Jetter Mars (ジェッターマルス Jettā Marusu) is a short-lived Japanese anime series made in 1977, written by Tezuka and directed by Rintaro. Originally planned by Dr. Osamu Tezuka as a full-color remake of the original anime adaptation of his popular manga series Astro Boy, unfavorable circumstances during the pre-production phase of the project led him to abandon it temporarily and create Jetter Mars instead with different elements and plots. Although it remains one of Tezuka's lesser-known works, it gained a large following and is fondly remembered. The series was broadcast in Spain, Mexico, Chile, Italy, Brazil, Korea, and Portugal, and both the show and its OST got a DVD/CD release in 2009.
This series never released in North America (and United Kingdom, Canada,) but Jetter Mars makes an appearance on Astro Boy: Omega Factor as a secret character on all regional versions.
Plot[]
1977 Jetter Mars Opening Mars 2015 Nen Koorogi '73, Steven Toto- -CKR- -72C45D72-
Jetter Mars Opening
In the futuristic year of 2015 A.D., Dr. Yamanoue, the leader of the Ministry of Science, has devoted himself to assembling an Android on an artificial island. He intends to use him as a war machine. But the robot has a deficiency in its electric brain. He comes to the conclusion that Dr. Kawashimo's help is essential to correct his defective brain. Although they are friends, they are rivals not only in private life but also in scientific study. Dr. Yamanoue is very jingoistic and only thinks of the robot as one of his strategic arms. On the contrary, Dr. Kawashimo is a pacifist and devotes his affection for robots. Dr. Kawashimo hurries to the island at the request of Dr. Yamanoue, taking his young daughter Miri with him. Arriving on the island, Dr. Kawashimo sets the electric brain into Jetter Mars, a robot boy. Thus Mars comes into the world. Jetter Mars may not know much about the world, but he will always save the day with his powers! Watch as Jetter Mars saves the day and learns more about the world as time goes on!
The cast of Jetter Mars as seen at the end of the opening.
Other info[]
Some may consider Jetter Mars a rip-off of Astro Boy, but the story is rather different. Though, some episodes do have the same plot as some Astro Boy episodes. For example: Episode 05 "Why is Mars crying?" takes many elements from the two-parters called "The Greatest Robot in the World" and episode 12 "Jam Bond, Secret Agent" takes many elements from "The Artificial Sun."
Trivia[]
- Jetter Mars is referenced in the manual of Rightstuf's DVD release of the 1963 show, though is called "Jet Mars" instead of the proper title. This is likely because in other dubs of the show the title is "Jet Marte" which translates to Jet Mars. The Korean translation is currently unknown.
- Unlike a vast majority of anime, Jetter Mars' show came out before the manga, and the manga usually adapts stories from the show. The manga also usually uses different artists than the ones used in the show.
- Jetter Mars remains one of Tezuka's lesser-known works, more well-known series include Astro Boy.
List of episodes[]
| Episode # | Title | Guest character | Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mars is Born, Year 2015
2015 nen Marusu tanjō (2015年マルス誕生) |
Faitan | February 3, 1977 |
| 2 | Counterfeiting robot gang Robotto mitsuyudan (ロボット密輸団) |
February 10, 1977 | |
| 3 | Why is Mars crying? Marusu naze naku (マルスなぜ泣く) |
Mad Mask | February 17, 1977 |
| 4 | Goodbye, little brother! | Tack | February 24, 1977 |
| 5 | Talent, the greatest robot in history Shijō saikō no robotto Tarento (史上最高のロボットタレント) |
HamEgg | March 3, 1977 |
| 6 | The girl that came from the star of dreams Yume no hoshi kara kita shōjo (夢の星から来た少女) |
Dolly | March 10, 1977 |
| 7 | Missing Miri Kieta Miri (消えた美理) |
Skunk Kusanagi | March 17, 1977 |
| 8 | Where did dad go? Otōsan doko okonatta no? (お父さんどこ行ったの?) |
No.1 & No.2 | March 24, 1977 |
| 9 | Lamp, the space trader Uchū no shimatsujin Ranpu (宇宙の始末人ランプ) |
Acetylene Lamp | March 31, 1977 |
| 10 | My lil' brother's name is Melchi | Dr. Spice, Mrs. Tabasko | April 7, 1977 |
| 11 | Freshman Mars Shin'nyūsei Marusu (新入生マルス) |
Mason | April 14, 1977 |
| 12 | Jam Bond, Secret agent Himitsu chōhōin Jamu Bondo (ヒミツ諜報員ジャムボンド) |
Jam Bond | April 21, 1977 |
| 13 | Honey, robot exchange-student Robotto Tenkōsei Hanī (ロボット転校生ハニー) |
Honey | April 28, 1977 |
| 14 | The vampire from outer space Uchū kara no Kyūketsuki (宇宙からの吸血鬼) |
Kuroro | May 5, 1977 |
| 15 | Melchi likes Mouster Meruchi no sukina Mousutā (メルチのすきなモウスター) |
Mouster | May 12, 1977 |
| 16 | Zaza, the wandering planet Samayoeru wakusei Zaza (さまよえる惑星ザザ) |
Zazians | May 19, 1977 |
| 17 | The samurai robot from the seventh year of the Tenpō era Tenpō shichi-nen Samurai robotto (天保七年サムライロボット) |
Yumi, Samurai robot | June 2, 1977 |
| 18 | Resurrect, ancient robot Yomigaeru kodai robotto (よみがえる古代ロボット) |
Daedalus | June 16, 1977 |
| 19 | Mars' first love Marusu no hatsukoi (マルスの初恋) |
Agunea, Marukubi Boon | June 23, 1977 |
| 20 | Mars becomes a young boss Marusu waka oyabun ni naru (マルス若親分になる) |
Black, Dr. Jin | June 30, 1977 |
| 21 | Mighty Robot Joe Tetsuwan Robotto Jō (鉄腕ロボット・ジョー) |
Joe Asnaro | July 7, 1977 |
| 22 | Android Lullaby Andoroido no komoriuta (アンドロイドの子守唄) |
Mayumi | July 21, 1977 |
| 23 | The wandering robot Sasurai no robotto (さすらいのロボット) |
Adios | July 28, 1977 |
| 24 | Miri, alone again Mou hitori no Miri (もう一人の美理) |
Saromi | August 18, 1977 |
| 25 | The wolf-boy from space Uchū no ōkami shōnen (宇宙の狼少年) |
September 1, 1977 | |
| 26 | Adios returns Kaettekita Adiosu (帰ってきたアディオス) |
Dr. Kuromaru | September 8, 1977 |
| 27 | The flight beyond tomorrow! Ashita ni mukatte habatake! (明日に向かって羽ばたけ!) |
Sari | September 15, 1977 |