Astro Boy is a sci-fi series set in a futuristic world where androids co-exist with humans. Its focus is on the adventures of the titular "Astro Boy" (or simply "Astro"), a powerful robot created by the head of the Ministry of Science Doctor Tenma to replace his son Tobio, who died in a car accident, Dr. Tenma built Astro in Tobio's image and treated him as lovingly as if he were the real Tobio, but soon realized that the little android could not fill the void of his lost son, especially since Astro could not grow or express human aesthetics (in one set of panels, Astro is shown preferring the mechanical shapes of cubes over the organic shapes of flowers). In the original 1960 edition, Tenma rejected Astro and sold him to a cruel circus owner, Hamegg, who abused the performers.

While Astro languished in Hamegg's circus, Professor Ochanomizu, the new head of the Ministry of Science, noticed Astro Boy performing in the circus. He managed to make Hamegg turn Astro over to him. He brought Astro along and treated him gently and warmly, becoming his legal guardian. He soon realized that Astro was gifted with superior powers and skills, as well as the ability to experience human emotions.

Astro then fought crime, evil and injustice. Most of his enemies were robot-hating humans, robots gone berserk, or alien invaders. Almost every story included a big robot battle involving Astro. The series explored issues of morality, responsibility, racism, prejudice, true heroism, and loss.


//from Wiki

~melvyn

JULY 18, 2008 (2nd day)

After a good night's sleep following our arrival, we went to Gifu city in Gifu prefecture which is next to Aichi prefecture. It is about a 1 hr drive by car from Inuyama.

Pay was to hang his recent paintings in MONDO furniture showroom. The imposing black warehouse-looking building is also the workshop as well as the owner's private residence. Pay was given a whole wall to hang his art. His art blended well with the general mood of the showroom.

It didn't occur to me that the man standing in the showroom, as we entered, is MONDO's owner. I actually thought he was a customer like us. Even after I was told who he was, I felt that MONDO belongs to someone who is never present there. I still feel that way...and MONDO, in my mind, is now also his cherished business more than ever too.

We then went to Clover Sabou Asian Cafe (http:/blogs.yahoo.co.jp/cloversabou36) which is some 15 minutes drive from MONDO. It was lunch time for us and we had homemade curry.

Clover Sabou's owner is Yuuki. She's the one who makes all the food. Yuuki also is a big fan of music. She often invite musicians to come play. Pay and I decided to make a portrait of her on that day using oil pastel. We also played music using the many instruments she has in the cafe. She takes a lot of care in making the cafe a friendly and personal place. There's a lot of nice spots to take pictures in the cafe. We were so comfortable there.

We left the place feeling that it cannot be the last time to meet Yuuki...

Joe

Hello there!

~Melvyn