List of Astro Boy characters

Mighty Atom / Astro Boy (dub) (アトム)

The robot boy fashioned after the deceased son of Dr. Tenma, the head of the Ministry of Science in the year 2000. Aside from possessing the strength of 100,000 horsepower (later 1,000,000, though these numbers often fluctuate between stories) and the kind personality of a child, he has what are called his "seven amazing powers": jet-powered flight, multilingualism, analytical skills, headlight eyes, super-sensitive hearing, hidden weapons in his back, and the ability to tell if a person is good or evil.[1] In addition, he has a built-in Geiger counter and shortwave communication system.

Professor Hiroshi Ochanomizu / Dr. Packadermus J. Elefun (1963, 1980 dub) / Dr. O'Shay (2003 dub) (お茶の水博志博士)

The present head of the Institute of Science and a fearless campaigner for robotic rights. Kind, patient and good-natured, he serves as a mentor for both Astro and Uran, and would willingly give his life for either. Somewhat eccentric by nature, he tends to be excitable when faced by a scientific mystery, particularly when his opinions are questioned by his scientific colleagues.

Dr. Umatarō Tenma / Dr. Astor Boynton II (dub) (天馬午太郎 博士)

The former head of the Ministry of Science. He lost his only son, Tobio Tenma, to a traffic accident. Overcome with grief, he vowed to recreate his son as a robot: Astro Boy. Once he activated Astro he was seemingly mentally better, but grew frustrated with the fact that, as a robot, Astro did not grow physically. He sold Astro off to a circus and disappeared.[1] However, he has come out of hiding on occasion to assist Astro.

Uran / Astro Girl (1963 dub) / Zoran (2003 dub) (ウラン)

Astro's robot sister with a shown adoration towards Astro; she is a superhuman robot with a naive, tomboyish personality. Constructed by Professor Ochanomizu as a "gift" for Astro, Uran is an extremely mischievous little girl who constantly lands her older brother in trouble. While lacking Astro's weaponry and propulsion systems, she is extremely powerful (50,000 horsepower) and regularly accompanies him on various missions (or attempts to).[2] Like Astro, she is fully capable of experiencing human emotions - though being somewhat less 'mature'. In the 2003 anime Uran has the ability to communicate with animals. Her name is based on uranium, a metal used to power nuclear reactors.

Cobalt / Jetto (dub) (コバルト)

Astro's robotic brother. His origins differ in the continuities of the manga and anime versions. In the manga, he is an inferior copy of Astro created as a replacement by Professor Ochanomizu when he was missing and presumed scrap. In the anime version, he was a defective prototype of Astro built by Dr. Tenma, then sealed within the Ministry of Science archives and later released.[3] Cobalt has abilities comparable to his brother's, but lacks Astro's intelligence and common sense. Clumsy, accident prone and gullible, he is a constant source of trouble for Astro's family (and everyone else who crosses his path). Despite these problems, Cobalt is often shown to be extremely kindhearted and loyal. In addition to the abilities that were copied from Astro, he also shares a kind of telepathic link with his brother that gives him the ability to sense when Astro is in danger and home in his location. His name is based on Cobalt-60, an isotope used in nuclear reactors. Physically, he resembles Astro, but is taller and thinner.

Chiitan (チータン)

Astro Boy's baby brother created by Dr. O'Shay and seen primarily in the last season of the anime.[4] Created primarily as a comic relief character. Main characteristic is his loud bawling, which can shatter things. Chiitan's name is a pun on Titanium, as in Japan, it is cute to replace "t" sounds with "ch" sounds, thus making Chiitan's name pronounced similarly to "Titan" in Japanese.

Mama and Papa (リン & エタノール, ママとパパ)

Astro's robotic parents. Mama is depicted as an idealized 1960s housewife, and she is sweet, kind and nurturing. She is entirely trusting of her son's impeccable nature, knows he would never deliberately lie or harm another being.[5] In contrast, Papa is portrayed as something of a well-meaning blowhard, often jumping to conclusions and losing his temper over minor incidents. In some versions Mama is modified to resemble Dr. Tenma's wife who had died of a heart condition shortly after Astro was sold to the circus.

Shibugaki / Dinny (1963 dub) / Alvin (1980 dub) / Abercrombie (2003 dub) (シブガキ)

Astro Boy's friend, a loudmouthed bully.[6]

Tamao / Specs (1963 dub) / Theodore (1980 dub) / Alejo (2003 dub) (アトム)

Astro Boy's friend, a robotics enthusiast who immediately welcomes Astro into his class and as his friend.[6]

Shunsaku "Higeoyaji" Ban / Mr. Victor Percival Pompous (1963 dub) / Daddy Walrus (1980 dub) / Wally Kisaragi (2003 dub) (ヒゲオヤジ, 伴俊作)

Originally introduced as a private investigator, Higeoyaji played several roles in the Japanese strip series, including school teacher and martial arts expert.[7] Like Professor Ochanomizu, Higeoyaji serves as a surrogate father for Astro and Uran, providing guidance and advice when necessary. While gruff and comically short-tempered, he harbors a deep admiration for Astro, seeing him as the son he never had, and even stands up to the formidable Inspector Tawashi in the boy's defense. In both the original comic strip and the 1980s Japanese series, he was Astro's school teacher (in Naoki Urasawa's Pluto he has apparently been promoted to principal), and his nickname was Mr. Mustachio or Daddy Walrus. In the 2003 remake, he is notably absent from Astro's school, working full-time as a private eye and is also the uncle of Professor Ochanomizu's assistant, Yuko Kisaragi.

Inspector Tawashi / Inspector Gumshoe (dub) (タワシ警部, 田鷲警部)

A highly placed police detective with an innate distrust of androids and robots (the reason to this is never explained in detail).[8] Due to his opposition to Tokyo's robotic population, Inspector Tawashi has a long-standing feud with both Professor Ochanomizu and Higeoyaji and frequently engages in volatile arguments with them. While arrogant, cantankerous and, in some cases, downright rude, he eventually comes to respect Astro's courage and abilities, even calling for his assistance in particularly difficult cases. Often partnered with Chief Nakamura.

Chief Nakamura / Chief McLaw (dub) (田鷲警部)

The chief of the police and the partner of Inspector Tawashi. Played mainly for comic relief, Chief Nakamura was normally portrayed as fat, dim-witted and gullible; a stereotype "clueless flatfoot" of the period.[8] Nonetheless, he instantly recognized Astro's good side and frequently stood up for Astro against his bullying partner.[9] In the 1963 English dub, he has an Irish accent.

Tobio Tenma / Astor Boynton III (1963 dub) / Toby Boynton (1980 dub) (天馬星江)

Dr. Tenma's son who died in a car accident.[1] His death motivates the creation of Astro.