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Key the Metal Idol

1994·Show
15Episodes in1Season
61
DecentGoodWatch score

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Key the Metal Idol fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, a touch of humor.

Energy

Tense

  • Tension7
  • Spectacle6
  • Violence6

Heart

Moving and melancholic

Much of it is about growing up.

  • Coming of Age8
  • Pathos7
  • Melancholy7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Absurdist Humor3
  • Satire & Parody3

World

Technology, the future, and growing up

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Novelty7

Craft

Standout characters

  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7
  • Acting7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Music Centrality8
  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchTeensBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Episode 7Episode 8Episode 9Episode 10Episode 11Episode 12Episode 13Episode 14Episode 15
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15

About

Tokiko Mima, nicknamed "Key," is a 17-year-old girl living in the Japanese countryside who, despite her human-like appearance, is a robot. When Key's grandfather Dr. Murao Mima passes away, he leaves her a dying message, telling her that she can become a real girl if she is able to make thirty thousand friends. Thus, Key moves from the quiet Mamio Valley to the busy streets of Tokyo, where she soon runs into her childhood friend Sakura Kuriyagawa. Key quickly becomes enamored with idol singer Miho Utsuse and wonders if becoming a singer will allow her to make the amount of friends needed for her to become human. But Miho carries a ominous secret: she is connected to Jinsaku Ajou, an old rival of Dr. Mima trying to make new a breakthrough in robotic weaponry. As Key works to become a real girl, Ajou sets a dangerous plan into action, and it turns out there's much more to Key than meets the eye.
Existential Sci-FiPsychological DramaIdentity Quest90s Anime AestheticIdol Culture CritiqueHuman-Robot ThemesMelancholic ToneCharacter StudyPhilosophical QuestionsEmotional Journey

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Key the Metal Idol

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Key the Metal Idol legally?

Key the Metal Idol is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Retrocrush, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, and Fawesome. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Key the Metal Idol worth watching?

61
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 62/100 (IMDb 6.9). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Key the Metal Idol rated?

ViolenceDisturbing imagery

Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How many seasons does Key the Metal Idol have?

1 season

It has 1 season with 15 episodes of about 30 minutes each.

When did Key the Metal Idol air?

It ran from 1994 to 1997 and has ended.

What language is Key the Metal Idol in?

Japanese

It was made in Japanese. Produced in Japan.

In how many countries can I watch Key the Metal Idol?

18AUBEBRCACLCODEEEFIFRGBIEJMJP+4

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Key the Metal Idol in 18 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Key the Metal Idol use?

Hollywood HackingMind ScrewOVAInfodumpAnyone Can DieFreeze-Frame BonusScam ReligionTsundereAsshole VictimMecha-MooksBroken BirdExotic Eye Designsand 47 more

TV Tropes lists 59 storytelling tropes for Key the Metal Idol, including Hollywood Hacking, Mind Screw, OVA.