Astro Boy Episode Guide

[ASTROBUDDY]

The Astro Boy Episode Guide is not offered for sale any more from the Right Stuf International because most of the information in it is outdated and the synopses of the episodes is included in booklets that are included in the Ultra Collector's Editions of the original Astro Boy series DVD box sets! I would like to add that the 104 English episodes were culled from the first 124 TetsuWan Atomu episodes with the last one dubbed being ep.# 124--"Parting Gifts" aka "Double Trouble"! Of the first 124 episodes, 20 were not dubbed! 6 episodes from the first season were not dubbed, thus pushing episodes from season two into use for dubbing! Ten episodes from season 3 where also used to complete the total of 104 episodes! According to an article I read which interviewed Tony Caputo at the time he was starting to publish "The Original Astro Boy" comic book, Suzuki & Associates was supposedly the Suzuki of Suzuki Motors!
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[Alittleacorn]

While the above text says that the Americans were ok with 104 episodes, Ladd states that they really only wanted 52; & that once season 1 was nearing completion, Tezuka offered Season 2, & was quite unprepared for the Americans' refusal, as the series was planned to run 193 episodes. Americans felt that kids would not remember any more than 1 season, so why buy more. The above part about maintaining the films is correct.

Nu, you're wrong Muffin-chan. I read this in the Astro Boy Essay's recently and it said the reason they didn't adapt anymore seasons into english was because most shows were being done in color by then. If the anime wasn't in black and white there might have been a few more over seas, maybe the whole series!

[AprilSeven]

Thanks, Jeffbert, for posting contrasting information for some of the details that are inaccurate. There are about another five pages describing how the episodes were numbered, etc., but I didn't want to overdo the whole thing.

I was hoping the copyright info would be sufficient (seeing as how the book is out of print) - and I did put in a plug for TRS -- plus when it comes to episode synopsis, your coverage at Tezuka in English is much more thorough.

If you feel it's too much, then I totally understand it's removal. I can offer a pdf of what I've scanned so far, if someone has a site and would be willing to post it there for everyone. Just send me a PM. I've got to get that Fred Ladd book....

As for info being in other books -- I don't see this being "competition" - it's more of a look at the first effort at documenting the anime's history and providing an episode guide - before they even had the film to restore and offer for sale! God bless them!

And for such a huge industry as anime has become . . . see how a few dedicated fans of Astro Boy pretty much lifted the program from needless obscurity (at least in the US). I can tell you that when I spoke with Todd Ferson, he was thrilled to share his Astro Boy knowledge (kinda like a Jeffbert!) and realized saving these programs for the future was going to be a HUGE undertaking (that that point they only had 2 VHS cassettes available, which I ordered). And he was already talking about doing the same for Gigantor, Kimba and others.

I hope someday I get to thank him again (I doubt he'd remember me) - and that's why each one of us really does need to follow our hearts and NOT GIVE UP!! Look at how much we've all enjoyed because Todd and Shawn got the ball rolling!!! YAY!!

[jeffbert]

[QUOTE=jeffbert;104095]While the above text says that the Americans were ok with 104 episodes, Ladd states that they really only wanted 52; & that once season 1 was nearing completion, Tezuka offered Season 2, & was quite unprepared for the Americans' refusal, as the series was planned to run 193 episodes. Americans felt that kids would not remember any more than 1 season, so why buy more. The above part about maintaining the films is correct.

Nu, you're wrong Muffin-chan. I read this in the Astro Boy Essay's recently and it said the reason they didn't adapt anymore seasons into english was because most shows were being done in color by then. If the anime wasn't in black and white there might have been a few more over seas, maybe the whole series![/QUOTE]
No, Donguri-chan, I am correct, as I do not take issue with anything in the post, except to say that:

there are a few inaccuracies, at least, according to Fred Ladd's book.

I am not one who would know whether L (Ladd) or S (Schodt) is correct on this, only that L states otherwise than S. S cites L numerous times in his book, while I know of no occasions where L cites S. Moreover, as their areas of expertise are different, my inclination is to go with L on this issue, especially since he himself was deeply involved in bringing the series to America.



AprilSeven, I am glad you appreciate my input.

[AprilSeven]

AprilSeven, I am glad you appreciate my input.

You're very welcome!

[jeffbert]

Before I forget, the text above is identical to that in the ULTRA Edition's booklet #1, which though it indicates an author, has no copyright statement. Thus, we may assume it is public domain.

[AprilSeven]

Wow!! That's great news!! YAY!! I'm trying to figure out the difference between the two Ultra boxed sets - 1 and 2 -- looks like one of them has a few Japanese episodes with subs -- anybody out there know??

[ASTROBUDDY]

Box set# 1 has the original first Japanese episode and Japanese episode# 20, in Japanese with English subtitles! Box set# 2 has Japanese episodes#s 34, 56 (the full color episode) and 193 (the final epiosde) all in Japanese with English subtitles! I think what Jeffbert is concerned with is that permission is required before any copyrighted material can be reprinted. Most of the material printed in the "Guide Book" now appears in the two booklets included in the box sets which are now copyrighted by Tezuka Prod. Co. Ltd./Mushi Prod. Co. Ltd., meaning since the entire contents of the booklets is now copyrighted as stated above, I would think that means the material is not in the public domain. I

[jeffbert]

ASTROBUDDY: I did not see any copyright notice in any of the booklets. Did I overlook them?

[ASTROBUDDY]

On the back cover of each booklet is the following: (the copyright insignia) Tezuka Productions Co., Ltd./Mushi Productions Co., Ltd. Distributed exclusively in North America by The Right Stuf International, Inc. followed by The Right Stuf website, http://www.rightstuf.com. I could be wrong, but I believe that would mean that the entire booklet is copyrighted by the above.
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