Altered Carbon Fans Must Watch This Sci-Fi Animated Series On Netflix

As someone who’s been a die-hard fan of cyberpunk themes and thought-provoking sci-fi, I can confidently say that “Pantheon” is a breath of fresh air in the animated world. It’s not often that you come across a show that combines raw humanity with high-concept sci-fi ideas, all wrapped up in an animation style that’s as unique as it is stunning.

As a gamer, there’s nothing quite exhilarating as stumbling upon a new Netflix series that seems tailored just for me, like it was designed with my preferences in mind. If you’re into shows such as Altered Carbon or Westworld, or anything dabbling in cyberpunk themes, this animated sci-fi jewel from Titmouse and AMC should definitely be on your radar.

adult animation market, especially on Netflix’s streaming platform, is currently experiencing a perplexing period. Shows like Arcane have achieved great success, even reaching number one globally in the Top 10 charts with its latest season. On the other hand, lesser-known but equally impressive titles have found it challenging to maintain their presence. Nevertheless, Netflix has been actively purchasing notable sci-fi animation series, including the upcoming show: Pantheon.

Pantheon Should Be Your Next Animated Sci-Fi Show

What Is Pantheon Based On?

Altered Carbon Fans Must Watch This Sci-Fi Animated Series On Netflix

The Pantheon primarily focuses on the idea of Uploaded Consciousness (UC) – a theory that surpasses Artificial Intelligence – in which authentic human consciousness is transferred onto servers for operation. It ponders the notion of transcending mortality through technology and investigates the associated issues, including ethics and potential corporate exploitation.

The show is derived from short stories penned by Ken Liu, a sci-fi author who won a Hugo Award. Some of his works, including “Good Hunting”, have been transformed into “Love, Death & Robots”. At present, the series “Pantheon” comprises two seasons with eight episodes in each, boasting an average runtime of approximately 40 minutes. The first season is now available on Netflix, sparking renewed curiosity about the show.

Logline And Plot Details

The show might sound vast and dystopian at first, but it’s a deeply personal story of two teenagers, Maddie Kim and Caspian Keyes. Maddie grapples with the grief of her father David’s death, only to discover the truth about his consciousness being digitally uploaded to tech company Logorhythms’ cloud network. Meanwhile, Caspian uncovers a Truman Show-esque revelation about his own life and identity, which is directly connected to the life of Logorhythms’ founder, Stephen Holstrom. The two of them cross paths and find themselves at the center of a looming global uprising and societal collapse.

Who Are The People Behind Pantheon?

Pioneers In Adult Animation

The Pantheon is spearheaded by Craig Silverstein, who’s venturing into animation for the first time after working on series like The Dead Zone and Nikita. The production of this series is handled by Chris Prynoski, renowned for popular animated shows such as MotorCity, The Midnight Gospel, and Moonbeam City. AMC initially approved two seasons, but only one was aired before it was canceled, allegedly for tax purposes at the end of 2022. This cancellation paved the way for Amazon Prime Video to air the second season. As of now, the premiere of the first season on Netflix suggests that the platform might be assessing its performance with an eye towards a potential purchase and renewal for another season.

Ensemble Voice Cast

This animated sci-fi drama for adults features a talented voice cast that matches or even surpasses many big-screen Hollywood ensembles. Katie Chang and Paul Dano lend their voices to the teen characters, alongside stars like Aaron Eckhart, Daniel Dae Kim, Rosemarie DeWitt, Chris Diamantopoulos, Maude Apatow, Thomasin McKenzie, Taylor Schilling, and Neil deGrasse Tyson. The character Stephen Holstrom, a genius visionary reminiscent of Steve Jobs, was voiced by the late William Hurt before his untimely death from cancer, leaving his UI concept incomplete.

Is Pantheon Worth Watching?

Sci-Fi Themes & Ideas

Altered Carbon Fans Must Watch This Sci-Fi Animated Series On Netflix

The series titled “Pantheon” delves into profound, somber themes, such as the extent ruthless corporations may push to leverage their employees beyond their physical lives. Moreover, it probes into the implications of mankind attempting to assume divine roles and seeking immortality. Unlike traditional hacker-themed sci-fi, this show authentically portrays internet culture, addressing contemporary issues like cyberbullying and conspiracy theories. Fundamentally, however, it explores what lengths individuals would go to extend their time with loved ones, even slightly.

Unique Animation Style

Without delving into themes, Pantheon distinguishes itself by transitioning seamlessly between a modest animation style for its realistic scenes and vibrant action sequences in the digital realm. Despite exploring advanced sci-fi concepts, it maintains a strong connection to human emotions by portraying real-world situations in a relatively ordinary, non-dystopian 2001 setting, which feels similar to a live-action domestic drama. At the same time, it caters to creative desires with exhilarating battles in fantastical, physics-defying environments that sometimes resemble a World of Warcraft-like game.

Future Of Pantheon And Other Animated Shows For Adults

Will There Be A Third Season For Pantheon On Netflix?

The answer to that question depends on the audience. The show needs viewership numbers not just to achieve commercial success or win awards, but simply to survive. In a 2022 interview with Animation Magazine, Juno Lee, one of Titmouse’s directors whose credits include Pantheon and Star Trek: Lower Decks, shared his thoughts:

I’m eager that we can produce additional series in a similar style. Animation isn’t merely for children’s stories; it’s a versatile medium. When someone wonders, “Why is this animated? It seems like a live-action show!”, the response could be, “Well, why can’t it be animated?

More recently, Netflix brought back the popular sci-fi animated show “Scavengers Reign” produced by Max, but unfortunately, they decided to cancel it again without announcing a second season. Essentially, if fans want more series similar to “Pantheon”, they should demonstrate their interest by watching them. It’s crucial for viewers to show that there’s demand for adult-oriented animation that explores new territories.

2024-12-07 00:05