Omar Khalid
Plastic Memories is a 13-episode anime series produced by Doga Kobo and directed by Yoshiyuki Fujiwara. It aired from April to June 2015 and concluded its story within that span. The anime follows the story of Tsukasa Mizugaki and Isla, a human-android duo working in the Terminal Service department of the SAI Corporation. Their job is to retrieve and erase the memories of androids, known as Giftias, that are nearing their expiration dates. Despite the potential for Isla's return, as her data and memory were copied into a databank, the anime does not continue after the final episode. It wraps up the narrative arc of the main characters, providing a sense of closure to the viewers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of episodes | 13 |
| Anime studio | Dogakobo |
| Director | Yoshiyuki Fujiwara |
| Screenplay writer | Naotaka Hayashi |
| Character designer | okiura |
| First aired | 4 April 2015 |
| Last aired | 27 or 28 June 2015 |
| Licensed in the US by | Aniplex USA |
| Available to stream in | North America, Central America, South America, and Europe (excluding the UK, Republic of Ireland, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein) |
| Manga adaptation | Plastic Memories: Say to Good-bye |
| Manga protagonist | Michiru Kinushima |
| Manga first published | June 2015 |
| Video game adaptation | Yes |
| Light novel adaptation | Plastic Memories: Heartfelt Thanks |
| Continuation after the anime | No |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic Memories has a definitive ending
Plastic Memories is a 13-episode anime series that aired in 2015. It tells the story of 18-year-old Tsukasa Mizugaki, who gets a job at the SAI Corporation after failing his college entrance exams. The company designs and manages androids called Giftias, which look and behave almost exactly like humans. However, these androids have a lifespan of only about nine years, after which they must be retrieved by the Terminal Service department and their memories erased.
Tsukasa is assigned to work in the Terminal Service department with a Giftia named Isla as his partner. Unbeknownst to him, Isla is nearing the end of her lifespan. As they work together, they fall in love, and Tsukasa refuses to abandon Isla when he learns of her impending expiration. Despite their brief romance, Isla's fate is sealed, and there is no miracle that saves her at the end of the series. In the final episode, Tsukasa returns to work after nine months away and meets his new partner, who is assumed to be a new Giftia in Isla's body.
The anime has a definitive ending, providing closure to the story of Tsukasa and Isla. While some viewers may yearn for a different conclusion or wish for the story to continue, the showrunners made a deliberate choice to conclude the narrative arc within the 13-episode season. This decision sets Plastic Memories apart from other anime series that often leave stories open-ended, encouraging viewers to buy the manga or wait for subsequent seasons that may never come.
The definitive ending of Plastic Memories allows viewers to see how Tsukasa moves on after Isla's expiration. Instead of lingering on the tragedy, the show provides a sense of resolution and closure, demonstrating that life goes on for Tsukasa, even as he carries the memories of his time with Isla. This ending may not satisfy all viewers, but it provides a complete narrative arc that explores the themes of love, memory, and the fleeting nature of life.
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Isla's fate
In the anime Plastic Memories, Isla is a Giftia—an android that looks and behaves almost entirely like a human. Isla is said to be the top Giftia marksman of Terminal Service One. She was previously partnered with Kazuki Kuwanomi, but their partnership was dissolved after the attempted retrieval of Michiru's father went poorly, resulting in Kazuki sustaining an injury.
After her partnership with Kazuki ended, Isla did not return to the field but remained in the office, doing desk work and tending to herbs outside the Terminal Service One office. She also served tea to her coworkers. Eventually, she becomes the partner of Tsukasa Mizugaki, and they fall in love. However, Isla is aware of the fate that every Giftia faces—their memories will eventually be erased. Knowing that she will soon lose her memories, Isla rejects Tsukasa's love confession, believing that spending time with him will only make him more miserable and depressed when she is gone.
In the final episode, Tsukasa retrieves Isla's memories as expected, and she loses her memories. After the credits, the scene shifts to the amusement park, where Tsukasa is seen taking the new Isla on the Ferris wheel for the first time. It is implied that Tsukasa chose to insert a new personality into Isla's body, effectively giving her a new life.
While the anime does not explicitly state whether Isla's memories were lost for the first time or if she had already lost them once before, it is clear that her fate is intertwined with that of the Giftias and their predetermined lifespans. Despite the sadness and heartbreak of losing her memories, the new Isla represents a fresh start and the potential for new memories and experiences.
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Tsukasa's new partner
In the anime Plastic Memories, Tsukasa Mizugaki is partnered with Isla, a Giftia who is said to be the top Giftia marksman of Terminal Service One. Isla and Tsukasa's partnership is a romantic one, and the two spend what is left of Isla's lifespan as a loving couple.
After Isla's retrieval, Tsukasa returns from a 9-month training session and is introduced to a new partner Giftia at the end of episode 13. This new partner is speculated by fans to be a new version of Isla, as there are several similarities in their appearance, such as their shoes and their short stature. Additionally, Tsukasa treats his new partner similarly to how he treated Isla. However, it is unclear if Tsukasa's new partner is indeed a new version of Isla, and it is possible that he has simply moved on and formed new connections.
Some fans have theorized that Isla could come back after having her data and memory copied into a databank. However, others argue that the anime provides a sense of closure by having a definitive ending, and that Isla's return would undermine the emotional impact of her departure.
Overall, while there is no definitive answer, fans have speculated that Tsukasa's new partner may be a new version of Isla, or that he has simply moved on and formed new connections.
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The show's spin-off manga
The anime series Plastic Memories has been praised for its concrete ending, which provides closure to the story. The series, which aired in 2015, is an original story with no manga adaptation. However, a manga spin-off was planned for June 2015, following the conclusion of the 13-episode anime series.
The anime series Plastic Memories is an original work conceived and written by Naotaka Hayashi, with character designs by Okiura and music by Masaru Yokoyama. It is directed by Yoshiyuki Fujiwara and produced by Doga Kobo. The story is set in a futuristic city modelled after Singapore, where humans coexist with androids known as Giftias, which have a limited lifespan. The series follows the relationship between a human, Tsukasa Mizugaki, and a Giftia, Isla, as they fall in love despite Isla's nearing the end of her lifespan.
The spin-off manga for Plastic Memories was planned to be released shortly after the anime series concluded. While the anime series concluded the story of Tsukasa and Isla, the manga spin-off could potentially explore new storylines and characters within the world of Plastic Memories. Spin-off manga are often used to expand upon the world and characters of an anime series, providing additional context and storylines that enhance the overall narrative.
Unfortunately, I could not find specific details about the content of the Plastic Memories spin-off manga or its availability. It is possible that the manga spin-off was never released or that it was released under a different title, making it difficult to locate. However, the planned release of the spin-off indicates that there was interest in expanding the world of Plastic Memories beyond the conclusion of the anime series.
Spin-off manga are a common way to continue the story of an anime series or to explore side characters and storylines that were not fully developed in the original work. They can provide additional insight into the world of the anime and offer fans a new perspective or continuation of the story they have come to love. In the case of Plastic Memories, the spin-off manga could have explored the broader implications of the Giftia's limited lifespan, the operations of the Terminal Services, or the experiences of other characters within this world.
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The show's light novel adaptation
The anime Plastic Memories is based on an original story by Naotaka Hayashi, who also wrote the screenplay. It is not an adaptation of a manga or light novel series. However, the anime did spawn a light novel adaptation, titled Plastic Memories: Heartfelt Thanks, which comprised five chapters and was published under the Dengeki Bunko imprint.
The light novel adaptation expands on the story of the anime, which left many fans disappointed due to its poor execution, underdeveloped premise, and predictable plot. The anime is set in the near future, where advancements in robotics have led to the creation of human-like AI called Giftias, designed, created, and managed by the SAI Corporation. These Giftias are almost indistinguishable from humans but have a shelf life of 81920 hours (approximately nine years and three months). When they reach the end of their lifespans, they must be retrieved and their memories erased. This retrieval process is challenging as many Giftias are incorporated into human families, leading to tear-jerking moments when they must be surrendered.
The light novel adaptation likely delves into the complex relationships between humans and Giftias, exploring the emotional impact of their limited lifespans. It may also provide additional backstory and depth to the characters, addressing criticisms of the anime's shallow character development. The novel could offer a more nuanced exploration of the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and the nature of memory and identity.
While the anime concludes with an open-ended and ambiguous ending, the light novel may provide a sense of closure or continuation to the story. It is possible that the novel explores the possibility of Giftias retaining their memories or finding ways to extend their lifespans, challenging the premise established in the anime. The light novel format often provides opportunities for expanded world-building and narrative exploration, allowing for a more comprehensive examination of the themes and concepts introduced in the anime.
The light novel adaptation serves as an opportunity to expand upon the intriguing concepts of the anime and address some of its shortcomings. By providing additional context, character development, and narrative depth, the light novel may offer a more satisfying experience for fans of the anime who were left wanting more.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the anime has a self-contained ending.
Yes, there is a 20-chapter spin-off manga series called 'Plastic Memories: Say to Good-bye', a 5-chapter light novel called 'Plastic Memories: Heartfelt Thanks', and a video game adaptation.
Plastic Memories follows the story of 18-year-old Tsukasa Mizugaki, who gets a job at the SAI Corporation, a company that creates and manages androids with human emotions called Giftias. Tsukasa works in the Terminal Service department, where he is partnered with a Giftia named Isla. As they go on retrieval missions together, they fall in love, unaware that Isla is nearing the end of her lifespan.
Many anime fans have praised Plastic Memories for having a definitive ending, which is uncommon in the anime industry. The ending provides closure to the story and leaves the viewers satisfied, rather than waiting for another season that may never come.
Yes, some viewers who enjoyed Plastic Memories also appreciated the closed endings of other anime such as Hyouka and Angel Beats!. These anime provide a sense of completion to the story, allowing viewers to move on without lingering on open-ended questions.
