# Astro Boy (1980)

> An abandoned robot boy, adopted by a kindly android advocate, uses his special powers to protect humans and robots alike in 2030 AD.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/21225

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 52
- Episode runtime: 24 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: animation, science fiction, family, action
- Created by: Osamu Tezuka
- Network: Nippon TV
- Cast: Mari Shimizu, Hisashi Katsuta, Ichiro Nagai, Katsuji Mori, Masako Sugaya, Yusaku Yara
- TMDB rating: 7.3/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124228/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: mild
- Tone: hopeful, sincere, wistful, breezy

## What critics say

Audiences generally regard this classic Japanese animated series as a positive, charming early landmark of robot-hero storytelling.

## Synopsis

Astro Boy (1980-1981) is a Japanese animated science fiction series created by Osamu Tezuka for Nippon TV, a 52-episode shonen anime rooted in the classic manga tradition. Mari Shimizu voices Atom, a young robot boy abandoned by his creator and rescued by the android advocate Dr Elefun, who adopts him and guides him in using his special powers to protect humans and robots alike. Hisashi Katsuta voices Dr. Ochanomizu, while Ichiro Nagai voices Detective Tawashi and Katsuji Mori voices Atlas. Across a single season of self-contained episodes, Atom's strength and compassion meet everyday threats and suspicion between people and machines, so the stakes stay concrete while the tone remains bright. Set in 2030 AD, the show carries a hopeful, sincere register with wistful moments about belonging and what it means to have a heart. Fans of Doraemon, Ultraman and The Iron Giant will find the same warmth, robot heroism and found family appeal.

## Shows like Astro Boy

- [Astro Boy (1963)](https://ember.film/tv/10070)
- [Captain Future (1978)](https://ember.film/tv/21207)
- [Dr. Slump (1981)](https://ember.film/tv/34550)
- [Speed Racer (1967)](https://ember.film/tv/28567)
- [Great Mazinger (1974)](https://ember.film/tv/8481)
- [Steel Jeeg (1975)](https://ember.film/tv/8484)
- [Galaxy Express 999 (1978)](https://ember.film/tv/29200)
- [Doraemon (1973)](https://ember.film/tv/51842)
- [Doraemon (2005)](https://ember.film/tv/58035)
- [Eden (2021)](https://ember.film/tv/78364)

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