One of the most notable criteria that establishes a work of art as classic in the true sense of the term is its lasting relevance through different periods of time, which can also be achieved by the scope of reinterpretation provided by the creator as well. Known as the “Father of Manga,” Osamu Tezuka’s masterpiece Astro Boy has proven to be such a piece of art that retains a timeless essence at its core—something that has inspired artists for the last sixty years. The story of Atom, a superpowered android kid whose humanity is his greatest asset, captivated fans of all ages, but most importantly, another legendary mangaka, Naoki Urasawa.

As they say, greatness inspires greatness, Urasawa decided to put his own grim-dark, mystery spin into retelling the most significant story arc of Astro Boy, known as ‘The Greatest Robot on Earth’—and thus, Pluto was created. A tale,...