2. Astro Boy (1963)

A milestone that ushered in the era of TV animation

“Astro Boy,” which began broadcasting in 1963, is a brilliant milestone in the history of Japanese animation, created by Osamu Tezuka, the god of manga. Set in a futuristic city in the 21st century, the story of Atom, a boy robot that runs on 100,000 horsepower of nuclear energy and expresses joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure like a human being, has enthralled children in their homes. As evidenced by its astonishing 40.7% viewership rating, “Astro Boy” became a true social phenomenon, ushering in the era of animated television in Japan.

Charming characters and universal themes

Atom is a boy robot created by the genius scientist Dr. Tenma as a replacement for his deceased son. Although he is tiny, standing only 135 centimeters tall and weighing 30 kilograms, he fights evil and saves people from danger by making full use of his seven special abilities. While he is serious and has a strong sense of justice and a kind heart, he is also troubled by the fact that he is a robot.

The work that paved the way for the future of Japanese animation

The success of “Astro Boy” had a tremendous impact on subsequent TV animation and laid the foundation for Japanese animation to spread its wings throughout the world. In addition, the universal themes of the relationship between science and technology and the preciousness of life continue to strike a chord with many people throughout the ages.