Tetsujin 28 - Monster Resurrected (Vol. 1)
The broadcast seriesTetsujin 28(2004) is a modern reworking of the program Americans remember asGigantor(syndication, 1966). Based on the manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, the original 1963 Japanese series was calledTetsujin 28-go("Iron Man No. 28"). The title character is an enormous robot created by the father of boy detective Shotaro for a secret weapons program during the final days of World War II. Shotaro helps Chief Otsuka and Dr. Shikishima cope with criminals and monsters left over from the war. The filmmakers do a good job of recreating the Tezuka-influenced look of '60s Japanese animation. Tetsujin has a needle nose and a round, pudgy body; Shotaro resembles a cross between Astroboy and Dondi. Like other robots of the pre-Gundamera, Tetsujin's controls consist of a small box with a few knobs and levers Shotaro manipulates. At a time of heated controversy over Japan's reluctance to acknowledge wartime abuses,Tetsujin 28represents a bold departure. Although both men repeatedly declare "it was a terrible time for Japan" and "we had no choice," Dr. Shikishima is racked with guilt over his participation in the robot-weapon program and the evil Dr. Furanken imagines he sees blood flowing from his hands. (Rated 13 and older: violence, tobacco use)--Charles Solomon