also, the '03 was a bit to kiddy, I agree. Something with the police cars looking kinda like dogs...

"Androids101" wrote:And also, the '03 was a bit to kiddy, I agree. Something with the police cars looking kinda like dogs...

That's a Tezuka classic! They even make fun of it in Pluto.

I could talk badly about '03 Astro but it would just be in reference to some episodes/scenes. Truth is, the design of the characters in that show changes a bazillion times. It may have very expensive and fluid animation, but it might very well be the anime with the least consistent character designs I have ever seen, and that's a shame.

When Astro looks good though, he looks really good. Same for 1980's series on a small level. In some episodes of that series he's what I consider to be his absolute best.

Personally I'm fine with Astro's layout throughout the '03 series.
I think each of the 3 series has its special atmosphere, including Astro's way of appearance. That said, I've got to agree with AprilSeven about the half-open (or rather 3/4-open? ) eyes making Astro way more appealing.

Check out Astro's "bedroom"-glance from the last scene of 'Guunon's Great Adventure' (03):

i agree with Strange Wings

Agreed.

I think Astro 2003 is soooo adorable with his eyelashes and his... well everything

*whispers* not only that, but you don't wanna make him angery