The Artificial Sun

The Artificial Sun ("Jinkō taiyō kyū" 人工太陽級) - originally titled "Fire Jar Island" - is a chapter of the Astro Boy manga which originally ran in Shonen magazine in December 1959.

Plot Summary
A machine that gives off light and heat just like the sun was invented by Professor Ochanomizu for assistance in mining and developing on places such as the far-distant Pluto, but it has been stolen by terrible criminals who are killing and terrorizing people with its power. A British Intelligence detective known as Sherlock Holmespun has been sent to investigate and Astro is to assist him. Mr. Holmespun hates robots however though he begrudgingly agrees to take Astro with him. He was seriously wounded by a bomb planted in his car and needed to have his limbs and torso amputated and replaced with artificial metal parts. He has the appearance of a robot but his head is the only flesh and blood part of his body and thus is his link to his humanity. He eventually mellowed out towards Astro.

The leader of the criminals they are seeking is none other than Kin Sankaku. Even though they destroy the artificial sun and capture Sankaku tragically he shoots Mr. Holmespun in the head thereby killing him. However, it is revealed that the surgeons have given Holmespun an artificial head, thus he has now become a complete robot himself. Holmespun declares that Astro made him see that unlike many selfish humans, robots always endeavour to uphold justice and help others. He is so proud to have become a robot.

Characters

 * Astro Boy
 * Sherlock Holmespun
 * Kin Sankaku
 * Artificial Sun
 * Professor Ochanomizu

Collected Volumes
This story has been collected in the following volumes:


 * Astro Boy, Volume 7 (Kodansha)
 * Astro Boy, Volume 5 (Dark Horse)