The premiere of the U.S. computer-animated film "Astro Boy," based on the legendary Japanese manga series of the same name by the late Osamu Tezuka, was held in Hollywood on Monday.
Celebrities attending the premiere included Japanese actor Koji Yakusho, who did the voice-over for one of the main characters in the Japanese-dubbed version of the film (titled "Atom"), and Yoshiki, the leader of the popular band X JAPAN.
The premiere took place at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, where Tezuka visited 32 years ago to see the film "Star Wars." Filmmaker Makoto Tezuka, the oldest son of the late Tezuka, who supervised the making of Astro Boy, revealed that his father was inspired to start drawing manga by American films.
"My father would be happier than anyone else that his work has been titled in English and screened in Hollywood. My heart is too full for words," Makoto said.
Yakusho did the voice for Doctor Tenma, who created Atom the robot to replace his deceased son. "I hope that American children will understand Atom's kindness and courage to fight to protect the earth and his loved ones," said Yakusho.
