10 Years of the 2003 Anime

[Shiyonasan]

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the premiere of the 2003 anime in Japan. It was the first anime of Astro Boy that I watched all the way through (minus about 3 or 4 episodes). There's some great material in there, especially the final 6 episodes. Great anime through and through.

Anybody have any fond memories or thoughts on the 2003 anime?

[StargazerLili]

I remember finding it on Netflix a few years ago while trying to find the 1960's series (which they didn't have). At the time I was having "the worst summer ever" because while my friends were out having lives, I was stuck at home healing up from jaw surgery.
The animation itself was beautiful, and even though at times it was a little corny, I like what they did with it.

[Juanita]

It was the first version of the Astro Boy series I had seen, and I was stunned by how beautiful the animation was. It was a little corny at times, but not so much that it took away from what was happening. I am trying to find English subs online, and though I have only found a small amount of subbed episodes, I can say that it is even better in its original form. The final episode was very touching. I enjoyed how they "modernized" it while still keeping the Astro Boy feel found in the older series.
Happy 10th birthday to the series!

[Prettywitchiusaka]

Wow, I was expecting not to see this kind of thread until tomorrow. Oh well, better late than never, I guess.

But yeah, I love this show.
While it does have its problems, it is one of the best anime I've ever seen in my life, and possibly one of the best kids anime ever made. It has a great overarching story, with lots of interesting and insightful themes, and all without loosing that light-hearted feeling the original series had going for it.

It's also a great example of how to do a reboot correctly; it kept the spirit of the original story, but only modernized it to the point that it needed to be.

But yeah, that's all I can think of to say for now. It's one of my favourite anime, and it might be my number one ( I'm still debating either this or Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) for that slot).

[Juanita]

Wow, I was expecting not to see this kind of thread until tomorrow. Oh well, better late than never, I guess.

I was actually thinking of making a thread for Astro's birthday tomorrow.

I'd definitely agree that it is one of the best animes ever made (my runner up is Haibane Renmei, though it's more of an aquired taste). I don't really like calling it a children's anime because of how good the Astro Boy animes are. They involve many mature topics that aren't just for kids. He is a "hero for all ages" after all!

[Fuzzy Pickles!]

I've seen a few subbed episodes online, but I do plan on getting the Japanese version eventually. Also seen one episode of the dub when it was on Toonami.

Not much memories of the show. Hoping to finally get my hands on the series eventually.

[Satus]

The 2003 version was the first version of Astro Boy I was introduced to. I used to watch it on Toonami way back when it first aired, since that was so long ago, I don't remember what kind of impressions it gave me. But what I do know is that I liked it enough to continue watching many episodes.

In recent years, I have enjoyed how it has impressive animation, colours and effects. But Astro's voice in the English dub really turns away my interest, because I feel it doesn't fit his character. I hope for an uncut version someday.

As for the time this thread is up, I think the timing is perfect. The series aired on the 7th in Japan, so wouldn't it make sense for the timing to match up with the time in Japan? Just a thought.

[racoonangel]

Happy B-day Astro Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( even thought it's not officially april 7th where I am

[Earthshine]

I remember wondering why my cable provider gave it an M rating... I was about thirteen when it was on and I could not see it because my mother had a parental block on all shows with an M rating... I couldn't see it until I bought the entire boxed series a few years ago.

I loved it though, and was pleased that they went more into the struggle for equal rights for robots, I was also glad that Ochanomizu was portrayed as Atom and Uran's father, it always bothered me with the original and other series that Atom had to have robot parents. It was refreshing to have them gone. I also enjoyed the voice cast, stone me if you will but I liked the choice of actors. I did not however like the editing or direction.

[Prettywitchiusaka]

I won't stone you for that at all, Earthshine. Much like yourself, I actually really enjoyed the dub myself ( dumb edits aside). And while I will agree that the acting is rather hokey, I think that (with the exceptions of Astro and O'Shay) everyone sounds as they should.

I also agree with you that having O'Shay be Astro's legal guardian worked a lot better than him having actual parents. It deepens their connection and their trust in one another, but it also adds to the on-going conflict with Tenma.