FUN FACT: AUGUST 29, 1997 WAS THE ORIGINAL DATE FOR WHEN JUDGMENT DAY HAPPENED.
Over the past 40 years, the Terminator franchise has had its fair share of ups and downs. Ask any fan, and they’ll likely tell you the franchise has been on a downward spiral with each new movie, as none have come close to reaching the highs of James Cameron’s masterpiece sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Hollywood clearly wants to make Terminator a successful franchise again, but after six movies of varying quality—and with the latest, Terminator: Dark Fate, flopping at the box office and supposedly “killing the franchise” (at least until James Cameron’s planned reboot releases to kill it all over again)—is there any hope left for a return to form for this influential pop-culture titan?
In 2024, Netflix answered with a resounding YES through their anime series, Terminator Zero.
IT’S NICE TO SEE THE T-800S BACK TO BEING GENUINELY THREATENING AGAIN AND NOT OVERLY GOOFY.
A New Medium, a Fresh Start
Terminator Zero brings the franchise to the medium of animation, injecting a new level of energy and excitement that the movies have been missing for over two decades. The animation is fluid and impressive, especially in the action scenes. They strike a perfect balance between being grounded and stylized, avoiding anything too stilted or over the top like other animes. Also, they REALLY highlight the gore.
Unlike the gone-too-soon TV series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, which continued the story and characters from the first two Terminator movies, Zero introduces a brand-new cast and setting for the franchise to explore.
A Unique Setting
Set in Japan in the year 1997, Zero follows the Lee family: Dr. Malcolm Lee (André Holland), his children Kenta, Hiro, and Reika, and their housekeeper/babysitter, Misaki (Sumalee Montano). While their lives seem mostly normal, Malcolm’s obsession with his advanced AI project, Kokoro (Rosario Dawson), keeps him distant from his children.
This version of 1997 Japan is far more technologically advanced than what we know, with robots casually integrated into everyday life. The unique setting shifts the focus from the usual American locales and dystopian Future War, offering fresh challenges and perspectives.
Classic Formula, New Characters
Terminator Zero follows the classic franchise formula: two time travelers arrive from the future—one a protector, the other a killer. This time, the protector is Eiko (Sonoya Mizuno), a resistance fighter from a dystopian 2022 where humanity and machines are at war. Sent back in time to protect the Lee family, Eiko embodies the best traits of The Terminator’s Kyle Reese and Judgment Day’s Sarah Connor, relying on her survival skills and ingenuity to fend off a relentless T-800 (Timothy Olyphant).
“YOU WANT ME TO COME WITH YOU? YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ASK ME TWICE!”
Eiko isn’t alone in her mission. Misaki, the Lee family’s housekeeper, turns out to be far more capable in combat than expected, handling threats—human and machine alike—with surprising skill. Meanwhile, the Lee siblings—Kenta, Hiro, and Reika—each have distinct personalities. While still children navigating their naivety, they’re intelligent and their relationships feel genuine, making it easy for the audience to be concerned for their safety whenever the Terminator tracks them down.
Philosophical Depth
Surprisingly, the most compelling characters in Zero are Dr. Malcolm Lee and Kokoro. Malcolm, convinced the world is on the brink of collapse, exudes an air of mystery over his true motivations. His storyline is largely isolated from the rest of the cast, revolving around philosophical conversations with Kokoro, an advanced AI designed to compete with Skynet.
Zero ties into the original Terminator films, exploring the final hours leading up to Judgment Day from Japan’s perspective. The philosophical discussions between Malcolm and Kokoro are thought-provoking, as Kokoro increasingly becomes a wild card—potentially humanity’s savior or yet another existential threat.
Callbacks Done Right
It wouldn’t be Terminator without callbacks, and Zero is packed with references to iconic quotes, scenes, and even plot points from the movies. Unlike recent installments (cough Genisys cough), which over-relied on nostalgia, Zero integrates these callbacks in ways that feel organic. While the story will feel familiar to long-time fans, it introduces enough new twists to stand on its own.
THIS OUTFIT SURE DOES LOOK FAMILIAR.
A Promising Future
Terminator Zero is the best installment the franchise has had in years (excluding the excellent comic books, novels, and video games). Its final episode leaves the story wide open for a second season, and fans can only hope Netflix delivers more soon.
