I had some trouble working out whether it was the 1960's or 1980 series which I used to watch - mainly because the house I was living in at the time only had a b/w TV, but it seems almost certain it was the 1980 version. If for no other reason that I can't imagine ABC playing a bw series during the 80's.

This isn't the original Astroboy, but it's possibly an improvement. Not only is it colour, and the limited animation is mostly gone, but Tezuka was still alive, and was heavily involved in all aspects of the show, right down to things like helping select the overseas voice cast (which could explain why the Astro in this series sounds so much like Billy Lou Watt from the original and Kimba)

The 1980 Astro is somewhat darker and less fluffy than the 21st Century version (as far as I could tell. I only watched one episode of the latter). There's no disputing this is a classic, but not being a big robot fan I had to really struggle to give this 3.5 - but hey, coming from me, that's not to be sneezed at. The characters are memorable, the moral message is strong without being sickly. And it just has that certain.... something.

ABC in Australia repeatedly played this series virtually throughout the 1980's, so I have vivid memories of it. IMO Astro isn't even half the show that Tezuka's other early hit, Kimba, was, but it's recognisably from the same hand.

Most of the people who buy this are going to be early 30-somethings on a nostalgia trip, but this is still a very worthwhile series. Much of the earlier magic was still around.

I must say that from the very little I saw, I was quite disappointed with the 2000's version, but it comes down to what you saw first, perhaps (everybody I've read who grew up on the 80's version rates it above the 00's version). Far better animation in the later one, but lacking Tezuka's unmistakable hand at the rudder (awkward metaphor, a billion pardons).

It's good stuff. Not in the same cosmos as Kimba, IMHO, but very good nonetheless.