Astro Boy

Osamu Tezuka's historic original 1963-66 black-and-white Astro Boy series was Japan's second-ever anime television series, and the first to be broadcast in the U.S. This eight-disc box set, however, is not that original series (which is due to be released on DVD starting in March), but a 1980-‘81-aired color remake. In a future where intelligent robots are struggling for the same rights as humans, the kind and brave boy robot Astro uses his special powers—including flight, laser beam-emitting fingers, and a machine gun mounted on his rear—to fight criminals and rogue robots. With a reputation among fans for being less spirited than the original, this series is an often enjoyable but not always well-written adventure show reflecting Tezuka's anti-prejudice and pro-environmental concerns, aimed at a young audience but with strong elements of death, destruction, and tragedy (and several “damn”s in the subtitles). Compiling 51 of the series' 52 episodes (the one featuring the origin of recurring robot villain Atlas is missing here, which causes some confusion), this dual-language set (the English dub is poor) boasts sharp-looking restored visuals and a nice 24-page booklet on Astro Boy and his creator. Nostalgia will likely be stronger for the 1960s original, but this version is still recommended, with some reservations. Aud: P. (S. Raiteri)