There are levels of Japanese Anime in my book. The upper level is what is being shown today that I don't think children should watch, but they do. Another level is the Adult Japanese Anime which children should watch..but they do. Then there is the 60's/70's Japanese Anime which every child should have a chance to see.
Astro Boy was my best friend. Every week on Wee-Willy Webber's Wonderful Cartoon Club, a local Philadelphia Children's show, we were treated to imported Japanese Anime, and Astro Boy was the first.
Forget Pinnochio, Astro Boy is what children can identify with. And besides, it didn't talk down to children either. The story (spoiler) is simple: A man loses his son in a car accident, he is so hearbroken that he builds a robot that looks like his son. He gets disappointed and sells his son to a robot fair. A scientist gets ahold of him, and the adventures begin. It's been years, but that is the gist of it.
This series has EVERYTHING for a child to grasp: robots, monsters, action. Not too violent, but it has its moments, Astro Boy is out to always save the day. And why not, he's very much equipt for it. Excellent Introduction to Children's Japanese Anime ages 5 on up.
A personal note: When I was watching A.I.-- I thought of Astro Boy many times than not throughout the film. Note to Speilberg: Ya shoulda done this one, it's up your alley and what you were actually looking to do.
Astro Boy was my best friend. Every week on Wee-Willy Webber's Wonderful Cartoon Club, a local Philadelphia Children's show, we were treated to imported Japanese Anime, and Astro Boy was the first.
Forget Pinnochio, Astro Boy is what children can identify with. And besides, it didn't talk down to children either. The story (spoiler) is simple: A man loses his son in a car accident, he is so hearbroken that he builds a robot that looks like his son. He gets disappointed and sells his son to a robot fair. A scientist gets ahold of him, and the adventures begin. It's been years, but that is the gist of it.
This series has EVERYTHING for a child to grasp: robots, monsters, action. Not too violent, but it has its moments, Astro Boy is out to always save the day. And why not, he's very much equipt for it. Excellent Introduction to Children's Japanese Anime ages 5 on up.
A personal note: When I was watching A.I.-- I thought of Astro Boy many times than not throughout the film. Note to Speilberg: Ya shoulda done this one, it's up your alley and what you were actually looking to do.