Season 1
12 episodes Aug 14, 2019
Overview
With a maintenance robot and a deadly fugitive tagging along, friendship droid S.A.M searches for its best friend, the heir to a kingdom under siege.
Seasons
1 listed- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 12 episodes
- First aired
- Aug 14, 2019
- Last aired
- Aug 14, 2019
- Episode length
- 24m
- Network
- Netflix
Latest episode: S1 E12 Innocence Lost (2) (Aug 14, 2019)
Cast
Reviews
5 min readA Robot’s Pilgrimage: What Cannon Busters Gets Right When It Forgets to Be Cool
I’ll admit it: I went into Cannon Busters expecting a slick, hyper-stylized anime romp about robots and kingdoms, the kind of show that drops you into a world of neon-lit battles and snappy one-liners before you’ve even had time to ask what’s going on. And for the first few episodes, that’s exactly what it delivers—or at least tries to. The problem is, somewhere along the way, the show stumbles into something far more interesting than its own premise.
It forgets to be cool, and in doing so, it becomes something worth paying attention to.
The setup is familiar enough: S.A.M., a small, round friendship droid with the emotional depth of a golden retriever, sets off on a quest to find its best friend, the missing heir to a kingdom under siege. Along for the ride are Philly the Kid, a maintenance robot with the personality of a disgruntled mechanic, and Casey Turnbuckle, a deadly fugitive with a mysterious past. On paper, it’s Guardians of the Galaxy meets Steamboy, a high-energy adventure where the stakes are high, the action is flashy, and the humor is relentless.
But Cannon Busters isn’t content to just check those boxes. Instead, it keeps tripping over its own heart.
What makes the show work—when it works—isn’t the action or the world-building, though both have their moments. It’s the way it treats its characters, particularly S.A.M., as something more than just cogs in a plot machine. There’s a quiet, almost stubborn sincerity to the way the show approaches friendship, one that feels at odds with the bombast of its genre.
S.A.M. isn’t just a droid with a quest; it’s a creature of pure, unshakable loyalty, and the show never winks at the audience about it. There’s no irony here, no post-modern detachment. When S.A.M. declares its devotion to its missing friend, it’s not a punchline or a setup for a twist.
It’s just true.
That sincerity is both the show’s greatest strength and its biggest liability. Cannon Busters is, at its core, a story about the lengths we go to for the people we love, but it’s also a story that doesn’t always trust its own emotional beats. The pacing lurches between breakneck action sequences and sudden, jarring moments of introspection, as if the show can’t decide whether it wants to be a heartfelt character study or a high-octane adventure.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.8/10
"A visually ambitious but uneven anime with heartfelt moments and a strong vocal performance from Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, though its pacing and story leave some viewers wanting more."
Viewers appreciate the creative world-building and the emotional depth of the characters, particularly the bond between the leads. However, the series struggles with inconsistent pacing and a plot that sometimes feels disjointed, making it hard to fully invest in the story. latestnetflix.com's view is that the animation and soundtrack receive praise for their ambition, but execution doesn’t always meet expectations.
What viewers praise
- Creative world-building The unique setting and imaginative lore stand out as a major highlight, offering a fresh take on the sci-fi/fantasy genre.
- Strong vocal performance Yoshitsugu Matsuoka’s voice acting is frequently praised for bringing depth and charm to his character.
- Emotional character moments The relationships between characters, especially the friendship at the core of the story, resonate with many viewers.
- Ambitious animation The visual style and action sequences are often described as dynamic and visually striking.
- Memorable soundtrack The OST adds atmosphere and enhances key scenes, earning appreciation for its creativity.
Common complaints
- Inconsistent pacing The story drags in places and rushes through others, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout.
- Disjointed plot Some viewers find the narrative hard to follow, with underdeveloped arcs and abrupt shifts in focus.
- Underutilized side characters Supporting characters often feel shallow or sidelined, missing opportunities for deeper development.
- Familiar tropes The story relies on well-worn anime clichés, which can make it feel unoriginal at times.
- Mixed animation quality While some scenes are visually impressive, others suffer from budget constraints or rushed execution.
Recommended for
Fans of sci-fi/fantasy anime Yoshitsugu Matsuoka enthusiasts Lovers of creative world-building Viewers who enjoy emotional character stories Those who appreciate ambitious animation Soundtrack collectors
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s Cannon Busters: The Anime That Divided Fans and Sparked Drama
Cannon Busters (2019) arrived on Netflix with a premise that promised action, adventure, and a fresh take on the mecha genre. Instead, it became one of the most polarizing anime of its year—hailed by some as a hidden gem and dismissed by others as a misfire. latestnetflix.com's take is that Behind the scenes, the series’ production and reception reveal a story of ambition, controversy, and mixed signals from its audience.
A Rocky Reception: Why Fans Are Split
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDuvO60DHKA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUZWyCMSVSk
From the outset, Cannon Busters struggled to find its footing. The series, a co-production between Japan and the U.S., earned a lukewarm 5.3/10 rating on SensCritique, based on nearly 300 votes 
. Critics and viewers were quick to point out its flaws: uneven animation, a convoluted plot, and characters that failed to resonate. One YouTube review titled "Cannon Busters SUCKS!" called it a "mess" with "no redeeming qualities," while another labeled it "The Greatest Scam in Anime EVER" .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWyEMeHHLRo
Yet, not everyone agreed. Some fans defended the series as a bold, if flawed, experiment. A review titled "Why You NEED to Watch Cannon Busters" argued that its unique art style and world-building made it worth the watch, even if the execution was shaky . The divide was stark: detractors saw it as a low-effort cash grab, while supporters praised its creativity and potential.
Behind the Scenes: A Troubled Production?
Little is known about the behind-the-scenes struggles of Cannon Busters, but the evidence hints at challenges. The series’ hybrid production—spanning Japan and the U.S.—may have contributed to its inconsistent quality. Rumors (unconfirmed) suggest tensions between the creative teams over tone and direction, though no official statements have surfaced .
One bright spot was the soundtrack. The Cannon Busters OST, released in 2020, received modest praise for its energetic score, offering a glimmer of what the series could have been . However, even this wasn’t enough to salvage its reputation.
The Netflix Factor: Did the Platform Help or Hurt?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFb3lNBV8Qs
Netflix’s involvement was a double-edged sword. On one hand, the streaming giant gave Cannon Busters a global platform, ensuring it reached a wider audience than it might have otherwise. The official trailer, released on YouTube, teased a vibrant, action-packed adventure . On the other hand, Netflix’s algorithm-driven release strategy meant the series was quickly buried under a flood of new content, leaving it struggling to gain traction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l95NkPSjbDI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgUC4HqzoTI
Some reviewers speculated that Netflix’s marketing failed to set proper expectations. The trailer promised a high-octane mecha adventure, but the final product delivered something far more uneven . Whether this was a case of misleading promotion or simply a misjudgment of the series’ appeal remains unclear.
Legacy: A Cult Following or a Forgotten Flop?
Three years after its release, Cannon Busters has faded from mainstream conversation. It didn’t spawn a second season, and its cultural impact is minimal compared to other Netflix anime like Castlevania or Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Yet, it retains a small but passionate fanbase—proof that even flawed anime can find an audience.
For better or worse, Cannon Busters remains a cautionary tale about the risks of ambitious co-productions and the unpredictability of fan reception. Whether it’s remembered as a bold experiment or a cautionary flop depends on who you ask.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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