The Anime News Network is reporting that the Cartoon Network is planning to air the 1960s Gigantor anime series at 5:30 am (ET, PT) starting on Monday, October 31st.  Reruns of The Big O will air at 5 am (ET, PT), which will make for a very early morning 'robot' hour of no mean proportions.  Created by manga-ka Mitsuteru Yokoyama, who was also responsible for Giant Robo, Tetsujin 28, as it was known in Japan, has formed the basis for no fewer than four animated versions, the first of which had an extended run in the U.S. in 1960s as Gigantor (the American version is available from Rhino Home Video).

 

Geneon has recently released the first DVD in a new 2004 version of the classic Tetsujin 28 series that includes the robot's origins as part of a secret weapons program conducted by Japan in the final days of World War II -- a part of the story that was ignored in the 1960s American version.