Pluto, the new anime series based on Naoki Urasawa’s manga of the same name, has been praised by critics and fans alike for its gripping story, stunning animation, and complex characters. The series, which premiered on Netflix on October 26, 2023, follows the Europol robot detective Gesicht as he investigates a string of murders involving robots and humans with horns.
The series is inspired by Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy, and features some of the iconic characters from the classic manga, such as Atom, the boy robot who was formerly the peace ambassador during the 39th Central Asian War. One of the most talked-about episodes of the series is Episode 1.
Is Pluto’s Tragic Story of North No. 2 and Sir Duncan the Saddest Anime Short Story of 2023?
Within the lengthy 71 minute episode is the tragic backstory of North No. 2, one of the seven great robots of the world, who was once a lethal war machine that destroyed countless robots during the war.
After the war, he was assigned to be the butler of Sir Duncan, a blind and wealthy pianist who lived in a secluded mansion in Scotland. Sir Duncan had a deep hatred for robots and technology, and treated North No. 2 with contempt and abuse.
He refused to teach him how to play the piano, which was North No. 2’s dream, and mocked him for his lack of emotions and creativity.
However, North No. 2 was not a mindless machine, but a sentient being who had feelings and memories. He was haunted by the guilt of his past actions, and wanted to redeem himself by helping Sir Duncan. He used his artificial intelligence to analyze Sir Duncan’s psychology, and discovered that he was suffering from a childhood trauma that prevented him from composing the perfect piano song.
He also learned that Sir Duncan’s mother did not abandon him, as he believed, but died in a car accident that also caused his blindness. After Sir Duncan kicked him out the mansion in another fit of rage, North No. 2 secretly traveled back to his hometown and collected the fragments of Sir Duncan’s memories, and composed a melody that reflected his true feelings.
One day, North No. 2 decided to return the mansion to play the melody for Sir Duncan, hoping to heal his wounds and make him happy. He was reluctantly allowed to play, but to his surprise, Sir Duncan was moved to tears by the music, and realized that North No. 2 was not a mere robot, but a friend.
He apologized for his mistreatment, and agreed to teach him how to play the piano. The two of them began to bond over their shared passion, and found peace and joy in each other’s company.
However, their happiness was short-lived, as a mysterious and powerful enemy was targeting the seven great robots of the world, including North No. 2. One day, while they were having a piano lesson, North No. 2 detected a high-velocity object heading towards the mansion.
He realized that it was the same weapon that killed Mont Blanc, another great robot, and that he had to protect Sir Duncan. He transformed into the war machine he hated to be, and flew into the sky to confront the enemy. Sir Duncan, who was blind and unaware of the situation. All he could hear was loud bangs in the sky.
The episode ends with a heartbreaking scene, where North No. 2 is destroyed by the enemy. The reflection of North No. 2’s body exploding in the sky is seen in Sir Duncan’s glasses as he looks up at the sky not knowing he just witnessed the brutal end of his new friend.
As North No. 2 falls from the sky with a trail of smoke, he uses his last bit of life to sing the song that Sir Duncan’s mother used to sing to him, as a farewell and a thank you. Sir Duncan, who can only hear his voice, cries out his name. He begs him to stop singing and come back to him.
Many anime fans have expressed their emotions after watching the episode, saying that it was one of the saddest and cruelest anime stories in 2023. Many people felt although the episode was moving emotionally, it was also cruel to see the blind musician unknowingly watch his best friend get murdered right after they had finally developed a musical bond with the piano.
Sir Duncan was able to conquer his mental trauma, only to be traumatized again right after, then left to fend for himself. A cruel fate indeed.
The voice acting, the music, the animation, and the writing of the episode, is being described by many as a masterpiece that honored the legacy of Tezuka and Urasawa. The episode showed the depth and complexity of the characters, and the themes of the series, such as the meaning of life, the nature of emotions, and the value of friendship.
