The news seemed to blow up all over the net yesterday – “PLUTO” the multi-part manga that retooled Astro-Boy is coming to Netflix as an anime series and we got our first look at it –

PLUTO lands in the more adult and serious category of manga along the lines of Ghost in the Shell, AKIRA, Psycho-Pass, Paprika, Monster, Death Note, etc – it is a sprawling story with strong and well defined characters. It’s not about a card game and there are no goofy characters. It is not R rated but it takes itself seriously and carries with it a somber tone of post-war weariness. And with that comes action that is not exciting but sorrowful.

The story is told primarily through the eyes of a detective investigating the seemingly serial murders of the great war robots who have put away their ways of war. What, or how, could be methodically killing off the most powerful weapons of war ever created? That is the primary hook of the story and it is fascinating to follow the story through to the end.

The original manga was a critical and fan favorite – becoming an immediate best seller.

The sneak-peek at the new anime translation is exciting and carries much of the weight and tone of the manga – though it looks more action centric. There is no dialogue and fingers crossed the voice casting and direction is taken seriously and with great consideration.

PLUTO the anime series is scheduled to debut in 2023.