Skyrocketing popularity

Astro Boy has been a hit in China since appearing in Japanese comic world in 1951.

On Friday, the cartoon character staged his big screen debut, Astro Boy, that follows the exploits of the robot with incredible powers created in a futuristic world by scientist Dr Tenma.

Powered by super energy, Astro Boy has unlimited strength, x-ray vision, super speed and the ability to fly.