24 minSeason 1 • Episode 52
LatestAs Astro attempts to recover stolen plans for a robot he is helped by Niki, a girl robot, with whom he falls in love.
In 2030 AD, after being abandoned by his creator, a young boy robot is rescued by an Android Advocate, Dr Elefun, who adopts him as his own and guides him in the use of his special powers to aid and protect mankind and robot-kind.
Direction
Tezuka's economical storytelling packs emotion into 24 minutes.
Production
Charming limited animation that defined 80s anime aesthetic.
Writing
Surprisingly heavy themes beneath the cute robot exterior.
Creator
Osamu Tezuka
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This 1980 color remake was Tezuka's second attempt to bring Astro Boy to television, updating his 1963 black-and-white original for a new generation while keeping the atomic-age anxiety.
Atom's 100,000 horsepower strength and machine guns hidden in his rear were directly from Tezuka's 1952 manga—he never explained why a peace-loving robot needed butt weapons.
JP
