File:Astro Boy - 2003 English Intro Theme

Description
Japanese Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ2KcAF9sUo

This third and most recent version of Astro Boy was created by Tezuka Productions in conduction with SONY Pictures Entertainment. The western version was cropped from its original widescreen ratio, had the pacing altered as a result of cutting the episodes from the original 24 to 20 minutes and was then flown around the schedules haphazardly with little concern for how it ended up (as this version of Astro Boy has an underlying continuality).

Unlike the previous two versions, when translated this version of Astro kept many of the names intact from the Japanese original. Tobio, Dr. Tenma and Detective Tawashi keeping theirs. Dr. Ochanomizu became Dr. O'Shay, which is a better compromise that the name Elefun that he had had to endure previously (I think so anyway). Also unlike the previous anime versions, here Dr. Tenma plays a much grander role in the story.

Altas, Astro's 'brother' has been reverted back to his earlier design from the original 1950's manga, as well as a new backstory and alter-ego, and the Blue Knight was introduced into the storyline, whereas in the previous series the two had seemingly been combined (not that that was a bad thing).

Like the original sixties version of Astro Boy, the 2003 version came under fire for it dark themes -- in spite of the US translators attempts to tone it down - and consequently over half the episodes never aired in the US; only being viewable later via the DVD release. In the UK the BBC, who acquired the broadcast rights to the show, eventually decided to run the series in its entirely on their children's channel CBBC, at least after a brief, shaky start. However the English version of the series is out in its entirely -- all 50 episodes -- on DVD, albeit in the incorrect US broadcast ordering (nor does it have the original Japanese language, although there's a reason for that).

Many seem to dismiss this series, which I think is grossly unfair; although I expected such, what with nostalgia being a big cause for people to defend 'their' version and develop a hatred for all and any remake. As someone who originally missed the two previous versions when they aired, I can't see that there is anything wrong with this version at all. I brought the 1980's version's boxset because I liked the 2003 version and wanted to see more of the character's animated history (I had prior to both see a bit of the original manga). I quite like having the second 1960's 1980's and 2003 boxsets of the two next to each other; I hope to get the first box of the 60's version sometime next year too, hopefully.

Series rights are held by Tezuka Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment.