Spring Anime "ATOM the Beginning", Concept Work and Interview with Masami Yuki Released!　What is the relationship between Gyotaro Tenma and Hiroshi Ochanomizu?

An interview with Masami Yuki, who is involved in the concept work of the TV anime "Atom the Beginning," which will start in the spring of 2017, is now available.

The story of "Astro Boy the Beginning," a manga serialized in the monthly magazine "Heroes," follows the birth of Osamu Tezuka's eternal hero "Astro Boy. The anime is produced under the supervision of Makoto Tezuka, with Masami Yuki of "Tetsuwan Birdie" fame as the original planner for the concept work, and Tetsuro Kasahara of "RIDEBACK" fame in charge of manga production.
The TV anime will be directed by Katsuyuki Motohiro of "Odoru Daisousasen" and "PSYCHO-PASS Psycho-Pass" as general director, Tatsuo Sato of "Moretsu Uchu Kaizoku" as director, and Junichi Fujisaki of "BLOOD+" as series composition.
⇒ 2017 Spring Anime List

In the interview released this time, one of the charms of "Atom the Beginning" is the relationship between the two young geniuses, Goutarou Tenma and Hiroshi Ochanomizu.

The following is the official interview.

Official Interview.
--Please tell us how you got involved in "Atom the Beginning".

Masami Yuki (Yuki): I was first contacted by Makoto Tezuka. Makoto Tezuka told me that he liked "Gutai Choujin Aaru" (Ultimate Superhero), and we had been in contact with each other since our previous conversation. When we met, we came up with the idea of creating a new prequel to "Astro Boy. At that time, we had not yet decided who would draw the manga.

--So, Yuuki-sensei, you were originally only working on the concept?

Yuki: Yes. I am currently working on a weekly serial, "Shirokure no Chronicle" ("Big Comic Spirits," Shogakukan), so I did not have time to draw a manga, but I could at least come up with ideas. At that point, however, there was a possibility that the person who would draw it would be a newcomer, and if that happened, I thought I would need some backup.

--What was your impression of the original "Astro Boy"?

Yuki: I was a reader of "Shonen" (Kobunsha), which serialized "Astro Boy," so it has been ingrained in me since childhood. I myself was more of an "Tetsujin 28-go" person (laughs). At the time, I was also reading "Atom" at the same time, as well as Kappa Comics (Kobunsha). Otherwise, I would not have included the "Atom" story in "Jutoku Choujin Araru" that "Araru was sold to a haunted house" (laughs). (Laughs.) If you are going to draw an android manga, you can't avoid that part.

--Do you remember any memorable episodes of "Astro Boy"?

Yuki: I remember vividly the pictures of the manga I read as a child. The ones that come to mind now are the giant snail Guernica ("Guernica") and the "Botanical Man" episode. Atom" has a slightly grotesque atmosphere, in a good way, so I guess it left a lasting impression on my childhood mind. I also liked the guest robots that confronted Atom. Atom himself is an honor student, but the guest robots in each episode are impressive in both design and drama, and I think that's the charm of the original "Atom.