Exploring the World of Murder Drones

Key Highlights of Murder Drones

Unique Blend of Genres: Murder Drones combines elements of sci-fi, horror, comedy, and drama, creating a distinctive viewing experience.
Compelling Characters: The series features a diverse cast of characters, including worker drones, disassembly drones, and a mysterious AI, each with their own motivations and backstories.
High-Quality Animation and Worldbuilding: Created by Liam Vickers and produced by Glitch Productions, the series stands out for its impressive animation, voice acting, and in-depth worldbuilding.

What is Murder Drones?

Murder Drones is an Australian-American computer-animated web series created by Liam Vickers and produced by Glitch Productions. The series premiered on Glitch's YouTube channel on October 29, 2021, with the pilot episode. Following the pilot's success, it was picked up for a full 8-episode season, which ran from November 18, 2022, to August 23, 2024.

The show is a blend of science fiction, horror, and comedy, set on a post-apocalyptic exoplanet where worker drones struggle to survive. These worker drones must hide from rogue robots known as Murder Drones (also called Disassembly Drones).

Early concept art for Murder Drones by Liam Vickers.

The Premise

The story begins on a planet named Copper 9, where Worker Drones once served humans, mining the planet for its resources. A catastrophic core collapse, caused by the corporation's employees, wipes out all biological life, turning the planet into a frozen wasteland inhabited only by Worker Drones. The arrival of the Murder Drones threatens their existence, leading to a battle for survival.

Key Characters in Murder Drones

The series revolves around several central characters, each with their own distinct personalities and roles in the story:

The primary characters of Murder Drones in a Reddit post.

Uzi Doorman

Voiced by Elsie Lovelock, Uzi is a rebellious teenage Worker Drone who seeks to overthrow her oppressed lifestyle. Throughout the series, she grapples with the Absolute Solver, a reality-altering computer program that possesses her.

N

Voiced by Michael Kovach, N (Serial Designation N-0X0010010) is a friendly Disassembly Drone who befriends Uzi. He is optimistic and tries to prevent himself from being useless to his comrades. N serves as the deuteragonist of the series.

V

Voiced by Nola Klop, V (Serial Designation V) is a sadistic and impulsive Disassembly Drone. She is the tritagonist of the series, with a hidden depth to her character that is gradually revealed.

Cyn

Voiced by Allanah Fitzgerald, Cyn is a Worker Drone who serves as the Disassembly Drones' system administrator and the host of the Absolute Solver. Cyn is the primary antagonist, wielding immense power and posing a significant threat to the protagonists.

Doll

Voiced by Emma Breezy, Doll is a Russian-speaking classmate of Uzi who seeks revenge on V for the murder of her parents. Like Uzi, Doll can manipulate the Absolute Solver, though she has more control over it.

Khan Doorman

Voiced by David J. Dixon, Khan is Uzi's neglectful father and the architect of the hydraulic doors that protect the Worker Drone colony. He leads the colony's defense force.

Production and Animation

Murder Drones is animated using Autodesk Maya and Unreal Engine, which allows for a photorealistic aesthetic that sets it apart from other Glitch Productions series. The show is created by Liam Vickers, who also serves as the writer and director. AJ DiSpirito composed the soundtrack in collaboration with Vickers.

The series is known for pushing into darker and more mature themes while maintaining a blend of comedy and horror. This unique combination has garnered positive reviews from viewers, who praise its animation quality, voice acting, exciting action sequences, and in-depth worldbuilding.

Episodes

The first season of Murder Drones consists of eight episodes, including the pilot:

Episode #	Title	Original Release Date
Pilot	PILOT	October 29, 2021
1	Heartbeat	November 18, 2022
2	The Promening	February 17, 2023
3	Cabin Fever	April 28, 2023
4	Home	June 9, 2023
5	Dead End	October 6, 2023
6	Mass Destruction	January 26, 2024
7	Absolute End	August 23, 2024

Themes and Tropes

Murder Drones explores a variety of themes and incorporates several common tropes, including:

Post-Apocalyptic Setting: The series is set on a frozen, desolate planet after a catastrophic event wiped out all biological life.
Sci-Fi Horror: The show blends elements of science fiction with horror, creating a suspenseful and often violent atmosphere.
Black Comedy: Despite the dark setting, Murder Drones incorporates humor, often of the dark or sarcastic variety.
Body Horror: The Absolute Solver causes grotesque mutations and transformations, contributing to the horror elements.
Anachronism Stew: The series combines futuristic technology with outdated items like fax machines and VHS tapes.

Fan Reception and Impact

Since its release, Murder Drones has garnered a significant fanbase and positive reviews. The series is praised for its unique blend of genres, high-quality animation, voice acting, and compelling characters. It has also been recognized for its in-depth worldbuilding and engaging storyline.

The show's popularity has led to its presence in conventions, retail stores, and fan works. Murder Drones has become one of the most highly viewed animated series on YouTube produced by Glitch Productions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Murder Drones about?

Murder Drones is about worker drones on a post-apocalyptic exoplanet who must survive by hiding from rogue robots called Murder Drones. The series follows Uzi, a rebellious worker drone, and N, a quirky Murder Drone, as they uncover dark secrets about their creators and existence.