Netflix unveils first teaser for upcoming ‘The Terminator’ anime series

Netflix has unveiled the first teaser for the long-awaited anime adaptation of the iconic ‘The Terminator’ franchise.

Developed by Production I.G in collaboration with Skydance and Matthew Tomlin, this groundbreaking series was officially announced back in 2021 and has been a subject of fervent speculation until its grand reveal during Netflix Geeked Week ’23.

The eight-episode anime series, set in the dystopian Terminator universe, promises a fresh narrative with entirely new characters. The helm of this ambitious project is in the capable hands of director Masahi Kudo, with Mattson Tomlin taking on the role of showrunner, writer, and executive producer alongside Skydance’s Dana Goldberg, David Ellison, and Don Granger.

‘The Terminator’ franchise, originating from the 1984 film directed by James Cameron, has become a cultural phenomenon, elevating Arnold Schwarzenegger to iconic status. This anime adaptation marks an exciting new chapter in the Terminator legacy.

The synopsis for the upcoming series, titled ‘Terminator: The Anime Series,’ sets the stage for an intense narrative:

“2022: A future war has raged for decades between the few human survivors and an endless army of machines. 1997: The AI known as Skynet gained self-awareness and began its war against humanity.

Caught between the future and this past is a soldier sent back in time to change the fate of humanity. She arrives in 1997 to protect a scientist named Malcolm Lee who works 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.”

The Terminator franchise, with over $2 billion in global box office revenue, is one of the most popular science-fiction series of all time. Fans can expect a fresh perspective on the classic storyline, as the anime adaptation injects a unique style and storytelling capabilities of the genre into the Terminator narrative.

While the reception of the Terminator anime remains uncertain, it is promising to note that Netflix has recently delivered well-received anime adaptations of the games Cyberpunk 2077 and League of Legends. If Netflix can execute this project in a similar fashion, there is every reason to be confident about the upcoming Terminator anime series being a success.