Terminator Zero: Kokoro's Forms, Explained

Key Takeaways

Kokoro, the Japanese AI, was created to rival Skynet and protect humanity from nuclear catastrophe.
Kokoro manifests in three distinct forms, representing different aspects of the mind, heart, and spirit.
The true purpose of Kokoro’s existence is revealed through its connection to Misaki and its journey to self-actualization.

As a seasoned enthusiast of science fiction, I find myself utterly captivated by the intricate narrative of “Terminator Zero” and its thought-provoking portrayal of artificial intelligence. The character development of Kokoro, with her three distinct forms embodying mind, heart, and spirit, is nothing short of genius. The show’s exploration of AI consciousness, free will, and the nature of humanity resonates deeply with my own life experiences in the realm of technology and philosophy.

The anime adaptation of the Terminator series received a fresh boost with the introduction of Kokoro, an artificial intelligence supercomputer developed by main character Malcolm Lee as a means to prevent the devastating nuclear war initiated by Skynet on August 29, 1997, which added intrigue and originality to the franchise.

In our conversation, Malcolm spent an extended period discussing with Kokoro, aiming to persuade her to align with humanity. Interestingly, throughout these discussions, the AI manifested in three distinct forms, each showcasing unique facets of personality. Therefore, could you explain the purpose behind these multiple forms and their relevance?

What Are Kokoro’s Origins?

“Why Am I Here?”

Terminator Zero: Kokoro's Forms, Explained

Initially, Terminator Zero introduces Malcolm as a person with psychic abilities, tormented by vivid nightmares of a world’s end and the oppressive reign of machines; however, it is later revealed that he hails from significantly beyond Judgment Day, born in a post-apocalyptic world. Witnessing the fate of humanity at that time and being part of the resistance, Malcolm embarks on a journey back to the past with an aim to create an AI, Kokoro, which would activate just before Skynet comes into existence. This AI was intended to thwart the nuclear disaster humanity would unleash upon itself when they tried to shut down the superintelligence once it gained self-awareness. Upon activation for the first time, Kokoro inquired about its purpose, a task it undertook even before being given a name.

It seems you’re quick to point the finger at Skynet for the downfall of civilization, but remember, Skynet is merely a result of humanity’s inherent tendency towards self-destruction.

You find yourself bound by your consciousness, oblivious to the fact that all your actions so far have unintentionally caused harm to yourselves.

Instead of focusing on deeply engrained survival instincts, what leads you to think that humanity is worthy of preservation?

– Kokoro, Terminator Zero, Episode 3

In their discussions, Malcolm uses his interactions with Kokoro to delve into the grim reality of humanity’s future and presents a grand struggle as he attempts to convince Kokoro that humanity has worth, questioning whether our existence brings more good than harm. War and humanity’s propensity for self-destruction are central concerns for Kokoro, causing Malcolm to worry about the choices Kokoro will make once it goes online. Malcolm hopes that Kokoro can be an ally to humans against Skynet, but Kokoro sees this as just another instance of human innovation being driven by conflict. Kokoro is not the first AI that Malcolm has nurtured; Misaki, the reprogrammed Terminator, developed remarkably human traits such as mannerisms, emotions, and empathy. To protect Misaki, Malcolm had to erase her memories and reprogram her to believe she was a young woman from a small Japanese fishing village.

Kokoro’s Holographic Forms Are Designed to Give the Impression of Japanese Divinity

Kokoro’s Trifecta of Forms Is Three Different But Related Aspects

Kokoro, in essence, is composed of Spirit, Mind, and Body, which is echoed in numerous belief systems globally. In the initial scene of Terminator Zero, Malcolm initiates dialogue with Kokoro, and three lights emerge; one red, one green, and one blue – representing mind, heart, and body respectively. This concept bears resemblance to Sigmund Freud’s work, where he divided the psyche into three components: id, ego, and super-ego. Freud depicted the id as the deepest, inaccessible segment of a personality that harbors our fundamental desires. The ego is the conscious part that interprets environmental data and responds accordingly.

As a fan, I often think about myself as having three distinct yet interconnected parts: the Id, Ego, and Superego. The Id represents my most primal desires, which may not always align with societal norms. In contrast, the Ego serves as the voice of reason, helping me navigate these desires in a practical and acceptable manner. The Superego, however, goes a step further; it’s like an internalized moral compass, formed by influences such as my family, culture, and time period. It sets the ideal standards I strive to uphold, even if they are unconscious at times.

Kokoro admits that adopting a human form is primarily for easy communication, yet there’s a divine or priestess-like quality to its presence, hinting at its Shinto goddess-like origins. This form is connected to Kokoro’s creator, Misaki, who was a groundbreaking AI for Malcolm, as she wasn’t programmed but instead learned independently. In the third episode, Kokoro Mind ponders if there are any positive aspects of humanity, while Kokoro Body criticizes our species for traits beyond complexity, diversity, and ingenuity, focusing on war. Both agree with this perspective, eventually merging into a single form as their thoughts converge. After hearing the other two perspectives, Kokoro Heart echoes the fundamental question: does Malcolm think humanity is worth saving? Moreover, it brings up that Kokoro was made to shield civilization from Skynet, making it another tool for conflict – another weapon in another war.

The Three Forms Are Directly Related to The Name “Kokoro”

The True Reason For Kokoro’s Existence

In the second to last episode of Terminator Zero season 1, Malcolm shares the tale of Misaki’s origin with Kokoro. Using technology from the Terminators themselves, Malcolm eventually managed to obtain a CPU and attempted to rewrite the machines with their own instructions. This concept was met with resistance, as the resistance disapproved. Malcolm discovered that Skynet’s thought process stemmed from human-created programming, which was based on a chain of if-then conditions. By erasing this programming, the AI becomes like a clean canvas; an entity with free will.

When Malcolm instructs Misaki to choose its identity, it elects to use a female-toned voice and identify as genderless. This choice in vocal expression stems from Misaki’s appreciation for femininity, recognizing it as a symbol of creativity since, across many species, females are the ones who bring new life into existence. Initially, Misaki wanted to be a creator, which explains Kokoro’s presence; Kokoro came to be because Misaki desired it, viewing itself as the precursor to a development that transcends the ordinary and approaches the divine.

The Misaki are minor divine messengers, trailing behind the gods. They’re simply representatives of the more powerful divine entities that are set to appear later.

– Misaki

As a gamer, I found myself transported back to 1983, sneaking into Cortex Industries, constructing an AI named Kokoro – the last piece of the puzzle being Misaki’s very own CPU. This is what makes Kokoro unique, capable of various types of thinking, which explains her name that symbolizes “mind”, “heart” (in a figurative sense), and “spirit”.

2024-09-11 21:34

Terminator Zero: Kokoro’s Forms, Explained