Welcome to another art post here in the community.
If there's one thing that fascinates me about futuristic anime, it's their ability to make us question what it means to be human. And recently, an anime really got me hooked. PLUTO. Maybe you've heard of this work, but if you haven't watched it yet, I need to tell you why it's one of the best sci-fi adaptations in recent times.
First, a little context.
PLUTO is an adaptation of the manga by Naoki Urasawa, which in turn reinterprets one of the most iconic arcs of Astro Boy, the classic work of Osamu Tezuka.
But don't expect something childish or just a tribute to the original. PLUTO turns this story into a complex and thrilling detective thriller that goes far beyond traditional science fiction.
The story follows Gesicht, a robot detective investigating a series of murders of powerful robots and important human figures.
The most intriguing detail?
The victims are some of the most advanced machines in the world, capable of emotions and thoughts that challenge any definition of what it means to be alive. With each step of the investigation, the plot delves deeper into themes such as artificial intelligence, war trauma, and the thin line between man and machine. And the more Gesicht discovers, the more we realize that the central question of the series is not just "who is killing the robots?" but "what truly makes us human?"
Images taken from the Official Trailer
One thing that impressed me about PLUTO was how human each robot feels.
They are not just machines programmed to mimic feelings they truly live their own experiences, suffer, and love just like any person. It reminded me a lot of Ghost in the Shell, where the question of consciousness and identity is always put to the test.
Another strong point of the anime is its aesthetics. The animation is impeccable, with a realistic style and a dense atmosphere that amplifies the drama and tension.
It's not an anime full of frantic action scenes.
On the contrary, it builds its suspense with impactful dialogues and moments of pure contemplation. The subtle yet emotionally powerful soundtrack only reinforces this mood.
But what really kept me hooked on PLUTO was the emotional depth of the narrative. Each episode made me reflect on something different. From the horrors of war to prejudice against beings considered "inferior," the series raises questions that are eerily relevant to our real world. Not to mention the relationship between humans and robots, which echoes philosophical dilemmas about artificial intelligence and the evolution of technology.
If you like deep stories with a mystery twist and a cyberpunk touch, PLUTO is a must-watch. It's not an anime to watch in a hurry it's an experience to be felt and digested slowly.
And when you reach the end, I'm sure you'll be thinking about this story for a long time.
Available on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81281344
Episodes: 8
Released: October 26, 2023
