Welcome to the World of Astro Boy#
Set in a futuristic version of 2003 where Japan has become a technological utopia, Astro Boy (also known as Tetsuwan Atom or Mighty Atom) tells the poignant story of Tobio. Built by the brilliant Dr. Tenma to replace his deceased son, Tobio is eventually cast aside when he is deemed an imperfect copy. Rescued by the benevolent Professor Ochanomizu, a champion for robot civil rights, the robot is renamed Astro Boy.
Equipped with seven super-abilities and 100,000 horsepower, Astro Boy spends his days defending the world from sinister threats, hoping to prove that robots are capable of great goodness. If you are looking for a blend of action, adventure, and heartfelt comedy, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.
Is the Anime Really Finished?#
Because Astro Boy is a legendary franchise with multiple iterations, the answer depends on which version you are watching. The original manga, which serves as the foundation for everything, ran from 1952 to 1968 and is completely finished.
Across the anime landscape, there are several distinct versions: the 1963 original, a 1980 remake, and a 2003 remake. Each of these is a self-contained production. While the overarching story of Astro’s struggle for acceptance and justice is a recurring theme, you won’t find one single “series” that covers every single manga chapter. However, the core narrative of Astro Boy is a completed legacy. For those who want the full, original experience, we highly recommend you buy the manga.
Who Should Watch Astro Boy?#
This series is perfect for fans of the mecha genre and classic science fiction. It appeals to viewers who enjoy stories about morality, the definition of humanity, and the fight for civil rights, all wrapped in an adventurous package. Whether you are a fan of retro animation or modern reinterpretations, there is a version of Astro Boy for you.
If you enjoy the series and want to show your support for our research into anime completion, feel free to support us on Ko-fi!
Recommended Watch Orders#
Because the Astro Boy universe is expansive, the order in which you dive in depends on your goals. You can refer to our relationship tree below for a visual map of these connections.
The Release Order#
If you want to experience the evolution of the franchise as the world did, follow the release dates:
- Astro Boy (1963)
- Astro Boy: Hero of Space (1964) (Compilation film)
- Jetter Mars (1977) (Related series)
- Astro Boy (1980) (Remake)
- Astro Boy / Shinsen-gumi (1999)
- Astro Boy (2003) (Remake)
- Little Astro Boy (2015)
- Atom The Beginning (2017)
- Go Astro Boy Go! (2019)
- Pluto (2023)
The Completionist Order#
For those who want every single piece of content, we suggest starting with the 1963 series and the Hero of Space film, then moving through the 1980 and 2003 remakes. To fully round out the experience, ensure you include the related series Jetter Mars, the unique Shinsen-gumi adaptation, and the modern interpretations like Little Astro Boy and Go Astro Boy Go!. Don’t forget the critical spin-offs: Atom The Beginning and the acclaimed Pluto.
The Manga-First Order#
If you don’t mind reading the source material, start with the original 1952 manga. This provides the strongest narrative foundation. From there, you can jump into the 2003 anime remake for a modernized take or explore the prequel manga ATOM: The Beginning and its 2017 anime adaptation to see the origins. You can buy the ATOM: The Beginning manga to add to your collection.
Extra Tips for Fans#
- AI Colorization: If you are a fan of the classics, keep an eye out for the Astro Boy: Hero of Space (1964) film, which has recently been fully colorized using AI.
- Collectibles: Astro Boy is an icon of Japanese culture. If you love the character, check out the latest Astro Boy merchandise.
- Modern Shorts: Keep an eye on special events, such as the World Expo, which has featured 3D anime shorts featuring Astro Boy and Black Jack.
Astro Boy • manga • 1952-04 to 1968-03 (Kobunsha's comic magazine "Shonen")
└─(adaptation)→ Astro Boy • anime • 1963-01-01 to 1966-12-31
└─(remake)→ Astro Boy • anime • 1980-10-01 to 1981-12-23
└─(remake)→ Astro Boy • anime • 2003-04-06 to 2004-03-28
└─(adaptation)→ Astro Boy - Tetsuwan Atom • manga • 2003-07-28
└─(related)→ Go Astro Boy Go! • anime • 2019-10-03
└─(compilation)→ Astro Boy: Hero of Space • anime • 1964-07-25
└─(related)→ Jetter Mars • anime • 1977-02-03 to 1977-09-15
└─(spinoff)→ Pluto • manga • 2003-09-05 to 2009-04-20 (serialized in Big Comic Original)
└─(adaptation)→ Pluto • anime • 2023-10-26
└─(prequel)→ ATOM: The Beginning • manga • 2014-12-01 to 2020-10-30 (Monthly Hero's, Jan 2015 - Dec 2020)
└─(adaptation)→ Atom The Beginning • anime • 2017-04-15
└─(spinoff)→ Ao Kishi - Tetsuwan Atom Ao Kishi yori • manga • 2009-09-26 to 2010-03-26 (serialized in <i>Kero-kero Ace</i>)
└─(adaptation)→ Astro Boy / Shinsen-gumi • anime • 1999-07-20
└─(adaptation)→ Little Astro Boy • anime • 2015-11-03