Pluto Review – A Noir Reimagining of Astro Boy's Legacy

1. Introduction

Pluto is a gripping science fiction thriller and a mature reinterpretation of Osamu Tezuka’s classic Astro Boy arc, "The Greatest Robot on Earth." Written and illustrated by Naoki Urasawa, the creator of Monster and 20th Century Boys, this adaptation transforms the beloved robot story into a deep, cerebral murder mystery. It delves into philosophical questions about identity, artificial intelligence, war, and what it means to be truly human.

2. Plot Summary

Set in a world where humans and highly advanced robots coexist, a string of mysterious murders begins targeting the seven greatest robots in the world. Detective Gesicht, a German robot investigator, is assigned to the case. As he uncovers a larger conspiracy tied to global politics, anti-robot sentiment, and a past war in Persia, the line between man and machine starts to blur. At the center of it all is Pluto, a mysterious entity with immense destructive power, and the seemingly innocent boy robot Atom—the equivalent of Astro Boy.

3. Main Characters

• Gesicht – A Europol detective and robot with human-like emotions. He leads the investigation into the robot murders.

• Atom (Astro Boy) – A powerful robot child with empathy and insight, representing the ideal of peaceful coexistence.

• Dr. Tenma – Atom’s creator, a genius scientist with a troubled past and complex relationship with his creation.

• North No. 2, Brando, Hercules, Mont Blanc – Some of the world’s most powerful robots, each with a unique personality and fate.

• Pluto – The antagonist, a terrifying force with hidden motivations tied to vengeance and grief.

• Dr. Abullah – A mysterious figure from the Persian War whose connection to Pluto is vital to the story's truth.

4. Arcs & Sagas

🧠 Murder Mystery Arc – Begins with the assassination of Mont Blanc and the slow unraveling of a pattern targeting elite robots.

💣 War Flashbacks – Various robots recall their roles in the 39th Central Asian War, shedding light on the trauma and political motivations driving current events.

👤 Gesicht’s Past – A shocking twist involving his repressed memories and connection to the killer.

🕊️ Atom’s Awakening – Atom slowly realizes the full scope of human suffering and his role in bringing peace.

⚖️ Final Confrontation – The battle against Pluto forces a reckoning with themes of hatred, forgiveness, and sacrifice.

5. Powers & Abilities

• 🤖 Advanced AI – Robots possess self-awareness, emotions, and ethical reasoning.

• 💥 Combat Capabilities – Each of the seven robots was built for extreme combat, boasting unique weapons, strength, and speed.

• 🧬 Memory & Soul Simulation – Robots can dream, reflect, and mourn—blurring the lines between artificial and organic.

• 👁️ Hidden Weapons & Surveillance – Key to both the mystery and the power imbalance among robots and humans.

6. Top Moments & Battles

💀 Mont Blanc’s Death – The tranquil forest guardian’s shocking assassination sets a somber tone.

🥋 Hercules vs. Pluto – A brutal, symbolic fight between raw strength and grief.

🧠 Gesicht’s Memory Reveal – A devastating discovery about Gesicht’s forgotten past and its implications.

🕊️ North No. 2 and Paul – A tender and heartbreaking relationship between an old man and his robotic aide.

🌪️ Atom’s Empathy – Atom's refusal to hate Pluto, even in the face of death, elevates the message of the story.

7. Influence & Legacy

• Reinvented Astro Boy’s themes for an adult audience.

• Revered as one of the best philosophical sci-fi manga, often compared to Ghost in the Shell and Blade Runner.

• Naoki Urasawa’s storytelling turned a children’s story into a global allegory on war, racism, and human rights.

8. Anime & Manga Status

• Manga: Completed (8 volumes, 2003–2009)

• Anime: Released on Netflix in October 2023, produced by Studio M2. It adapts the manga faithfully and completely, with 8 episodes.

• Anime Director: Masao Maruyama (also producer of Death Note, Monster, Paranoia Agent).

9. Where to Start Watching?

📺 Start with Episode 1 on Netflix. The pacing is ideal, and the emotional buildup of each robot’s arc hits hardest in animated form.

📚 For deeper immersion, read the original manga by Naoki Urasawa. It offers subtler psychological details and artwork that enhances the noir atmosphere.

10. Anime vs. Manga Differences

• 🎨 Visual Tone: The anime faithfully mirrors Urasawa’s style while amplifying it with moody lighting, shadows, and a haunting score.

• 🎵 Music Score: The anime’s atmospheric music adds emotional depth to key scenes, especially the deaths.

• ⏳ Pacing: The anime condenses certain slower manga moments, creating a tighter experience while staying loyal to the plot.

• 💬 Character Monologues: Some inner dialogues are reduced in the anime, but the emotional resonance remains powerful.

11. Movies & OVAs

🎥 No official movie yet, but due to the anime’s acclaim, a film adaptation or theatrical release of Pluto's conclusion is highly requested by fans.

12. Fan Theories & Speculations

🧠 Pluto’s Consciousness – Some fans theorize Pluto was never purely “evil,” but an AI expression of grief created through trauma and war programming.

🔄 Cycle of Hate – The recurring theme suggests Pluto is not a single robot, but a *manifestation of humanity's inability to move past war and revenge.

💡 Atom's Potential – What if Atom is more human than anyone else in the story?

13. Final Arc & Endgame

⚰️ Pluto is revealed to be a tool of manipulated grief, and Atom sacrifices himself to break the cycle of hatred.

🔧 Gesicht’s fate is both tragic and redemptive, as he makes the ultimate choice to protect a world that didn’t fully accept him.

🕊️ In the end, forgiveness and empathy—not firepower—are the keys to peace, elevating Pluto to the realm of literary sci-fi greatness.

14. Live-Action Adaptations

📽️ No official live-action project yet, but rumors suggest Netflix is exploring a hybrid CG/live-action limited series following the success of the anime.

15. Ratings & Reviews

🧠 Overall Rating: 9.5/10

📖 Story & Narrative Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10)

⚙️ Sci-Fi & Philosophy: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10)

🎨 Animation & Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (9.0/10)

💔 Emotional Resonance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9.8/10)

🕵️ Mystery & Suspense: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (9.2/10)

16. Recommendations

✅ Must-watch if you enjoyed Monster, Ergo Proxy, Ghost in the Shell, or Death Parade.

✅ Great for fans of philosophical storytelling, noir thrillers, or complex explorations of AI ethics, memory, and war trauma.

✅ Even if you’ve never read Astro Boy, Pluto will move and challenge you.