Osamu Tezuka’sAstro Boyis one of the most belovedanimeand manga series of all time. It influenced the Japanese-style of superhero storytelling, as well as introduced one of the most interesting science-fiction worlds of all time. At the time of this writing,Plutohas recently been released on Netflix, pulling viewers into a potent tale of cyber-noir detectives. Spinning off of a popularAstro Boystory arc,Plutois a more realistic and gritty take on the beloved classic, and fans have been eating it up.
With fans eagerly waiting to hear if the series' popularity inspires a sequel, here are 10 similar titles to help you pass the time.
Cyborg 009
With six films and four hit anime series,Cyborg 009is a landmark of science-fiction anime. The story follows nine individuals from around the world who become unwilling human experiments of the Black Ghost organization and their leader, Skull. Transformed into superpowered cyborgs, the nine were intended to be humanoid weapons for Skull’s dark agenda, but one of Black Ghost’s scientists betrays the organization. Dr. Isaac Gilmore frees the nine cyborgs, and together they turn on their creators. Many of the adaptations follow this battle, but others focus on other conflicts, including a surprise team-up between the Cyborgs and Devilman.
Why Cyborg 009 is Perfect for Fans of Pluto
Cyborg 009was created by Shotaro Ishinomori, legendary creator ofSuper SentaiandKamen Rider, and while it doesn’t have the same following or cultural impact, the series is an underrated gem. The team of nine cyborgs is a brilliant mix of personalities, and each iteration only gets better and better. From the original 1966 film adaptation to the modern Netflix remake, the series is a major influence on modern science-fiction, making it a perfect fit for fans ofPluto.While not as dark as the cyber-noir thriller,Cyborg 009is an incredible look at the relationship between humanity and tech, and it introduces one of the most interesting teams in anime.
Stream on Crunchyroll
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2004)
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Adapted from Masamune Shirow’s groundbreaking manga andspinning off from two anime films produced by Production I.G.,Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complexis the story of Public Security Section 9. This police force is responsible for investigating and pursuing the most vile criminals in New Port City. The first season sees the group pursuing the Laughing Man, a domestic terrorist targeting pharmaceutical companies. The second, titled2nd GiG,sees PSS9 hunting down the terrorist group known as Individual Eleven, who are attempting to rally refugees from the third and fourth World Wars to rebel against the Japanese Government.
Why Pluto Fans Will Love Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complexis an anime classic, and its bleak cyberpunk future is one of the most fascinating settings in science-fiction. In many ways, the success of this franchise has helped springboard the creation of series likePluto,showcasing the narrative power of anime for all ages. It is truly a groundbreaking story, but the parallels withPluto’sown detective story arc make the two series perfectly compatible for a marathon viewing. WhileGhost in the Shellis specifically intended for more adult audiences, the pair mesh well in theme and tone, and fans ofPlutoare guaranteed to love this classic series.
Buy on AppleTV
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022)
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Based on the sci-fi, open-world RPG from CD Projekt Red,Cyberpunk: Edgerunnershas become essential viewing among Netflix’s original anime. David Martinez is an ordinary teenager in the hi-tech, futuristic Night City until a gang shootout resulted in his mother’s death. With no source of income, David is forced to drop out of high school and find work as an Edgerunner. These “cyberpunks” act as black-market mercenaries for the corrupt corporations. With a mysterious piece of military tech grafted to his spine, David begins a journey into the dark underbelly of Night City with his new friends by his side.
How Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Perfectly Matches Pluto’s Aesthetic and Themes
Cyberpunk: Edgerunnersis set in an uber-violent futuristic city where gangs and corporations rule. It isgritty, twisted and frenetic from the very first minute. With that said, it seems like a strange pick for this list, as it seems to differ fromPluto’s more serious, grounded storytelling. Nevertheless, the pair share many common themes, namely the divide between humanity and technology. More importantly, they share a common genre, both providing different perspectives on cyberpunk.While differing in the type of story (gangland violence vs. detective noir), the genre and themes make it a perfect fit for anyone looking for their next binge-watch.
Stream on Netflix
Monster (2004)
Adapted from the manga by Naoki Urasawa,Monsteris the story of Dr. Kenzo Tenma, a young surgeon in Dusseldorf. Idealistic, Tenma attempts to reform Eisler Memorial Hospital and the injustices brought about by its political biases. When a young boy is admitted to the hospital just before the city’s mayor, Tenma chooses to save the boy’s life at the cost of the mayor’s. Nine years later, Tenma has become the Chief of Surgery at Eisler, but a bizarre string of murders catches his attention. The boy he saved, Johann Liebert, has begun a killing spree, and Johann is compelled to stop him and rectify the mistakes of his past.
How Monster and Pluto’s Thrilling Narratives Tie Together
Monstershocked many with its thrilling mystery, drawing in viewers from the very first episode. There is something truly fascinating about this gritty, grounded anime and the political intrigue at its heart. While Tenma isn’t a detective like Gesicht, there is a common drive to find the truth, to stop the rampant wave of death on their doorsteps. It’s a fascinating character study, seeing these two brilliant men undertaking these monumental investigations, and while the genres and circumstances may differ, fans ofPluto’sgritty cyber-noir will simply sink intoMonster’sstunning narrative.
No Guns Life (2019)
In the futuristic world ofNo Guns Life,cybernetically enhanced humans called Extended are commonplace. After a devastating war ends, several combat-enhanced Extended turn to crime in order to survive. Juzo Inui, an Over-Extended soldier from the war whose head looks like a revolver, works as a Resolver, hunting down Extended criminals and bringing them to justice. When a renegade Extended arrives on his doorstep with a young boy named Tetsuro Arahabaki, though, Juzo becomes embroiled in a strange series of events as others seek the boy out for the Harmony device embedded in his throat.
Why No Guns Life Bleak Cyberpunk Future Will Thrill Pluto Fans
While relying on goofy humor and slapstick character designs, the world ofNo Guns Lifeis incredibly bleak. The post-war narrative forces Juzo to pick sides in a battle against his own kind, investigating and often eliminating Extended threats. It’s a strange parallel to the world ofPluto,and while the latter is more grounded in realism (as much as it can be), fans of the series will loveNo Guns Life.The series delves more into extremism, focusing on intense darkness and exaggerated joviality, but its thematic and genre similarities make it a great choice for those just finishingPlutoand looking for their next watch.
Stream on Hulu
Psycho-Pass (2012)
In the dystopic future Japan ofPsycho-Pass,all citizens are overseen by the Sibyl System. This advanced computer produces a Psycho-Pass Crime Coefficient, predicting a person’s likelihood of criminal behavior. Those with too high of a crime coefficient are apprehended or killed by members of the Crime Investigation Department of the Ministry of Welfare’s Public Safety Bureau. Akane Tsunemori is a new Investigator for this unit. Paired with an Enforcer (those with high Crime Coefficients utilized by the police) named Shinya Kogami, Akane is forced into pursuit of the dangerous criminal mastermind Shogo Makishima.
How Psycho-Pass' Futuristic Investigations are Perfect for Pluto Fans
Psycho-Passhas been lauded asa provocative, mature take on future dystopia. The Sibyl System is frighteningly fascinating, and the criminal underbelly of this world is stunning to behold. More than that, the future-noir genre used in the series is a great fit toPluto,and the philosophical implications of this world mirror the depth presented in the newer series. More importantly, once you finishPluto,there is plenty to binge in thePsycho-Passuniverse, as several sequel films have released (the most recent in 2023), documenting the further adventures of the Investigators and Enforcers.
Stream on Prime Video
Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)
In the opening ofNeon Genesis Evangelion,the people of Earth are still recovering from a catastrophe known as the Second Impact. The cataclysm was caused by a mysterious being called an Angel, and the agency NERV was instituted to prepare for the return of the monsters. Now, the fated day has arrived, and the only hope for humanity are three teenagers. Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayaname, and Asuka Langley Soryu are the only ones capable of piloting the biomechanical weapons known as EVAs. However, NERV has secrets of its own, and the pilots will soon discover that the Angels aren’t the only threat to humanity.
Why Pluto Fans Need to Watch Neon Genesis Evangelion
WhileNeon Genesis Evangelion’sending is notably controversial, facing so much fan backlash that the creators ret-conned the ending with a sequel film,the vast majority of this series is anime gold. It is an incredibly powerful narrative, focused as equally on its stunning examinations of human existence as it is on the earth-shattering mecha combat. In that way, it fits withPluto’sdeeply introspective storytelling. Both share an intense, surface-level science-fiction narrative, but both series also dive far beyond that to examine deeper questions about humanity and its relationship with the world and robotics.
Ergo Proxy (2006)
After an ecological disaster thousands of years prior to the events ofErgo Proxy,humanity was forced to take refuge in domed cities. Humans and AutoReiv androids coexist in peace, but a new threat has arrived in Romdeau City. The Cogito Virus has overtaken a number of AutoReivs, granting them complete sentience and sending them on murderous rampages. Re-l Mayer is tasked with tracking down these murderers, but her investigation brings to light a conspiracy within the highest ranks of Romdeau City’s leadership. to save the city, Re-L and her allies must discover the secrets of the newly developed Proxies.
Why Ergo Proxy is Exactly What Pluto’s Viewers Are Looking For
Ergo Proxyis the perfect next step for fans ofPluto.In terms of genre, themes, and even narrative, this series is a brilliant parallel, sharing many of the elements that makesPlutogreat. The only real difference between the two is tone and art direction. WhilePlutoexplores some dark themes, it rarely goes to the same extremes asErgo Proxy,and the latter series has a more realistic art style. That said, the two share innumerable similarities, so those looking for a gritty cyberpunk world with some brilliant investigative story arcs and a heavy dose of philosophy will absolutely fall in love with this series.
Related:20 Underrated Sci-Fi Anime Series
Code Geass (2006)
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion,simply calledCode Geassby most, is set in an alternative timeline wherein the world is split between three distinct empires: Britannia, Europa United and the Chinese Federation. Lelouch, the disgraced son of Britannia’s emperor, vows to destroy his father’s kingdom after the violent takeover of Japan. Seven years after the event, Lelouch is a student at Ashford Academy, and during a terrorist attack, he gains a mysterious ability known as Geass. Now with the ability to bend the will of anyone, Lelouch begins his long-awaited rebellion, becoming the violent masked vigilante Zero.
How Code Geass' Themes and Tone Perfectly Match Pluto’s
Outside of the Knightmare Frame mechs, there isn’t a huge focus on the science-fiction elements ofCode Geass’alternate Earth. This initially makes it seem like a strange choice for this list, but there is a lot in this series for fans ofPlutoto latch onto. The series focuses on themes of conspiracy and morality, with Lelouch forced to grapple with the consequences of his battle, much like how Gesicht questions the moral center of his own worldview. More than that, both series are deceptively grim, with their cartoonish aesthetics belying grungy and serious tales of revolution.
Related:Best Anime Series That Deserve a Live-Action Movie Adaptation
Since the manga’s original release in 1952,Astro Boy(MightyAtomin Japan) has received three anime series adaptations, as well as a handful of youth adaptations, films (animated and live-action), and video games. The story takes place in a futuristic city where robots and humans coexist. While his origins differ, most depict Astro’s creation by Dr. Tenma, a scientist grieving the loss of his son. Disillusioned by his robotic replacement, Tenma gives Astro Boy up. He is soon discovered by Dr. Ochanomizu. Recognizing the boy’s vast array of powers, he adopts and raises Astro, teaching him to defend the city from renegade robots and cruel humans.
Why Fans of Pluto Need to Watch Osamu Tezuka’s Original Anime
Of course,Astro Boy’smany incarnations needed to close out this list. Without this base story,Plutowould never exist in its current state. No matter which adaptation of the classic manga you choose, from the original 1963 classic that helped launch modern anime or the more recent 3D animated films from 2009, viewers are guaranteed a masterwork of anime storytelling. This character has become an icon of Japanese and American culture, and one of the most recognizable characters of all time. Fans ofPlutowould only benefit from turning to the source and seeing where it all began.
Stream on Tubi
