History Anime / AstroBoy

* PleaseDon'tLeaveMe: [[spoiler: Tenma when Astro seemingly dies.]]

* MissingEpisode: Dub only - the 20th episode "Eternal Boy" has been omitted from release with the rest of the series in Digital and DVD form, mainly because the plot revolves around the Peter Pan story, which is still under copyright by Great Ormand Street Hospital in the US and UK. It was replaced with a clip show episode, with Tenma and Shadow discussing Astro's progress up to that point in the series.

* EvilPlan: Skunk has them when he appears; usually either revenge on Astro or making money. Tenma's larger scale plan is a world where robots rule the world and are ruled by Astro himself.

* Meaningful Echo: "And so we begin. Again."

* VillainousRescue: Dr. Tenma saves Astro from a [[spoiler mind-controlled Atlas.]]

A second series, this time in color, was created in 1980. It followed the 1963 series closely, with many episodes being direct remakes.

* AdaptationDistillation

First in 1963. 193 black and white episodes were created, although only 104 were exported and dubbed for viewing outside of Japan. It is historically significant as the first full-length anime series to be broadcast in Japan, and the first to be distributed in the USA. (''Manga Calendar'' was broadcast earlier in Japan, but had episodes that were 3-5 minutes long.) It is also, perhaps, the first true anime, as it had an ongoing plot, a staple of the term as used today. Along with ''EighthMan'', ''{{Kimba the White Lion}}'', ''{{Gigantor}}'' and ''Anime/SpeedRacer'', it introduced anime to American audiences and paved the way for later, more sophisticated works on both sides of the Pacific.

* RunningSequence

[[quoteright:212:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Astro_Boy_9854.jpg]]

** Creating Pluto was this for Tenma. Either Astro losses or evolves and becomes stronger. He's perfectly happy either way. [[spoiler: [[TakeAThirdOption When Pluto instead]] has a HeelFaceTurn, he reveals he has a stronger robot in the wing, Archeron.]]

* XanatosGambit: Creating Pluto was this for Tenma. Either Astro losses or evolves and becomes stronger. He's perfectly happy either way. [[spoiler: [[TakeAThirdOption When Pluto instead]] has a HeelFaceTurn, he reveals he has a stronger robot in the wing, Archeron.]]
** Skunk has one early on. He uses robots to hunt other robots and sell their parts on the black market. He hid his home base in a abandoned ice cream factory and here's where the gambit comes in. If no one finds him, he can continue unbothered but hopes Astro ''does'' find him because he has a trap set up.

* XanatosGambit: Skunk has one early on. He uses robots to hunt other robots and sell their parts on the black market. He hid his home base in a abandoned ice cream factory and here's where the gambit comes in. If no one finds him, he can continue unbothered but hopes Astro ''does'' find him because he has a trap set up.

* TheOtherDarrin: Kazue Tagami voiced Astro in episodes 97-106 while Mari Shimizu was on maternity leave.

* TheOtherDarrin: Kazue Tagami voiced Astro in episodes 97-106 because Mari Shimizu was on maternity leave.

* HeyItsThatVoice: Mari Shimizu reprised her role as Astro.

* HeyItsThatVoice: GregCipes as Atlas, CandiMilo as Astro, and LaraJillMiller as various episode-specific characters.

A second series, this time in color, was created in 1982. It followed the 1963 series closely, with many episodes being direct remakes.

* StevenUlyssesPerhero: In the English dub

* MissingEpisode

* CompositeCharacter: Atlas and the Blue Knight are combined into one character in this series.

* LighterAndSofter: Astro doesn't even get sold into slavery!

* DieOrFly

* SapientCetaceans: In the 60s anime a sentient race of dolphin people threaten war on humanity if they keep developing on their land.
* StealthMentor

First in 1963. 193 black and white episodes were created, although only 104 were exported and dubbed for viewing outside of Japan. It is historically significant as the first full-length anime series to be broadcast in Japan, and the first to be distributed in the USA. (''Manga Calendar'' was broadcast earlier in Japan, but had episodes that were 3-5 minutes long.) It is also, perhaps, the first true anime, as it had an ongoing plot, a staple of the term as used today. Along with ''EighthMan'', ''{{Kimba the White Lion}}'', ''{{Gigantor}}'' and ''SpeedRacer'', it introduced anime to American audiences and paved the way for later, more sophisticated works on both sides of the Pacific.

* CrossOver: an episode guest-starred several other famous Tezuka characters via TimeTravel, including some from BlackJack and PrincessKnight.

Originally entitled ''Tetsuwan Atom'' ("Mighty Atom" or literally "Iron Arm Atom"), it was created by OsamuTezuka, the artist whose style defined the "look" of anime and manga for decades to follow. It began life as a manga in 1951 and has been brought to television as an anime three times: