Unlock the Magic of Astro Boy: A Must-Watch Anime Journey from Pluto to the Stars!

The highly anticipated Pluto anime is set to premiere on October 26, bringing nostalgic joy to fans. Based on Osamu Tezuka's 1964 Astro Boy story arc "The Greatest Robot on Earth," the Pluto anime and manga delve into a gritty and intricate storyline. Written and illustrated by Naoki Urasawa in 2009, this captivating manga series offers a fresh perspective on themes of war, justice, and humanity.

In 1952, Osamu Tezuka created the Astro Boy comic series, which immerses readers in a futuristic world where humans coexist with robots. Astro Boy follows the adventures of a young robot boy named Astro. The first anime adaptation of Astro Boy, which premiered in 1963, holds the distinction of being the first Japanese animated television series and has continued to captivate audiences ever since.

Pluto anime creator Urasawa collaborated with Astro Boy's production team for a faithful adaptation

The Pluto anime can be enjoyed by the audience without them having prior knowledge of the Astro Boy series. This is because Urasawa took a different approach in Pluto's storyline. Instead of focusing on Astro Boy, Urasawa presents the series from the perspective of Gesicht, a German robot detective from Europol. While Gesicht appears in the original plot arc, it is not made clear if he is affiliated with any detective bureau.

Furthermore, in the Astro Boy series, Gesicht's appearance is more machine-like rather than human-like. However, revealing this in the Pluto anime would give away the main plot arc of the original series, known as "Greatest Robot on Earth." Despite their differences, both series ultimately reach the same conclusion.

Astro Boy is not required to comprehend the Pluto anime as it has adopted a distinct approach. Pluto incorporates fresh characters, settings, and tensions, while also incorporating certain elements inspired by Astro Boy. Familiarity with Astro Boy is not essential to enjoy Pluto as an independent storyline.

Additionally, the charm of Astro Boy may be diminished due to the inclusion of Pluto. The character of Pluto originates from one of Astro Boy's beloved and widely recognized stories, in which his identity, history, and connection to Astro are revealed. Notably, several other iconic characters from the Astro Boy series, such as Dr. Tenma, Professor Ochanomizu, Epsilon, and Uran, also make appearances in Pluto. This could potentially result in the audience overlooking the surprise and mystique that these characters inherently possess in the original Astro Boy narrative.

Pluto also emphasizes the innovative accomplishments of Tezuka throughout his career, such as his advancements in cinematic storytelling, the creation of memorable characters, and his profound influence on future manga and anime creators. Furthermore, Urasawa collaborated with Tezuka's production team to ensure that the Pluto anime adaptation stayed true to the original series.

In conclusion, it ultimately depends on the audience's preferences. While the Pluto anime offers a dark and intricately plotted thriller that reimagines a renowned story in manga and anime history, it may alter certain aspects of Astro Boy and differs in genre and tone from the original series, thus requiring the audience to be informed about these distinctions.

For a truly timeless and classic adventure that will immerse you in the world and characters that inspired Pluto, we recommend starting with Astro Boy. Both series are highly regarded as masterpieces in the world of manga and anime.