by strobe_z » Sun Dec 31, 2006 6:01 am
I think perhaps you're mixing up the concept of being "cute" and "sexy". I'd say that Uran is cute and every example you brought up is easily explained if you think that Tezuka was portraying her "innocence".
Tezuka didn't need to include Uran as a "sex symbol" - he was very aware that his manga was read by very different age groups. He has adult focused material, and he deals with sex, love, death, rebirth and a whole host of other concepts in more detail in there. His Astro Boy, Kimba and other stories deal with some of these concepts, but always with the knowledge that his primary audience were younger children. I think it's the fact that he couches "adult" themes in concepts that attract children (like robots and lions!) that makes his manga enjoyable on many levels - for kids of all ages!
As for the so-called "topic" of this thread. I don't think that Astro Girl would've worked as well as a main character. She's very much a foil for Astro - it's her precotious nature that moves the story forward, but it's all about how Astro is gonna sort it all out.
Having said that.. have you ever hear of "Astro Cat"? He's my avatar!