If anything, this is one of the most faithful adaptations of a Manga I've ever seen developed into a series (a few small changes I noticed, like the "final confrontation"). Bar some generic-looking backgrounds and visual effects, the panels from the manga are beautifully animated into a treat for any fan watching.
I'm not really a fan of Urasawa's reimagining of Tezuka's original "Greatest Robot" Arc code ideas.
But it is as an excellently written story, and I do appreciate the extensive world building changes, as well as the brilliant swap of perspective (from Astro to that of a more developed role for detective Gesicht) while still maintaining several plot details intact.. And you have an enjoyable search for the killer of the world's 7 most advanced robots (with more human designs than the original designs)!
I personally think that that which has been changed draws too much attention away from what was the evolution of Astro as Tenma's greatest creation and the world's more human robot. It's also more centered in robot developments and their livelihoods as sentient beings (love amongst themselves, and even considering adoption), compared to Astro being the first robot with Kokoro! My favorite will always be the 2003's Anime version. As this introduction of many super advanced AIs dilute it all too much for my taste.
Still! There's a reason his stories are beloved, appreciated by many and adapted with such quality.
There's plenty of mysteries and ideas worth their weight in gold, which makes this a very easy recommendation for anyone wanting to revisit it, or anyone that has never read the manga.. whether you are an Astro Boy fan or not.
I'm not really a fan of Urasawa's reimagining of Tezuka's original "Greatest Robot" Arc code ideas.
But it is as an excellently written story, and I do appreciate the extensive world building changes, as well as the brilliant swap of perspective (from Astro to that of a more developed role for detective Gesicht) while still maintaining several plot details intact.. And you have an enjoyable search for the killer of the world's 7 most advanced robots (with more human designs than the original designs)!
I personally think that that which has been changed draws too much attention away from what was the evolution of Astro as Tenma's greatest creation and the world's more human robot. It's also more centered in robot developments and their livelihoods as sentient beings (love amongst themselves, and even considering adoption), compared to Astro being the first robot with Kokoro! My favorite will always be the 2003's Anime version. As this introduction of many super advanced AIs dilute it all too much for my taste.
Still! There's a reason his stories are beloved, appreciated by many and adapted with such quality.
There's plenty of mysteries and ideas worth their weight in gold, which makes this a very easy recommendation for anyone wanting to revisit it, or anyone that has never read the manga.. whether you are an Astro Boy fan or not.