Synopsis
Tetsujin 28 (Theatrical Version) based on the same titled manga by YOKOYAMA Mitsuteru deals with the heroic activities of the genius boy detective KANED Shotaro and his giant robot, Tetsujin 28 in the setting of Tokyo ten years after the end of the Second World War. As expected, unlike the previous versions of Tetsujin 28, this theatrical version faithfully follows the original manga version, just as the 2004 TV version did. Much of the story is based on the 2004 TV version of Tetsujin 28, so this film can be considered as the spin off of the TV version. In this film, Shotaro's missing brother appears as a new character who was trained as the pilot of the soldier robot Tetsujin which Japan had created for the Second World War. However, with the end of the war, there is nothing left for him but the peaceful Japan. In the mean time, "destruction bombs" are found in many places of Tokyo. The bombs were developed by Professor Kaneda, the creator of Tetsujin 28 and Shotaro's father, as ultimate weapons to protect the mainland. If the bombs explode, Tokyo will be reduced to ashes. By integrating his view of the world into the view of the original, the director offers a silent prayer to the memories of the war through the war machine "Tetsujin" at a time when the whole nation is fascinated by Tetsuwan Atomu (or "Astro Boy" in English) under the influence of a rapid economic growth. As shown in the title, the film gives an opportunity to reflect and analyze the remains of the war lingering in the Japanese society like a ghost or like the morning moon of midday. (HAN Tae Sik)