Astro boy anniversary; Japan's iconic, first TV anime

Every year on January 1st, Japan quietly celebrates a milestone that helped shape the entire world of animation: Tetsuwan Atomu (mighty atom) Day. While most people are focused on New Year’s festivities, anime fans know that this date marks the debut of Tetsuwan Atomu, known internationally as Astro Boy, the very first 30‑minute television anime series ever broadcast in Japan.

On January 1, 1963, Fuji TV aired the first episode of Tetsuwan Atomu, Astro Boy. The series ran for 193 episodes, concluding on December 31, 1966, and laid the foundation for the anime industry as we know it today. Its success inspired two later adaptations: 

a color remake from 1980 to 1981, and a modern reboot from 2003 to 2004. Each version reintroduced the 'mighty' Atom to a new generation, proving the timelessness of his story.

Created by manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka, Tetsuwan Atomu tells the story of Atom, a boy robot powered by advanced energy and gifted with human emotions. Set in a futuristic 21st century, the series explores themes of identity, ethics, technology, and compassion. When I first came to Japan, I knew little of anime, but I soon learned about Astro boy, one of the most iconic characters in the country.