Reimagining Pluto: Key Alterations in the Netflix Adaptation from the Original Manga

Article Key Points

The anime adaptation of the Pluto manga is highly faithful, with at least 90% accuracy, but there are minor changes that fans should be aware of.

In the anime, Dr. Roosevelt's involvement in assisting the President of Thracia is revealed only in the last episode, whereas the manga introduces it earlier.

While the manga depicts a scene featuring a robot maid making breakfast, which highlights Adolf's dubious stance on robots, this particular scene is not included in the anime.

Pluto, an adaptation of Astro Boy, is often recognized as the series that initiated the anime phenomenon after World War 2. The manga edition debuted in 2003 and concluded in 2009. Despite unsuccessful endeavors to convert it into an anime, Netflix has now brought it to fruition.

Remarkably, this adaptation remains remarkably true to the original material, maintaining a consistency of at least 90%. While a few omissions and alterations to the narrative progression are present, dedicated fans of the Pluto manga may be interested in learning about these minor adjustments.

The following article contains spoilers for both the Pluto anime and manga.

6. Exchanging Memory Chips

The Robot That Can Kill Humans

In this universe, one of the fundamental laws of robotics prohibits robots from harming humans. This principle can also be found in other forms of media featuring robots, which can be traced back to Isaac Asimov and his novel, I, Robot. However, there is an exceptional case involving Brau-1589, a robot that has been responsible for killing humans.

Currently, this robot is imprisoned, and Gesicht occasionally seeks advice from him. During their second meeting in Chapter Fifteen of the manga, they swap memory chips, allowing Gesicht to witness the atrocities committed by Brau-1589. In contrast, this exchange does not occur in the anime, although all other encounters with Brau-1589 unfold similarly.

5. Naughty Bear

Dr. Roosevelt’s Reveal

In the mysterious world of Pluto, the question arises: who is responsible for the demise of the powerful robots in Pluto and adorning them with horns? As the central enigma of the story, the identity of the killer is eventually unraveled by Gesicht, revealing that it is none other than the eponymous Pluto. Further into the narrative, an intriguing element is introduced in Chapter Fourteen of the manga: a damaged teddy bear possessing an ethereal voice that speaks in riddles. Within this bear resides Dr. Roosevelt, a supercomputer aiding the President of Thracia. However, this revelation remains concealed until the climactic final episode of the anime.

There are certain elements that remain unaddressed in the manga adaptation. For instance, the manga does not delve into the excitement shared by Dr. Roosevelt and the President of Thracia upon witnessing the destruction of all seven formidable robots. However, a new concern arises when Darius 14th is mentioned, as he presents another witness who requires attention. While this omission may not significantly impact the overall storyline in the anime, it is peculiar that the decision was made to exclude the development of the relationship between Dr. Roosevelt and the President of Thracia.

4. Building The Robot Hate

Adolf Has A Robot Maid

The introduction of Adolf is nearly the same in both the anime and the manga, with only a subtle difference regarding his perspective on robots. The manga includes a scene in Chapter Seventeen where the family enjoys a breakfast prepared by a robot maid, highlighting Adolf's questionable view towards robots.

However, in the third episode of the anime, it is Adolf's wife who prepares the meal. Furthermore, she accidentally spills some on her son's futuristic version of a Nintendo Switch. While this change is minor, it does strike as peculiar. By having the robot maid, viewers could have better understood Adolf's feelings through subtle glances.

3. Those Hoods Are Pointy

Censoring Racist Imagery

Religion and depictions of cults are often subject to censorship in anime. This trend is also prevalent in older video games, particularly those from the NES era. As an illustration, the supporters of Adolf's anti-robot league can be seen wearing pointy hoods.

2. Learning About The Body

The purpose of including these characters in Chapter Seventeen of the manga and the third episode of the anime is to explicitly depict their resemblance to the KKK, a white supremacist group in the United States. However, in the anime, their attire is limited to white cloaks.

Gesicht’s Special Alloy

Adolf's discovery of a subtle difference between the two versions of Pluto is another key aspect. However, Chapter Eighteen in the anime excludes a significant portion of the story. The chapter opens with Adolf's son, who is studying using virtual reality. Eventually, his son switches to traditional book studying, leading Adolf to learn about Gesicht's composition: a unique alloy called Zirconium.

Upon obtaining this information, Adolf shares it with his clan, who then provide him with a weapon capable of destroying that specific type of metal. In the anime, the cult leader is already aware that Adolf will require this weapon to eliminate Gesicht, resulting in the exclusion of the corresponding scene from the manga, perhaps to prioritize animation efficiency.

1. Uran Has A Mission

How Does One Grieve?

The death of Atom in Pluto is undoubtedly one of the most shocking moments. As the beloved star of Astro Boy and given this adaptation of the original story, fans would have anticipated his presence for a longer duration. In Chapter Thirty-Seven of the manga, while Atom's sister Uran mourns his loss, she engages in conversation with a friend.

She senses the distress of those around her and proceeds to save a kitten, bestow it upon an abused boy, recover a lost wallet for an elderly gentleman, and provide assistance to an older woman with her faithful canine companion. However, in the fifth episode of the anime, the other young girl is absent and Iran neglects to aid the elderly lady with her dog. Notwithstanding, Pluto

Release Date October 26, 2023Genres Sci-Fi, Mystery, Mecha, SuspenseStudio Studio M2Streaming Service Netflix

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of the Pluto manga, I was thrilled to hear about its adaptation into an anime series on Netflix. The anime remains remarkably faithful to the original material, maintaining a consistency of at least 90%. However, there are some minor changes that fans should be aware of.

One of the most significant changes is the handling of Dr. Roosevelt's involvement in assisting the President of Thracia. In the manga, this is revealed earlier on, but in the anime, it is only revealed in the last episode. This change may have been made to create a more suspenseful and surprising reveal in the anime.

Another change is the omission of a scene featuring a robot maid making breakfast, which highlights Adolf's dubious stance on robots. This scene is included in the manga but is not in the anime. This change may have been made to streamline the story and focus on the main plot points.