Is it true that Tezuka originally-

[avatargirl]

Thought about Astro Boy BEING A GIRL when he came up with the idea of a robot child? He or i mean she would had been so cute as a girl- thanks

[AprilSeven]

Yes, amazingly it IS true. I read it in the book "The Astro Boy Essays" -- the only reason he became a dude was because Tezuka was creating the manga for a boy's magazine.

hmmm somehow I don't think he would have had those butt guns on an Astro Girl?

[Alittleacorn]

Yeah i read that Essay book and it's true, Tezuka had the idea of Astro being a beautiful female android. I'm glad he stuck with Astro, because the idea wouldn't have been the same.

Annnnd Astro Girl might've had bra machine guns instead of butt machine guns. Dude what a team that'd be! lol!

[CommanderEVE]

I didn't know this. Damn, I do know if I would have watched it if it was called Astro Girl. Because I think Astro is way cooler being a boy then a Girl. Also Uran would be a little bother instead of a little sister if Astro where a boy.

[Little Brown Fox]

Hmm... What a weird thought... as well as a uncanny coincidence! I actually drew a character that is pretty much a female parallel to Astro Boy. I don't have it scanned yet, though. I might not even bother. (It's on the same page as my cat-dragon, though- you should probably expect to see that on my dA!)

[Nora]

Wonder what she would have looked like...probably Uran/Zoran. they wouldn't have had to change the voice actors though...they were mostly female voice actors anyways right?

[Alittleacorn]

I think she would've just looked exactly like Astro...wearing a bra, and on the outside of her shirt, because we all know superheros wearing their underpants over their clothes is a 'cool' thing to do. Look at Batman and Superman for example. XD

[Dragonrider1227]

This probably explains why I often see drawings of him as a girl XD

[AprilSeven]

Tezuka was a total Disney junkie! In the "Essays" book it said he watched Bambi something like 80 times -- and he completely used Bambi's eyes on Astro Boy (note the shaded eyelids, brown color, long lashes). I think it actually amped up the "cute factor" that the Astro became a boy -- he's the most powerful thing on earth and he has heartbreakingly adorable puppy-dog eyes. The PERFECT foil!!

BTW I remember writing a letter to WNEW TV (Channel 5 -- NYC) with a drawing I made of a suggested new character for the series ("Astro Girl") -- and was completely FREAKED when Uran appeared after only a few months. I had designed her with a white blouse, short dark skirt, long dark hair in two ponytails and (of course!) jet boots. I was annoyed they cut back on her powers, but I remember screeching in complete joy to my parents "Look they read my letter and made Astro Girl!!!" I was one happy 10-year-old kid!

[avatargirl]

hi- thanks but when was ASTRO BOY ever drawn as a girl please Dragonrider1227-? betcha he was cute as a girl. I think Uran would had still been a girl unless she(the female ASTRO BOY) ask for a brother.