Pluto is one of the best mystery anime for fans of dark stories because it combines a serial-murder investigation with sad questions about what makes a person. It is a slow, serious series that rewards patient viewers. Here is why it stands out.
A Murder Case With a Twist
Europol’s top detective, the robot Gesicht, is assigned to investigate a series of mysterious robot murders. The catch is that he soon learns he is one of the seven great robots of the world, and one of the killer’s targets. Having the investigator at risk adds suspense to every clue.
A Respected Source
The series adapts Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki’s manga, which reimagines Osamu Tezuka’s “The Greatest Robot on Earth” arc from Astro Boy as a seinen drama. The manga ran in Shogakukan’s Big Comic Original from September 2003 to April 2009. That pedigree gives the anime a layered, adult tone.
A Slow, Serious Format
Netflix released all eight episodes on October 26, 2023. Each runs between 56 and 71 minutes, so the story reads more like a long film than a weekly show. Studio M2 animated it, with Toshio Kawaguchi directing and Yugo Kanno composing the music. The anime was first announced in 2017 and was in production for several years.
The Cast
Shinshu Fuji voices Gesicht, Toshihiko Seki voices Pluto, Yoko Hikasa voices Atom and Minori Suzuki voices Uran. The mix of Astro Boy characters in a darker setting is part of the appeal for longtime fans.
Who It Is For
If you like detective stories and philosophy about artificial intelligence, Pluto is a strong pick. If you want fast action, it may feel slow. For more dark fantasy to watch next, see our article on Sentenced to Be a Hero.
Sources: Wikipedia, Anime News Network, Anime Corner.