New "Astro Boy" leads Chinese animation to world

[Rebirth]

Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist named Dr. Tenma. Powered by positive "blue" energy, Astro Boy is endowed with super strength, x-ray vision, unbelievable speed and the ability to fly. Embarking on a journey in search of acceptance, Astro Boy encounters many other colorful characters along the way. Through his adventures, he learns the joys and emotions of being human, and gains the strength to embrace his destiny. Ultimately learning his friends and family are in danger, Astro Boy marshals his awesome super powers and returns to Metro City in a valiant effort to save everything he cares about and to understand what it means to be a hero.

The cartoon figure, which was quite popular in 1980s in China, is getting back to the screen. However, this time it is not only a Japan hero, but also with a new 3-D looking and new story.

[Astro Boy to return in 3-D]

Few people born in the 1980s would fail to recognize the small and mighty figure of a robot boy soaring through the sky. Astro Boy was created and broadcast in Japan in 1963 with the 1980 remake coming to China in 1982 as one of the first imported foreign cartoons. With the introduction of 3-D technology, the favorite anime figure of a generation is set to return to our screens later this year with a CGI (computer-generated imagery) feature film scheduled to premiere on October 23. [Detail]



[Astro Boy to make a comeback on Chinese screens]

Astro Boy, an originally Japanese animated figure which entertained Chinese TV audience in the early 1980s, is making a comeback to the country on Thursday.

But this time, it will be shown in cinemas. [Detail]


Premiere ceremony of film "Astro Boy" held in Shanghai


[Fly To The World]

The cartoon character used super powers to fight all manner of evil, from man-hating robots to robot-hating men, but nothing could have prepared him for the battle he now faces: "Astro Boy" is about to take on Hollywood.

[Asia's 'Astro Boy' set to take on Hollywood]

The Hong Kong-based animation studio Imagi yesterday launches its modern 3D take on the "Astro Boy" story in Japanese cinemas before it goes out in the US from October 23, right in the middle of the lucrative autumn cinema season. Imagi's studio heads are gambling that their 65 million dollar production will steal a share of the animation market dominated by the American super studios of Pixar and DreamWorks-and inspire a new wave of Asian-based animation. [More]

[Oscars get record 20 animated submissions]

[Hollywood production gathers int'l talents]




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