This past year, the Kids' WB programming block and later The Cartoon Network started airing a new version of
Astro Boy, based on the classic 1963 cartoon series (which in turn was based on Osamu Tezuka's comic books from the '50s). It's the story of an atomic- powered robot who is a reluctant superhero (possessing super strength, jet-rocket feet and the ability to fly) fighting for justice and peace for both humans and robots. Although he is a robot, Astro Boy possesses human-like personality and emotions, and is clever and resourceful.
This morning, Sony Home Entertainment has announced a DVD release for
Astro Boy - The Complete Series, containing all 50 episodes of the show, including 29 that were produced for the USA but have not aired up to this point (the series is currently on hiatus, but may return to air later this year when a big-screen
Astro Boy film written & directed by
Clone Wars' Genndy Tartakovsky hits the theaters).
Note that this title is pretty much classified as an anime show, which we really
don't cover anymore at TVShowsOnDVD, but I've made an exception because I've decided that this show has enough mainstream appeal that it's worth passing on to our readers. It's the same reason we cover
Speed Racer, Voltron, etc.
Astro Boy - The Complete Series blasts onto store shelves on
March 29th, in a 5-DVD package that costs $49.95 SRP. The running time is 1010 minutes, according to Sony. Below we have a shot of the black outer slipcover box, and fanned out behind it are the five individual disc casts which slip inside. Take a look:
