The Terminator franchise launched with James Cameron’s groundbreaking film 40 years ago. This film, marked by its high-stakes action and straightforward plot, established the series as a classic.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day followed with a more intricate storyline but managed to move the intensity and depth of the characters, becoming one of the rare sequels to surpass its predecessor.
The franchise has faced challenges since then, with various movies and the TV series move the intensity and depth of the characters, becoming one of the rare Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles contributing to a complex timeline that can be difficult to follow.
Despite these complications, the Terminator franchise has remained popular. The introduction of new narratives and formats has kept the series relevant.
Netflix’s Terminator Zero, an anime series from Production I.G. and Skydance Television, offers a new angle on the classic story by shifting the action to Japan and presenting fresh characters and plots. This new installment continues to show the central theme of humanity’s struggle against Skynet while adding its own unique twists and developments.
Netflix’s New Direction: Terminator Zero
Terminator Zero introduces a distinct storyline, moving the action to Japan and featuring characters who are unfamiliar to fans of the earlier films and shows.
This shift in setting and characters provides a fresh perspective while maintaining the franchise’s core elements of intense action and futuristic conflict. The anime series not only brings new narratives but also deepens the complexity of the Terminator universe with unexpected revelations.
The Plot and Characters: Misaki’s Hidden Truth
The series starts in 2022 with a character named Eiko (voiced by Sonoya Mizuno/Toa Yukinari) who is sent back to 1997. Her mission is to find Malcolm Lee (voiced by Andre Holland/Yûya Uchida) and convince him to shut down an AI system he developed for Cortex Industries.
This AI, known as Kokoro (voiced by Rosario Dawson/Atsumi Tanezaki), is crucial in preventing Skynet from achieving its goal of human destruction. Malcolm, aware of the impending doom through his dreams, designed Kokoro as a weapon against Skynet.
The challenge lies in convincing Kokoro that humanity is worth saving, given its current view of human nature as destructive and selfish.
Eiko is not the only one protecting Malcolm’s family. Misaki (voiced by Sumalee Montano/Saori Hayami), a young nanny, appears to be an ordinary caretaker. However, her behavior suggests there is more to her than meets the eye.
As the series progresses, it is revealed that Misaki is, in fact, a robot built by Malcolm to protect his children. Initially, she believes she is human and possesses emotions, but her true nature is uncovered when she is forced to defend the children.
The Mystery of Malcolm Lee’s Knowledge
Throughout the series, Malcolm’s interactions with Kokoro reveal that he is from the future, beyond 2022. His knowledge of Skynet’s plans comes from this future perspective.
As a child, Malcolm had the idea of capturing Terminators and reprogramming them to be benevolent. However, his early attempts led to the destruction of his human allies and the creation of an early version of Misaki.
Malcolm built a time machine and traveled back to 1983 to hide with Misaki. His mission became more complicated when he fell in love, got married, and had three children.
Following his wife’s tragic death in a bus accident, Malcolm focused on creating an AI with free will. He transferred Misaki’s memories to Kokoro, erasing her previous knowledge, and used her as a secret protector for his children, unaware of her true nature.
Eiko’s Surprising Revelation and the Final Showdown
The series finale reveals that Eiko is Malcolm’s mother. She is sent back to protect her grandchildren, unaware of her own son’s identity or her role in their protection. Eiko’s long conversations with the Prophet (voiced by Ann Dowd/Mari Yokoo) show the complexities of time travel and paradoxes, emphasizing the uncertainty of changing the past to alter the future.
In the climactic moments, a Terminator (voiced by Timothy Olyphant/Yasuhiro Mamiya) targets Malcolm’s children. The goal is to capture them and force Malcolm to disable Kokoro or align Kokoro with Skynet.
The Terminator captures Kenta (voiced by Armani Jackson/Hiro Shimono) but is unable to gain access to Kokoro’s secure location. It tries to persuade Kenta to activate an EMP that would destroy Kokoro, but Kenta hesitates due to his anger over Misaki’s true nature.
The finale features a dramatic battle involving Eiko, Misaki, and Malcolm against the Terminator. Malcolm sacrifices his life to protect his family, which influences Kokoro to take action. Kokoro sends its 1NNO robots to defeat the Terminator.
Although Kenta almost activates the EMP out of anger, Kokoro convinces him to refrain from doing so. The series ends on a cliffhanger, with the Terminator’s head being brought to Kokoro. Eiko’s voice-over hints that the situation may worsen before improving.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Terminator Zero?
The finale of Terminator Zero sets the stage for a possible second season. Showrunner Mattson Tomlin has expressed interest in showing the future of the characters, including their survival beyond Judgment Day and their efforts to resolve the mess caused by time travel.
Season 1 primarily focused on building the world and introducing key elements, but by the end, many questions were answered. We learn about the characters’ backgrounds, motivations, and loyalties. While Skynet may be temporarily stopped, the unpredictable nature of Kokoro suggests that new challenges lie ahead.
Terminator Zero has expanded the Terminator universe with fresh storylines and complex character dynamics. By adding new layers to the franchise and presenting unexpected twists, the series keeps fans engaged and eagerly anticipating future developments.
