The 1963 black & white version of Astro Boy was the first anime to cross the Pacific and penetrate American television. It was highly successful as it drew the highest ratings at that time. It was later taken off the air in 1966 as it completed its 104 episode run (193 episodes in Japan) and was losing its popularity due to its non-colour and "depressing" themes and story lines. In 1980 however, Astroboy was reborn in Japan and was brought back to North America in 1982 in a 51 episode colour series (52 episodes in Japan).
