Thunderbirds 2086 is set about twenty years after the original series, which is usually dated to around 2065 (though other dates appear on screen). It follows the exploits of the Thunderbirds, a rescue squad employed by the International Rescue Organisation. Whereas the original International Rescue was a small, family‑centric unit, the IRO in 2086 is a sprawling agency with many branches and supervised by the Federation, the year‑2086 counterpart of the United Nations. No explicit historical link is shown between the two shows, yet it seems likely that the original International Rescue transformed into its 2086 version over those decades. The Tracy family is absent from the animated series. In this rendition, the group itself is called the Thunderbirds; in the original the term applied only to their vehicles. The animated series largely mirrors its predecessor, with most episodes centering on a natural or human‑made disaster that the Thunderbirds must investigate and resolve. Unlike the earlier series, 2086 introduces an ongoing narrative involving a splinter independence movement called the Shadow Axis, commanded by the enigmatic Star Crusher. The IRO"s structure includes regional command centers and specialized task forces, each dedicated to different types of emergencies. The Shadow Axis plotline adds a layer of political intrigue, as the Thunderbirds confront both natural threats and human conspiracies. The series also hints that Star Crusher"s motives are driven by a cosmic agenda rather than earthly politics.
AIC Japan