Astro Boy

Origin

Astro Boy is a powerful boy robot created by the head of the Ministry of Science, known as Doctor Tenma. He created him in order to replace his dead son, Tobio, after he died in a car accident.  Dr. Tenma was so distraught over the death that he built Astro to resemble Tobio physically, and he treated him as if he were his real son. Tenma even called the robot Tobio.  In time however, Dr. Tenma realized that 'Tobio' could not fill the void left over from the loss of his son since he could not grow or appreciate human qualities in the same way as a real child. As a result, Dr. Tenma rejected Astro.  Tenma tried selling Astro Boy but was told no one wanted a small cute robot.  He was signed sold to a cruel circus owner named Hamegg. Hamegg used androids in his show for the amusement of others, and was often very abusive of them.

No one knew to whom Tenma sold Astro.  After suffering in Hamegg's circus for a while, Astro was seen by Professor Ochanomizu, the new head of the Ochanomizu Research Lab. The Professor realized that Astro wasn't an ordinary robot and managed to make Hamegg turn the android over to him. He became Astro's legal guardian. He told Astro that he would no longer live the life of a slave only to be bought and sold whenever it pleased someone.  He soon realized that the boy robot was gifted with great powers, and that remarkably he was also able to experience human emotions.

Under Professor Ochanomizu's guidance, Astro used his powers to fight crime and injustice, such as prejudice since most of his enemies were robot-hating humans. He became known as Astro Boy, the world's greatest superhero, and went on to fight everything from robots gone mad, to alien invaders.

Powers

Living under Professor Ochanomizu's care, Astro Boy was encouraged to study and learn.  Thus he also developed more powers and began to reach his full potential.  Astro soon learned to fly like a space rocket.  He can speak sixty languages fluently.  He has the ability to tell whether people are good or bad.  His hearing can be amplified a thousand times.  Astro's eyes can be used as searchlights.  His strength is equal to 100,000 horsepower.  Astro Boy even has machine guns in his rear end.  Really, he does.