Guest Blog: The Top 5 Episode of Love, Death, and Robots You Should Watch

Please enjoy this guest blog post written by Andrew Karp:

Among the plethora of Netflix original series that have come out over the past couple of years, Love, Death, and Robots stands out; bold and unapologetic with its mature, science fiction atmosphere. Being touted as the first adult animated series on the platform, Love, Death, and Robots shows that Netflix is more than willing to step away from the norm and deliver a wild, sensational anthology of unmatched proportion. Directed by Deadpool’s Tim Miller, the 18 episode series covers everything from alternative forms of Hitler’s death to a super-intelligent yogurt taking over America, to archeologists discovering the lost tomb of Dracula. Miller called the show a “love letter to nerds” as it expresses the varied possibilities that the sci-fi genre has to offer. A word of warning, however, as the show pulls no punches in what it is willing to show. Graphical violence and nudity are commonplace among most of the episodes. The show is gleeful in these depictions, brandishing unique visuals in fun and creative ways that hadn’t yet been explored in an animated Netflix original. Above all else, Love, Death, and Robots is an explosion of imaginative animation. If you want to know where to start, look no further than these episodes that present some of the best that the series has to offer.

Sonnie’s Edge

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Episode 1. The introductory episode to the series invites us to an underground fighting ring. Rather than fighting with their own fists, however, combatants pilot alien-like monsters to do the dirty work. Right out of the gate we get a feel for the tone of Love, Death, and Robots. Colorful animation and interesting monster design welcome us into this world alongside a barebones fight that cares little for subtlety. This episode also lets us know that the series won’t shy away from showing some skin, giving us a well-rounded introduction into our sci-fi anthology.

Suits

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Episode 4. We find ourselves in the country. Surrounded by loving neighbors and fields of crops, we know this is home. And what better way to protect that home by hopping into your mech and shooting down some interdimensional insect monsters? With animation that teeters on the edge between 2D and 3D, we are welcomed into the world of Hank and Beth as they team up with their neighbors to fend off an impending threat. The clean and polished mecha style found in classic Japanese anime such as Gurren Lagann and Neon Genesis Evangelion is brought to a more rustic feel as these homemade suits shift and clank with each movement. With no gore or sexual themes in sight, Suits stands as its own feet as a purely enjoyable story.

Lucky 13

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Episode 13 (appropriately). Sony Pictures Animation struts its stuff with this installment. The photo-realistic animation welcomes us to a futuristic army base and to Lieutenant Colby, a rookie who must fly drop ship number 13. Two crews were lost under the protection of ‘Unlucky 13’, but Colby gives the old bucket of bolts a chance. Arguably the most impressive in terms of lifelike visuals, Lucky 13 is a welcome tale of loyalty among the other episodes and themes.

Good Hunting

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Episode 8. One of the few episodes with full 2D animation, Good Hunting boasts the most interesting setting among the stories in Love, Death, and Robots. Feudal Japan gets a steampunk makeover, transforming the location itself as well as altering some of the traditional creatures found in Japanese folklore. Fans of myth or history are sure to find something to enjoy from this installment, and it’s sure to leave an impression over other episodes in the series.

Zima Blue

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Episode 14. Among the excessive violence and in-your-face sexual themes, Zima Blue stands alone as a story of discontentedness and simplicity. The universe is painted for us in all its grandeur, with colors splashed across the screen leaving us to marvel at its spectacle. From all the larger than life stories that are presented in Love, Death, and Robots, Zima Blue asks us to consider the beauty in the simple, personal aspects of life. If some of the mature content mentioned before turns you off to the series as a whole, I still strongly encourage you to take the time and watch this one episode. I’m sure you’ll see why once you do.