Nov 10, 2023
Pluto highlights so many of the elements of storytelling that Naoki Urusawa does best - powerful world building, testing the human condition (which might seem ironic if you just think this is a story about robots) and creative use of perspective. If you've enjoyed his previous works (Monster, 20th Century Boys etc), you will surely enjoy watching this one.
Before getting into the depths of the review, it might be worth speaking to manga readers first - as this was my experience! The spoilers begin here! To my knowledge (which shouldn't be taken as the straight truth), the manga and anime did not differ in many
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ways, none of which were particularly important. I think I'll link to this article from Game Rant, for those who are interested: https://gamerant.com/pluto-anime-manga-changes/#uran-has-a-mission . The only change that I think was really impactful (negatively) was that Gesicht does not get to see Brau's memories in the anime. While Gesicht denies being able to process Brau's memories, it's visibly evident that isn't the case - and this interaction allows Brau to introduce Dr. Roosevelt before the manga reaches its ending saga. Whereas the anime saves Dr. Roosevelt's formal introduction for later, and instead only uses its cameo scenes commentating on the plot's event as a teaser for the powerful AI.
As previously mentioned, Pluto excels in creating numerous perspectives on the same issue - can a robot become the same as a human. The plot goes through many points: intense emotions, satiation, familial love, grieving and the ability to kill (just to name a few). But, where does the plot really land on this? It seems to be that robots are only limited from becoming a new, equal race, by the humans holding them down - as we see through Gesicht and Atom. And that is what makes this anime interesting and fulfilling. However, my issue with this, and potentially extending to the whole concept of the story, is that the plot requires the audience to simply accept some things as fact. For example, a huge plot line in the story is that in order for the perfect robot to exist, it must compute every single possible personality and decide which one it is (which in of itself feels like an under-baked concept), and that this is only possible if the robot is given intense emotions. Tenma says again and again 'intense emotions expedite the process', but why, and how? Instinctively, some might say it's worth back tracking how Brau and Gesicht reached their level of intelligence - but even then it's inconsistent. Gesicht 'discovered' the value of family and love and had it horrifically taken away (introducing hatred), but Brau's murder was considered an 'execution' - so it leaves the audience a bit confused and with too much room to move.
All things considering, this anime is still a pleasant surprise to those who value more food for thought and slow-burn types of anime - which Naoki Urusawa excels at, and it would be a no-brainer to at least give this one a go.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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