Astro Boy

Astro Boy (or Mighty Atom/Tetsuwan Atom as its referred to in Japan) is a anime/manga franchise created by legendary artist Osamu Tezuka and his personal animation production company, Tezuka Productions featured in The Knights of the Multiverse. Several characters from the 1963 series, the 1980 series, the 2003 series & its "spin-off", Jetter Mars1 appear as regular characters in The Knights of the Multiverse, as well as some of its themes.

Featured Characters

 * 60's Series
 * Magneto
 * Meryl
 * Freru
 * Zaboa


 * Jetter Mars
 * Honey
 * Agnes


 * 80's Series
 * Nyoka
 * Mitsuko


 * 2003 Series
 * Emily
 * Epsilon
 * V3
 * V2
 * V1

Role in KOTM
KOTM's theme of identity, especially that concerning robots and finding their places in the world, were heavily inspired by this franchise.

Changes from the Source Material
Most of the characters's backstories are rewritten to help them fit in better with the world of KOTM, though there are certain instances are their episodes are adapted almost perfectly in the narrative, such as Honey and Freru's introductory episodes.

1The Jetter Mars wiki is VERY incomplete, so be advised.

Borrowed Elements
Nyoka borrows many elements from Astro's story, including some of his abilites and elements of his backstory as a nod to how she was based off of one of Astro's prototype designs.

Atros and Epsilon's relationship is based off of Atlas & Livian from the 1980's series, another pair of robots treated terribly by their creator but find sanctuary in each other. Of course here, it's more just a simple sibling love, whereas Atlas and Livian eventually developed romantic feelings towards one another, especially after being rebuilt into adult forms.

The rivalry between Starr & Organ's "families" is based off of the series's reimagining of Romeo & Juliet, with their two families being rival robotics experts that more often not fight each other than their actual opponents (which is also meant to be a nod to Drum and her sisters being Expys for the Sabers). Of course Drum & Lime have a simple "besties"-type relationship rather than a romantic one, and the way their powers are presented are a little different since all three Organ Droids have the same powers while the Starr Droids have different powers. It also acts as a good way to both implement both trios in a way that feels at least a little natural & show some of the personal relationships that occur within the Renegades' ranks.