From the team that brought us the charming Jackie Chan Adventures comes Astro Boy.
TOKYOPOP Inc. and Sony Pictures Consumer Products are proud to announce their latest joint endeavor--a jet-fueled Cine-Manga(tm) version of Astro Boy, one of Japan's most iconic anime titles. The same team that brought Jackie Chan Adventures from television to the printed page is working together again to bring Astro Boy's all-new adventures to a portable paperback format. Astro Boy, produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan and Tezuka Productions, airs on Saturday mornings on the #1 kids' network, Kids' WB! Debuting this August, the Astro Boy Cine-Manga will capture all of the onscreen action for readers with digital images taken directly from the animation. TOKYOPOP's growing line of Cine-Manga--essentially television to go--is already sold by retailers throughout the U.S., including major booksellers and mass merchants.
Astro Boy, a favorite in Japan since its debut in the '60s, is the brainchild of legendary "God of Manga," Osamu Tezuka. The story is set in 2030 and revolves around the adventures of Astro, a jet-powered and fearless robot who courageously fights to protect mankind from evil and defend his fellow robots from injustice. In a futuristic, robot-based world, a brilliant, but evil engineer, Dr. Tenma, creates Astro to replace his lost son but soon abandons him. Rescued and adopted by the kindly Dr. O'Shay, Astro becomes a reluctant hero fighting evil with his incredible strength, laser weaponry, jet-rocket feet and telepathic computer brain. Mankind's only hope of surviving the attack of rebellious robots is a robot himself...the fearless, selfless, incorruptible champion known as Astro.
"We are delighted at the chance to work with Sony Pictures Consumer Products on such a cool project," said TOKYOPOP's Senior Editor of Cine-Manga, Elizabeth Hurchalla. "Astro Boy is an incredibly fun title, and we're confident that fans and newcomers alike will love seeing these adventures transcend the screen to steal their hearts."
"Astro Boy, with its exciting and jet-powered story line, has all the components for awesome Cine-Manga," stated Al Ovadia, executive vice president, Sony Pictures Consumer Products. "And we're sure that TOKYOPOP, with their extensive manga background, will develop a Cine-Manga that is as action-packed and exciting as the anime TV series."
