As a longtime fan of the Pacific Rim franchise, I can say that the latest addition to the series, “Pacific Rim: The Black,” has truly outdone itself. Having grown up with the thrill of giant robots fighting monstrous creatures from another dimension, this anime adaptation has managed to take the story in a fresh and captivating direction.
In 2013, Guillermo del Toro released one of the most impressive Kaiju films, “Pacific Rim.” This movie takes us into a world where a breach in the Pacific Ocean allows an endless stream of giant monsters (Kaiju) to invade Earth. To combat these creatures, humanity has constructed massive robot suits called Jaegers. If you’re interested in following this epic struggle between monsters and machines, the best way is to watch the films in order, based on their release dates.
The action-packed saga “Pacific Rim” initiates the series, with its sequel, “Pacific Rim Uprising,” directed by Steven S. DeKnight, appearing five years later on the big screen. However, instead of continuing the storyline in cinemas, the franchise shifted to streaming platforms. In 2021, a two-season series titled “Pacific Rim: The Black” debuted on Netflix, providing an avenue for in-depth Kaiju tales within this distinctive universe. But what can one expect from the Pacific Rim franchise? Is it merely monster versus robot battles? Far from it! This series offers much more than that, so buckle up and prepare yourself for some thrilling giant monster action.
Pacific Rim (2013) starts it all
In the year 2013, a fissure emerges, unleashing colossal monsters called Kaiju into our reality. Facing an imminent danger, humanity unites to develop their countermeasure – gigantic robots known as Jaegers. These battlebots resemble the advanced form of the “Power Rangers'” Megazord, and can only function when two operators are psychologically linked through a process called “Drifting,” enabling them to synchronize thoughts and actions seamlessly. The story then leaps ahead to 2020, where siblings Yancy (Diego Klattenhoff) and Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam) pilot their Jaeger, Gipsy Danger, against a Kaiju menace. Unfortunately, Yancy meets his end during the battle.
The film skips ahead by five years to 2025, a time when the usefulness of Jaegers is under discussion. All surviving battlebots are relocated to Hong Kong, now under the command of Marshal Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba). He enlists the hesitant Raleigh for his exceptional ability to pilot a Jaeger alone following Yancy’s death. However, unlike before, Raleigh is assigned to pilot the rebuilt Gipsy Danger alongside a new partner, Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi), who is Pentecost’s adopted daughter. Their mission is to destroy “The Breach” permanently, but as it turns out, it’s not as simple as it sounds. This film serves as the initial chapter in the Pacific Rim universe and sets the stage for a pivotal moment in the Kaiju war; this is just the beginning.
Pacific Rim Uprising (2018) continues the story
2018’s “Pacific Rim Uprising” continues the story a decade after the Battle of the Breach from “Pacific Rim,” set in 2035. The protagonist, Jake Pentecost (John Boyega), finds himself in trouble for illegally selling Jaeger parts. To avoid jail time, he’s persuaded by his sister, Mako, to teach Jaeger operation within the Pan-Pacific Defense Corps. He is soon teamed up with his former Gipsy Avenger partner, Nate Lambert (Scott Eastwood). The duo must demonstrate the importance of traditional battlebots as a new corporation, Shao Corporation, seeks to replace them with drones. However, this isn’t their only challenge; they also face other threats in this action-packed sequel.
Regrettably, Raleigh doesn’t show up on this occasion, but Mako remains in service with the PPDC without her partner. However, she eventually meets a tragic end. Following Mako’s assassination by a renegade Jaeger called Obsidian Fury – interestingly, controlled by a synced Kaiju brain – Jake steps up, spearheading the offensive in what becomes known as the Uprising War. In a fresh turn for the franchise, Steven S. DeKnight steered the series with this sequel, demonstrating that the Kaiju had more creative potential than many realized.
Pacific Rim: The Black (2021-2022) takes the story in a new direction
As a gaming enthusiast, I’d put it this way: “Jumping into the world of Pacific Rim once again, I find myself in the heart of ‘Pacific Rim: The Black,’ the Netflix-produced anime series. This thrilling chapter unfolds some time after the events of ‘Pacific Rim Uprising.’ Whether it’s 2040 or much later, the precise timeline remains a bit hazy. In this post-apocalyptic Australia, I team up with siblings Taylor (voiced by Calum Worthy and Yusuke Kobayashi) and Hayley Travis (Gideon Adlon and Yui Shimodaya). Together, we pilot the abandoned Jaeger Atlas Destroyer on a quest to locate our missing parents.
“Pacific Rim: The Black”, created by Greg Johnson and Craig Kyle, aired on Netflix for two seasons, with each season containing seven episodes, ending in 2022. Although not crucial to watch if you’re focusing on the live-action movies, “The Black” is often considered the most imaginative and emotionally profound addition to the Kaiju universe. If the two films have left your appetite craving more Jaeger action, then “Pacific Rim: The Black” is the series that will satisfy your hunger.
Are more Pacific Rim projects on the way?
After the launch of Pacific Rim Uprising, there have been whispers for quite some time about a potential third installment in the Pacific Rim franchise. Director Steven S. DeKnight once hinted at a storyline for another sequel, which would’ve uncovered that the Kaiju were connected to a larger multiverse. This plot twist could’ve linked the Pacific Rim series with the MonsterVerse, allowing for potential crossovers with Kong and Godzilla franchises, as DeKnight shared with SyFy in 2024. However, the reception of Uprising hasn’t been ideal, and fans have yet to see a Pacific Rim and MonsterVerse merger.
Currently, Guillermo del Toro and Steven S. DeKnight aren’t too optimistic about a conventional sequel being produced, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Pacific Rim is finished. In fact, in August 2024, Eric Heisserer, the writer behind “Arrival,” was appointed to produce a new television series for Legendary Television and Chronology Entertainment, which will focus on a prequel to Pacific Rim. This series aims to delve into the initial Kaiju invasion seen in the first film, although further details are scarce at the moment. Regardless, any positive updates about Pacific Rim are certainly welcomed!
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-27 04:00