Spoilers ahead. Skip to the end for a short spoilerfree review. 620https://i.ur.com/dIUgNdT.jpg Do Robots Dream of Electric Hearts? Robo Sapiens indents itself a bit strangely at the start with a conclusively bland detective mystery that couldve been a separate oneshot. However its increasingly apparent from thereon how it initiates the overarching ceiling of robots and human ego. Toranosuke Shimadahttps://anilist.co/staff/132146/ToranosukeShimadas writing style perhaps requires a knock or two on the noggin with frequent lack or ambiguous dialogue and simple designs devoid of sentimental expression. In lieu of its robotic cast this vagueness functions tremendously well for a bit of postdinner thinkfood. Robo Sapiens is love. Ito Sachios narrative initially finding himself doing junk odd jobs all around meandering the world without much purpose. Later though his returned memory reveals that he was once female and his late owner ordered Ito to turn into a man and seek freedom after her death. This revelation may require a reread of Itos narrative as theres some subtle retroactive characterization in the early chapters. Notably the lyrics in the folk dance hes hired to part take in with a female partner Oh beloved though I play the days away I cannot forget you. Oh beloved though I dance the days away I cannot forget you. My thoughts for you only grow oh beloved. My thoughts only grow. 620https://i.ur.com/3qHiII4.jpg The Chrononauts narrative contains more plot exposition entailing humanitys use of three robots to 1 keep record of radioactive waste levels for a plethora of millenniums 2 circle around space to gather some trivial information to the present humans. The subnarrative of Chloe and Toby is the straightforward one of this narrative with the two acting on their creators order to seek happiness after their primary mission fails. Programmed and circuitry is eventually bested by residual ego that grows. In the vacuum of space the two still develop a distinct vision of happiness residing in a large house with a child. Perhaps what started as an order developed an inkling of genuine. 620https://i.ur.com/b21aKzF.jpg The last narrative is encased with the heaviest philosophical shell a personal favorite. Entrusted with the torturous monotonous task of checking radioactive waste levels for close to eternity much of Marias screen time is dedicated to just that. Sitting in her chair her scarce interactions with humans to perform maintenance decreasing until no one visits and robotically checking radiation levels. Marias ego is perhaps the slowest to grow perhaps the most transparent. Even the eventual chainbreaker of mundanity fails to faze her with the revelation of humanity dying out brought by fellow robots. These robots whove gained some level of ego have acknowledged the monotonous futile nature of her task given the apparent demise of humanity soontocome yet Maria calmly refuses their invitation to their ranks in order to continue said task. The plot exposition only develops into something boundlessly intricate in The End of Evangelion endgame fashion with the robots entering space to fabricate a metaphysical cesspool of singular ego and self. Though this ludicrous development is just a buffer to accentuate Marias irrational simple beautiful character. She loves humanity. All other robots including Ito Chloe and Toby have already left to reside in the cesspool of ego. The only event that finally relives Maria of her task is the end of her task. Radioactive waste levels have been depleted to satisfactory levels and she can leave her workplace. Though the robots once again attempt to solicit her Maria is entranced by the words of her late creator. Less of an order moreso a wish of her seeking happiness. And Maria complies. 620https://i.ur.com/EiDAgRg.jpg Conclusion For how strikingly monochrome the art it is Robo Sapiens is a colorful contemplation of pure human ego. Partaking through the lens of robots the subnarratives all have distinct reflections of their lives gifted by their creators wishes. Their characters meander between programmed tasks and developing ego their quiet ambiguity complemented by Toranosuke Shimadas hard monochrome modest art. Nuance exists between romance and love and Robo Sapiens depicts the purest granulated form of love.