Pluto review: An robot anime that brims with humanity Fans have waited for Netflix\u2019s Pluto adaptation for years. But was it worth the wait? Dive into our spoiler-free review to find out. Netflix\u2019s Pluto, a loose anime adaptation of Naoki Urasawa\u2019s award-winning manga, which reinterprets a story arc from Osamu Tezuka\u2019s Astro Boy, is finally here, and it doesn\u2019t disappoint. While many of Urasawa\u2019s works, including Monster and 20th Century Boys, have received critical acclaim, only a handful of his creations have made the leap into anime. The beloved series Monster, widely regarded as one of the best anime series of all time, stands as a notable exception. And now Pluto has followed. But can it live up to the hype? With some fans already hailing Pluto as a contender for one of the best anime of the year, the answer is yes. So, let\u2019s take a closer look at Netflix\u2019s latest contribution to anime. Pluto examines AI\u2019s place in a modern world Netflix\u2019s Pluto, at its core, is a murder-mystery with a twist. Set in a dystopian science fiction world where humans and robots coexist, the story kicks off with a string of murders and unfolds over eight one-hour-long episodes. This eight-part series is essentially a reimagining of Osamu Tezuka\u2019s iconic Astro Boy manga\u2019s \u2018The Greatest Robot on Earth\u2019 arc from the 1960s. However, what sets it apart is its unique approach to the man vs machine trope that\u2019s prevalent in the science fiction genre. Instead of focusing solely on how these intelligent robots have reshaped society, Pluto explores the intricate relationship between the two, sparking a conversation (in a typical Urasawa-manga-style) about ethics, morality and the future of AI in human society. Despite the complexity of the storyline, the narrative is easy to follow and is divided into two distinct threads. The first follows renowned robot detective Gesicht as he investigates a string of linked murders. The second covers Atom, a human-like boy robot \u2013 also known as Astro Boy. As the plot unfolds, both Atom and Geischt find themselves targeted by an unknown assassin \u2013 a mysterious figure determined to take down seven of the world\u2019s most powerful robots and humans advocating for AI rights \u2013 sparking a gripping series of events. Pluto explores the darker sides of humanity Fans met Pluto\u2019s arrival to Netflix with immense excitement after waiting for six years since its announcement in 2017. And with its production under the experienced hand of Masao Maruyama, known for his pivotal roles in studios like MAPPA and Madhouse, now at his new studio M2, it\u2019s easy to see why. Maruyama\u2019s experienced touch is clear to see with this anime adaptation. But what really sets Pluto apart is how it weighs in on the debate around artificial intelligence \u2013 making it a topical watch for today\u2019s climate. The series delves into the ethical dilemmas that arise in a society where human life and robots are inherently intertwined. It raises thought-provoking questions about the coexistence of humans and technology, exploring the limits of the human body, the exploitation of individuals, and, perhaps most importantly, challenging society\u2019s treatment of those who deviate from the norm. The series skilfully balances these overarching themes with smaller plot moments to blur the lines between humans and robots. This includes the 39th Central Asian War storyline. Often regarded as an allegory for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, it delves into the trauma experienced by the characters and offers a lens through which we can examine how the psychological wounds of war can be expressed and eventually healed. Each episode of Pluto is densely packed, remaining faithful to its source material. However, don\u2019t count on binge-watching this anime. All eight of its one-hour episodes demand your full attention and commitment. Pluto\u2019s flaws and final thoughts Although Pluto is ground-breaking, it\u2019s not without its flaws. Some fans of Urasawa\u2019s work could find that the animation and pacing don\u2019t quite match the high bar set by his previous masterpiece, \u201cMonster.\u201d Furthermore, the utilization of 3D computer-generated animation and backgrounds occasionally falls short, detracting from the vibrancy of Pluto\u2019s universe. The choice to extend each episode into one-hour instalments is also different to what many anime fans have come to expect. This decision can make the series feel weightier than some viewers might prefer. However, it\u2019s clear why the producers opted for this format. The decision allowed the anime to fully embrace the source material provided by the manga, ensuring it omitted no story arc or critical element. Pluto: a 4-star anime that\u2019s out of this world Thanks to its producer and source material, Pluto is undeniably one of the best animes of the 21st century, living up to the legacy of Urasawa\u2019s previous works and cementing Netflix\u2019s place in the anime universe. While it has some minor visual hiccups, mainly related to background graphics, its storyline remains compelling, delving deep into the artificial intelligence debate with empathy and crafting memorable characters that will stick with you long after watching. This beautifully crafted sci-fi story brims with human themes and should be at the top of any anime enthusiast\u2019s list, making it a strong contender for the best TV release of 2023. Pluto is available to watch now on Netflix. You can check out our other anime coverage here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pluto review: An robot anime that brims with humanity Fans have waited for Netflix\u2019s Pluto adaptation for years. But was it worth the wait? Dive into our spoiler-free review to find out. Netflix\u2019s Pluto, a loose anime adaptation of Naoki Urasawa\u2019s award-winning manga, which reinterprets a story arc from Osamu Tezuka\u2019s Astro Boy, is finally […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dejan.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13443","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dejan.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dejan.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dejan.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dejan.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13443"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dejan.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13443\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dejan.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dejan.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dejan.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}