"Metallic Rouge" is an original animation series scheduled to air in 2024. However, because it has no source material, the specific plot and worldview won't be known until the broadcast date. While the promotional video has already been released, and some people may have been able to get a general idea of what the series is about, there are likely some sci-fi fans who don't have the time to research the series before it airs, including watching promotional videos. This article is aimed at those fans, and I'd like to provide a concise introduction to the series' worldview, characters, and origins. The fact that it's a series with no source material also gives it the advantage of being enjoyable without any prior knowledge. If you've read this article and are interested in this series, be sure to check out the first episode, which will air next year.
Original Animation
As mentioned at the beginning, this is an original animation work with no original source material. Therefore, the details of the work have not been revealed, but you can check out a brief overview on the official website.
A Work by Yutaka Izubuchi
The general director of this work is Yutaka Izubuchi, who served as the mechanical designer for "Mobile Police Patlabor" and the general director of "Space Battleship Yamato 2199." He has a long and distinguished history in the field of Japanese robot animation, so we can expect high quality from this work, which is also a robot animation.
Produced by Bones, Inc.
It has been announced that animation production will be handled by Bones, Inc. Bones is the company responsible for the animation of "Psalms of Planets Eureka Seven," and they also have an impeccable track record in robot animation production.
A World Where Humans and Androids Coexist
The world of "Metallic Rouge," produced by the powerful collaboration between director Yutaka Izubuchi and Pond's Co., Ltd., as mentioned above, is described on the official website as "a world where humans and androids coexist." From here, I would like to introduce the world of this work in more detail.
A "Cyberpunk" World
The worldview of this work can be roughly described as "cyberpunk." Set in a future where androids have become commonplace, this story follows the lives of both androids and humans as they play an increasingly chaotic role in human society.
A classic sci-fi work
There are many sci-fi works that depict a future where androids, indistinguishable from humans, appear and play an active role as part of society. This is a plot that could be considered classic in sci-fi works. The story follows the classic sci-fi setting, so even fans familiar with sci-fi will find a variety of references.
What is the origin of the worldview?
Where did this work's worldview, depicting a world where humans and androids coexist, come from? From here, I'd like to introduce the origins of this worldview, a staple of cyberpunk works. We'll introduce some classic sci-fi works that undoubtedly influenced this work, so be sure to check them out.
"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?"
The first work that could be cited as an inspiration for this work is "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" This work depicts a world where human-like androids coexist with humans, and is the first to present a thought-experimental theme that is now familiar: "What would happen if human-like beings appeared in society?", such as "Where is the boundary between androids and humans?" and "What would happen to society if androids so sophisticated that they were indistinguishable from humans entered society?"
We also recommend the film adaptation of "Blade Runner"
The film adaptation of this work, "Blade Runner," is still considered a milestone in cyberpunk cinema and has a loyal fan base. Many sci-fi fans even claim that this work is the original cyberpunk. It's truly the origin of the worldview depicted in this work, so be sure to check it out.
Ghost in the Shell
This work depicts a world where technological advances have led to the cyberization of humanity. Rather than focusing on human-like androids, the story focuses on how humans become cyberized and closer to androids. It depicts in detail the anguish of "losing the line between life and matter as one becomes cyberized" and the new crimes that arise as humanity becomes cyberized.
The Influence of "Ghost in the Shell" on This Film
The phrase "A girl's heart, a steel body" that appears in the "Metallic Rouge" promotional video is quite similar to the suffering of the characters depicted in this film, suggesting that the film's story was a major inspiration.
"AKIRA"
This work can be considered a milestone in Japanese cyberpunk. Rather than its story, this work has influenced the world with its depiction of near-future cityscapes and the worldview expressed throughout the work. "Metallic Rouge" also depicts futuristic cityscapes emitting colorful light against the pitch-black night sky, and this work introduced the worldview of near-future cityscapes emitting such mysterious light. This is a must-see work for those looking to depict the near future, so be sure to check it out.
Robots! Action! Beautiful girls!
Thus, the worldview of this work follows that of many traditional sci-fi works. However, the modern robot designs, improved animation techniques, and more dynamic action, along with the appearance of modern, beautiful girls, ensure that it never feels outdated.
A man's dream is here
No matter the era, male viewers love robots, action, and beautiful girls. This is the ultimate work, packed with all the elements that make it a man's dream.
A pairing of a pure android and a dark-skinned, gal-like detective!
The main characters of this work, Ruju Redstar and Naomi Altman, are polar opposites: one a pure and innocent android, the other a dark-skinned gal investigator. This is the ultimate tag team, catering to all sexual preferences, and we can expect great things from them in terms of character popularity.
"A Girl's Heart, a Steel Body"
The phrase "A Girl's Heart, a Steel Body" depicted in the trailer is considered a particularly important theme of this work. A common theme in science fiction works depicting human-like androids living in human society is the question, "What is the boundary between human and robot?" There is a good chance that this film will touch on issues that have been depicted in previous science fiction works, and if it is a work that questions the uniqueness of human beings, then isn't it entirely possible that this "heart of a girl, body of steel" theme will be depicted as a concern for the androids that appear in this film?
A profound setting unique to science fiction
Questions about the definition of humanity and future problems that may befall us in the future, which are not possible in mainstream isekai reincarnation works today, are unique to science fiction works set in the near future, and this is definitely something worth paying attention to.
What is a human being? What are emotions?
What is a human? What are our emotions? Suppose a robot with emotions like ours were born. Would it be possible to define it as a living being? These questions have been one of the greatest mysteries that humanity has continued to explore through science fiction. Since this work also features androids similar to humans, I believe it undoubtedly explores similar questions. I hope you will join me in pondering these mysteries as you watch this work.
A Must-Watch Film in the Age of AI
In recent years, with the emergence of technologies like Chat GPT, computers that can think and speak in the same way as us are on the rise, even if we can't say they have the same emotions as us. In times like these, perhaps it's especially meaningful to enjoy a cyberpunk work depicting a world where androids and humans coexist.
A work perfectly tuned for the modern era
Compared to previous sci-fi works written in an era when machines with emotions were merely a pipe dream, this work was born in an era known as the AI era, when the existence of machines with human-like emotions can no longer be denied. I believe this work offers a new perspective that I would like to draw attention to.
Summary
What did you think? This time, we've introduced the worldview of this work and the information currently shown in the promotional video. This work successfully incorporates the classic worldview depicted in traditional science fiction, while also being well-tuned to be accepted by modern anime fans. Even anime fans who don't usually enjoy science fiction can enjoy this work without feeling out of place. If you've become interested in science fiction through this work, be sure to check out the science fiction works that depict the source material for this work's worldview.
