Next Gen (2018)
Story overview
Next Gen is an animated sci-fi adventure about a lonely girl who befriends a top-secret robot. Together they embark on an exciting journey facing bullies, evil robots, and a dangerous villain. The film explores themes of friendship, courage, and finding one's place in the world through thrilling action sequences and heartfelt moments.
Parent Guide
An animated sci-fi adventure with moderate action violence and themes of friendship and courage, best for elementary school children and up.
Content breakdown
Cartoonish robot battles, characters in peril, bullying scenes, and action sequences typical of animated adventures. No graphic injuries shown.
Some intense moments with evil robots and a villain creating threatening situations, but presented in stylized animated fashion.
No concerning language noted in the TV-PG rating information.
No sexual content or nudity present.
No substance use depicted.
Themes of loneliness, bullying, and danger create emotional moments, balanced with friendship and triumph.
Parent tips
This animated adventure features moderate action violence with robot battles, perilous situations, and some bullying scenes that might be intense for younger viewers. The TV-PG rating reflects cartoonish combat sequences where robots fight and get damaged, though without graphic consequences. The film deals with themes of loneliness, friendship, and standing up to bullies, which could prompt good discussions about emotional resilience and kindness.
Parents should be aware that some scenes involve characters in danger, including a scheming villain who creates threatening situations. The action sequences are frequent but stylized in typical animated fashion. The film's emotional themes about isolation and finding connection might resonate particularly with children who have experienced similar feelings.
Parent chat guide
After the movie, focus conversations on the friendship between the main characters and how they supported each other. Discuss the difference between using technology/robots for good versus harmful purposes. Ask about times your child has stood up for someone or made a new friend when they felt alone. These conversations can help reinforce positive messages about empathy and courage.
Parent follow-up questions
- What was your favorite robot in the movie?
- How did the girl and robot help each other?
- What does it mean to be a good friend?
- What colors did you see in the movie?
- How did the characters feel when they were lonely?
- Why do you think the girl felt lonely at the beginning?
- How did the characters show bravery in the story?
- What makes someone a bully, and how can we respond to bullying?
- What did you learn about friendship from this movie?
- How did technology help the characters in both good and bad ways?
- What does the movie show about overcoming loneliness and making connections?
- How did the characters balance using technology with real human relationships?
- What messages did the film give about standing up to injustice or meanness?
- How did the friendship between the girl and robot change both of them?
- What would you do if you discovered a secret robot like in the movie?
- How does the film explore themes of isolation in a technology-focused world?
- What commentary does the movie make about the potential dangers and benefits of advanced technology?
- How did the characters demonstrate emotional growth throughout their journey?
- What does the story suggest about finding one's identity and purpose?
- How realistic do you think the portrayal of human-robot relationships is, and what might it mean for our future?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, 'Next Gen' is a poignant exploration of connection in a disconnected world. It's not really about robots versus humans, but about how technology both isolates and unites us. Mai's emotional shutdown after her mother's departure mirrors 7723's programmed suppression of memories—both are coping mechanisms for trauma. The film argues that true strength comes from embracing vulnerability and forming genuine bonds, not from technological perfection or emotional armor. The villain, Justin Pin, represents the ultimate endpoint of valuing profit over people, creating disposable relationships in a disposable society.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The animation employs a sleek, hyper-polished aesthetic for the cityscapes, reflecting the cold efficiency of this tech-dominated world, while Mai's chaotic bedroom and the junkyard scenes use warmer, more textured visuals to symbolize humanity's messy resilience. Action sequences blend fluid, weighty mecha combat with the frantic, improvisational energy of a teenager fighting back—7723's transformations are smooth and calculated, while Mai's attacks are jagged and emotional. The color palette shifts from sterile blues and whites in corporate spaces to vibrant oranges and reds during moments of rebellion and connection, visually charting the journey from isolation to warmth.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
The film is a Chinese-Canadian co-production, heavily inspired by the Chinese webcomic '7723' by Wang Nima. Voice actor John Krasinski (7723) recorded his lines separately from Charlyne Yi (Mai), but directors noted their contrasting vocal tones—Krasinski's calm warmth against Yi's energetic rasp—created the perfect dynamic for the central duo. The animation studio, Baozou, primarily known for short online comics and videos, used this project to leap into feature filmmaking, blending Eastern and Western animation sensibilities.
Where to watch
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- Netflix
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Trailer
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