What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedAstro Boy
Film · 2009
If you loved Astro Boy, start with PLUTO (2023) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Astro Boy across media.
If Astro Boy moved you, it is because you crave stories where artificial beings and young heroes grapple with their identity against indifferent, futuristic societies.
Books on the same thread
Artemis Fowl
Eoin Colfer · Book · 2001
Explores: Child Prodigy, Criminal Mastermind, Magic vs. Technology.
Much like the precocious protagonist of Astro Boy, Artemis Fowl features a brilliant young mind navigating a complex world, balancing personal development with the weight of extraordinary, high-stakes technological responsibilities.
The Robots of Dawn
Isaac Asimov · Book · 1985
Shares a thread with Astro Boy: Artificial Intelligence.
The Robots of Dawn mirrors the philosophical inquiry found in Astro Boy by exploring the complex relationship between human creators and their robotic counterparts through a compelling, high-stakes mystery.
Brave New World
Aldous Huxley · Book · 1932
Explores: Social Engineering, Loss of Individuality, Technological Control.
While Astro Boy finds hope in his humanity, Brave New World offers a stark, cautionary look at the loss of individuality that the futuristic world of Metro City narrowly avoids.
The Giver
Lois Lowry · Book · 1993
Explores: Utopia, Loss of Memory, Individuality vs. Conformity.
The Giver captures the same sense of a young boy discovering the painful truths behind a seemingly perfect society, echoing the coming-of-age journey experienced by the hero of Astro Boy.
Series on the same thread
PLUTO
Series · 2023
Shares 2 threads with Astro Boy: Artificial Intelligence, Mecha.
PLUTO deepens the exploration of robot rights and existential identity seen in Astro Boy, presenting a mature, gripping narrative that questions what it truly means to possess a human soul.
Future Boy Conan
Series · 1978
Explores: Environmentalism, Loss of Innocence, Technological Dystopia.
Future Boy Conan resonates with the spirit of Astro Boy by following a young hero who must survive in a harsh, post-apocalyptic landscape while maintaining his innocence and morality.
Invincible
Series · 2021
Shares a thread with Astro Boy: Father-Son Relationship.
Invincible explores the complicated father-son dynamic that defined Astro Boy, focusing on the tension of a young hero struggling to live up to his parent's legacy and expectations.
Podcasts on the same thread
Class of 09
Podcast
Shares a thread with Astro Boy: Artificial Intelligence.
Class of 09 taps into the same anxieties regarding artificial intelligence and technological control that underpin the world of Astro Boy, providing a chilling look at a dystopian trajectory.
The Orphans
The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025
The Orphans mirrors the emotional core of Astro Boy by placing A.I.s with unprecedented feelings at the center of a survival story, grounding grand sci-fi concepts in intimate, human struggles.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Astro Boy a human or a robot?
Astro Boy is a young robot with incredible powers. He was created by a brilliant scientist in Metro City to serve as an image of the son he had lost, but he ultimately functions as a robotic being throughout his journey.
Why does Astro Boy leave Metro City?
Astro Boy leaves Metro City because he is unable to fulfill his creator's expectations. After being rejected by his father, he embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, which leads him to experience betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators before he returns home.
Does Astro Boy return to Metro City?
Yes, Astro Boy eventually returns to Metro City. After his time in the netherworld of robot gladiators, he comes back to save the city from danger and finally reconciles with the father who originally rejected him.
What is the setting of the movie Astro Boy?
The movie Astro Boy is set in the futuristic Metro City. This location serves as the primary backdrop for the narrative, where the titular robot is created, experiences his initial rejection, and eventually returns to save the population.