Parents' Guide to

Pluto

By Danae Stahlnecker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Violent sci-fi murder mystery is anti-war, pro-AI rights.

TV Netflix Anime 2023
Pluto TV show poster: A young boy stands protectively in front of a young girl, staring down a giant robot

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Pluto TV show screenshot 1: Three men stare mournfully down at a collapsed robot body
  • Pluto TV show screenshot 2: Close-up shot of Gesicht aiming his arm transformed into a gun down at a suspect
  • Pluto TV show screenshot 3: A young boy faces away from the screen and stares out at a sunset sky

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What's the Story?

PLUTO follows detective Gesicht (voiced in English by Jason Vande Brake), a robot working for Europol, as he investigates a string of murders. In a futuristic post-war world where robots and humans coexist, someone is targeting high-profile advocates of robots' rights, as well as the seven most advanced robots across the world. The case gets tricky as Gesicht grapples with missing pieces in his own memory.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

This suspenseful detective drama delicately balances nuanced social critique against a gritty murder mystery. The tension between humans and robots is a poignant parallel to real-world discrimination, especially since the main robot characters have complex lives and personalities that reject the notion that futuristic AI is merely machinery. At the same time, the show brings up relevant conversations about the role of artificial intelligence: Can the art AI creates be considered authentic? At what point does AI move past algorithm and achieve autonomous personhood? If AI can achieve personhood, then what are their rights? While the show isn't particularly fast-paced or "fun," it's an insightful investigation of humanity and violence that's worth the watch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about artificial intelligence. What perspectives do the humans in this setting have on artificial intelligence? How do they treat the robots as a result of this?

  • What do the robots seek out to related better to the human experience? What makes someone "human"?

  • What perspectives do different characters have about the violence they both experience and perpetuate? Why do they have these perspectives? How do you feel about their ideas?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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