Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Futurama season 11, episode 9!
Summary
In the eleventh season, episode nine of the animated series "Futurama," it is unveiled that the concept of reincarnation exists within the show's universe. This is demonstrated when the character Bender tragically perishes and then miraculously returns to life, but in the form of an airplane. Furthermore, the episode intriguingly hints at the presence of a hell-like realm within the show's fictional world, though the existence of a heaven remains uncertain. This revelation adds a layer of intricacy to the depictions of the afterlife in the series.
The uncertainty surrounding the existence of heaven and hell in "Futurama" season 11 raises unanswered questions about the afterlife for humans. However, in episode 9 of this season, an intriguing detail in Bender's story unveils a significant revelation about the fate of robots after death. Previous episodes of Futurama have already delved into the concept of the robot afterlife, expanding on its lore. Nevertheless, season 11 introduces a fresh perspective that profoundly alters the lives of Bender and the show's other robotic characters.
Futurama has returned with an eleventh season after being off the air for over a decade, thanks to Hulu. The popular Matt Groening show retains many of the familiar elements from the original series, including non-canon anthology episodes. In episode 9 of Futurama season 11, titled "The Prince and the Product," the Planet Express crew takes on the role of toys in three interconnected stories. Amidst the silliness, this episode also reveals a significant piece of Futurama lore.
Futurama Season 11 Confirms Reincarnation Exists In The Show's Universe
In Futurama season 11, it is revealed that reincarnation exists in the show's universe. In episode 9, the characters are depicted as wind-up toys. When Fry's life is in danger due to a worn-down spring, Bender sacrifices himself to save him. Surprisingly, Bender dies but is quickly revived.
Following his death, Bender returns as a plane, which leads the Planet Express crew to the discovery of reincarnation. Bender's experience in a hell-like place results in his body being melted down and transformed into a plane. However, he crashes and dies once again, though the crew remains unperturbed, confident that he will return. Notably, this storyline is non-canon, yet the existence of the plane version of Bender is observed in the regular universe at the episode's conclusion.
Futurama's World May Also Have A Hell, But Not A Heaven
In the same episode, Fry and Bender pay a visit to Reverend Lionel Preacherbot in hopes of correcting Fry's soul just prior to his demise. Preacherbot proceeds to clarify that hell does indeed exist, while heaven, on the other hand, does not. This additional layer of afterlife mythology further complicates the already intricate universe of the show.
While Futurama has already established the existence of Robot Hell and Robot Heaven, with Robot Hell frequently making appearances throughout the series and Robot Heaven featuring in the episode "Ghost in the Machine," the status of heaven and hell for humans remains uncertain. If Preacherbot is referring to the human afterlife, this would imply that humans can also be part of Robotology, adding further peculiarity to the subject. Given the abundance of unanswered questions regarding the afterlife in Futurama season 11, it may be advisable to avoid dwelling on it too intensely.
New episodes of Futurama release Mondays on Hulu.