Superhero Ethics

Matthew Fox and Riki Hayashi explore the fascinating world of Terminator: Zero, a new anime series that breathes fresh life into the iconic Terminator franchise and challenges our perceptions of AI, time travel, and the very essence of humanity.Is Skynet truly the villain, or are humans the real threat? Matthew and Riki dissect the show's central premise, questioning the traditional narrative of AI as an inherent danger to humanity. They explore how Terminator: Zero presents a nuanced view of artificial intelligence through the character of Kokoro, a second AI created to combat Skynet.How does setting the story in Japan change the Terminator narrative? The hosts applaud the show's decision to move beyond the typical American-centric approach, offering a global perspective on the AI apocalypse. They discuss how this shift allows for fresh storytelling and character development.Can anime revitalize aging franchises? Matthew and Riki examine the benefits of using animation to tell complex sci-fi stories, particularly in terms of budget constraints and creative freedom. They ponder whether this approach could breathe new life into other beloved franchises.Other topics covered include:

• The evolution of time travel concepts in the Terminator franchise
• The quality of voice acting in anime dubs vs. subs
• Ethical implications of creating AI with emotions
• Parallels between AI and historical human conflicts
• The show's portrayal of gender roles in AI development

We’ve started the conversation. Now we want to hear from you!Want to continue the discussion with us? Agree or disagree with what we talked about, or add your own thoughts? We’ve got options for you!

• Email: ✉️ [email protected]
• 𝕏: EthicalPanda77
• Facebook: TheEthicalPanda
• Instagram: TheEthicalPanda
• TikTok: TheEthicalPanda
• Visit Superhero Ethics on TruStory.FM for more information, contact info, and more!

Want to support the podcast AND get ad-free episodes and bonus content? Become a supporting member of The Ethical Panda Podcasts! Members get access to bonus content with (almost) every ad-free episode of this and my other podcast, Star Wars Universe Podcast! Plus, you'll be showing your support for this show, and all things Ethical Panda. Visit our home on TruStory FM to learn more and kickstart your subscription today!