I believe that Cobalt and Chi-tan are obsolete.

[Toshio]

Let's avoid that discussion in the thread about "Uran being represented as a very young child".
Well, I believe that Cobalt is obsolete, because Atom is the main character of the show and all of his incarnations he was based in Dr. Tenma's late son Tobio.
In the mangá, Cobalt was too alike Atom and slightly tall while in the anime he was quite different.
Due the fact Atom is the main character I believe that is better for him being the perfect robot ever made by Dr. Tenma, since the idea of making a child robot came straight from his son. And to be a elder brother, it would be good if Cobalt was a good example for the protagonist, but then again he was too naive and forgetful that Atom had to solve everything...
In the 1983 series we even saw adult model robots being made who broke appart and then Tobio suggested a robot model shapped like a child.
Then Dr. Tenma forgets the promise with Tobio who attempt to return home and dies in a car crash, so Dr. Tenma rather than trying to make another robot model which could become a failed prototype, do everything to make it perfect. But he still end up disowning the robot Tobio after he caused trouble in banket.
Well, there was no room for Cobalt in that series and it was not just because Atlas was a pirated brother made with Atom's stolen blueprints, so he got kicked off.
Chi-tan would not make sense in the series either, since it would not make sense for Dr. Ochanomizu making robot babies, regardless if they had a purpose, they would not necessary for that series' plot.
In the 2003 series, Dr. Tenma wanted to make the robot of his life after his son Tobio died, then again Cobalt was obsolete... Because, it would not make sense a prototype (aka older brother) to appear in the show since the idea was making the perfect or perhaps beyound perfect Robot Tobio which later revolted, got deactivated and then was found by Dr. Ochanomizu who renamed him as "Atom".
Also, we had the fact Atlas became Atom's somewhat brother once again.
I say somewhat, because Atlas was based in Daichi Tokugawa who also died in an accident.
So, Cobalt as a elder parent got completely outclassed.
And Chi-tan would not make sense in that show as well. Since Dr. Ochanomizu was single and the robot parents (who were quite pointless in the past) got omitted.
Another thing, if the japanese people believes that Cobalt and Chi-tan to be obsolete as well, then there is no chance for them returning.
They were also omitted in the Tetsuwan Atom for SNES which used designs from the 1983 series despited having adapted story of the 1963 series.
They got omitted in Tetsuwan Atom: Heart no Himitsu, Tetsuwan Atom 2003 for PS2 and then omitted again in Tetsuwan Atom: Tap Tap Rush which bought back some of the designs from the 1963 series (1963 Shibugaki is a example) with revamped designs for Atlas, Livian and Pluto which were based in the 1983 series.

[Little Brown Fox]

My goodness, you just don't give up, do you? Going around and spewing your opinions as if they were law. Well, I'm not going to shut up about it, either. Hole-punching time!

First off, Cobalt's first appearance was in the manga, as a planned successor to Atom when he seems to go missing. However, due to a pre-existing scenario of some urgency, the production of the robot (codenamed "Cobalt") was expedited before Dr. Ochanomizu could finish installing important components into the robot's brain. As a result, when powering him up, he almost didn't even come online, the scientists fearing that it hadn't worked.

However, he came online, and all seemed well. Later, Dr. Ochanomizu called Cobalt to him, and began to test him. He gave him a mathematics equation, and Cobalt answered correctly. At first, things seemed to be going well, as this seemed to prove that his IQ was around the same as Atom's. But, when asked to disassemble an alarm clock, Cobalt became confused, and visibly flustered, eventually declaring that he could not do it (as well as smashing the clock to pieces, perhaps out of frustration, or simply by mistake). Dr. Ochanomizu came to the conclusion that although Cobalt was just as smart as Atom, he was simply not cut out for detailed work.

However, his powers and capabilities are comparable to Atom's; he's just as strong; and he's got a very useful ability: he can track Atom, no matter where he is, and find him, if he were to go missing, or perhaps, fall into danger. Their radio signals call to one another, as this was how Cobalt was built.

Now Chi-tan (or Ti-tan) was, in fact, more there for comic relief. Around here, it is theroized that he is an homage to the "Popeye" character, "Swee' Pea". However, his first appearance, like Cobalt's, was in the manga; only as a baby brother, rather than intended successor. In the manga, he was capable of supersonic cries, just as in the anime. Unlike in the anime, he also appeared to be strong, like his siblings (which, naturally, was a problem). There is a topic about this somewhere, in which it was discussed that Tezuka may have been toying with the idea of an infant Atom, and tested the idea with Chi-tan. However, Chi-tan proved to be less than popular, and as far as I can tell, after that story, he was never seen in the manga again. Not only that, but his origin story was never reprinted in its entirety; as such, it is very rare.

MOVING ON to Tap Tap Rush (seeing as your comments regarding the '80s and '00s series were pretty much the case): From my understanding, while I have never actually played the game, I have been lead to believe that it is largely based upon the '80s series, in spite of the different character designs.

Now then, I WILL say this about the '80s and 2003 series: Cobalt's presence was omitted NOT because he is "obsolete"; but because he would have seemed redundant, especially in the '80s series. In a future series, however, this might not matter (although, considering how Atlas has been a recurring theme lately, the prospect's bleak). He could still be relevant, even if Chi-tan no longer is; he could even be made to be older. It just depends upon how the plot is written.

What I'm trying to tell you (because you're CLEARLY not listening) is that just because these characters fell under YOUR radar, that doesn't mean that they should be written off just yet (and that CERTAINLY does not mean that they should be treated as they do not, or SHOULD not, exist).

[Toshio]

Despite all of what you said, I still believe that Atom being the main character is much more suitable for him being the eldest of all sibling.
It's still a big issue for Cobalt being always omitted in the other media like the games, after all he would not fit in the plot at all.
The Super Famicom game was mostly based in the 1963 series despite having artworks from the 1983 series, Cobalt doesn't even appeared in the cutscenes, nevertless. A strange point was that it even bought the kid Atlas instead of the Adult Atlas.
To be honest, it was not just other media like gaming which Cobalt was excluded, he was not even in the most specials of Tetsuwan Atom which don't even had Atlas or Uran as characters and he neither did a cameo in the special featuring Osamu Tezuka meeting his Star-System characters.
Frankly, Atom is much more dynamic as the eldest robot character made by Dr. Tenma.
As he is made mainly based in Tobio Tenma, so the idea of Cobalt appearing as a prototype is completely pointless. Also it felt pretty logic for Dr. Tenma making a child robot after Tobio died and not before.
Plus he was quite concerned about the fact Atom could not grow up. However, it's logic that robots can't grow up, which felt that theme quite weird back then.
In the 2003 series we saw robots being discarted and recycled into new ones, so if Cobalt was a failed prototype, then he would follow the same way and Dr. Tenma would completely forget about him, rather than casting him away like scrap heap.
Considering Dr. Tenma's personality, it would be suitable for him destroying any failed prototype entirelly, so Cobalt's existence as a elder brother would not make sense either.
In the 2003 series, there was a episode which Atom goes missing and he even lost his memory when a giant satellite was about to crash on Earth, it seemed a thrown back to Cobalt's plot (main character goes missing and a terrible danger is about to happen) and reason of which he was created, but it got a twist and Cobalt was not used in the plot nevertless.
It was more reasonable for Dr. Ochanomizu look for Atom rather than trying to reproduct a copy with all of his powers, he don't had the blueprints which got destroyed by Dr. Tenma back then.
The writters even thought that adding Cobalt for the cast would not be necessary, so we got Boon making emergency repairs on Atom, so Dr. Ochanomizu could find him and fix the damage.
And I do know that Cobalt was made to be Atom's sucessor, but that role felt much redundant.
So, it still made more sense for Dr. Ochanomizu look for Atom in his own, so what's the point of giving hope and trying to make a sucessor?
Atlas story from both 1963 series, either mangá or anime, don't made much sense.
But, Osamu Tezuka realized the character was not well used and due to that, Cobalt was kicked in favor of him, so he became Atom's brother.
I would not be surprised if they added Atlas once again as a 'brother' and neither I would surprised if Cobalt would not even involved in the plot as well.
After all, Atlas' origin in the 1963 series lacked the potential which made the character shine in the 1983 series and as well the 2003 series.
The idea of making Atlas considering Atom as a 'brother' in the 2003 series was mainly something of the english dub, he doesn't give a reason for sparing Atom after defeating him in the first encounter.
Since Daichi Tokugawa was son of Mr. Tokugawa and Atlas was just commissioned by the later, he could not be quite considered as a 'brother'.
Also, it felt kinda heartless for Dr. Ochanomizu not looking for Atom in the 1963 series when he went missing in the chapter of Cobalt's debut, he was quite attached to him, but gave up so easilly to the point of making or nominating a sucessor? It felt out of his character, nevertless...
What make the story of the 2003 series more dynamic is the fact we even saw Dr. Ochanomizu trying to find Atom at any cost.
I think that Cobalt is not necessary as either a elder brother or younger brother and it makes much more sense for Dr. Ochanomizu going literally in the end of the world to look for Atom and save him than making sucessors.
I believe that a single sibling for Atom make the story more emotional, if you have a single brother or sister, you would not want that sibling to come in harm.
You would not even wish him or her to die, unless you felt jealous about that sibling because the lack of attention which you had which is quite a bad thing.
So, the 2003 series showed that we should care about our siblings and we should get along with them, if wasn't for them then we would be lonely specially if our parents were out all times due work (in case that only had a single sibling).
I don't think the plot would strong enough with Cobalt as a elder brother, after all Atom could think: "I still have Cobalt" just in case Uran died, for example (but losing a sister specially due our lack of care is still terrible and it would make anyone haunted by that sister's death).
Care about your only one parent or you'll regret it, that was quite of a strong message in the 2003 series and it made much more sense since Dr. Tenma lost his only one son and got a terrible regret which drove him into madness.
To clarify my point:
a) Atom is the main character and it make more suitable for him being the eldest as he is based entirely in Tobio Tenma by either having or not the later's memories.
b) I believe Dr. Tenma would destroy a failed prototype rather than just casting away or sell it, as is still more reasonable for him not accepting failures.
I do know that 1963 Atom could not act like Tobio did and neither had his memories, but he was still quite a piece of work. The fact that he could not grow up lacked logic during that time and it can't justify him being considered as a failure, Dr. Tenma was either unable to give that function or forgot he should try add it since it's not natural for a robot.
c) I believe is more suitable for Dr. Ochanomizu never giving up about Atom and going anywhere to find him no mather how low the hopes could be, rather than making a sucessor.
d) The idea of caring of a single parent in the plot is more touching, after all Dr. Tenma lost his wife and then his son and in order to try make amends he made a copy of his son. But, due his lack of patience or bad behavior, the robot son was kidnapped (1983 series) or revolved (2003 series). It still makes more strong having Atom learning the value of having a single parent, so he could be a example and tell to a brother or sister who don't get along that brothers and sisters should be always together instead of fighting each other.
Because, one day they could regret since it could be too late to apology to each other.
And no offence for you, Little Brown Fox: For what I read, I know that you like Cobalt a lot. But, I believe his role as a sucessor for the main character completely redundant since there is no sense of Dr. Ochanomizu trying to make or nominate a sucessor for Atom since he is irreplaceable, so Dr. Ochanomizu himself had deposited all of his hopes on that robot child.
So, what's the point of giving hope on Atom when he is missing to try make a replacement?
I think the idea of a replacement not quite suitable, since Atom was already a replacement for Tobio.
And frankly, a family with so many siblings is not quite a easy thing...
But anyway, it was more suitable for Dr. Ochanomizu having only Atom helping him and the police if necessary. Imagine how things would be if Cobalt was in and got damaged as well?
But then again, I don't think is a good idea having Dr. Ochanomizu trying a replacement for a robot which is likelly irreplaceable.
That's also why I can't see any importance or chance of Cobalt returning.

[jeffbert]

I suspect that money may have been the cause for Cobalt & Chitan's omission from the 1980s series. Every character costs money for the physical appearance, voice, plot/role, etc. As Atom's Schoolmates were much more prominent in the 1980s than in the 60s, or JM, for that matter, their numerous appearances may have doomed Chitan & Cobalt. They provided all the kids the show needed other than Uran.

In the 2003 series, the schoolmates were at least as prominent if not even more prominent than in the 1980s. It could be that the parents were cut in favor of the schoolmates, & the cat eared-bow girl. I also think that the grandparent as foster parent may have been chosen in favor to the nuclear family because of politics.

[Toshio]

I still believe that Cobalt's role still too redundant...
It's pointless for Dr. Ochanomizu giving up about Atom when he goes missing to try pick a sucessor.
I personally think that Osamu Tezuka was fed up with Cobalt, imagine: He got KICKED and his SPOT LIGHT was stolen by a minor villain (yes, Atlas appeared quite briefly in the 1963 series and his design was awful).
Plus, Uran is much better as a parent for Atom since she was not even meant to replace her brother and her existence gave much more emotional value.
Never giving up the hope and never wanting to replace your dear robot kid with a sucessor was a great point in the 2003 series.
For what I read, Cobalt felt like a "replacement Scrappy" for Atom in his debut even though he found Atom and had his moments. It don't made sense for him being a sucessor for a character which cannot be replaced, so it would be more reasonable for Dr. Ochanomizu going after Atom than try replicate him.
Even Urasawa felt that Cobalt was pointless that he was not added in Pluto Mangá.
The robot family was also pointless, it don't felt like a family, because Atom was teaching them things about the world and they lacked experience to be legit guardians. They got mentioned in the Pluto Mangá, where Cobalt was never mentioned and never seem with Atom and Uran.
I also do know that Cobalt was in the "World's Greatest Robot" ark, but his appearancce was not even expressive.
So, there is no room for Cobalt regardless of his actions in the 1963 series...

[AprilSeven]

Just a comment from your friendly moderator . . .

Toshio, you are a very interesting and passionate contributor to Astroboy-Online, and I enjoy that part of you immensely, but I do think you would benefit from keeping this in mind: we have members (myself included) who are ALSO very passionate about different characters, versions of the anime or manga - just as there are people who absolutely HATED the 2009 movie, and others who have come to discover Astro/Atom because they LOVED the same movie.

Dr. Tezuka obviously made changes to the storyline over the decades -- adding or dropping characters - some of the changes pleased part of the fan base, and the same changes really frustrated other fans. That's not unusual at all, and part of the enjoyment of a forum like this, is sharing our ideas and feelings about all these things. It can be a lot of fun to debate the pros and cons of some the changes, but it's extremely important to try and treat everyone's opinion with respect and to remember that these are things with NO "right" or "wrong" answers. I happen to be a real fan of Cobalt, and I tend to agree with Little Brown Fox, more than you on this particular discussion - but I can certainly understand the logic you applied to your theories.

At the end of the day, though, we each enjoy Tezuka's Mighty Atom in our own way, and THAT is 100% okay. If some of us "stick to our own ideas" it doesn't reflect on you personally, or the validity of your arguments.

[Little Brown Fox]

I would like to clarify a certain point about Cobalt's origin in the manga:

The way things were discussed in that particular story, Cobalt seemed to be an idea that Dr. Ochanomizu had already planned in advance, as Atom was only one robot, and the likelihood of his destruction, given the missions he usually faces, was outstandingly high. Cobalt was concieved as a sort of "back-up" plan, in the case of an incident or crisis in which Atom could not be saved, and especially if there was still a dangerous situation present. He was not meant to replace him as a person- Atom in and of himself is a good example of why this is a terrible idea. No, Cobalt was meant to replace him at his occupation, which was, apparently, some form of disaster control. (How they ever managed before Atom, we may never know.)

[fafner]

I still believe that Cobalt's role still too redundant...

I think you failed to understand than no one here is trying to make you stop believing whatever you want to believe. What we want to make you understand is that what you believe is not necessary an absolute truth. It has nothing to do with the truth, not anything to do with falsehood either, it is basically your opinion.

You think Cobalt is obsolete. This is not true nor false, it is your opinion. Other people think Cobalt is not obsolete. This isn't true nor false either, it is their opinion. Do you think that when different people have a different opinion that means that one of them is necessarily wrong? It is nothing more than opinions and that's all.

[jeffbert]

Another thing is that in the 1950s & 1960s, one child families were rather rare. I, being a child of the 1960s have 4 siblings, and neighboring families ranged from one to seven kids, with the one & seven being represented by only 1 family each. No, there were actually 2 families with just 1 kid, but most had two. We lived on a cul-de-sac that was one of three or four on our block. Ours was in the corner of the block, & I am only thinking about the families that lived around the 1st 2 courts. I know only about the size of families whose kids included some who were about my age, & it seems that I can recall the average was between 2 & 3 kids each. I have no idea about Japanese families of the same time, but it seems that larger families had become nearly extinct by the 1980s. Parents wanted 1 boy & 1 girl at most; Thus Atom & Uran would be the only ones in the 1980s series. This assumes that they wanted to make the show have values that represented those of most families. No, 'values' seems the wrong word, perhaps make it representative of the family size of the day. If so, then that might explain why Ochanomizu was the only parental figure of the 2003 series (other than Tenma). Making the show's characters such that viewers could identify with them, may indeed be a factor, though not the only one.

I think single child families may have become the norm by 2000, but Uran was kept in order to make the series appealing to girls, or perhaps to be the damsel in distress whom Atom rescues. I am merely speculating, though I am using some facts as a basis.

[AprilSeven]

hmmmm . . . I think Jeffbert's point is definitely worth considering.

And I think Yuko's character (as well as changing Epsilon into a female character) was also an effort to enhance the appeal of the series to girls/women. The original Uran/Astro Girl had much less of her own unique personality than 80's or '03 Uran/Zoran.

But - and this is my own opinion again - i personally would STILL like to see at least Cobalt brought back. After all, both Tenma and Atlas are "bad guy" relatives to Astro - so why not a kind-hearted older brother.