Terminator Zero Timeline Explained: When Is the Animated Series Set?

Following the recent release of Terminator Zero, fans are eager to know where it takes place in the franchise’s timeline and when it is set. Additionally, they are curious whether the show has a connection to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator movies. The new series has been created by Mattson Tomlin, who is known for his previous projects like Project Power and Mother/Android. The story follows a warrior who travels from a post-apocalyptic future to 1997 with the aim of protecting an AI scientist from being hunted down by a ruthless and cold cyborg.

So, where does Terminator Zero fit into the franchise’s timeline? When is it set? Does the show have a connection to Schwarzenegger’s Terminator movies? Here are the answers.

When does Terminator Zero take place in the franchise’s timeline?

Terminator Zero is set in the year 1997, during the lead-up to the Judgement Day event, which is chronicled in Terminator 2: Judgement Day.

As most fans know, Judgement Day was the event where Skynet, a hostile AI, deemed humanity a big threat. Skynet then subsequently unleashed nuclear attacks to destroy humanity, leading to the beginning of the Skynet and human war.

However, in Terminator Zero, Malcolm, a scientist, attempts to prevent the impending Judgement Day, which he has foreseen. He hopes that his AI creation KOKORO will be the key to preventing Skynet’s rise and its ultimate decision to eliminate humanity. While all this happening, a Terminator from the future and a soldier named Eiko attempt to find Malcolm.

Is Terminator Zero connected to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s movies?

Terminator Zero appears to be set within the same timeline as Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Much of the new series takes place in 1997, during the lead-up to Judgement Day depicted in Terminator 2.

However, the end of Terminator Zero diverges into a new timeline separate from Terminator 2: Judgement Day. In Terminator 2, Sarah, John Connor, and T-800 delay Judgement Day. Unfortunately, in Terminator Zero, Judgement Day plays out — Skynet goes online, gains a conscience, and launches an assault on humanity.

Terminator Zero is currently streaming on Netflix.

Abdul Azim Naushad

Abdul Naushad is a Contributing SEO Writer. He has previously written over a 100 articles for Sportskeeda. In his spare time, he likes to play video games, watch movies and aimlessly browse and watch different kinds of YouTube videos whether they be gaming reviews, movie explanations or even funny sketches and skits.