Terminator Zero – Series Review | Netflix

TERMINATOR ZERO on Netflix is a new Anime series in the Terminator universe. An interesting addition to the franchise. The eight half-hour episodes take place in 1997 and 2022. Read our full Terminator Zero series review here!

TERMINATOR ZERO is a new Netflix series and it’s a Japan & US co-creation. It’s an Anime series that plays out in the Terminator universe and the tribute to past Terminator movies is obvious. It plays out in 1997 (on Judgment Day) and in 2022.

The series has eight episodes, each just shy of 30 minutes long, and while I usually opt for Japanese for anime, I tried both Japanese and English for this series. After all, there are some very intriguing (and genre-familiar) voices cast for the English version.

Continue reading our Terminator Zero series review below. Find all 8 episodes on Netflix from August 29, 2024.

Terminator judgment day is August 29, 1997

It’s no coincidence that Terminator Zero is being released on August 29 as this was the judgment day date. Only set in 1997 and not 2024.

This date was revealed in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, which came out in 1991. August 29, 1997, would be the day the artificial intelligence network known as Skynet became self-aware and usurped its human masters.

In this new Netflix anime series, the story of 1997 begins on August 29th in Japan, but it is still “only” the 28th in Los Angeles. Oh yeah, they’re cutting it just a tad close.

Also, the story in 2022 plays out on a date when time travel has become possible and so both machines and one human are sent back to that iconic date. Again, cutting it very close, but you play the cards you’re dealt. Especially when your back is against the wall.

In Terminator Zero, humans (the few who remain) are living underground and hiding from the machines. So, by any means necessary, they must fight back.

A wonderful US cast

In the English-language version of Terminator Zero, you’ll get to enjoy the voices of Timothy Olyphant (Santa Clarita Diet), Rosario Dawson (Haunted Mansion), André Holland (Bones and All), Sonoya Mizuno (Devs), and Ann Dowd (Hereditary).

Usually, I am all for watching anything in the original language. And as this is an Anime production, I feel like Japanese is the original language. To be fair though, this is a Japan and United States co-production, so both Japanese and English are original languages.

Also, for anything animated, I am always more open-minded, I suppose. Still, I would encourage anyone to at least give the Japanese version a shot too.

If only to get a feel for that version as well.

Watch Terminator Zero on Netflix now!

TERMINATOR ZERO was created and executive produced by Mattson Tomlin (Project Power, the upcoming The Batman sequel), but it centers on characters we haven’t met previously. Still, this uses key elements of any story set in the Terminator universe.

Previously, Mattson Tomlin also wrote and directed Solomon Grundy starring the late great Neville Archambault. And also the Hulu movie Mother/Android starring Chloë Grace Moretz.

Without giving spoilers, I feel that I can tease a little reference for fans of the German sci-fi Netflix show Dark. Time travel makes for some strange family trees and Terminator Zero is no exception. Enjoy!

Also, yes, there is definitely room for a second season. Hopefully, this will be a success and we’ll get Terminator Zero season 2 greenlit soon.

Terminator Zero season 1 is out on Netflix on August 29, 2024.

Details

Director: Masashi Kudo
Writer: Mattson Tomlin
Voices: Rosario Dawson, Timothy Olyphant, Ann Dowd, André Holland, Sonoya Mizuno