Key: The Metal Idol
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.
- 1994-1997
- 1 season
- PBS
- Animation, Drama, Fantasy, Science Fiction
- TV-14
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.
Season 1 Episode Guide
15 Episodes 1994 - 1997
Episode 1
Startup
25 mins
Young, naive Key arrives in Tokyo, where she wanders the streets aimlessly until she's picked up by a shady photographer looking for models for adult videos. But a chance encounter with her childhood friend Sakura saves her ... for the moment.
Episode 2
Cursor I
25 mins
Key meets Sakura's crew of friends.
Episode 3
Cursor II
25 mins
Key is on a race to make 30,000 friends.
Episode 4
Access
25 mins
As a crowd gathers below the building of a suspected jumper, Key is pulled into a treacherous position ... literally. That's when Key's grandfather's assistant, Tomoyo Wakagi, appears. Meanwhile at home, Shuichi starts hearing a strange singing from his computer speakers...
Episode 5
Scroll I
25 mins
Sakura and Shuichi have suspicions that Key is a robot.
Episode 6
Scroll II
25 mins
Key makes a voyage to Prince Snake-Eye's temple.
Episode 7
Run
25 mins
After their first big showdown, everyone-good, and bad-are busy regrouping and deciding what their next moves will be. Where does this leave Key?
Episode 8
Goto
25 mins
Sakura, apparently content to put her own dreams on the back burner for a while, creates 'Production Key' - an agency devoted solely to helping Key reach pop idol status.
Episode 9
Return
25 mins
While 'D' recovers from his last battle, Ajo leaves him locked up in a cell with only a computer terminal ... and a mission. Meanwhile, Sakura and Key are thrilled to learn that Shuichi's connections are paying off.
Episode 10
Bug
25 mins
While Ajo does his best (worst?) to exploit Miho, Prince Snake-Eye threatens anyone considering giving Key an audition. Then Shuichi decides it's a good time to play private investigator in Mamio Valley-key and Sakura's hometown.
Episode 11
Save
25 mins
Sakura is annoyed to discover that Shuichi has already returned, so the two of them arrange a chat. After she admits that Key's auditions aren't going well, he tells her about Key's mom, then hands over a ticket ... to Miho's next concert!
Episode 12
Virus I
25 mins
Shuichi uncovers Prince Snake-Eye's sinister plot.
Episode 13
Virus II
25 mins
As things move toward a climax, everyone who's anyone makes it to Miho's concert-where chaos ensues. Especially so, after the crowd hears the 'lullaby' song that Key's author has been teasing her fans.
Episode 14
System
97 mins
It's the big reveal, with the meaning of the photograph found in Tomyo village deciphered, Doc's life story finally told, and Tokiko and Key's connection ultimately revealed.
Episode 15
Exit
99 mins
Key's friends rally for the final battle, but if they go against Ajo will they all make it out alive? And will Key be a living human at the end, or will she make a different choice?