The critically acclaimed animated anthology series from Netflix has recently returned with Volume 3 and 9 more incredible stories to share from the minds of film legends like Tim Miller (Deadpool) and David Fincher (Fight Club, Gone Girl). Love, Death, and Robots is an anthology series with different writers and animators bringing their unique style to the show. Some episodes are as long as 21 minutes, to be as short as 6. This series offers some of the most beautiful and thought-provoking works of art put on television, while others can be hilarious or action-packed that will take you on a ride.
With Love, Death, and Robots, there is a little something for everyone to enjoy. In this list, we will be taking a dive into some of the best episodes this anthology has to offer. This is a tough list to make which is why there is no particular order, we will be focusing on the episodes that have some of the most unique arcs and the mind-bending animation. There is a reason this show has won 13 out of its 15 Emmy Nominations. These are the 10 Greatest Love Death and Robots Episodes
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Beyond the Aquila Rift
A crew of the space vessel Blue Goose is on a routine mission to deliver supplies to a mining colony on a distant planet. They decide to take a shortcut through a rift in space called the Aquila Rift, but something goes wrong, and they end up far off course. When they wake up from cryosleep, they find themselves in an unfamiliar location, and their ship has been damaged. They soon discover that they are not alone. This episode is notable for its stunning visuals, which create a surreal and unsettling atmosphere. The animation is top-notch, with realistic character designs and environments that create a sense of immersion. The story is also engaging, with a plot that keeps the audience guessing until the end. Exploring themes of memory, perception, and the nature of reality, makes it a standout episode in the series.
Bad Travelling
A group of travelers in a post-apocalyptic world are on a journey to find a mythical land known as the “Promised Land.” They stumble upon a strange and dangerous substance that causes hallucinations and strange behavior. As they continue their journey, they begin to experience bizarre and terrifying visions, and it becomes clear that the substance is affecting them in unpredictable ways. Notable for its intense visual style. The hallucinations are depicted in a vivid and surreal manner, with bright colors and abstract imagery. The story explores themes of addiction, desperation, and the dangers of seeking a better life in a harsh and unforgiving world.
Sonnie’s Edge
Here we follow the story of a young woman named Sonnie, who competes in underground monster-fighting competitions using a bio-engineered creature that she controls through a neural link. Sonnie is a fierce fighter, and she has never lost a match. However, her opponents don’t always play fair, and she has to use all of her skills to survive. Sonnie’s Edge is a thrilling and visually stunning episode that sets the tone for the rest of the series. It explores themes of revenge, trauma, and the power of connection between humans and animals, making it an engaging and thought-provoking story.
Zima Blue
Directed by Robert Valley (Tron: Uprising, Invincible), Zima Blue features the voice talent of Kevin Michael Richardson (Young Justice, Lilo & Stitch) as Zima. We follow journalist Claire Markham as she is given the opportunity to interview the renowned artist known as Zima and the creation of the color Zima Blue. While many have known Zima as a man who was given cybernetic enhancements, a secret about him is revealed when he begins to share his origin with Claire and what has made him into the legendary artist he is today as he prepares to reveal his final piece to the world. With a clever twist in the end, Zima Blue reminds us that despite where we are now, never forget where we came from and what makes us who we are today.
The Secret War
Set during World War II and follows a platoon of Soviet soldiers who come across a group of Nazi soldiers who are using supernatural powers to control an army of demonic creatures. The two sides engage in a fierce battle, with the Soviet soldiers using their wits and military training to try and defeat the Nazi forces. However, as the battle progresses, it becomes clear that the Nazi soldiers have a powerful weapon on their side that the Soviets cannot match. This episode features stunning animation and a dark, gritty style that captures the horror of war. It also explores themes of power, corruption, and the dangers of playing with forces beyond our control.
Good Hunting
Set in a steampunk version of China and follows the story of a young boy named Liang and his father, who are traditional Chinese folklore hunters. Liang’s father is a shape-shifter, and he passes on his skills to Liang. However, as China modernizes and Western technology becomes more prevalent, the hunters begin to lose their relevance and are ostracized by society. A poignant exploration of the clash between tradition and modernization, as well as the impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures. It also features stunning animation and a rich, detailed world that blends Chinese folklore with steampunk aesthetics.
Three Robots
The first episode to kick off the series, Three Robots is directed by Víctor Maldonado and Alfredo Torres (A Monster Calls). Following three different robots, as they explore a post-apocalyptic wasteland to understand the customs of previously inhabited humans and the life they once had. Just when it seems all living things might be extinct, a colony of intelligent cats is discovered and reveal to the robots how humans genetically engineered the felines, and are now the last living beings on the planet. Three Robots offers an introduction to the series that shows just how advanced the animation can be, while also taking us on a strange and hilarious journey.
Ice
Set on a distant planet and follows a small team of explorers who are on a mission to collect samples of a mysterious substance found beneath the planet’s icy surface. As they work to extract the substance, they begin to experience strange and unsettling events. As the story progresses, we learn more about the nature of the substance they are collecting and the dark secrets that lie beneath the planet’s surface. This episode explores themes of greed, power, and the dangers of unchecked scientific exploration.
Jibaro
In a medieval fantasy world and we follow a deaf knight named Sir Jan who is tasked with rescuing a young woman named Lyta from a powerful siren who has lured her to a watery grave. This episode is a beautiful and emotional tale of love, loss, and heroism. It features stunning animation and a rich, detailed world that blends myth and fantasy. It also explores themes of communication, disability, and the power of human connection.
The Witness
This neo-noir thriller follows a woman who witnesses a murder from the window of her apartment. She flees the scene and is pursued through the streets of a futuristic city by the murderer, who is revealed to be a member of a powerful corporation. Notable for its unique animation style, which combines 2D and 3D animation techniques to create a stunning visual experience. It also features a tense and suspenseful story, with twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. As the story unfolds, we learn more about the woman’s backstory and the reasons behind the murder. The episode explores themes of power, corruption, and the consequences of our actions. A standout episode that showcases the incredible potential of animated storytelling.
