Pluto is a Japanese eight-episode original net animation (ONA) produced by Genco with animation production services by Studio M2. Written by Heisuke Yamashita and Tatsurou Inamoto, it is based on the Pluto: Urasawa × Tezuka manga series by Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki, in turn based on the story arc "The Greatest Robot on Earth" from Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy. The series was released in full on Netflix on October 26, 2023.
Premise
The series follows the Europol robot detective Gesicht in his attempts to solve the case of a string of robot and human deaths around the world where all the victims have objects shoved into or positioned by their heads, imitating horns. The case becomes more puzzling when evidence suggests a robot is responsible for the murders, which would make it the first time a robot has killed a human in eight years. All seven of the great robots of the world (the most scientifically advanced, which have the potential to become weapons of mass destruction) seem to be the killer's targets, and the murdered humans are connected to preserving the International Robot Laws, which grant robots equal rights.
Voiced by: Shinshū Fuji[1] (Japanese); Jason Vande Brake[2] (English)
A German robot inspector working for Europol. His body is made out of an alloy called "zeronium", and he is capable of firing a devastating blast using the alloy as shell. He and his wife, Helena, both have a human appearance.
A Japanese boy robot who was formerly the peace ambassador toward the end of the 39th Central Asian War. His artificial intelligence and sensors are more advanced than the other seven great robots of the world.
An Australian photon-powered gentle and sensitive robot with a pacifist outlook. He runs an orphanage to take care of war orphans. Epsilon chose not to fight during the 39th Central Asian War.
A Turkish robot pankration wrestler with a great devotion to his robot wife and his five human children. He fought alongside Mont Blanc and Hercules in the 39th Central Asian War.
A Scottish robot with six mechanical armed arms, formerly one of the most powerful fighting robots during the 39th Central Asian War. He prefers not to fight, choosing instead to work as the butler of Paul Duncan, a blind renowned composer.
A Swiss mountain guide robot that is killed at the beginning of the story. He fought in the 39th Central Asian War. Loved by humans, many mourned for him.
The robot that killed a human eight years prior to the story. He is imprisoned in an artificial intelligence correctional facility, where Gesicht visits him to get an idea of the killer he is trying to track down.
A Japanese robotics scientist and current head of Japan's Ministry of Science. He is the creator of Uran and also looks after Atom. He was a member of the Bora Survey Group, a UN-dispatched group of inspectors sent to Persia to look for robots of mass destruction.
The head of the Persian Ministry of Science, who lost most of his body and his family in the 39th Central Asian War, with most of his body now being robotic replacements.
A man ordered by Professor Abullah to retrieve Wassily from foster care.
Production
An anime adaptation of the Japanese manga series Pluto: Urasawa × Tezuka was announced to be in production by Studio M2 at the 2017 Annecy International Animated Film Festival in June.[6] In May 2022, the adaptation was confirmed to still be in production by Studio M2 founder Masao Maruyama.[7] Toshio Kawaguchi is the series' director, with Urasawa as creative advisor, Shigeru Fujita designed the characters and serves as supervising animation director, and Yugo Kanno composing the music. The series made its premiere exclusively on Netflix on October 26, 2023, and consisted of eight episodes.[3] Each episode was produced with assistance from another studio and adapts one of the manga volumes.
Dr. Tenma attempts to bring Atom back at all costs. A government official advises a distressed Epsilon to evacuate since he's the next target.
8
"Episode 8"
Fumihiro Yoshimura
Tatsurou Inamoto
Masayuki Kojima
Tezuka Productions
October 26, 2023 (2023-10-26)
Professor Ochanomizu closely monitors Atom's erratic behavior. Dr. Tenma confronts his past and the truth unravels, triggering a world destroying threat.
Reception
The series received positive reviews from critics. Ali Griffiths of Digital Spy said, "Pluto sets a new gold standard for Netflix original anime."[8] Devin Meenan of Slashfilm compared the complexity and characters to the graphic novel Watchmen.[9] Elijah Gonzalez of Paste magazine applauded the story's fresh takes on themes first introduced in Isaac Asimov's laws of robotics.[10] Joshua Rivera of Polygon called Pluto "one of the best sci-fi murder mysteries you can watch this year".[11] In 2024, Pluto was nominated for Best Anime Series at the 4th Astra TV Awards.[12]
Notes
^ abcdInformation is taken from the ending credits of each episode.
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