Sub-plot in the episodes w/ Bruton

[turbodewd]

Greetings gang,

I just bought my brother the 10 DVD box set containing all 52 1980s Astroboy episodes. Its cool!

Anyway, I couldnt help but notice some things in The Greatest Robot In The World double episode. Each robot seemed to represent a country:

Astroboy - Japan
Bruton - USA (blue robot, Indian-style red stripes under eyes)
Mount Blanc - France (obvious)
Zeron - UK (its a James Bond-like character, very proper)
Brondo – China? (greatest wrestler in the East could be China?)
Molnar – Spain? Germany? (not sure about Molnar, Spanish moustache?)
Hercules - Greece (obvious)
Fotar – Australia (Southern continent reference is obvious)
Bora – Russia (2-headed eagle symbol used often in Russian culture)

Bruton's master is a Saudi oil sheik and his assistant...well Im not so sure, maybe he's Jewish. Anyway, in the end Bruton (USA) is defeated by Bora (Russia) who is later defeated by Astro (Japan). The narrative after the battle refers to the desire for power ultimately destroying those who seek it. They could even be battling over oil.

Anyone ever noticed this??

[Astro Forever]

No... But I haven't watched this episode in the last 10 to 15 years! Thanks for sharing though, it does make sense. I'll pay attention when I'll watch it again!

BTW I'd love to have a brother like you! Welcome!

[turbodewd]

It was his birthday, me and my sis went halves on it for him. $186 Australian.

[DrFrag]

That's really insightful. I'd always just thought of them as a bunch of robots from around the world.

According to the Manga, Mt Blanc is Swiss :huh: , Molnar is Scottish, Xeron is German, Brondo is Turkish, Photar is Australian and Hercules is Greek. But they have different names. Bora only has one head, but he kind of looks like a Cossack.

Personally I think the places you listed fit a lot better with the locations and accents of the dub. Also, I thought Molnar was German. His master had a bit of a German accent ("You mean he's on his vay here?"). Can you imagine him with a Scottish accent? "Donna destrrrroy Brrruton, buh-rrrrring 'im back herrrre!"

[turbodewd]

whats the Manga??

[DrFrag]

Manga is Japanese comics. Astroboy started out as a manga in the early 50s, most of the stories come from there.

[O2Destroyer]

I love those two episodes (and of course, the original story is even better--I think anyway), but I can't help from laughing anytime someone mentions Bora. Good lord, it is such a great robot, but it was only apparently smart enough to say its name over and over. At least Bruton could have discussions, although often curtailed by 'I'm a fighting robot'.

"BORA!!!!" "BORA!!!!" "BORRRRAAAAAA!!!!"