Pluto and Uran

[Toshio]

What do you think about their relationship?
Frankly, I liked the 2003 version better, it made much more sense for Pluto seeing through Uran that life is not just fighting, destroying other robots and following orders mindlessly.
That was quite a touching scene in the 2003 series which Pluto retrieves Uran's flower colar and even put on her.

Though it was meant for Atom, it looked perfectly fine on her.
Also, I liked the idea of Pluto not wishing to harm Uran and not even trying.
It also felt pretty reasonable the fact that Pluto protected Uran when a debris was about to crush her:

Well, it was his responsability that debris was about to fall on her, since he destroyed Ham Egg's ships.
Also, the ending was fitting with Uran begging Pluto and Atom to stop fighting and Pluto admitted that he found somebody who he wanted to protect, so he grabbed Dark Pluto and jumped with him for his doom giving farewell to Uran.
It felt more of a honorable death for him, since he was still able to see Uran for the last time.
It also made sense that she don't tried to pose as a Atom in that series, since Uran don't like when people compare with him, not just because of the lack of abilities and having half of his powers, but also the fact she is a completely different person.
Anyway, would make sense for her posing as Atom and fight a enemy with such firepower?

That would not work, right? Also, we can take in account that Uran would be topless which could be troublesome due the censure nowadays.
But, since the series were much more modern, scan systems and photographic memories in robots could ruin any kind of failed desguice.
In the original 1963 series and 1980 series, we had Uran posing as Atom.
That idea doesn't make sense at all and is not just her size or the usage of a brief.
Uran hair have different cow lick points if compared to Atom and her nose is also different, plus a robot is not meant to be so forgetful.

Guess Tezuka forgot that robots are meant to have photographic memory.
It was also odd for Pluto mistooking Mont Blanc's true potential, although he was still a easy victim.
Pluto did fought back when Uran tried to face him, but he don't used his true power since she was not his target:


Uran was quite shameless in both 1963 and 1980 series, specially considering she didin't minded wearing a very short dress in the 1980 series which revealed her panties at each second. The 2003 Uran was more modest with a pretty modern attire and as well a very modest one piece swim wear.
He even got the consideration of releasing her, since she could be crushed in the battle with Brando in both 1963 and 1980 series since she would be still inside his body.
But anyway, it felt much tragic for Pluto dying without seeing Uran for the last time.
I recall of seeing a scene of the original mangá which Uran is visited by Pluto before he goes to fight Atom for the final time.
A similar scenario was used in the 2003 anime when Pluto decide to visit Uran to see how she was doing:

[Prettywitchiusaka]

While I have yet to watch the 80's series (or read the original Pluto story arc), I will agree that the way the 03 series handled Zoran and Pluto's relationship wonderfully. Though Pluto may already have been influenced by Astro, it's really Zoran who ends up bringing out the part of Pluto that is good.

So even if their relationship is somewhat rushed, you buy it 100% none the less. After all, Zoran is able to see the part of Pluto that has goodness in him. And as Pluto comes to further understand and gain respect for life, he grows to care about Zoran.

It's very simple, but that's what makes it affective. And by default, all the more tragic.

[AprilSeven]

I agree that of the three anime series, the 2003 version presents the story the best. However I feel Urasawa's Pluto presents Uran and Pluto's relationship in a way that - while not "romantic" (and we're talking about a 7 year old girl here) - is very touching and believeable.

It shows the truly beautiful and unique side of Uran's personality and "powers" - she seeks out the suffering - she can't ignore them - and does what she can to ease their pain. Atom has a hard time understanding what it is his sister is experiencing - but she see's the "insecurity" in Atom too (that's when she calls him a "scardey cat" - not in a taunting way, but a concerned way. He's alarmed by this. She compares him to an injured lion, guarding his wounds).

As technology and robotics have moved forward in "our" world, I found Urasawa's retelling to be quite believable, it's tied into actual current events (instead of some mad sultan). Plus I enjoyed Atom and Uran presented as truly human looking children.

One thing that was really funny in the 80's version is when Pluto grabs Uran, and she gives him a "hmmpfff! That's no way to treat a lady!" That is epic!

[Toshio]

I wonder what Tezuka got in mind into making Uran go all topless pretending to be Atom and trying to fight a enemy which can even turn her brother into scrap if he don't watch out.
Uran in the 2003 series keept saying "I am myself, I am NOT like big brother!" when somebody tried to compare the two.
That's pretty unique for her and plots like the old series are no longer reliable nowadays.
50.000 HP v.s 1.000.000 HP, you must be joking Tezuka-san O_O
Also, Pluto was younger than both Atom and Uran, but had to get his electronic brain in a adult battle body instead of being a child robot like both.
I didin't mention Pluto Mangá, because Uran don't meet Pluto in his true form.
And Pluto even don't had recollection of his true nature when they meet, neither that meeting made Pluto have second thoughts about his actions.
So, I can't give much credit for Urasawa despiction of their relationship.
But, come to think about: she would be fightered if she saw how Pluto was in his true form. Although, I don't think he would go into aggression if she found him accidentally like that. And I do know Uran was present when Pluto was about to attack Dr. Ochanomizu's family.
Other than that, he was Sahad, a peaceful robot which got his brain unit transfered to a hideous battle body.
Back to 2003 series, I don't give credit for the dub, since they wanted to hid many important aspects of the plot like the scene which Uran appears enjoying nature with her unique ability:

Your "Zoran" was not seem doing that, right?
I don't mention the dub names, since the dub had cutted much of the original aspect of the plot.
Pluto saw Uran enjoying life and he could not ignore, so it was a reason that he wanted to talk with her and find the answer of his question which his creator could not give: "What is a friend?"
A robot who thought that fighting and obeying orders was everything could be pretty curious about to know why another robot would be doing in the middle of the forest and having fun with the nature.
Miki Maruyama gave a lot of emotional effect while voicing Uran in the original episodes, something which was lost in the dub since they wanted to focus in the action.
It was also Uran who narrated the preview of episode 18 and her voice had a lot of emotion on it, something which the dub adaptation never had.
I also cannot give much credit for the 2003 Mangá which was quite rushed up and vague to the point that such story was not even finished.
I wonder what was wrong with the author and Uran even disappear during the last chapters and never seem celebrating with everyone after one year of Dr. Tenma's supposed death.

[muirtower]

Also, the ending was fitting with Uran begging Pluto and Atom to stop fighting and Pluto admitted that he found somebody who he wanted to protect, so he grabbed Dark Pluto and jumped with him for his doom giving farewell to Uran.

It's probably the most well-done scene in the whole series. It was noble how Pluto had placed priority on protecting someone over fighting. He also demonstrated a sense of honor and compassion by sacrificing himself to protect Uran, and he felt no malice towards Atom whom he was supposed to destroy.

It also made sense that she don't tried to pose as a Atom in that series, since Uran don't like when people compare with him, not just because of the lack of abilities and having half of his powers, but also the fact she is a completely different person.

Well, when she was trying to imitate Atom, it was just a cute and funny moment that shows how much she admires her brother. At least that's what I feel.

Also, we can take in account that Uran would be topless which could be troublesome due the censure nowadays.

Personally, I can't see anything questionable about that scene, but I wouldn't put it past the censors.

Uran was quite shameless in both 1963 and 1980 series, specially considering she didin't minded wearing a very short dress in the 1980 series which revealed her panties at each second. The 2003 Uran was more modest with a pretty modern attire and as well a very modest one piece swim wear.

I felt that her panty shots were just harmless and funny. I still like her 2003 attire, though. It suits her personality just as well.

But anyway, it felt much tragic for Pluto dying without seeing Uran for the last time.

I agree.

[Toshio]

Uran in 2003 was the best version of the character, because she was able to like her own personality and traits.
"Big brother is cool, but I am myself! I must not be like big brother in everything which he does!"
It doesn't make sense for Uran being reckless and not having sense of fear.
Take a look at Pluto's strenght and heavy arms, all you can imagine is turning into scrap.
By fighting Pluto, Uran 2003 would be making what he believe it's right: FIGHT!

You CANNOT teach a character that fighting is not everything IF YOU ALSO fight, so the original versions of Uran were pointless about the message given to Pluto.
Uran was pretty reckless when she fought Pluto that he got admiration since there was no chance of winning and her desguice was too obvious.

In the 2003 series, she was befriending animals which had a lot meaning to it.
Pluto could think: "Why she is having fun with these animals? All I knew was about fighting, so what she have that I don't have? Guess I'll find a answer about friendship with her, she may have a answer that I need to know."

If Uran try to desguice as Atom nowadays:

Scaning case:
Pluto (scanning Uran's body): You're not Atom, just a female model robot. So, you're not my target, I'll just fly away and try get Atom somehow.

Pluto can simply ignore Uran if he don't knew she was Atom's sister and go away, so Uran would be unable to reach and bother him, since she is NOT his target.

Memory photographic case:

Pluto: I have Atom's face and traits stored in my electronic brain.
All you're doing is shaming yourself, kid!

Pluto could warn that what she was doing was pointless.
Since she was not Atom, he could just ignore and move on.

However, nowadays it makes sense a villain having standards, so he could ignore the possibility of kidnapping her. We could imagine a scenario which Pluto realizes that since he is so strong, he could crush Uran accidentally so kidnapping her would be in vain.

In note: In both 1963s series and 1980s, Pluto keept fighting, because Uran also tried to fight him. It was not a message of impact for him since fighting meant everything for him. So, he gone killing other robots, but at same time had second thoughts about a match against Atom should he won.
In the 2003 series, upon meeting Uran he got a message about friendship and that life was not just fighting.
He did fought Epsilon who questioned if he don't had anything to protect, so he realized that Uran was the one who he wanted to protect, since she taught that just fighting was not a way of life.

The Pluto manga version of Uran falls on ground in comparison, because she was unable to turn Pluto away from his killing intent.

She was kind with him, but when Atom appeared Pluto realized who he trully was and called him as "Abominable little one!!"
And then killed the poor boy without taking in consideration Uran's sadness.

Pluto from the other versions and as well the 2003 version (though he didin't admit) got second thoughts about the outcome.

"If I kill Atom, then Uran will be sad."
The Pluto incarnation went to a more dark version of the series, so Atom ends up killed by Pluto who was not taking any consideration Uran's feelings and even did more brutal assassinations.
Epsilon's head being ripped off is a example...
He was still being mind tortured, but his interaction of Uran didin't saved him neither made him refuse to continue following his false father's orders.

[Toshio]

By the way, it's true that Uran wanted to defend the family's pride in the classic series, but at the same time it was a mistake since she did a failed attempt at desguicing herself as Atom and Pluto kidnapped her.

Pluto's horsepower was still all over the top if compared with Uran's 50.000 HP only.

Also, her parents were too dumb, they should had warned her to not try take Pluto out.

So, she got the risk of being crushed and luck her that Pluto was not heartless.

Even so, I still preffer the 2003 version of the story which Uran never got the silly idea of pretending Atom and try to take Pluto out.

But at same time, with Pluto having a lot of hidden weapons, Uran could have been blasted to scrap.

So, it was better for her having fun with her special ability till Pluto found her.

Some samurais had the motto of "Live by the sword and die by the sword", however that's not a real way of life.

People should have more peaceful ways of living, instead of just fighting.

What Uran did in that plot of the 2003 series was completely different from Pluto's beliefs, so he went after her in order to find a answer for his questions.

About the Pluto mangá, I just can't give much credit since Uran didin't saw Pluto in his true form and neither was able to avoid him from killing her brother like I said.

[muirtower]

Also, her parents were too dumb, they should had warned her to not try take Pluto out.

So, she got the risk of being crushed and luck her that Pluto was not heartless.

I don't know if Uran's parents could've stopped her, anyway. Uran is really defensive towards her brother. She probably knew better after she found out that Pluto is capable of feeling compassion.

[AprilSeven]

The Pluto incarnation went to a more dark version of the series, so Atom ends up killed by Pluto who was not taking any consideration Uran's feelings and even did more brutal assassinations.
Epsilon's head being ripped off is a example...
He was still being mind tortured, but his interaction of Uran didin't saved him neither made him refuse to continue following his false father's orders.

That's a good point, Toshio, and part of what I liked about the "Pluto" story in all three anime's was his fondness for Uran, and concern for her feelings.

When I read Urasawa's "Pluto" I made a point to try and "let go" of my expectations. It really, REALLY bothered me that Atom was killed off, and that he showed rage to the point of wanting to kill for revenge.

It actually wasn't until the end, when Atom started crying and not knowing why . . . and he realized who Pluto really was . . . that I got all too.

Uran's interaction with Pluto was directly to the good part of his "soul" - not the evil part. And although she didn't stop him from killing her brother, she also never seemed to give up on the goodness in Pluto (remember how she sensed Atom was going to kill Pluto, and ran screaming out of the school begging him not to?)

It certainly doesn't follow Tezuka's story, but it was another way to experience the story and get the feeling of what it would be like if Atom and Uran were truly so lifelike that people COULDN'T tell they were robots.

[Tetsuwan Penguin]

The Uran in the Pluto manga had special powers of her own, being able to feel the feelings of animals. Urasawa put a totally different spin on the story and the characters. Tenma was not as dark and mysterious has he was in the 2003 series, but he was still aloof and troubled. I'd like to see him do another story arc based on the Atom manga and explore his verision of the characters more. I'd like to see him expand on the relationship between Atom and Uran. His Uran is a more mature version of Tezuka's.