January 28^th, 2004 (12:00am) - SEGA of America has announced a partnership with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to bring Tezuka Productions’ legendary Japanese comic Astro Boy to life on the PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance. Astro Boy, created by Osamu Tezuka in 1951, is one of the most recognized characters in Japanese animation and is poised to captivate television audiences as the star of a brand-new animated series on the Kids’ WB!.

The console version of Astro Boy, created exclusively for the PlayStation 2, is currently in development at Sonic Team under the direction of Yuji Naka, the creator of SEGA’s world-famous Sonic the Hedgehog series. The Game Boy Advance release, entitled "Astro Boy: Omega Factor," is currently in development at SEGA’s Hitmaker studios (in cooperation with legendary Japanese developer Treasure).

"We plan to take full advantage of the powerful marketing rollout behind this license, led by the Astro Boy animated series," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president of entertainment marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Bringing the Astro Boy franchise to the PS2 and GBA, in partnership with Sony Pictures Consumer Products and Tezuka Productions, underscores our ongoing commitment to publish exciting, revenue generating licensed content for the U.S. market."

"We’re very excited to be partnering with Sega for Astro Boy," said Al Ovadia, executive vice president, Sony Pictures Consumer Products. "Sega is a leader in the interactive entertainment category. We’re sure they’ll develop a video game that captures all the action packed adventure of the new anime series."

Tezuka, known as the pioneer of Japanese animation and "father of manga," created the Astro Boy character more than 50 years ago. Often compared in popularity to Mickey Mouse, Astro Boy was also the first Japanese animated television show shown in America and, during the 1960s, the highest rated show in syndication. Airing in more than 40 countries Sand selling more than 80 million comic books and $3 billion in merchandise and airing in over 40 countries, the beloved character has amassed a global following that borders on cult status.

Astro Boy and Astro Boy: Omega Factor are slated for release in the U.S. in Summer 2004.