Character ages

[Big Astro Fan]

I don't know if this would go here or the Astro discussion. But what are the ages of the characters? I know Astro is about 13. But what about Cora and the other kids? She looks about 15.

[MangaBottle]

That's the movie version. In the original manga, Astro is about nine.

[Fauna]

I looked in the movie's junior novelization not too long ago, and it said Zane was 14, and Widget & Sludge were 9. In the original manga, Tenma is 37 and Ochanomizu/Elefun is 55 (seeing as it's set in 2003 initially, and the two were born in 1966 & 1948, respectively).

Astro was originally nine in all of his appearances, and it's even stated in the Japanese version of Into Thin Air/Denkou. Uran's age (and height) bounces around, but she's 4 or 5 in the 1980's series.

[MangaBottle]

I saw that novel too, and I think it said Cora was about 17

[Big Astro Fan]

what is the name of the novel? Where can I find it?

[Fauna]

It was just called Astro Boy: The Novel. I saw it at two different stores, Coles and Indigo, which are both a part of a Canadian chain. I'm not sure where to get it in America, but I found a Barnes & Noble listing.

[Dr. Tenma]

You can also find it in many supermarkets if you hurry. Usually for 3-4 months after a movie is launched you can find the corresponding novels/coloring books/other kid targeted print merchandising by the magazines. I've seen the novel personally at Food Lion, Farm Fresh and Bloom before... Harris Teeter, unfortunately not.

Be aware though, the novel should not be considered canon. Tracy West often writes anime related stories (I still have a few of her Pokemon books from a while back) but although usually accurate to the plot any details added are usually unconfirmed by the original writers/producers. They are made as entertainment for young fans, not reference books. It's still pretty cool though.