What is Zetman?#
Zetman follows the story of Jin Kurono, a 23-year-old programmer who creates a game called Zetman. Having lost both his father and his mother—who was killed in a hit-and-run accident—Jin is left with a deep scar in his heart and a conviction that justice does not exist in the real world.
Driven by the sense of honor and justice taught to him by his mother, Jin decides to take matters into his own hands. He transforms into his own superhero, Zetman, to fight crime using “hard methods.” Along his journey, he is supported and advised by his friend, Sachiko Shirai.
If you are looking to dive into this gritty world, you can watch the anime on Prime Video to see Jin’s transformation in action.
Is the anime really finished?#
If you are wondering, “Is Zetman finished?”, the answer depends on what you are looking for. The anime adaptation aired from April 2, 2012, to June 25, 2012. While the series has a set end date, it is an adaptation of a much larger body of work.
Given that the source material includes a manga from 1994 and a later serialization in Weekly Young Jump starting in 2002, the anime serves as an introduction to the story. To get the full experience and a truly satisfying conclusion, viewers will likely need to continue with the source material.
For those who want the complete story, we highly recommend you buy the Zetman manga.
Themes and Audience Appeal#
Zetman is not your typical superhero story. It focuses on the darker side of justice and the psychological toll of fighting crime with uncompromising, “hard” methods.
This anime is best suited for audiences who enjoy:
- Dark Hero Narratives: Stories where the protagonist operates in a moral gray area.
- Gritty Action: A world where justice is fought for through struggle and pain.
- Themes of Loss and Justice: A plot centered on overcoming personal tragedy to change a corrupt world.
If you enjoy the aesthetic and themes of the series, you might also want to pick up some Zetman merchandise to show your support for the Dark Hero.
Recommended Watch and Read Order#
Because Zetman has multiple iterations of its written material, the order in which you consume the story can change your experience. As shown in our relationship tree, there are several components to consider.
Release Order#
If you prefer to experience the franchise as the general public did, start with the anime released in 2012.
Completionist Order#
For those who want every detail, we recommend starting with the original 1994 manga, followed by the 2002 serialization in Weekly Young Jump, and finally watching the 2012 anime adaptation.
The “Source Material” Path#
If you don’t mind reading and want the most depth, start with the 2002 manga. This provides the foundation that the anime was adapted from, ensuring you have all the context before seeing the events animated.
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Zetman • manga • 1994
└─(related)→ Zetman • manga • 2002 (serialized in Weekly Young Jump)
└─(adaptation)→ Zetman • anime • 2012-04-02 to 2012-06-25
