Latest news with #AstroBoy
SoraNews24
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Uniqlo's Disney T-shirts feature art by manga divinity and royalty【Photos】
The god of manga's artwork is featured in the Magic for All UT line. Uniqlo and Disney have been friends for a long time. This summer, they're celebrating the 10th anniversary of the start of their Magic for All T-shirt collaborations, and with Disney's multifaceted media productions in the modern era, that means that not just characters from the Disney animated canon are featured, but also the stars of Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars too. Sometimes Magic for All's designs even include a touch of magic from some of the most celebrated manga artists of all time. Coming soon are a pair of redesigned Magic for All T-shirts using illustrations from Osamu Tezuka and the production company of Fujio Akatsuka. Tezuka was such a prolific artist that he's known as 'the god of manga.' Most famous for creating Tetsuwan Atom/Astro Boy, Tezuka was also the artist and writer of such other landmark works as Jungle Emperor/Kimba the White Lion, Princess Knight, Phoenix, and Black Jack. Uniqlo's Tezuka Magic for All shirt features an illustration by the artist of Mickey Mouse dashing across the front, with 'pyoon' (the Japanese sound effect for 'whoosh') written in katakana script. Though not referred to as being manga divinity, Fujio Akatsuka nonetheless has an impressive nickname, 'the king of gag manga.' Akatsuka's greatest claim to fame is Osomatsu-kun, a manga series about the zany Osomatsu sextuplets which originally ran from 1962 to 1969 and has been adapted to anime multiple times, including a phenomenally popular reboot in 2015 titled Osomatsu-san/Mr. Osomatsu. Other highlights of Akatsuka's resume include gag series Tensai Bakabon and Moretsu Ataro, and also Himitsu no Akko-chan, one of the first major magical girl manga/anime franchises. The Fujio Productions shirt has Mickey, Donald, and Goofy all drawn in the, well, goofy sort of aesthetics that helped fuel Akatsuka's success. ▼ The 'ranrara～n' written in katakana is a sort of silly, joyous singing, sort of a Japanese equivalent of 'lalala.' In addition to Tezuka and Akatsuka, the Uniqlo Magic for All collection also has takes on Disney characters from James Jarvis, Danny Sangra… …Nuts Art Works, and Ester Kim. And then, of course, there are all the designs that come direct from the archives of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, many with a retro vibe. Uniqlo's Disney Magic for All T-shirts are priced at 1,990 yen (US$13.75) each and go on sale at Uniqlo stores and through the Uniqlo online shop here August 4. Source: Uniqlo, PR Times Top image: PR Times Insert images: PR Times, Uniqlo (1, 2) ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Best Anime Movies For Kids: A Dad's Guide By Age
As a kid growing up in the '80s and '90s, I was hooked on anime before I even knew the word for it. Titles like My Neighbor Totoro, Kimba the White Lion, Astro Boy, The Adventures of the Little Prince, and Unico lit up my childhood. These weren't just cartoons—they felt magical. They introduced me to gentler storytelling, imagination without limits, and characters that didn't resemble the ones on Saturday morning TV. That early love of anime never left me. Now, as a dad in his forties with three girls, ages 3, 7, and 13, and a 10-year-old son, I not only still watch anime, but I also share it with my children. Not everything is age-appropriate, though. Some anime movies hit hard emotionally or lean into darker themes. However, there's a lot out there that kids can enjoy and truly connect with, just as I did when I was young. A This list of the best anime movies for kids is based on my family's personal experiences. These aren't just 'kid-safe' but instead they're the ones my kids love, talk about, and return to. I organized it by age, so you can find a movie that matches your child's emotional and developmental level. Whether they're starting their first movie night or are ready for something a little deeper, this list has something that fits most kids' preferences in some way. What it's about: Ponyo is a goldfish who dreams of becoming human after meeting a five-year-old boy named Sosuke. When she escapes her underwater world, the magic she carries causes storms and sea surges. The friendship between Ponyo and Sosuke becomes the heart of a story that blends land and ocean, magic and childhood. Why it works for kids (and my family): My 3-year-old is obsessed with Ponyo. The movement, the ocean creatures, and Ponyo's energy keep her glued to the screen. The visuals are soft and easy to follow, like a watercolor picture book in motion. My 7-year-old still enjoys the themes of friendship and wonder, especially the way Sosuke protects Ponyo. There's no bad guy, no scary scenes, and the pace is slow enough for even the youngest kids to follow without getting overwhelmed. Ponyo is a movie that feels safe, curious, and full of magic—one of the best anime movies for kids discovering animation for the first time. What it's about: Sisters Satsuki and Mei move to the countryside while their mom recovers in the hospital. As they explore the forest near their new home, they meet Totoro, a gentle, magical creature who becomes their friend. The movie is a collection of quiet, magical moments with no big drama or fast-moving plot. Why it works for kids (and my family): Totoro is a massive hit with my 3-year-old and 7-year-old. Totoro himself is an instant favorite—he's big, friendly, and doesn't talk much, which makes him easy for young kids to connect with. The sisters feel real, and the way they play, argue, and imagine mirrors how my kids interact. The catbus is always a favorite moment. It's one of the best anime movies for kids who love slow, dreamy stories that invite them to explore the world at their own pace. What it's about: Totto-Chan is a curious girl who doesn't fit into her traditional school. After being expelled, she's sent to a new kind of school where learning takes place in train cars, kids explore freely, and differences are celebrated. The story is set in 1940s Japan and focuses on childhood wonder during a time of real-world challenges. Why it works for kids (and my family): This one struck a chord with my 7-year-old, who's at that age where kids start noticing when they don't fit into every classroom rule. Totto-Chan is bold, quirky, and completely herself. That's empowering to watch. Even though it touches on heavy themes like war and disability, it does so gently, through the lens of a child's perspective. The animation feels nostalgic and warm, and it moves slowly enough for younger elementary kids to follow. This one earns its place among the best anime movies for kids who march to the beat of their own drum. What it's about: After saving a cat from getting hit by a truck, Haru finds herself invited to the Cat Kingdom, where she's told she must marry the prince. With the help of the dashing Baron and other oddball allies, she tries to escape a world that becomes stranger by the minute. Why it works for kids (and my family): This one's ideal for my 10-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter. It's fast-paced, funny, and full of weird, lovable characters. The cats wear suits, talk with flair, and act like royalty, which always gets laughs. It's quirky and full of charm, with just enough tension to keep it exciting. Kids who like slightly offbeat stories will find this one a fun ride, especially if they love animals or secret fantasy worlds. It's one of the best anime movies for kids who are ready to step into more adventurous stories. What it's about: Kai is a quiet boy in a fishing town who meets Lu, a playful mermaid who loves music. As their friendship grows, Kai begins to come out of his shell, while the town struggles to let go of old fears about mermaids and outsiders. Why it works for kids (and my family): This one clicked with my 10-year-old. Lu is pure chaos in the best way—bouncing, singing, and breaking every rule. The musical scenes are wild and full of energy, which helps keep active kids engaged. It's also an excellent movie for kids who feel shy or misunderstood. Kai's quiet nature and slow transformation feel relatable without being heavy. The combination of music, movement, and emotion makes this one of the best anime movies for kids who thrive on sound and rhythm. What it's about: Mary discovers a glowing flower that gives her temporary magical powers and whisks her to a floating school for witches. At first, the school dazzles her, but she soon uncovers a dark secret and must decide whether to speak up and take action. Why it works for kids (and my family): My 13-year-old daughter loved Mary's character. She's clumsy and unsure at first, but takes control of her story in a way that feels empowering. The action is fast enough to keep older elementary and middle-grade kids interested. There's just the right amount of tension for a 10-year-old or 11-year-old, enough to feel the stakes but not enough to be scary. It's one of the best anime movies for kids who are just starting to explore the difference between doing what's easy and doing what's right. Studio Ghibli What it's about: Kiki is a 13-year-old witch who leaves home to start a new life in a seaside city. She opens a flying delivery service but quickly learns that independence isn't always easy. The story follows her emotional ups and downs as she navigates her identity and discovers what she truly wants. Why it works for kids (and my family): My 13-year-old connected with Kiki right away. The idea of trying to be independent, getting burned out, and losing confidence hits hard at that age. There's no villain here. Just Kiki, trying and failing and trying again. It's a quiet story, but one that sticks with you. It's one of the best anime movies for kids navigating the complexities of growing up without needing all the answers yet. What it's about: Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl, stumbles into a hidden spirit world where her parents are turned into pigs. To save them, she must work at a bathhouse for spirits, facing strange creatures, odd rules, and personal growth along the way. Why it works for kids (and my family): This one is best suited for older kids. My 10-year-old son found the world to be both strange and fascinating. The visuals are packed with details and oddities that spark curiosity. It's not an easy movie—it doesn't explain everything, and the pacing can feel unfamiliar—but that's what makes it work for kids who are ready for something more profound. It's no surprise this is often named one of the best anime movies for kids ready to explore bigger emotions and big, imaginative worlds. What it's about: This is an anthology of three short films about quiet acts of bravery. One story follows tiny underwater siblings looking for their dad. Another follows a boy managing a life-threatening food allergy. The last is about a man who feels invisible—until he decides to be seen. Why it works for kids (and my family): The short format helps. Each story feels different, and none of them overstay their welcome. My 10-year-old especially liked the first story because it was adventurous and fast-paced. The allergy story hit harder for my 13-year-old. It shows real fear but balances it with warmth and support. This anthology proves that the best anime movies for kids don't always have to be feature-length to leave a lasting impression. What it's about: Miyo is a middle school girl who feels invisible at home and school. When she's given a mask that turns her into a cat, she uses it to get close to her crush. But the more time she spends hiding as a cat, the more she risks losing her human self for good. Why it works for kids (and my family): This one hit with my 13-year-old. Miyo is loud and funny on the outside, but she's working through sadness and confusion beneath the surface. That's a familiar feeling for kids navigating the emotions of middle school. The fantasy elements keep it light, but the message is strong. Hiding from your feelings doesn't make them go away. Among the best anime movies for kids during the middle school transition, this one strikes a balance between fantasy and emotional truth in a way that resonates.
Cosmopolitan
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
The film turns 20! See the Charlie and The Chocolate Factory cast of ticket-winning kids then vs now
Ready to feel old? The Tim Burton movie Charlie and The Chocolate Factory is officially turning twenty years old next week. Though the Roald Dahl novel the movie is based on has been adapted a number of times, first in 1971 starring Gene Wilder as Wonka, and then more recently with Wonka's origin story being told with Timothée Chalamet starring as the titular character, if you grew up in the early 2000s, then the 2005 version is likely to be the one you remember best. Starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Christopher Lee and Freddie Highmore, the movie was the eighth-highest grossing movie in the world in 2005. And in the two decades since the movie debuted, a lot has changed foe the cast of the movie, particularly those playing the ticket-winning child roles. So what are those five golden ticket winners up to now? Here's a look at the cast of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory kids then and now. Freddie Highmore had already starred in nearly 10 projects at age 13, and had just wrapped on the highly acclaimed Finding Neverland, when he began filming as the lead of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. Following on from his golden ticket role, Freddie has gone onto star in many more projects including The Spiderwick Chronicles, Astro Boy, The Art of Getting By, Bates Motel and the series he is now most currently known for - The Good Doctor, of which he has been the lead for seven seasons and received a Golden Globe nomination for. Oh, and he's now married too. You can next catch him on screen in Prime Video's The Assassin, which he is starring in alongside Keeley Hawes. AnnaSophia Robb played the bubblegum blowing Violet Beauregarde in 2005. It was her third movie role at age 12 and she went onto star in some of the biggest children's films of the 2000s including Bridge to Terabitha (alongside Josh Hutcherson), Spy School, and Race to Witch Mountain. In her adult career she's played a young Carrie Bradshaw in The Carrie Diaries, been main cast in the series Mercy Street, The Act and most recently you can see her in the series Grosse Point Garden Society. Like her Charlie and The Chocolate Factory co-star Freddie, AnnaSophia has also gotten married, tying the knot in 2022 to partner Trevor Paul. Jordan Fry played Mike Teavee, who as his name suggested did nothing but watch TV. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory was Jordan's first role and since then he's gone onto star in a few films - Meet The Robinsons, Raising Flagg and The Journey. More recently he's been starring in short and indie films. Augustus Gloop is the first child to be eliminated as he falls in the chocolate river. He was played in the 2005 film by Philip Wiegratz, who hails from Germany and has continued his career with a number of German TV shows and movies including Lore, Die Wölfe and Der Schlunz. Veruca Salt was the spoilt brat of the group of kids who attend the Willy Wonka tour, she was played by Swedish actress Julia Winter. Unlike the rest of her cast mates, Julia never acted again and has since stayed out of the public eye.
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
Pasona Natureverse: Thank You, Life
The helix-shaped pavilion resembles an ancient ammonite, as a motif of life. Popular cartoon character Astro Boy, who acts as a navigator for visitors, sits atop the tip of the ammonite, pointing in the direction of Awaji Island, Hyōgo, where Pasona is headquartered. The pavilion's concept is 'Thank You, Life,' with exhibits spread over three zones: Body, Mind/Bonds, and History of Life. 'Tree of Life Evolution' is an exhibit expressing the potential of humans, the magnificence of nature, and the dynamics of evolution. An unmissable exhibit in the Body Zone features a real, beating heart crafted from induced pluripotent stem cells. The Pasona Natureverse is located in the West Gate Zone. ( See the official map for details.) The Pasona Natureverse. (© ) (© ) (© ) (Originally published in Japanese. Reporting and text by Uchiyama Ken'ichi and . Photographic assistance by Kuroiwa Masakazu of 96-Box. Banner photo © .)
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
From Takadanobaba to Shinjuku: Schools, Culture, and Wild Nightlife on Tokyo's West Side
A Walk around the Yamanote Line Walking from Takadanobaba to Shinjuku, youth is the name of the game, with youngsters attending the many local schools, hunting for bargains at Korean Town, or enjoying Kabukichō's bright lights. But don't forget that many traces of an older past are scattered all over the area. Takadanobaba is where I enter the home stretch of my walk around the Yamanote Line. From here to Shibuya, my final goal, this is my home turf, an area full of memories and personal connections. Yet, it hardly feels like a homecoming. Unfortunately, the district has changed so much that I hardly recognize it. Granted, when I get off the train, I'm still welcomed by the Astro Boy (known in Japan as Tetsuwan Atomu) theme song that's been used since 2003 as a departure melody for trains on these platforms. However, the atmosphere along Waseda-dōri, the station's main commercial street, is utterly different. The stations on the Yamanote line stations loop. (© Pixta) Located close to Waseda and Gakushūin universities and several other vocational and training schools, Takadanobaba is still a favorite student hangout. Over time, though, it has become a little trendier, a little pricier, and a lot blander. Thirty years ago, it had more character, starting with the tacky steel arcades on the north side of the street. There, one could find cheap diners and bars catering to penniless students, secondhand shops where I hunted for old books and video games, and two wonderful art theaters showing both Japanese and foreign films. Nearly all that is gone. Once the area's lone example of corporate shopping and dining, the Big Box commercial center is now surrounded by scores of chain stores. From mobile phone dealers to cafes and fast food joints, they are all over the place. Even the secondhand game shop I loved was replaced by Suit Select, which is happy to provide you with an order-made suit ready in 10 days for just ¥45,000! Big Box is one of Takadanobaba's oldest landmarks. (© Gianni Simone) Constantly changing, inexorably replacing the old with the new, the up-to-date, the money-making convenient, Tokyo is the best demonstration of Marcel Proust's dictum that you can never really get back time lost. To me, no other place drives home this painful fact with more bittersweet poignancy than Takadanobaba. Now, every visit I make becomes an incomplete, deeply unsatisfying stroll along memory lane, a missed chance to reconnect with my younger self. But I haven't lost all my hopes. The mom-and-pop ping pong joint is still there, hidden in an alley north of the station, and the Waseda Shōchiku cinema, which first opened in 1951, keeps showing cheap double-bills. Human traffic, as usual, is decidedly young, though near the station, hidden underground, there are bars and eateries targeting salarymen and other working people. It's like they don't want to attract the students' attention. By the way, if you are tired of the ubiquitous chain restaurants, Takadanobaba is home to several excellent Burmese diners providing simple, tasty, hearty dishes. Takadanobaba is famous for its many Burmese eateries. (© Gianni Simone) Speaking of Asian cuisine, our next stop has plenty of it. Nowadays, Shin-Ōkubo is mainly associated with Korean Town, and the hordes of Japanese youngsters and foreign tourists who clog its streets every day are mainly there to taste the latest colorful Korean snacks and buy Korean cosmetics. Food lovers converge on Shin-Ōkubo's Korean Town on a daily basis. (© Gianni Simone) However, on the west side of the Yamanote Line, a completely different kind of Asian experience awaits you, as the Korean places are easily overwhelmed by Vietnamese, Nepalese and other Asian shops and restaurants lining up on both sides of the street. It's a different world that looks and smells like no other place in Tokyo. So next time people tell you how homogeneous and monocultural Japan is, take them to Shin-Ōkubo. Walking around Shin-Ōkubo doesn't even feel like being in Japan. (© Gianni Simone) Now, the east side is a different story. You will need to walk some 15 to 20 minutes and get away from the Yamanote's acoustic footprints, but it's worth the trip, at least if you are interested in Tokyo's deep history. Tokyo has many danchi (public housing complexes), but Toyama Heights is arguably the only one located inside the loop. It is also one of the first and largest such projects in Tokyo. Initially constructed in 1948 on a former military site as a response to the postwar housing shortage, the original 1,062 structures were wooden, single-story houses. However, over the years, the area underwent significant redevelopment, and between 1968 and 1976, the complex was rebuilt into high-rise buildings made of reinforced concrete. Toyama Heights is one of the more successful examples of danchi in Tokyo. (© Gianni Simone) Coming from Takadanobaba, even before reaching the danchi, we find Toyama Park, a significant green area in the district. Once the residence of members of the Tokugawa clan whose garden was one of the best in Edo, even rivaling Koishikawa Kōrakuen, it was later used by the military, becoming a shooting range and the site of the Army Toyama School. Today, Toyama Park is a rare green oasis in the heart of Tokyo. The park has been left to gently go wild, creating just a few little rough touches here and there that add a certain charm you won't find in Yoyogi or other central Tokyo public parks. Toyama Park is a rare green oasis in the heart of Tokyo. (© Gianni Simone) Toyama Park is bisected by the major thoroughfare Meiji-dōri, and its inner, or eastern, half is a little jewel of unpretentious, quiet beauty. Although this area is more centrally located than the Yamanote stations, it has a suburban, almost rural feel. When I visited the park in the middle of a lazy weekday afternoon, the only people I crossed paths with were elementary school kids going home and pram-pushing moms. I sat on a bench to write down a few notes and the only sounds I could hear were small birds chirping, an impatient crow calling out his gang, and the subtle murmur of tree branches. If you are still hungry for unique landmarks, here you will find Hakone-yama, an artificial hill that, standing at 44.6 meters above sea level, is the highest nonstructural point within the Yamanote Line area. (Atagoyama, in Minato, remains the highest naturally occurring point.) However, to me, the district's most striking feature is Toyama Heights itself. While some of the buildings show their age and the whole complex looks rather dreary and lacks aesthetic charm, they are clean, with manicured lawns and walls unmarred by graffiti. In sharp contrast to the ominous atmosphere that pervades similar places in Europe and America, children play freely, the streets are immaculate, and gangs and drug dealers are nowhere to be seen. (Those things may be easier to find a little southward, in Shinjuku.) As one of Tokyo's main subcenters (it also features the world's most trafficked station), Shinjuku is many things all at once: a shopping Mecca, a sexual playground, and a cultural and intellectual enclave, so much so that one would need to write a whole book to do the place justice. Entering the district from the north, sex—or at least the titillating promise of it—is what you encounter. Welcome to Kabukichō, Japan's largest red-light district. In a city where streetwalkers are far from the norm, the area around Ōkubo Park has long been known as a spot where prostitutes solicit customers, many of them being very young runaways coming from around Japan. There is quite a lot of human traffic during the day, and after a while, you start wondering whether that blonde-dyed girl with the impossibly short miniskirt is just meeting her friends or on her way to some kind of naughty work. There are plenty of love hotels and host clubs here, but under the harsh glare of the midday sun, the place looks particularly drab, unremarkable, and unappealing. It's only when the sun goes down and the lights go up that Kabukichō turns into a riot of colors, a sleepless playground devoted to the neon god. At night the entrance to the Kabukichō district promises glitzy good times. (© Pixta) And to think that Shinjuku used to be a hotbed of student protests and political turmoil; a place where artists and intellectuals gathered to change the world, or at least Japanese culture. So, I leave behind the recent news stories and dive into deep time to look for traces of the past. Starting at the square in front of the station's east exit, we find a very old fountain, a gift from the city of London, where it once provided water for both people and horses. The round building just behind it is the station's parking lot. Both of them can be clearly seen in a rare color scene about halfway through Ōshima Nagisa's 1969 film Diary of a Shinjuku Thief. Not far from there, on Shinjuku-dōri, no history of local architecture would be complete without mentioning the Kinokuniya Bookstore main building (1964). Being squeezed between other lesser buildings, it's easy to overlook, but for more than 60 years it's been the heart of the local cultural scene. Shinjuku used to be full of jazz cafes and clubs, and one of the most famous was Fūgetsudō, where in the late sixties all the rebels and arty people used to gather. Here you could find poets such as Takiguchi Shūzō, Shiraishi Kazuko, and Tanikawa Shuntarō, actors like Mikuni Rentarō and Kishida Kyōko, and of course all-round creator and enfant terrible Terayama Shūji. Then, from the late 1960s onward, more and more hippies made their appearance, selling and doing marijuana and LSD. Unfortunately, the place was closed in 1973, so I find refuge and rest my feet at the retro-looking L'ambre, whose location is very close to the old Fūgetsudō. Here I can still enjoy a whiff of old-time café culture, albeit in a more domesticated, bourgeois atmosphere. L'ambre's retro atmosphere is a reminder of Shinjuku's roaring sixties. (© Gianni Simone) (Originally written in English. Banner photo: The Shin-Ōkubo district provides a Korean flavor to Tokyo travelers. © Pixta.)
