PLUTO
2023
Original language: Japanese
- animation
- sci-fi & fantasy
- mystery
- crime
The story
When the world's seven most advanced robots and their human allies are murdered one by one, Inspector Gesicht soon discovers that he's also in danger.
What it’s like
Cool steel and cold blue-grey palettes give way to warm amber interiors in this Japanese animated series, a 2023 Netflix adaptation of a seinen manga with a sleek, gently futuristic world of robot cities and quiet apartments. Its look is crisp hand-drawn cel animation with glossy CG machinery, so mecha bodies gleam under overcast skies and rain-streaked neon, while rooms feel lived-in and tactile. Long, unhurried shots of Central Europe-inspired streets and still interiors set a contemplative rhythm, punctuated by moody, orchestral synth-and-strings scoring that swells at reveals and recedes into near silence between them. The vibe is melancholic, reflective unease: a slow-burn detective mood suited to a late evening alone or a focused rainy-day watch. The emotional register is grave and humane, following weary investigators and machines grappling with what it means to feel, and the arcs of its characters move toward grief, guilt and tentative trust. Intensity is moderate to high: there is violence and bloody death, including graphic murder scenes and dark, unsettling imagery, but no sexual content and little gore for its own sake. This suits viewers who want thoughtful sci-fi noir with an ethical core and can handle sombre, violent moments.
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