Metropolis

Synopsis

In the futuristic city of Metropolis, where humans treat robotic citizens with cruelty and oppression, private investigator Shunsaku Ban and his nephew Kenichi travel there to look into Dr. Laughton, a scientist accused of trafficking human organs. Dr. Laughton is thought to be hiding somewhere within the city. Unknown to most people, Dr. Laughton has constructed an advanced female android named Tima for Duke Red, the most powerful man in the city. When a sudden fire breaks out at Dr. Laughton's laboratory, Shunsaku and Kenichi get separated while trying to find survivors. Kenichi comes across the disoriented Tima and tries to protect her from Rock, Duke Red's ruthless adopted son, who is pursuing the android. Believing Tima to be human, Kenichi grows close to her. Meanwhile, Shunsaku searches for Kenichi and uncovers dangerous schemes unfolding in the city's underground, including the essential role Tima plays in Duke Red's bid for control.

Background

Metropolis premiered internationally at the Fantasia International Film Festival on July 29, 2001. The film debuted in the United States at the Egyptian Theatre on August 17, 2001. However, the official theatrical release in North America was made available by TriStar Pictures and Destination Films on January 25, 2002, in 10 major cities. The movie won the Domestic Feature Film at the 1st Tokyo Anime Awards in 2002. In the same year, it was officially selected for the Annecy Film Festival and nominated in the Cristal for a Feature Film award category. It also won the Achievement Award at the 2023 Tokyo Anime Award Festival. In Japan, Metropolis was released on Blu-ray and DVD by Bandai Namco Arts Inc.: a single DVD on December 7, 2001; a Blu-ray and DVD set on November 23, 2007; and a single Blu-ray on July 25, 2008. In North America, the film was released on a two-disc DVD set by Columbia TriStar on April 23, 2002. Sony Pictures published the Blu-ray version as a single disc on February 21, 2017. Mill Creek Entertainment also released a single Blu-ray disc on June 5, 2018, and a Blu-ray and DVD set on October 30, 2018.