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I just watched the dub of the 9th story, and recalled reading Asomov's "Robbie." Both of these deal with robots used as babysitters, companions and playmates for children, and guardians. Both deal with those robots being taken away from the children who loved them, and their eventual reunion. Although Osamu Tezuka had nothing to do with the creation of this new series, it does seem fairly consistant with his ideas. So,
Asimov's Gloria = Tezuka's Joe
Asimov's Robbie = Tezuka's Robot, I forgot his name, but that is tough.

Anyway, this robot seems based upon the 60s "Monster Machine" because both assimilate other devices into themselves and grow thereby. However, this new series' robot, although it causes massive destruction, is a good guy.

Interesting notes on that episode;

The robot in question is called Franken, which was also the name of the robot featured in the second episode of the original series & that totem pole headed guy in the 80s series(like you didn't know that already).

However, this episode bears little or no resemblance to those stories(although 80s Frank did attach bits of other robots to himself because he was incomplete). The story actually seems to be a combination of, like you said, Monster machine & also the story "Astro goes to elementary school" from the "Astroboy tales" series from the Sankei newspaper.
It features a boy who is presumed dead after a car accident caused by the family's robot driver being accosted by the boy's oafish father. The boy was infact kept safe in a compartment inside what was left of the robot underwater.

The 2003 series Franken seems to have a similar relationship to his young friend that the robot in "Elementary school", who is also similar to Robbie.

Originally posted by Master Atlas@Jul 20 2004, 01:11 AM
Interesting notes on that episode;

The robot in question is called Franken, which was also the name of the robot featured in the second episode of the original series & that totem pole headed guy in the 80s series(like you didn't know that already).

However, this episode bears little or no resemblance to those stories(although 80s Frank did attach bits of other robots to himself because he was incomplete). The story actually seems to be a combination of, like you said, Monster machine & also the story "Astro goes to elementary school" from the "Astroboy tales" series from the Sankei newspaper.
It features a boy who is presumed dead after a car accident caused by the family's robot driver being accosted by the boy's oafish father. The boy was infact kept safe in a compartment inside what was left of the robot underwater.

The 2003 series Franken seems to have a similar relationship to his young friend that the robot in "Elementary school", who is also similar to Robbie.

"that totem pole headed guy in the 80s series(like you didn't know that already)"

I cannot imagine any totom-ploe headed guy except Hyotantsugi (Gourdski) in Lillly on Peligro Island, when the elderly man was climbing the pole.

"However, this episode bears little or no resemblance to those stories..."
While the stories may indeed be greatly different, they do have those similarities I noted; I implied none other than these. I agree that the robotic chauffer was acting in the interests of his master's son; however, it was not his playmate, nor was it his guardian. The main element of that story was the father's anti-robot campaign that resulted from the presumed death of the child. Once he knew of his safety, he was torn between defending his campaign or renouncing it.