Osamu Tezuka appreciation thread

[MartyMuppets]

You certainly should get back into it Katie.

Episode 5: Robot Land

Robot Land is a fantasy park for children to visit with many amusing robots depicting fairies, mythological creatures and favourite classic storybook characters run by a former colleague of Dr. Elefun named Professor Hyde.

But one night a robot swan appears outside Astro's house and mechanically transforms into a princess at the stroke of 12. She tells Astro and his parents that she has escaped from Robot Land and that terrible things are going on there. Suddenly another robot appears riding a huge black robot dragon. He calls himself The Devil King and he defeats Astro in a fight leaving him stunned while the dragon scoops the princess up into its jaws. The Devil King rides away back to Robot Land.

Astro gets Elefun to go to Robot Land with him to try to investigate. All the robots they talk to act very fearful. But they won't say anything when Astro implores them to. It is obviously clear to the audience that Professor Hyde has got something to hide (Hehehehehe ) but Elefun can not see any proof of foul play. They even meet the princess but she is stuck in her swan form on the lake and cannot speak. Elefun is very sorry but he tells Astro they can do nothing.

Later that night Astro makes up his own mind to go back for some secret investigating. But he is captured by The Devil King. Professor Hyde is furious. Elefun and Daddy Walrus go to see the Professor to try to sort this mess out.
What is the sinister secret of Robot Land? Will Astro escape and triumph over The Devil King?

Be sure to watch it one day and find out.

Stay tuned for the next installment.

 

[MartyMuppets]

Episode 6: Frankenstein

Astro's enemy Skunk is back and he's gained control over an experimental robot that was activated prematurely by a freak bolt of lightning. The robot is a giant named Frankenstein and is built in the image of the famous monster character. There is very clever humour in having the lightning awaken the robot while he's lying on the slab isn't there?

Frankenstein goes berserk and wrecks the lab but Skunk just happens to be nearby and finds him. A newly built robot is like a baby looking for a parent. Frankenstein listens to Skunk and helps his gang to commit robberies. Astro must stop Frankenstein for the sake of all robots as well as for the honour of justice because humans are unreasonably switching off all their loyal robots out of fear that they may become dangerous like Frankenstein. The main campaigner for this action is police Inspector Gumshoe. He strongly dislikes robots and even suspects Astro of secretly working for Skunk's gang just like Frankenstein.

What will happen if he orders Dr. Elefun to turn Astro off as well?

Next episode soon.

 

[MartyMuppets]

Episode 7: The Red Cat

This is a very strange episode. The background to it is that some time ago another colleague of Elefun's, Professor Leopold protested against the destruction of a beautiful forest area to make way for an enormous building complex. The director promised to do something about it, however things went ahead just the same. The Professor became very upset and vanished soon afterwards.

But now five young boys have been kidnapped. They are all sons of men who are involved in the development plan and the Professor's red-coloured pet cat appears to Astro and Daddy Walrus. Through a radio microphone in the cat's collar a mysterious voice delivers an ultimatum that unless the forest is spared, the boys will regretfully have to die.

Is Professor Leopold behind this scheme?

An interesting side note is that in Frankenstein Alvin was among those who accused Astro of being a menace to society. But at one point in this episode he helps Astro in some investigating. Alvin seems to always be going from one extreme to the other. One minute he's against Astro, the next minute he's his pal.

Stay tuned for the next episode.

 

[MartyMuppets]

Episode 8: The Crystal Of The Desert

Astro has been sent to the desert to investigate strange occurences of extreme drought. He soon discovers a giant spaceship resembling a shiny crystal rising out of a crater. A portal at the bottom opens and he flies inside.

It turns out that Atlas is the master of this flying crystal. He is stealing all the water from the oases to sustain his human slaves who are forced to help him in his plans for world conquest. Currently they are building a new robot body for Astro. Of course he doesn't know about this but Atlas intends to implant his robotic brain inside it and reprogram him to work with him. Fortunately there is a lady robot also living in the crystal by the name of Livian. She claims to be Atlas's friend even though she is horrified about Astro's impending fate and vows to help him escape.

Be sure to watch the suspenseful climax.

Incidentally in the first half of the story we see some animals searching for water. One of them is a baby fawn that looks like Walt Disney's Bambi.

Next episode coming up.

 

[MartyMuppets]

Episode 9: The White Planet

This time the plot revolves around a rocket car race around the world. Astro's friend Konrad is a racer and his car, the White Planet has won this annual race for five years in a row. There's dirty deeds afoot unfortunately. Skunk's criminal gang have entered one of their members this year in the Black Devil and they'll stop at nothing to win.

They destroy the White Planet in its garage at night with a bomb and Konrad is devastated. Dr. Elefun has a plan to save the day though. If Astro's electronic brain is transferred into the White Planet Konrad will still be able to drive it in the race.

Skunk won't give up easily though. You can be sure there will be some nefarious deadly booby traps all throughout the event. And while Konrad is driving his car Astro will be flying nearby at a distance to keep a protective eye on him.

But wait a minute. How can Astro do that if his brain is supposed to be inside the White Planet? And what did Konrad's sister Mitzi want to ask Dr. Elefun just as he was about to make the transfer operation?

The answers to these perplexing questions will be revealed when you watch The White Planet for yourselves.

Next episode coming soon.

 

[MartyMuppets]

Episode 10: A Robot President

Daddy Walrus and Astro are travelling to the country of Guravia as invited guests to attend the inauguration of the very first robot President. Of course this won't be a nice simple holiday experience. Otherwise it would make a rather boring story.

There is a band of fanatic rebels known as the Deadcross Party who are seeking to destroy Richie the Robot President. They will also murder anybody who tries to protect him. Their leader is Prince Deadcross. Bad news. He and his men capture Richie and imprison him in their castle.

Can Astro and Daddy Walrus rescue him before it's too late? You'll be on the edge of your seats.

I'll be back with more later.

 

[Kiki]

Wow! Heh, I'm trying to keep up with ya, man! haha, but that's okay. These are great!

 

[MartyMuppets]

Thanks Katie.

Episode 11: Goliath's Head

A rocket carrying a special Mars development robot named Goliath has crashed to Earth. Goliath is knocked out and his head disappears.

Dr. Elefun has a spare electronic brain built into Goliath's torso so he can function well. However Goliath is certain someone has stolen his head and goes on a rampage breaking the heads off other robots to try to find a suitable replacement.

It turns out Astro was the one who initially took the head before Goliath was taken to robot hospital. He was acting under Dr. Elefun's orders because there is a very powerful laser weapon built into that head. But it is stolen again and ends up in the hands of Skunk. Skunk makes a promise to Goliath to return it if he will help him destroy Astro.

Oh dear. Can Astro make Goliath see reason?

More to come.

 

[MartyMuppets]

Episode 12: The Light Ray Robot

That Skunk is at it again. He's stolen the Light Ray Robot, an invisible robot that can only be seen through special infra-red rays of light. He's taught Light Ray how to steal money and jewellery and people are scared half to death when they see the loot rise up and float away through the air.

Astro and Daddy Walrus are both on the case trying to capture Skunk. Astro wants to help but sometimes he innocently hampers the efforts of Daddy Walrus infuriating him.
But when Light Ray chooses to go and see Astro of his own free will there may be a chance. Astro's trying to make friends with Light Ray and persuade him to help trap Skunk. Daddy Walrus is making plans to set a trap of his own now he knows Light Ray will be at Astro's house and he may in turn hinder Astro's efforts.

Rest assured Skunk will be brought to justice in the end. But what will become of Light Ray? I'm saying no more. You'll have to find out.

I'll be back soon.

 

[MartyMuppets]

Episode 13: Uran The Tomboy

Now we first meet Astro's little sister Uran. She is created by Dr. Elefun as a present for Astro on occasion of New Year's Day. Incidentally the previous episode was set at Christmastime so there's an obvious continuity flow here.

Astro and his parents are delighted with the addition to their family. Uran however becomes rebellious when Astro rebukes her for causing a commotion while he's showing her the city and she runs away. Astro tries to catch her but she gives him the slip and gets into more serious trouble.

She meets a clown playing a pipe leading a bunch of other robot children down the street in a merry dance and she joins in. The clown tells her that he's going to take her and all the other kids to a wonderfully fun place called Dream Island. His pipe has a special hypnotic effect upon the robots brains and makes them want to go to Dream Island and so they all dance after the clown until they board a boat that takes them out to sea. (Doesn't this remind you of Pinocchio's Pleasure Island a little? I told you Tezuka loved taking inspiration from Disney )

Dr. Elefun tells Astro he fears Uran may have been taken by a gang who kidnap robots, rebuild them and sell them as slaves. Astro vows to rescue her and all the other children. Dream Island certainly is in reality a horrifying nightmare. The robot kids are locked up in cells awaiting their dreadful fate. After Astro saves the day Uran sees her brother in a much more positive light. If you want to know how Astro finds them and destroys Dream Island you know what you have to do.

Be back soon.