I suppose I do see what you're speaking of, with 
Tetsuro and Maetel, although I didn't see her as 
his love interest as much as a guardian. She does 
have some affection towards him (which is 
understandable), and he does certainly have a 
crush on her, which I suppose you could interpret 
as Oedipal...but I saw it more as him searching 
for affection after the death of his mother 
(especially the scene which he falls asleep with 
his head in Maetel's arms and dreams of his 
mother). I understand the Oedipal implications, 
but it's normal for a boy in his 
situation...plus, it never goes beyond a 
mother/son type of affection. But now that you 
point it out, the connection is there.


As for Kenichi and Tima...what you're referring 
to here is known as the "Electra Complex", but I 
don't think it's there. I don't think Tima and 
Kenichi were ever intended as lovers...they had a 
deep bond, more than friendship, and more than 
familial...they had a love for eachother, but I 
don't think of it as lovers. The only way Tima 
can express this bond is referring to Kenichi as 
her "father"...especially when asked about 
family. Kenichi is all she knows...he IS her 
family. As for Rock and Tima...that's an 
interesting rivalry indeed, although he is not 
really Duke Red's son (I've heard some reviews 
call him Duke Red's bastard son, but they make 
sure very early on to announce that Rock is not 
biologically related to Duke Red...a sore point 
with Rock). That's part of what drives him so 
far. And yes, Metropolis was made from an old 
manga by Osamu Tezuka (creator of Tetsuwan Atom).

-Misha