Terminator Zero
Series, 2024, Japan, Set in 1997 & 2022
Terminator Zero is #8 of 8 in release order and #8 of 8 in chronological order in the Terminator.
The story
A warrior from a post-apocalyptic future travels to 1997 to protect an AI scientist being hunted by an unfeeling — and indestructible — cyborg.
Terminator Zero recap
In 2022, after Judgment Day, the resistance fighter Eiko is sent back in time to August 1997 in Tokyo, the day before Skynet launches its nuclear war. Her target is Malcolm Lee, a scientist building a rival AI called Kokoro that he hopes can stop Skynet. A Terminator follows her to kill Malcolm and his three children, Kenta, Reika and Hiro, who live with their housekeeper Misaki. Kokoro, once activated, questions whether humanity is worth saving. Eiko and Reika are chased through the city, and the Terminator reveals that Misaki is an android. As Skynet's missiles fall, Malcolm activates Kokoro, and robots take control of Tokyo. Malcolm admits he is from the future and built Misaki. The Terminator kidnaps Kenta.
Terminator Zero ending explained
Malcolm is killed and reveals that Eiko is his mother in his timeline. Kokoro decides to defend humanity. The Terminator tells Kenta that in the future, he will send it back to destroy Kokoro, before Kokoro's robots destroy it. Kenta chooses not to switch Kokoro off and goes into hiding with his siblings, Eiko and Misaki. The series was cancelled after one season.
Where to watch Terminator Zero
Terminator Zero is streaming on Netflix in the US.
Ratings
IMDb 6.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes 87%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Terminator: Dark Fate, the latest.
- Chronological order: after Terminator: Dark Fate, the last.
What to watch before Terminator Zero
Nothing. Terminator Zero (2024) doesn't continue an earlier version, so it stands on its own. Terminator Zero itself is optional in the Terminator order.
Cast
- Yuuya Uchida as Malcolm Lee (voice)
- Hiro Shimono as Kenta (voice)
- Saori Hayami as Misaki (voice)
- Toa Yukinari as Eiko (voice)
- Atsumi Tanezaki as KOKORO / KOKORO SPIRIT / KOKORO MIND / KOKORO HEART (voice)
- Miyuki Satou as Malcolm Lee (7 years old / 13 years old) (voice)
- Shizuka Ishigami as Boy (voice)
- Hiroshi Iwasaki as 1NNO (voice)
- Satoru Ito as Researcher (voice)
- Ayaka Shimoyamada as Child (voice)
- Shoumaru Zouza as RESISTANCE (voice)
- Yuka Keicho as Natsuko (voice)
Created by Mattson Tomlin.