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Astro Boy (1960s)

common sense media says

Classic action show is simple fun for kids and anime fans.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this classic 1960s anime series (which inspired the 2009 movie) follows the exploits of a highly advanced robot with amazing powers but a childish perspective on the world. The action is pretty standard for a superhero series aimed at kids, with Astro Boy easily defeating a wide variety of giant robots, aliens, monsters, and more. Expect plenty of fighting and explosions, but there's no blood or injuries. The show’s view of family is more complex; Astro Boy’s creator built the childlike robot to replace his own son who was killed in a car crash, and the young hero needs a father figure to figure out his place in the world.

Educational value: The series is intended to entertain, not educate.
Positive messages: The series has very simple perspectives on good and evil, and the bad guys (or bad aliens, monsters, and robots) always get what’s coming to them. The show also has a more nuanced view of family relationships; Astro Boy’s genius scientist creator built the powerful robot largely as a replacement for his own son, who died in a car accident, and the robot needs a father figure to help him find his place in the world.
Positive role models: Astro Boy, though powerful, is childlike and largely naïve about how the world works; he sees everything through the eyes of an innocent. His mentor and protector, Dr. Elefun, takes on a paternal role, helping the young hero learn to navigate the complicated modern world.
Violence & scariness: Plenty of animated superhero action, as Astro Boy battles aliens, giant robots, tanks, spaceships, and many other foes. There are laser blasters, cannons, explosions, and lot of super-strength fistfights.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Astro Boy (1960s)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about anime. Astro Boy is considered one of the very first anime series. How do current anime shows resemble this one? Can you spot elements of Astro Boy’s storyline and look/feel that are still common today?
  • What do you think about Astro Boy’s interactions with other people? Despite his power, do you think he seems like a child? Does his relationship with Dr. Elefun seem like a father-son dynamic?
  • How does the action/violence in this show compare to that in modern cartoons? Does it have more or less impact?

What's the story?

What's the story?
After his young son is killed in a car accident, a grieving genius scientist decides to create ASTRO BOY as a robotic replacement. The childlike robot (voiced by Billie Lou Watt) is incredibly powerful, with super strength, laser blasters in his fingers, and rockets in his feet that enable him to fly. While he quickly learns to defeat monsters, aliens, futuristic battle-bots, and other foes, Astro Boy finds it more difficult to understand modern society, and the kindly Dr. Elefun (Ray Owens) takes on a paternal role to help Astro Boy find his place in the world.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Osamu Tezuka's classic animated series debuted in Japan in 1963 and is considered one of the very first examples of anime. Watching it today, it’s easy to see elements of the story and aesthetic that are still common today, ranging from the characters' exaggerated eyes, the blend of serious images and sudden whimsy, and the wide use of futuristic, anthropomorphic robots.

The episodes' basic stories aren't complicated, much like many American cartoons from the same era; typically, some powerful foe appears, and Astro Boy handily defeats it. The interpersonal dynamics are more complex -- Astro Boy was explicitly created to replace a dead child, and despite his immense power, he needs a father figure to guide him. That makes the show a bit deeper than other series from the period, as well as a fun way to examine an important part of animation history.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: NR
Cast: Billie Lou Watt, Ray Owens
Genre: Kids' Animation
This review was written by Will Wade
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

cammy48
kid, 11 years old
6
 
Watch this with your sensitive children.
violence is not too bad. Plenty of futuristic robot battles some humans very occasionally die, but this was made in the 60s, so it is caried out in a very mild way (all you see is a lifeless body, with a buise or two). To tell you the truth, I think a tough 6 year old can take the violence, but you should watch this with any kid younger than 8 due to some sad things that happen in just about every episode. you can watch the original one and 2004 version on hulu (nobody under 8 should watch that one at all). 1963: iffy 6-7 2004: iffy 8-9
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haddad fan
kid, 12 years old
2
 
0+ and rae it badd
it's on adult swim and it's TV-PG for a reason.
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KrazykiD Girl
kid, 12 years old
5
 
Perfect when a child can tell between real and fake
The father is kind enough to take memorys from his dead sons mind and put them into the robot that looks like the dead son alive.
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helped me decide (1) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (1)

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines