Astro Boy Anime Makes A Comeback on Youtube 18 Years after Original Release

Whether you know about it or not, there is a faint sense of familiarity when you see a picture of Osamu Tezuka’s  Astro Boy.

The franchise is recognizable all over the world, thanks to its cross-cultural appeal and longevity. Astro Boy has crossed over its anime boundaries to be included in official government campaigns! 

Although its popularity has dipped a little in the west, the anime comeback is set to restore its glory.

Sony Pictures Television has begun streaming Astro Boy anime from 2003 on its Throwback Toons Youtube Channel. 

They had previously streamed the series’ seventh episode back in June. The channel regularly features cartoons from the 90s and early 2000s.

New episodes are expected to be released on a bi-weekly basis.

The 2003 version of the anime did not do very well in North America. The anime had received poor distribution, and the released version was heavily edited in order to make it appropriate for small children. 

Unfortunately, it also omitted the iconic orchestral soundtrack.

Now, the original unedited version will be released on the Throwback Toons Channel. Considering their catalog, some mature themes here and there would not be out of place.

The series is known for its futuristic depiction of the age of robots and their integration into human society. While few of the storylines might appear dated to modern viewers, many of them depict big corporations’ evil nature, which remains true even today.

Retrocrush had previously acquired the series, but the 1980 version’ dated animation style and pay on demand did not work in favor of the franchise.

Like a true classic, even young watchers will get to enjoy the great taste of Astro Boy.

About Astro Boy (2003)

Astro Boy, known in Japan by its original name Mighty Atom, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka. It was serialized in Kobunsha’s Shōnen from 1952 to 1968. The 112 chapters were collected into 23 tankōbon volumes by Akita Shoten.

The story follows Astro Boy, an android young boy with human emotions who is created by Umataro Tenma after the recent death of his son Tobio.

Eventually, Astro is sold to a robot circus run by Hamegg, but is saved from his servitude by Professor Ochanomizu. Astro becomes a surrogate son to Ochanomizu who creates a robotic family for Astro and helps him to live a normal life like an average human boy, while accompanying him on adventures.

Source: Sony’s Throwback Toons Youtube Channel

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