SCIENCE FICTION ACTION ANIME
DEVELOPED BY MATTSON TOMLIN FOR NETFLIX
It is set in the Terminator universe created by James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd.
Animation services were provided by Production I.G under the direction of Masashi Kudō
The eight-episode series premiered on August 29, 2024.
ABOUT SERIES
Rosario Dawson, André Holland, Sonoya Mizuno, and Ann Dowd join previously announced Timothy Olyphant in the series, set to debut August 29.
Rosario Dawson, André Holland, Sonoya Mizuno, and Ann Dowd have joined the voice cast of Netflix’s upcoming anime series, Terminator Zero alongside the previously announced Timothy Olyphant, who stars as the Terminator. Dawson has been cast as Kokoro, an advanced AI; Holland as computer genius Malcom Lee; Mizuno as the resistance fighter Eiko; and Dowd as the philosophical guide the Prophet.
The project is produced and animated in partnership with Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, B: The Beginning). Skydance executive produces. The eight-episode series will be part of the Terminator universe but center on new characters.
The series follows a soldier, caught between the future and the past, after being sent back in time to change the fate of humanity. She arrives in 1997 to protect a scientist named Malcolm Lee who’s working to launch a new AI system designed to compete with Skynet’s impending attack on humanity. As Malcolm navigates the moral complexities of his creation, he is hunted by an unrelenting assassin from the future which forever alters the fate of his three children.
Mattson Tomlin (Project Power, The Batman) served as writer, showrunner and executive producer, while Masashi Kudo directs. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger executive produce for Skydance.
Terminator Zero streams globally on Netflix starting August 29.
Episodes
No. Title Directed by Written by Original release date
1 “Model 101” Mineo Ōe Mattson Tomlin August 29, 2024
In a dystopian post-apocalyptic 2022, Eiko battles an indestructible Terminator, who is able to regenerate. After escaping, she meets with the Prophet, the leader of the resistance, for a special mission. In an alternate 1997 Japan where robots are increasingly common, the workaholic Malcolm Lee neglects his three children Kenta, Reika, and Hiro to focus on an advanced AI system known as Kokoro, a competitor to Skynet. Despite working in the robotics industry, Malcolm objects to his housekeeper Misaki buying a robotic cat for his children. Kenta resents his father for not spending enough time with him and his siblings.
2 “Model 102” Haruka Tanaka Mattson Tomlin August 29, 2024
The Prophet enlists Eiko on a mission to travel back in time to 1997 to stop Malcolm from launching Kokoro. The Terminator attacks the resistance base and attacks numerous human survivors including Annie. The time machine transports both Eiko and the Terminator to 1997 Japan. In 1997, Reika takes a liking to the robotic cat, which leads her to an abandoned shopping mall. Her brothers Kenta and Hiro follow without informing Misaki, who panics. Elsewhere, Malcolm communes with Kokoro about the threat posed by Skynet. However, Kokoro researches human history and deems humanity unworthy. Malcolm and Misaki search for the children but encounter the Terminator, who has been dispatched on a mission to kill Malcolm and his children. Misaki is separated from Malcolm and encounters Eiko, who warns her about the importance of Malcolm’s children to the future timeline.
3 “Model 103” Shigeki Hatakeyama Mattson Tomlin August 29, 2024
At his workplace, Malcolm continues communing with Kokoro and seeks to convince the AI program that humanity is worth saving. While Malcolm admits he cannot name any time in history when humanity lived in peace, he talks about the human will to survive. Misaki attends to the wounded Eiko and learns about the dystopian future unleashed by Malcolm’s Kokoro AI system. Meanwhile, at the abandoned shopping mall, Kenta discovers several decommissioned robots, which he sets about reprogramming. While searching for the robotic cat, Reika and Hiro encounter the Terminator, who attempts to kill them but is stopped by Eiko. The Terminator incapacitates Kenta, when he comes to his siblings’ defense. Eiko, the children, and Misaki flee into a nearby subway station with the Terminator in pursuit. Misaki and the boys are separated from Eiko and Reika.
4 “Model 104” Tomomi Takeuchi Mattson Tomlin August 29, 2024
5 “Model 105” Shigeki Hatakeyama Mattson Tomlin August 29, 2024
6 “Model 106” Mineo Ōe Mattson Tomlin August 29, 2024
7 “Model 107” Haruka Tanaka Mattson Tomlin August 29, 2024
8 “Model 108” Masashi Kudō
Yuta Maruyama Mattson Tomlin August 29, 2024
Premise
In 1997 Tokyo, Malcolm Lee is developing Kokoro, an AI system intended to compete with Skynet. The day before Judgment Day, Lee finds himself and his three children pursued by an unknown robot assassin and a mysterious soldier from the year 2022 has been sent to protect him.
Voice cast and characters
Main
.Malcolm Lee (Voiced by: Yuuya Uchida (Japanese); André Holland (English)): a scientist developing an AI that competes with Skynet.
.Eiko (Voiced by: Toa Yukinari (Japanese); Sonoya Mizuno (English)): a resistance soldier sent from the year 2022 to protect Malcolm and his three kids from the Terminator and to prevent the Kokoro AI from being launched.
.Misaki (Voiced by: Saori Hayami (Japanese); Sumalee Montano (English)): Malcolm’s housekeeper and the sweet and protective babysitter of Malcolm’s kids.
.Kenta Lee (Voiced by: Hiro Shimono (Japanese); Armani Jackson (English)): Malcolm’s elder son.
.Reika Lee (Voiced by: Miyuki Sato (Japanese); Gideon Adlon (English)): Malcolm’s daughter.
.Hiro Lee (Voiced by: Shizuka Ishigami (Japanese); Carter Rockwood (English)): Malcolm’s younger son.
.Kokoro (Voiced by: Atsumi Tanezaki (Japanese); Rosario Dawson (English)): an AI developed by Malcolm Lee, created to counter Skynet.
.The Terminator (Voiced by: Yasuhiro Mamiya (Japanese); Timothy Olyphant2): a cybernetic assassin sent back in time to eliminate Malcolm Lee.
Supporting
.The Prophet (Voiced by: Mari Yokoo (Japanese); Ann Dowd (English)): the Resistance’s spiritual and philosophical leader.
.Ani / Annie (Voiced by: Ayaka Shimoyamada (Japanese); Julie Nathanson (English)): Eiko’s fellow resistance soldier and roommate during the year 2022.
.Fujino (Voiced by: Chō (Japanese); Fred Tatasciore (English)): a senior police detective.
.Shiraki (Voiced by: Yōhei Azakami (Japanese); Nicolas Roye (English)): a young police detective and Fujino’s partner.
