Common Sense Media Review
Animated military drama has violence, sci-fi elements.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Obsolete
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
OBSOLETE is set in an alternate reality in which an alien ship has begun exchanging exoskeleton technology with humans for cheap minerals. An anthology of experiences, each episode of the series is set in a new country in the midst of war sometime during the years 2014 to 2030. As the years go by, the world's militaries learn new things about the mysterious suits of armor and the implications of their use in battle. Weaponry is added to the suits, and countries begin forming treaties regarding the ethical use of exoskeletons during combat.
Is It Any Good?
This series combines the beloved Japanese anime staple of advanced battle armor with real-life military strategy for a thought-provoking yet dialogue-heavy fantasy. The first half of each episode of Obsolete is dedicated to expository conversations between characters about the international use of exoskeletons in battle. Although informative, these scenes tend to be stagnant, and younger viewers may struggle to focus or understand the subject matter.
The second half of each episode normally features a battle of some kind that highlights the exoskeletons' increasing versatility. Teens may be fascinated by some of the intense fight scenes and explosions. Although there's no apparent gore in the series, parents may find some of the loss of innocent life and questionable military ethics disturbing, especially in regard to the use of child soldiers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about military operations across the world. What effects do cheap but powerful weapons have on developing countries? Do you think the actions taken by the countries in Obsolete are plausible based on those countries' actions in reality?
Obsolete has an arc that follows the use of child soldiers in Africa. Why do you think this happens? How are these children affected by being forced into combat?
What stereotypes does this series potentially reinforce about African countries? What potential impact do these stereotypes have on viewers?
TV Details
- Premiere date : December 3, 2019
- Cast : Jason Kesser , Aoi Yûki , Ikumi Nakagami
- Network : YouTube Premium
- Genre : Action
- Topics : STEM , Adventures , Robots
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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