Last night I watched Astro Boy (2009) with my family last night and I was just thinking about how weird it was that they changed Tobio’s age to 13, then I started thinking, what if this adaptation is also about puberty?
I have a younger teenage brother and my parents tell us that when they really think about how old we are they immediately think about themselves when they were that age and how they “can’t believe it” and think it’s “unreal”.
In the movie, I think Tobio’s death may in some ways be represented as the death of childhood and the beginning of adolescence. I know that theory doesn’t hold up in some places but think about it! His Dad rebuilt him in the image he remembers him and gave him Tobio’s memories but thinks he’s “strange” and “different”.
From what I’ve observed, parents may find it hard to believe that their little boy/girl is growing up, wanting to cling to that idea that their child is still just that. They may even they recognise themselves too much or not at all, which leads to the parent and child becoming distant. In some cases, the child might even remind them of their ex-spouse who they might’ve lost in death or some other upsetting experience, and that reminder could also lead to the parent to becoming confused, upset and alienated from their child, their child who’s body and mind is changing and needs acceptance more than anything.
This also adds to the path of self discovery and going out into the world to find others like you. And the parent coming to accept their child as their own despite so many changes.
Don’t take my word as fact tho bc, you know how it is, it’s hard to be a single father when you’re a girl with no children. Again, some of these ideas are drawn from what I’ve observed from mine and other’s parents.
aaahhhghh im sorry i got to this so late!!!
This is such a valid interpretation though! I’m glad to see people watching this movie & still come up with different ways to see it.
I’ve seen a lot of takes about this movie (neurodivergence, the queer experience, theres too many to list rn so etc,) so seeing one I haven’t heard all that much about is really appreciated!
I will say this differentiates from the usual “growing up” metaphor ive usually seen in media, you actually highlighted something on the parents part and that was really good!! It makes it feel more fleshed out rather than just “growing up” in general.
Still I really like this take!! It’s a tad more universal than the ones i’ve talked about.
Thank u for the ask!! I’m glad ppl are still watching this movie & forming opinions/interpretations on it :D
