Pluto takes place in a future where humans and AI robots live together. It starts off as a mystery when one of the world's seven greatest AI robots is murdered. Shortly after, a leading AI rights human advocate is murdered. An AI detective robot, one of the seven world's greatest AI robot called Gesicht investigates. Is the murderer human or AI robot? If the latter, then one of the cardinal robot laws may be violated, since robots are not supposed to harm humans.
What unfolds is a multilayered story.
Naoki Urasawa has another of my favorite stories... Monster and 20th Century Boys. All told with masterful suspense.
Finally, I have to note that there are some pacing problems in the anime version, especially to drive home the point at the end. And the AI robot emotions do not come across as poignant as in the comics. Still, it is a good ride, and a good think throughout this viewing journey.
What unfolds is a multilayered story.
- One layer explores a world of humans and AI robots: the discrimination, the rights of sentient beings...
- One layer explores the complexity of emotions that develop within AI... and that the more advanced the AI complex brain, the more human (hence emotionally imbalanced even) AI may become... even considering murder or even suicide.
- One layer parallels the unjust pre-emptive attack of the world on a country that didn't have the weapons of mass destruction it was accused of having.
- For many fans, Naoki Urasawa's tribute to Osamu Tezuka's Atom Boy as one of the seven greatest AI robots on the killer's murder list is exhilarating. Dr Tenma, Dr Ochanomizu and Uran all make worthwhile appearances.
Naoki Urasawa has another of my favorite stories... Monster and 20th Century Boys. All told with masterful suspense.
Finally, I have to note that there are some pacing problems in the anime version, especially to drive home the point at the end. And the AI robot emotions do not come across as poignant as in the comics. Still, it is a good ride, and a good think throughout this viewing journey.