Few anime series are causing more excitement among a certain sector of anime fans than Netflix’s adaptation of Pluto by Naoki Urasawa. It’s a cult classic from a cult author that, for many people, might not just fly under the radar, but might not even ring a bell. But that’s where we come in, to provide you with context and let you know why this is a significant event in the anime world. And why you shouldn’t miss it for anything in the world.
Who is Naoki Urasawa?
Naoki Urasawa is a mangaka born in 1959 in Tokyo. Starting his career in 1981, his first long story would be Pineapple Army. Success wouldn’t come until 1986 and 1988 when he released two of his most popular manga: Yawara and Master Keaton. However, it wasn’t until the 90s that he created the three cult works for which he is now known: Monster, 20th Century Boys, and Pluto. Recognized for being an excellent storyteller, both in literary and visual terms, he is known for the idiosyncrasy of his character designs.
What is Pluto about?
“Pluto” is a story set in the world of Astro Boy, the manga created by Osamu Tezuka and published between 1952 and 1968. Specifically, it is a reimagining of the arc “The Greatest Robot on Earth,” taking the name of the villain from the original story for the title of the manga. In this tale, a robot detective named Gesicht is trying to uncover who is behind a series of murders involving robots and humans that seem to be connected. All of this unfolds in a society that, while accepting the essential rights of robots, still harbors deep suspicions and prejudices against them.
Do I need to know anything about Osamu Tezuka or Astro Boy to watch it?
While it helps to be familiar with the original story it’s based on, it’s not necessary to have read or know ‘The Greatest Robot on Earth’ or ‘Astro Boy’ to enjoy Pluto. Those familiar with the character and, more specifically, the story, will appreciate many subtle nods, non-explicit references, and hidden details, but the narrative doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the world.
Where can I see it?
The anime will be exclusively released on Netflix. No other streaming platform currently has the broadcasting rights for this anime.
How many chapters will it have?
According to information from Netflix, the Pluto anime will have 8 episodes. Since the original manga is made up of 8 volumes, it seems like a perfectly reasonable length for a story of this kind.
When does it arrive on Netflix?
Pluto will arrive on Netflix next Thursday, October 26th.
