Season 1 – Terminator Zero

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1:40

2024

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Adventure

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

87%

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30 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

A warrior from a post-apocalyptic future travels to 1997 to protect an AI scientist being hunted by an unfeeling — and indestructible — cyborg.

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Critics Consensus

Shedding the skin of past Terminator incarnations to tell a sophisticated sci-fi saga of its own, this visceral anime proves its mettle.

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Esther Zuckerman

New York Times

Through a mixture of stunning animation, extravagantly bloody action and heady philosophical questions, "Terminator Zero" breathes new life into a franchise that has often seemed stuck in a time loop of its own.

Sep 5, 2024

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Rendy Jones

RogerEbert.com

The freshly styled anime series takes a particularly long time to boot up an engaging new spin on the Terminator formula.

Sep 2, 2024

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Ben Travers

IndieWire

Terminator Zero deserves some credit for not trying to start over. It’s not a John Connor story, and there’s no Arnold cameo lurking in the finale. But it’s still the shell of a Terminator, rather than the real thing.

Rated: C

Aug 30, 2024

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John Daniel Tangalin

The Cinema Spot

This first season hits home for me because of how Tomlin reiterates his demonstration of nuclear missiles and the horrors they stand for.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 19, 2025

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Josh Bell

New Scientist

The animation, from veteran anime director Masashi Kudō, is often dynamic and striking, but it can't make up for the shortcomings in narrative and character development.

Sep 19, 2024

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Nuha Hassan

Nuha Hassan (Medium)

Terminator Zero provides a promising, exciting story with fascinating characters and incredible visuals. It explores the consequences of human choices that turn sour and change the world’s trajectory.

Sep 6, 2024

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Ryan H.

The Japanese version of Skynet that will have you yelling “RUN!”

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

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Mihai Daniel P

After reading all the praises and seeing all the buzz, I was expecting more...a whole lot more. The series is well done and it excels at building tension and momentum but it faceplants so hard in the final act it makes you re-consider the whole thing. Not going to spoil it, but you'll spot the conclusion quite early and constantly expect it to surprise you with some cards well hidden up its sleeve...it just doesn't.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

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Audience Member

An interesting addition to the Terminator canon, though it was missing je nais sais quoi. The gore and pace made for some delicious terror. Voice acting was tremendous.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

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Łukasz T

Surprisingly good. Pretty naive story but it brings a fresh perspective for the Terminator franchise. Also animation style is quite good.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/23/25

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Alessandro A

It's enjoyable, despite some minor flaws. Animation is good, psychology of the characters complex enough.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

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B R

Really, really good. Not just action. Not just quips. Good story, good characters, complex interactions.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/16/25

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Timothy Olyphant

Terminator

André Holland

Malcolm Lee

Sumalee Montano

Misaki

Sonoya Mizuno

Eiko

Rosario Dawson

Kokoro

David Ellison

Executive Producer

Episode 1

Aired Aug 29, 2024

In 1997, a haunted scientist brushes his family aside for an all-consuming project; in 2022, a renegade fighter battles a powerful robot for vital data.

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Episode 2

Aired Aug 29, 2024

Eiko and the Terminator arrive in 1997 with identical missions: find Dr. Malcolm Lee; Lee's three children sneak out of their apartment.

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Episode 3

Aired Aug 29, 2024

Malcolm confides in Kokoro about his recurring nightmare; the three children continue their underground trek, unaware of looming danger.

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Episode 4

Aired Aug 29, 2024

As a desperate Eiko attempts to elude the police, Misaki's mysterious past comes into focus; Malcolm wrestles with the nature of fate.

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Episode 5

Aired Aug 29, 2024

Malcolm brings Kokoro online; the boys disagree about Misaki's motivations; Eiko realizes she's entering unknown territory.

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Episode 6

Aired Aug 29, 2024

The Prophet debates the paradox of time travel with Eiko; Malcolm shares a painful memory with Kokoro as the children hope to reunite at Cat Town.

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Episode 7

Aired Aug 29, 2024

Malcolm recalls past efforts to thwart the machines and his desire to build a god; with Kenta captured, the Terminator prepares for the endgame.

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Episode 8

Aired Aug 29, 2024

Kenta wrestles with a brutal choice; the Terminator reveals a shocking truth as the future of humankind hangs in the balance.

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