TOKYO —

Actress Aya Ueto, 23, will be the voice of Astro Boy in the Japanese-language version of the upcoming movie based on the popular animation. Actor Koji Yakusho, 53, will lend his voice to Astro Boy’s creator Doctor Tenma.

What began as a comic in 1952 by Osamu Tezuka, “Tetsuwan Atomu” became a huge hit through the subsequent television series in 1960s Japan. A movie version composed of various episodes made it to the big screen in 1964, but this 2009 release has an original script. Directed by David Bowers and produced by Imagi Animation Studios, actor Freddie Highmore, 17, will be the voice of Astro Boy in the English version and Nicolas Cage, 45, will supply the voice for Doctor Tenma.

Ueto said of the Japanese voice-dubbing: “I’m thrilled to be the voice of Astro Boy. He is loved by so many people and I’ll do my best not to destroy his image.” Yakusho said: “I used to watch it on TV when I was a kid, and the first picture I ever drew was of Astro. I remember feeling that it didn’t matter where you came from, you could become friends or family, which was an attractive theme.”

“Astro Boy” is scheduled to open in cinemas in Japan on Oct 10 (under the title “ATOM”) and in the U.S. on Oct 23.

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7 Comments

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  TeruSensei at 09:05 AM JST - 23rd July

  The movie looks fun, and Aya's sweet voice will be perfect. Nice mix!

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  nuclearash at 10:59 AM JST - 23rd July

  Astroboy, not girl. Why not use a boy's voice instead of Ueto's?

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  TokyoGas at 11:04 AM JST - 23rd July

  I read somewhere that some animators prefer to use a girl's voice instead of a boy's as girl's voices do not change.

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  Sarge at 11:54 AM JST - 23rd July

  Astroboy's going to sound like a girl.

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  FSF321 at 12:32 PM JST - 23rd July

  It's only logical to cast a woman as the voice of a young boy (more accurately robot). There are very few, if any, professional Japanese voice actors that happen to be children or teens. In addition, Mari Shimizu (a woman) voiced Astro in the original 1963 television anime.

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  jammer at 12:39 PM JST - 23rd July

  Bart Simpson's voice was done by a woman, why not astroboy? Good on Aya for milking her celebrity for as long as she can.

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  NeoJamal at 05:44 AM JST - 25th July

  Hire Rie Kugimiya and make Atom a tsundere

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