Terminator Zero, Chastity High, and Kaos have all been released on Netflix at the same time, on the same day. Each of these series is so incredibly different from the other, but when lined up together, will find themselves competing on August 29, 2024, and the weekend that follows. While these three can’t be pitted against each other based on their narratives, we’re certain Terminator Zero will emerge as the winner for anime fans.
Production I.G, Netflix, and Skydance Television have come together to bring Terminator Zero to the hardcore fans of the Terminator franchise. In this review, we will dive into more details about the series, some highlights, and whether to not we believe Mattson Tomlin’s work deserves a spot on your watchlist!
Stunning Animation, Explosive Action
Each episode of Terminator Zero is titled, “Model 1,” “Model 2” and so on, with eight episodes lasting for around 28-30 minutes.
Now, if you are familiar with the Terminator franchise, or even Mattson Tomlin’s work, then you might have some idea of what you can expect from this series. However, if you are using this series as the starting point to dive into this universe, then you’re in for a ride. We really can’t decide which experience is better, so we will leave that up to the readers.
Terminator Zero starts in 2022, with blood, violence, gunshots, and dead bodies all around, and we’re almost asked to be prepared for what’s to come next, and perhaps for the rest of the series. Soon after the opening scene, the story shifts to 1997, where we are introduced to the protagonist of Terminator Zero, Malcolm Lee. He is riddled with nightmares, is a single father, and claims, “I know the fate we’re destined for.”
From the very start, it’s clear that if there’s one standout aspect of this series, it’s the animation. Even if everything else falls short, Terminator Zero finds redemption in its stunning visuals, present in every frame. This alone accounts for at least 50% of its success, and rightfully so.
Malcolm is far too occupied with his work to pay much attention to his three children as he often talks about how he has something important to do, which hints at the main plot of the series. When asked by Nokoro, his AI, what he hears the most, he responds with “Judgement.” Again, this holds plenty of meaning to those who have indulged in the franchise, but as it appears, that doesn’t have to prerequisite.
Even though this series is set mainly in 1997, there’s plenty of AI and it is almost a little too advanced for the decade, but it works, especially since Terminator Zero appears to have a budget big enough to really experiment with the animation and take things up a notch.
Terminator Zero has a little bit of everything for those who have been looking forward to this anime addition to the franchise – strong female character, the big bad villain, plenty of high-tech, action, blood, and more than enough sci-fi to sustain the entire series.
There are moments when it seems like the narrative might lose sight of the bigger picture, but it quickly recovers, remaining overall engaging.
Conclusion
Overall, Terminator Zero might not have been our first pick on Netflix, but it certainly puts itself up there because of its animation and action, two elements that definitely stand out! Do let us know in the comments what you think about this series.