Originally posted by DrFrag+Apr 17 2005, 12:01 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (DrFrag @ Apr 17 2005, 12:01 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin--jeffbert@Apr 17 2005, 08:40 AM
I did not see anything that indicated neglect as was implied in the 80s, when Tobio wanted papa to take him to the zoo. Yet, even there, there is only that 1 incident.
I think neglect was implied. At least, Tenma was always too busy.
Dr Boynton: I'm busy today. We'll have to make it some other day.
Toby: It's always another day.
His last words before the car crash are "It's always the same" (although he says "Dad is a fool..." in the Japanese version). [/b][/quote]
I cannot but speculate what the author was trying to convey by that, but to a kid, any dissappointment will likely seem like
it is always that way. It is an attempt to manipulate the parent. Kids seem naturally inclined to do this, since they are physically weak. A kid will cry like he's dying at the mere mention of the parent's intend to paddle him. He will hope to sound so pitiful that the parent will say, "you have suffered enough, I am not going to paddle you." If you remember a recent Simpsons in which the kids were given booster shots, the mere anticipation of shots was greeted by screaming, etc. Kids hoping to make such a fuss that they escape the unpleasant event.
I just cannot assume from that one event that Tenma was a
Cat's in the cradle (or whatever the song was) type of parent. He showed no neglect of Atom, rather took a delight in teaching him. & when he could not find him, he was certainly upset. I think it is too bad that Tenma was out of the script after that. In the 60s, he shows up in several episodes, in one, he abducts Atom's family and demands Atom return to being his son in exchange for their safety. He boost his HP in another. Atoman could better name the eps in which he appears than I can.
My impression of him in the 80s is that he wants to be a good father, but has conflicting interests.