"Laughing Dragon" wrote:This brings up the question of Astro's status in the world portrayed in the movie. Is he a human with free will, or is he property? If any of the events of the movie ever happened in the real world, I'd say there would be great debates about this. And both sides would have valid points, as per the abortion issue. I understand that Tezuka used robots as a metaphor for the oppressed classes in any society, but for me, the robots-as-oppressed-minority, as a metaphor, is a bit too broad. Because clearly Astro is not like any other robot - remember, he was so convincing as a human that he fooled Cora, a robot hunter, and Hamegg, an ace robot mechanic - so what sets him apart? IMO the key difference is the Blue Core. Tenma could have programmed his Toby substitute with Toby's memories, voice and mannerisms, but he would have been nothing but a very advanced robotic doll at best - without the Core. It's funny than Tenma thought his robot son would even need the core. Clearly other robots were powered with other fuels. What is it about the Core that made Tenma decide that he had to have it for his resurrected - or perhaps "reincarnated" is the better word - son? And what made Elefun agree with him? It had to be more than the "can't-refuse-a-grieving-father" excuse.
To me, continuing the adventures of the movie version of Astro would have to involve a deeper analysis of the properties of the Blue Core. And if it were written well, it could be quite fascinating.
Assuming all robotic "fuel" is shaped into a standard "super ball" sized object -- Tenma was, perhaps, expecting a rubber stamp of organic Toby. But the impact of the positive energy altered Astro's outlook and responses to things, which, in turn, is what freaked Tenma out. My sense is that he (Tenma) figured the blue core would go further to "protect" robot-Toby, and that's why he wanted it and Elefun agreed.
As for what the core "did" - it's interesting to note the differences between Toby and Astro...
...when Stone asked Toby if he was interested in military robots, the response was an enthusiastic "Yes sir!" followed up with a comment designed to engage Stone in further discussion. When Astro opened the DaVinci book to "War Machines," he made a clear face of displeasure, "hrmphed" and flipped the page. "Flight" made his eyes light up. Blue core (positive energy) at work.
Likewise -- when he made small talk with Orin at breakfast and Tenma quipped "Just let the robot do it's thing," Astro made a little sneer and snapped "Fine!" Again -- the blue core effect (he sees Orin as equal, not less). And also with the silly calculus cowboy (put on the captions and check out the lyrics -- it's a hoot) -- Astro is brilliant but playful. Toby was brilliant but cocky (remember his comments leaving the classroom, and how his fellow students fired a book at him?). So I don't know if the core made Astro "more" human -- but it certainly made him more likable (as Stone would say, "Nobody likes a smartypants kid!")
I'm guessing the next "chapter" in the 2009 movie storyline would involve replicating enough blue core energy for Astro to continue to survive and to restore the Earth (the original plan for the core); and the property vs. freedom for robots issue. One reason I'm enjoying the "Pluto" manga is because they dig into the moral issues you bring up.
