Astro Boy

-Astro Boy-

The date that Astro Boy was given life in the original Manga was April 7, 2003.

To mark this date in Japan and in other countries a number of companies produced a variety of collectable and limited edition products including Posters, Watches, Stamps and Statuettes.

(left) the box for the above metal statuette

(Above) A collectors watch which was limited to 500 pieces

*Tezuka Productions

Examples of the beautiful workmanship, on the limited edition, Tezuka Productions Astro Boy wooden watch cases

A cheaper, yet still charming girls wrist watch

Although Astro Boy had never really been as popular in "Western" countries as he was in Japan, by the late 1970's, Astro Boy watches, T-Shirts and other souvenirs were being sold as "Hot" items to trendy university students all around the world.

A Japanese limited edition phone card (above)

The fabulous Australian collection of Astro Boy DVD's

Although the toys above are cheap and mass produced - they are still Charming, as they reflect the primative simplicity of the early Japanese Astro Boy toys.

Small Japanese collectable Astro Boy model kits



Each of the above Astro Boy figures came in a clear plastic display case
The cases are designed to clip together


A postcard produced in Japan in 2003 to mark the birth of Astro Boy
Tezuka Productions / Sony Pictures Entertainment (Atom Dream Project)
*This is an advertising card - on the back is a small ad for the Mitsubishi "Colt"

The official 2003 Tezuka Productions calendar featuring the Birthday Boy

To some extent Astro Boy has now become overshadowed by more contemporary Anime characters.
Astro Boy however remains not only as cute but as the First truly human friendly robot and as the cartoon character which launched Japan into the world of Anime.



ANIMATION UTOPIA