Unmasking the Astonishing Brilliance of Naoki Urasawa's Pluto

At Anime Expo 2023, one of the most thrilling announcements was the release of a new trailer for Netflix's adaptation of Naoki Urasawa's Pluto. This remarkable reinterpretation of the classic Astro Boy story has been in development for over a decade, according to producer Masao Maruyama. With the unveiling of this captivating preview, fans are eagerly anticipating the long-awaited anime. Naoki Urasawa collaborated with Osamu Tezuka, the creator of Astro Boy and renowned as the "god of manga," to write Pluto in 2003. The highly anticipated Netflix series, directed by Toshio Kawaguchi and animated by Studio M2, founded by Maruyama himself, will finally debut on October 26.

What Is Pluto?

Content has been

In the original 1964 Astro Boy tale, an android called Pluto is engineered to be the ruler of all robots, and thus the ruler of modern civilization. However, he must first defeat the seven most powerful robots in the world, including our protagonist, Astro Boy, in order to establish his superiority. Urasawa reimagines this narrative as a gripping mystery, centered around the robotic detective Gesicht's investigation into the destruction of a beloved robot named Mt. Blanc.

In line with Urasawa's other works, this is a mature and thought-provoking drama that utilizes the Astro Boy brand to delve into a deeper message regarding the boundaries between humanity and machines. It's a tale of coexistence between humans and robots, where laws have been established to safeguard the rights of the latter, yet the line distinguishing the two continues to blur.

Earlier this year, Netflix offered viewers a glimpse of the anime through a teaser that went beyond a traditional trailer. Instead of voice acting, it focused on showcasing the animation, visual effects, and Yugo Kanno's evocative score, capturing the essence of spy films and the neo-futuristic style reminiscent of Astro Boy.

In contrast, the new trailer presented at Anime Expo provides a more comprehensive introduction to the thrilling story that awaits. With a gravity that befits the inciting incidents and an exploration of the increasingly complex political and philosophical quandaries at the story's core, this trailer captivates. It builds up to a haunting statement, "Robots must not embrace further humanity...", leaving a lasting impact.

The trailer for Pluto has received predominantly positive feedback, indicating that it has become one of Netflix's highly anticipated anime releases, largely due to Urasawa's renowned reputation. In the manga world, Urasawa is considered an icon, and even those who are unfamiliar with his work will quickly understand why his stories are so popular. Earlier this year, Netflix began streaming an animated adaptation of his 1994 story, Monster, which is widely hailed as one of the greatest manga of all time.

Pluto has a distinctive blend of classic aesthetics and modern animation techniques, including 3D visual effects, evident just from the character designs. The level of intricate detail suggests that it is a labor of love that has been in development for a significant period. However, not everyone is completely convinced by the visual aspects of the series.

Good Weird or Bad Weird?

There is often a heated debate regarding the use of visual effects in anime, particularly the integration of 3D animation with traditional 2D animation. Though some dedicated studios and advancements in the field have managed to change the opinions of audiences towards CGI to some extent, there are still those who remain resistant. For some, it may be seen as a way to cut costs rather than a deliberate decision to enhance a project.

One perspective suggests that 3D animation in anime works best when limited to machinery or specific elements on screen, while keeping the main characters hand-drawn. In this regard, Pluto successfully creates a strong initial impression by blending various visual effects, while still presenting beautifully illustrated main characters. However, this is not the primary concern for certain fans.

Composition in animation is often mentioned and, similar to cinematography, can be misunderstood. Essentially, it encompasses how various elements blend together in the animation. This includes the interaction of characters with the background, effects with both, and more. The key question is whether these elements harmonize or clash with each other.

Regarding Pluto, the visuals shown so far strike a balance between intriguing and somewhat out of place. For instance, the use of a blur effect during certain moments, such as Gesicht turning a corner with his gun drawn, appears peculiar but not necessarily negative. It's an uncommon effect in anime, which gives it a cool and unconventional vibe. However, at other times, effects like fire or smoke can overcrowd the image, creating a sense of clutter.

Pluto possesses a unique combination of 2D and 3D elements that evokes memories of the early days when anime started experimenting with CGI. @GetInTheMecha on Twitter expressed a similar sentiment, drawing comparisons to shows like Blue Sub No.6, which showcased a mix of hand-drawn characters and dated 3D effects.

The last time I encountered an anime that had a similar visual style to Pluto was in 2004 with Ghost in the Shell: Innocence. Back then, the integration of 2D and 3D was quite impressive and continues to maintain its cool factor. It's worth mentioning that while some individuals may express skepticism towards Pluto's animation, it stems more from uncertainty around its consistency rather than outright disdain for the style.

Why Pluto Is Worth The Hype

The Netflix series consists of 8 episodes, each running for an hour, which is uncommon for episodic anime. However, it is reported to cover the entire 8-volume story. Despite occasional awkward composition, there is much to be anticipated based on what has been revealed. For every slightly off shot, there are two more that evoke a sense of awe.

Pluto is brought to life through the character animation and animation direction of Shigeru Fujita, the thrilling score composed by Yugo Kanno, and a talented voice cast. Its world, although presented with contemporary elements, has a nostalgic appearance that pays homage to a time when anime showcased experimental visuals, particularly in the science fiction genre.

Anime continues to experiment and create new science fiction classics, like Psycho-Pass from the last decade and this year's Heavenly Delusion. Naoki Urasawa's works are rare adaptations, making Pluto a unique project that only comes around once every ten years. Visually bold and narratively profound, Pluto may push its limits visually. With Maruyama producing the series at his own studio, as he did with Monster at Madhouse, Urasawa's artistic vision should be well handled. The verdict on whether Pluto lives up to its namesake will have to wait until its release on Netflix on October 26.

Sources: Twitter (@NetflixJP)