The directory «Plots»

Astro Boy (アトム)

Astro Boy is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the same name franchise. Created by Osamu Tezuka, the character is introduced in the 1951 Captain Atom manga. Astro Boy has appeared in animated television series and feature film adaptations of its eponymous manga and other works by Tezuka.

On 7 April 2003, the City of Niiza registered the character as an actual resident.^[1] He was also inducted into the Robot Hall of Fame in 2004.

Created by Doctor Tenma, Astro Boy was meant to be a replacement for his deceased son: Tobio. However, because Astro was not able to grow and age like a normal human child, Doctor Tenma abandoned him to a Robot Circus led by the cruel Ham Egg. At the circus, Astro was found by Professor Ochanomizu and adopted. Professor Ochanomizu gave Astro a family with a robotic mother, father, sister (Uran), and brother (Cobalt). As head of the Ministry of Science, Professor Ochanomizu often calls on Astro to help resolve situations involving humans, robots, and on occasion, extraterrestrials.

Astro has seven powers to help him in his adventures:

• The ability to translate more than 60 languages
• Strength equivalent to 100,000 horsepower (75 MW)
• The ability to fly using jets in his legs
• Magnification of his hearing up to one thousand times
• Guns deployed from his posterior
• An electro-heart that can discern people's criminal intentions
• Bright eye-lamps to assist his vision
• Laser guns in his finger tips

Despite his abilities and work for good, Astro is often ostracized by the human race for what he is: a robot. Since he is not officially considered a citizen, he often has to deal with the prejudice of humans against robots. Ultimately, Astro has to find a way to bring peace between humans and robots.

As part of the Osamu Tezuka's Star System, Astro has appeared in several of the artist's works, though not always identified as "Astro Boy." Following is a chronogical list of Astro's appearances, along with the name the character is identified with (if available).

Japan, 1997, Osamu Tezuka and Astro Boy

Mali, 1998, Astro Boy