The premise: In a not-too-distant feeling future earth, Robots with complex AI are abundant, and even have rights. But they must obey the laws of Robotics. Chief among them is not to harm humans. Well. I think you know where this is going.

But this isn't just any robot beat em up. It's based on the classic Tezuka anime, Atom! (Astro Boy to western audiences of a certain age.)
And this isn't the end of the prestige for this upstart anime series. This adaptation in particular, done through Netflix is of a certain Urusawa Naoki's take on the boy robot wonder. That's right. The Author of Monster and 20th Century Boys, two globally acclaimed manga, both adapted into anime that also were critically applauded and are cherished by fans around the world.

It is in the vein of Monster that this adaptation of Atom takes it's flavorful course. Atom isn't the only main character, and indeed several characters FROM the original Tezuka manga/anime are recurring in this, from his sister to his creator, and several of his rivals. But there are original characters of Urasawa's mind involved too, in particular an advanced robot detective named Gesicht. He works for Interpol in Europe solving the world's toughest crimes, and that is how the story opens up. A series of mysterious and indeed, heinous crimes are committed and who else but the world's best detective, who happens to be armed to the teeth and yet gentle as a baby bird with humans (because it's the LAW of ROBOTICS, and also it's the law and yeah he's a detective hehe.)

I won't say much else about the plot's progression, other than to say, if you feel the first episode is dragging on during the initial investigation phase give it time. Once it shifts focus to a main character's b story for ep 1, you will probably be hooked emotionally invested and extremely inable to hold back from pressing NEXT EPISODE when the credits start rolling. Maybe even (If you're like me) while tears roll down your cheeks, teeth gritted from the intensity!

Overall though, this anime features several very deep and complex ideas exploring them pretty thoroughly, though sometimes it can seem a bit hollow, always make sure you hold out hope for the end of the episode, because the runtimes can make this a bit hard for some people to sit through. I don't expect you to binge it in one night (it's like 14 hours or something at 8 episodes each over an hour some of them an hour and a half long.)

Some of those themes are, AI and the idea of: at what point does AI become so sentient and self aware that it deserves rights inalienable just as humans, or even animals do?

What happens when there is inevitable pushback from that and what are the consequences of such tensions that are surely going to arise?

How will robots in warfare effect the way warfare is waged in mankind, and what sort of legacy will it leave on the countries where the warfare is conducted?

If the robots used in the wars are AI, indeed, sentient or nearly sentient (debatable I suppose by people who seek to deny ai rights) how will it effect the robots themselves? Will they have PTSD?

There are other themes but tbh It's been about 8 months since I actually watched it and I'm due for a rewatch myself. I'd love to and probably will come march when my anniversary hits. SO I hope you are convinced that this anime is at least worth checking out! With that said, I think I need to shut up now.

~Runt