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I had an idea about a 'Broadway' stage musical based on the Astro Boy story. One of these days I might try to write such a fan fiction, but I would need help from someone musically talented to do the composing.

I just had a mental image of Tenma belting out show tunes as he plays the organ and I sprayed my coffee everywhere.

I'd get behind this 100%.

"Tetsuwan Penguin" wrote:I had an idea about a 'Broadway' stage musical based on the Astro Boy story. One of these days I might try to write such a fan fiction, but I would need help from someone musically talented to do the composing.

You rang?

An Astro Boy musical would be interesting indeed. It would definitely lend itself well to the theatre

I am surprised there never has been a musical in Japan. Black Jack had one. Princess Knight has had two.

I sincerely hope the Japanese characters are cast with Japanese people. Sure, they won't be big name actors (probably because nobody actually puts them in English movies), but it's a disservice to Osamu Tezuka to whitewash them. I saw some kid on Tumblr who wants Robert Downey Jr. to play Dr. Tenma. Like, there's star power, and then there's tossing respectability out the window just to shove in a big white actor for the big dollars.

Meanwhile, my 50-year-old mother wants to see Ken Watanabe as Tenma. I can see it/

"Melty" wrote:I just had a mental image of Tenma belting out show tunes as he plays the organ and I sprayed my coffee everywhere.

I'd get behind this 100%.

Honestly though, it's entirely possible! His voice actor in the 2003 series has put out two albums, so his character definitely has some core attachment to music.

"Fauna" wrote:Honestly though, it's entirely possible! His voice actor in the 2003 series has put out two albums, so his character definitely has some core attachment to music.

Indeed he did, I remember them very well. Ah the 80's... Haha.


Seriously though, if he ever did step up to do an animated musical version I'd be a very happy bunny.

I agree entirely about the whitewashing issue should they do a live action one. It shouldn't happen and I'd be sore if they ever did it. It's bad enough with Ghost In The Shell casting Johansson. (But that's another story...)

Ken Watanabe might actually work very well. I like it.

Now that a Tetsuwan Atom/Astro Boy musical has been mentioned, what about an opera? Tenma's aria is already playing in my head

I'm a little vague on the difference between an Opera and a Musical. I assume an Opera has ONLY song with NO spoken dialog. Also most Opera's (from an American's POV) are in some foreign language, usually Italian, or German, since most of the classical composers were from countries speaking those tongues.

With that in mind, I'd envision an Atomu Opera done in Japanese! However that would make composing the lyrics a bit harder since translating the dialog into the language, and having it rhyme somewhat would be a challenge!

Operas are done in a more classical style and can be in any language (including English).

"gokaiblue" wrote:Operas are done in a more classical style and can be in any language (including English).

OK. I still think a Japanese language Opera would be beautiful from the sound of various songs I've heard sung in it.