Terminator Zero
Terminator Zero
Now Showing

Terminator Zero

7.0
Yr 2024
Status Canceled
Animation Sci-Fi & Fantasy Action & Adventure
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Series Brief

Overview

A warrior from a post-apocalyptic future travels to 1997 to protect an AI scientist being hunted by an unfeeling — and indestructible — cyborg.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 78 /100

Critical reception for Terminator Zero is largely positive, with many reviewers praising the series as the most significant and reinvigorating addition to the franchise in decades. Analysts frequently highlight its ability to move away from established tropes, offering refreshing narratives, emotional depth, and visceral action that respect the source material while exploring new thematic territory. It is widely viewed as a successful fusion of anime stylistic sensibilities and classic sci-fi storytelling.

While the consensus is favorable, some critics remain unconvinced by the execution. Dissenting voices argue that the show struggles to develop a distinct identity, occasionally feels robotic, or relies on familiar reboots concepts that fail to fully innovate. Technical critiques occasionally point to inconsistencies between high-quality animation and distracting CGI sequences, though these instances were generally considered minor compared to the show's overall impact.

“This excellent series pulls together the best of the Terminator franchise and anime worlds to create a super-compelling sci-fi tale.”

“Terminator Zero is the best addition to the lore in many years with surprising depth, stunning visuals and plenty of bloody action scenes to keep fans entertained.”

“Netflix's grim new 'Terminator Zero' anime series is a triumph of serious storytelling and killer robot action.”

“Netflix series Terminator Zero is too robotic to be considered high quality.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix Standard with Ads
US • CA • UK
Netflix
CA • US • UK
Why fans love it

Terminator Zero brings a distinct aesthetic to a familiar franchise narrative. By anchoring the action in 1990s Japan, the show trades the traditional urban sprawl of the original films for a setting that feels claustrophobic and specific. The hand-drawn anime style lends a visceral weight to the mechanical horror, turning the standard encounter with an indestructible machine into a frantic, high-stakes game of shadows.

Yuuya Uchida leads a voice cast that navigates the tension between inevitable catastrophe and personal morality as the end of the world looms. The series leans into the grim inevitability of artificial intelligence, forcing its characters to confront the existential cost of a future they are desperately trying to erase. It functions as a lean, aggressive entry point into the lore, prioritizing the cycle of time travel and the relentless nature of the hunt over long-winded exposition.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 42
Regulars 6
Longest run 8 eps
Yuuya Uchida
Yuuya Uchida
as Malcolm Lee (voice)
Hiro Shimono
Hiro Shimono
as Kenta (voice)
Saori Hayami
Saori Hayami
as Misaki (voice)
Toa Yukinari
Toa Yukinari
as Eiko (voice)
Atsumi Tanezaki
Atsumi Tanezaki
as KOKORO / KOKORO SPIRIT / KOKORO MIND / KOKORO HEART (voice)
Yuka Keicho
Yuka Keicho
as Natsuko (voice)
3 episodes
Hiroshi Iwasaki
Hiroshi Iwasaki
as 1NNO (voice)
5 episodes
Motoki Sakuma
Motoki Sakuma
as Soldier (voice)
1 episode
Show 34 more
Chiko Mizumori as Girl (voice) 1 episode Riho Sugiyama as Mother (voice) 2 episodes Satoru Ito as Security Guard (voice) 4 episodes Masayuki Oshita as Performer (voice) 2 episodes Ayaka Shimoyamada as Ani (voice) 4 episodes Saima Nakano as Child (voice) 2 episodes Miho Hayashi as Radio Personality (voice) 1 episode Taiki Yamashita as Store Manager (voice) 2 episodes Wataru Tsuyuzaki as Police Officer (voice) 2 episodes Cho as Fujino (voice) 1 episode Yohei Azakami as Shiraki (voice) 1 episode Wakana Kowaka as Reporter (voice) 1 episode Shohei Kajikawa as Driver (voice) 3 episodes Aya Gomazuru as Female Police Officer (voice) 1 episode Shoumaru Zouza as RESISTANCE (voice) 4 episodes Yuuki Sanpei as Detective (voice) 1 episode Satsuki Kokubu as Office Worker (voice) 2 episodes Takahiro Shibano as Police Officer (voice) 1 episode Koichi Kuroda as Doctor (voice) 1 episode Seiyu Fujiwara as RESISTENCE (voice) 2 episodes Rika Hayashi as Child (voice) 1 episode Mizuki Minamori as Child (voice) 1 episode Kosuke Echigoya as Paramedic (voice) 1 episode Junichi Yanagita as Paramedic (voice) 1 episode Kousuke Oonishi as Paramedic (voice) 1 episode Takayuki Ishii as RESISTANCE (voice) 1 episode Tetsurou Miyata as COMMANDER (voice) 2 episodes Oto Kudo as Baby Malcolm (voice) 1 episode Miyuki Satou as Reika (voice) 8 episodes Shizuka Ishigami as Hiro (voice) 8 episodes Taro Kiuchi as RESISTENCE (voice) 2 episodes Yuuki Hoshi as RESISTENCE (voice) 1 episode Mari Yokoo as The Prophet (voice) 3 episodes Yasuhiro Mamiya as The Terminator (voice) 3 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Sound Mixer
Ayumu Anzai
Animation Supervisor
Ryota Nino Chinatsu Ishida Youko Koujou Toshiyuki Yahagi Haruka Tanaka Norika Maeda Keiichi Kakuta
Art Designer
Toshiki Amata
Key Animation
Tokuyuki Matsutake Atsuko Inoue Ayaka Kondo
Original Music Composer
Kevin Henthorn
Art Direction
Masanobu Nomura
Executive Producer
Rui Kuroki Don Granger Mattson Tomlin
Layout Supervisor
Kenji Masuda
Other
Hirokazu Hanai
Assistant Art Director
Mai Ichioka
Storyboard Artist
Toshiyuki Yahagi Kazuya Nomura
Animation Director
Tomomi Takeuchi Mineo Oe
Prop Designer
Tomomi Takeuchi
Character Designer
Satoru Nakamura
Color Designer
Sayoko Noda
Creator
Mattson Tomlin
Production Assistant
Takumi Iwata
CGI Director
Masaru Matsumoto
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Terminator Zero overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

japan artificial intelligence (a.i.) time travel end of the world soldier anime 1990s
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
August 29, 2024
Status
Canceled
Origin
US, JP
TMDB Votes
226