The Astro Boy(鉄腕アトム) is a Japanese manga& anime created by manga artist Osamu Tezuka. The original manga was published from 1952 to 1968. The character was so classic and popular that has a far – reaching influence just like Frankenstein though it’s inspired by it. Basically, anyone in my age with some Asian background would be familiar with Astro Boy. (I don’t know how it is in America). Like all the other classic symbol, Frankenstein for example, my generation has barely read the original book. But it doesn’t mean it’s outdated. It never gets old because it becomes an icon, a pattern of contemporary life.

Cover for Mighty Atom volume 8 from the Osamu Tezuka Manga Complete Works edition. (Wikipedia)

According to the original comic book set, Astro Boy was born on April 7, 2003. The maker, Dr. Tenma, was the professor of japan science and technology department, his son dead in the traffic accident. He can not bear the pain of childbirth so he created the Astro Boy. However, since Astro Boy’s body can not grow up like a human, Dr. Tenma can not be satisfied, and finally, give up the Astro Boy and sell it to the robot circus. After being abandoned by Dr. Tenma, Astro Boy had been through a hard time. But thanks to the efforts of Dr. Ochanomizu, Japan science and technology professor as well, Dr. Astro Boy finally reborn, and recognized the Dr. Ochanomizu as a father. Dr. Tea also created Astro’s sister as Astro boy’s partner. The story is actually about how a boy with superpower grown up in human society though the time fighting with evils.

Both monster of Frankenstein and Astro boy were created and abandoned by a human. But Astro Boy got luckier than the monster, Dr. Ochanomizu had always supported and guided him to a right path. They were creatures of human’s desire. They both were innocent from the first place. But how come they ended up in different ways? Frankenstein set in 1818 and Astro Boy set in 2003, but they both discussed some issue concurrently. What is a qualified human? Unlike the monster, Astro boy was designed as a pretty cute boy. People or the public would have less trouble to accept Astro boy than the monster. The monster was so ugly that Frankenstein run away at the first meet. (Of course,there are some other reasons) The monster lost his first chance from the first place. And what if the XXX family can adopt him, see him as a pretty ugly man, would the story be different. Without Dr. Ochanomizu’s took care, what would Astro boy become? Actually, there weren’t many different these two characters. But we human being gave Astro boy a hand and endorsed him. He became one of us as a strong ally. The monster was a tragedy because no one would give him a hug. Everyone got hurt. Thus, keeping an open mind and accepting people who are different is important. And a good guide would help a lot.