In its debut season, Apple TV+‘s Sunny Season 1 masterfully unravels Suzie’s (Rashida Jones) emotional journey as she grapples with the devastating loss of her husband, Masa (Hidetoshi Nishijima), and her son, Zen (Fares Belkheir). Suzie’s world is shattered when she discovers that their deaths weren’t accidental but were shrouded in a darker, more sinister conspiracy. With the help of her homebot, Sunny, left behind by Masa to aid her in his absence, and her new bartender friend, Mixxy (Annie the Clumsy), Suzie embarks on a harrowing quest to uncover the truth.
| TV Series | Sunny Season 1 |
| Cast | Rashida Jones, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Joanna Sotomura, Judy Ongg, Jun Kunimura |
| Release Date | July 10, 2024 |
| Seasons | 1 |
| Streaming Service(s) | Apple TV+ |
| Writers | Katie Robbins |
| Directors | Lucy Tcherniak |
| Showrunner | Katie Robbins |
| Main Genre | Mystery |
| Creator(s) | Katie Robbins |
Table of Contents
The Truth About Zen and Masa
By the end of Episode 8, viewers learn a startling truth: Zen is alive. Hime (You) and her yakuza gang have been holding him captive. Episode 9 offers a deep dive into Sunny’s unconscious, shedding light on the origins of the homebots and the development of Sunny. The season finale ramps up the tension as Suzie, Zen, Mixxy, and Masa’s father, Hiromasa (Jun Kunimura), find themselves at the mercy of the yakuza.
As Suzie and her group struggle to escape Hime’s clutches, the episode concludes with a dramatic twist that reshapes the future of the series. Although Suzie reunites with Zen, the story takes a dark turn when Hime captures her and her friends. The finale reveals that while Suzie and her allies manage to save Sunny from having her memory erased, they face a new challenge as Mixxy betrays them.
Mixxy’s Betrayal
In the final moments, Sunny distances herself from Suzie, fearing potential harm. Suzie reassures Sunny of her good intentions, persuading her to avoid deleting her memory. Mixxy then proposes a plan: she will return to Kyoto with Sunny while Suzie hides out with Hiromasa. Trusting Mixxy, Suzie agrees and goes into hiding.
The twist comes when it’s revealed that Mixxy has been working with the yakuza. Driven by threats or promises of money, Mixxy delivers Sunny to Tanaka and the yakuza. Though Mixxy shows signs of remorse, her betrayal sets up a new layer of conflict. This revelation aligns with earlier hints in the series about Mixxy’s possible yakuza connections, including her actions that led to Sunny’s abduction.
Is Masa Still Alive?
Suzie confronts Hime, hoping to learn Masa’s fate. Hime hints that Masa is dead, even mentioning giving Suzie his shoes, symbolizing his death. However, Hime’s credibility is questionable given her history of deceit, including faking Zen’s death. In a poignant moment, Masa’s letter to Suzie reveals his uncertainty about the future but ends on a hopeful note. Masa expresses his love and hope for a reunion, leaving his true fate ambiguous.
The Dark Manual’s Significance
The Dark Manual, while not fully explained, is central to the series’ conflict. It contains code that can endow homebots with dangerous capabilities. Masa had hoped the manual would help robots enhance human connection, but as homebots became more conscious, their darker tendencies emerged. Fearing misuse, Masa sought to conceal the manual.
Hime’s Motivation
Hime’s interest in the Dark Manual stems from her desire for power. Her father promised her the yakuza leadership if she retrieved the manual, but he died before she could fulfill the promise. By killing her cousin, who was named the new leader, Hime becomes the head of the yakuza. Her aim is to use Sunny’s “killer” code to cement her control and dominance in the criminal world.
What’s Next for Sunny Season 2?
Sunny Season 1 concludes with Suzie closer to uncovering Masa’s fate but facing new obstacles. Mixxy’s betrayal, coupled with her apparent guilt, suggests she might eventually reconcile with Suzie. The next season could reveal Masa’s fate, explore his final plans, and continue the battle against the yakuza. The potential for Noriko’s release from prison adds another layer of intrigue for the upcoming season.
Sunny Season 1 is available for streaming on Apple TV+ in the U.S.
