7. Heaven
Series: Astro Boy
Character(s): Astro, Tamao, Shibugaki, Uran, and Roc
Comments: According to Dark Horse, his name is Roc..
Do robots go to heaven?
He's often pondered that question, ever since he first saw a robot get smashed. His mind would think it illogical that whoever was destroyed could be rebuilt, and robots aren't organic, like humans.
He asked Uran once, out of pure curiousity. She got scared and asked him if something was wrong. His mother told him that she honestly had no idea, and he still hadn't gotten a proper answer from Dr. Ochanomizu.
It's during a camping trip with his friends that Roc points to the night sky and says "Look, there's my mother!" And of course Astro questions him on the matter, and Kenichi says he's got a grandma up there, wherever "there" is.
"Do Robots go there, when they die?"
Tamao, who's usually got an answer for any kind of question, gazes awkwardly at the ground. Shibugaki's scratching his head, and Ken sighs "I don't even know if humans actually go to any place when they die, Astro."
"Th-the buddhists believe in reincarnation." Tamao stutters, before continuin more confidently: "It means you get reborn as something else after you die."
"But that's only for humans, ri-" Shibugaki starts before Kenichi cuts him off "Anything with a soul can get reborn, right?"
Tamao nods determidly. "Right! And everything living has a soul."
"Even robots?"
"Robots too." Ken places a hand on his shoulder. "You're here, and you think, right?" Roc chips in. "Everything that thins has a soul, even our kitchen toaster."
"Kitchen toaster?"
And the evening continues with the discussion of various household appliances working on their own whims, and by the time they've gone to bed, Astro's still not sure if there really exists an afterlife for robots.
Though, after he arrives home the following day, he finds Uran deep in thought with a copy of an old DvD movie in her hand, 'Do dogs go to heaven?' He asks her if she's reached any conclusions, and she sighs at him with a troubled expression.
"Y'know, the important thing is to have fun while you still can."
He pats his sister's head and silently blames himself for not coming to the same conclusion sooner.