Photo by Summit EntertainmentThe roster of beloved animated characters is long and venerable. Mickey Mouse first hit the big screen in 1928. Bugs Bunny debuted in 1945. And the Flintstones first aired in 1960. Add to this list Astroboy from Japan whose animated TV series first hit the airwaves in 1963. This Friday, Astro Boy will be brought to life on the big screen, created with computer animation from Imagi Studios this Friday. Click ahead and see some of high points of Astroboy's illustrious history.

Photo by Summit EntertainmentFew characters have made as powerful or as lasting an impression on international popular culture as Astro Boy. The little robot first appeared in 1951 as a character in the celebrated artist and animator Osamu Tezuka's legendary manga (Japanese comic book) and became an instant icon. He was subsequently featured as the star of his own television series in both black-and-white and in color, eventually airing in over 40 countries. Astro Boy created the standard for a new form of animation that has become world famous as anime.

1928
Astro Boy's creator and the god of manga, Osamu Tezuka is born in Japan.

Photo by Tezuka Productions1951
Astro Boy makes his first appearance as one of the characters in the comic titled "Atoumu Taishi."

Photo by Tezuka Productions1952
"Tetsuwan Atom" (known as Astro Boy) is published. Tezuka continues to create single one of its comic books for 18 years.

Photo by Tezuka Productions/Mushi Production1963
Astro Boy begins its first run on television in Japan and continues until 1966. 193 episodes are produced.

Photo by Tezuka Productions1980
Astro Boy is reborn in a color TV series. Over 52 episodes are produced.

Photo by Tezuka Productions1990s
Astro Boy remains a strong and resonant image in popular culture. The picture depicted is a subway mural made entirely of ticket stubs.

1994
A museum dedicated to Astro Boy's creator, Osamu Tezuka, opens.

Photo by Tezuka Productions - SPEJ2003
Astro Boy reemerges in an updated TV series.

Photo by 20th Century Fox2004
Astro Boy is inducted into the Robot Hall of Fame along with R2D2 and C3PO. The Robot Hall of Fame celebrates both real and fictional robots.

Photo by Imagi Crystal Limited/Summit Entertainment2009
Astro Boy will soar into the big screen on October 23, 2009. Astro Boy (voiced by Freddie Highmore) is a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist named Dr. Tenma (voiced by Nicolas Cage).

Photo by Imagi Crystal Limited/Summit EntertainmentAstro Boy is powered by positive "Blue Core" energy, and is endowed with super strength, x-ray vision, unbelievable speed, arm cannons and the ability to fly with rocket boots. Destined to save Metro City from annihilation at the hands of a fearsome and technologically superior opponent called the Peacekeeper, Astro Boy is the city's only hope.

Photo by Imagi Crystal Limited/Summit EntertainmentAstro Boy's most fearsome nemesis is the Peacekeeper, a weapons robot gone haywire. He is powered by Red Core technology, a malevolent source of energy and the opposite of Astro Boys Blue Core.

Photo by Imagi Crystal Limited/Summit EntertainmentThe Peacekeeper is a breakthrough in mad science, the fruit of Metro Citys finest minds turned to destructive purposes. In addition to a frightening array of high-powered machine guns, missiles, and plasma cannons, the Peacekeeper is also equipped with prototype "Adaptive Technology," allowing it to absorb and control anything, increasing the Peacekeepers mass and adding to its already terrifying armament.