An elementary school kid dubbed with the title "shounen bat" or "lil slugger" has been going around
attacking people with his bent, golden bat. Now, two detectives are investigating so they can stop
this kid from making any more attacks, but they will find out soon enough... that this case is much
more than they expected.
(Source: Anime News Network)
_Paranoia Agent_ is a cult classic series that is primarily known about thanks to its short run on [adult swim] in the early 2000's. Unfortunately, its low episode count, difficult-to-digest nature, and less-than-stellar dub prevent it from attaining the superstar status that other shows like _Dragon Ball_ and _One Piece_ enjoy. 'Tis a sad reflection of the fact that, as the two animated incarnations of _Fullmetal Alchemist_ proved, the audience at large is more interested in arbitrary face-punching than in food for thought. But if I started on that, I'd be at this all day. The point is that _Paranoia Agent_, as with anything touched by the late and great Satoshi Kon, is anime not only as entertainment, but as an art form. ... __Writing:__ Those who are familiar with my other reviews already know that writing is by an extremely wide margin the most significant (some might say the only) factor in my judgement of a series. It should come as no surprise, then, that _Paranoia Agent_ boasts damn near the best in the industry. _Death Note_ trembles, _Baccano!_ bows, even _Ghost in the Shell_ must pay respect to the concrete-but-interpretive, grave-but-whimsical, layered-upon-layered-upon-layered narrative of _Paranoia Agent_. As a series that originated from a series of unused ideas too short to be adapted into films, it's an incredible achievement that Kon is able to work the seemingly-episodic narrative together into a whole far greater than the sum of its parts. Not only this, but such that there's an awesome amount of depth to the delivery such that--on an anecdotal note--I pick up on something new each and every time I re-watch the series, like the significance of the title _Happy Family Planning_ being placed as a brand on a package of condoms as an allegory for the plight of that episode's trio, or the subtle foreshadowing of Tsukiko's secret as early as the first episode. A good writer knows how to make his plot, setting, and circumstance work for him, and Satoshi Kon does this in spades. As the mysterious Lil' Slugger/Shonen Bat begins to feed on the rumors and paranoia of the cityfolk, suddenly all of their seemingly-disconnected experiences, and even a series of completely fabricated tales of the inline menace, begin to show great significance. _Paranoia Agent_ illustrates flawlessly how even the smallest choices in life are still choices, and choices have consequences. The contribution of humans, as individuals, to a far greater whole affects all of us in ways we rarely think about, and (this is especially apparent in the introductory montage of various people avoiding their responsibilities) we are all individually responsible for the whole that results from our contribution. The series is an anthole: The further down you dig, the more intricacies you find, and the more complex you learn the whole to be. __Animation:__ True to Satoshi Kon's style, the visual production values on the series are extremely high for its era, and remain well above average today. A generally very realistic, true-to-life art style beautifully animated to mimic the human form, _Paranoia Agent_ is symbolic of what has always been to me the selling point of animation: the ability to portray any world you want to, even the real world, without being limited by the confines of real world physics. Satoshi Kon is historically a master of this, as he employs some incredibly creative and experimental animation and composition techniques [that have influenced the entire film industry](http://moviepilot.com/posts/2705285), taking place in a very realistic animated world not unlike our own, but injected with just a little bit of the supernatural. Movement is fluid and seamless, and the characters all breathe personality without having to be identified by wacky getups. __Sound:__ As may or may not be common knowledge, I've always been partial to dubs. And like anyone who was introduced to the series through [adult swim], the dub was the first version I saw. My immense respect for the series extended to the dub until my last watchthrough, where I took a step back and realized that the dub is very mixed in terms of talent. The veterans like Michael McConnohie, Michelle Ruff, and Liam O'Brien all bring it home beautifully with stellar performances on all fronts, but much of the show's other talent, and especially the newer folks, leaves much to be desired. There's a big difference in quality between main characters and bit characters, whose voice lines are at times abysmally performed. And of course, because Satoshi Kon's work is so thorough with its animation, going beyond the typical anime technique of nondescript three-frame mouth flaps, the detailed lip movements conflict with the English dialogue at times, creating a Gojira effect. The subbed version is, of course, absent all these issues. There are still some terrific deliveries from McConnohie and O'Brien in the dub, though, so go with your preference. The music comes from Kon's standby composer, Susumu Hirasawa, and while not the best listening music (I own the soundtrack), fits the show to a T. From the wonky brass to the abstract synth, the strange and unsettling nature of the show's events is captured flawlessly, and with plenty of theme variation, as well. Speaking of, the somewhat infamous theme song is a disturbing earworm if ever one existed, with an opening sequence to match. ... Satoshi Kon is a legend among anime directors for a reason, right alongside the likes of Hayao Miyazaki and Katsuhiro Otomo. _Paranoia Agent_ is a triumph of animation celebrating all that he represented in his work, and this 13-episode series is required watching for anyone claiming to be an anime connoisseur. It's a psychological thriller like you've never seen before.
Comment décrire cette oeuvre d'art remarquable de [Satoshi Kon](https://anilist.co/staff/99580/Satoshi-Kon) ?! Paranoïa Agent est une série qui mêle harmonieusement beauté formelle, richesse thématique et complexité narrative pour donner forme à une œuvre entrant aussi bien en résonance avec l’intellect que les émotions! Souvent classé en simple thriller policier, nous avons clairement affaire ici à un thriller psychologique ou ce multiplie les signes de démence dans un Tokyo à la raison vacillante, et qui vit sous le marasme d’une population étranglée par le stress d'une existence dévouée à un travail acharné, et qui va alors basculer dans la paranoïa la plus destructrice apparaissant sous forme d’un _"garçon à la batte"_ ! Paranoïa Agent c'est l'histoire du _bruit qui court et qui enfle_ : ~~~_"Sagi Tsukiko, dessinatrice et designer de l'illustre Maromi, petite peluche Kawaii au succès important, doit se renouveler. Elle doit trouver fissa une nouvelle idée pour remplir à nouveau les poches de ses patrons. Et, alors que la pression augmente sur ses fines épaules de petite japonaise, un soir, elle se fait agresser par un étrange garçon avec des patins à roulettes et une batte de base-ball tordue en or !"_~~~ Fascinante et dotée d'un humour _étrange_, la construction de cet anime semble être complètement décousue, elle semble partir dans toutes les directions, avec un schéma narratif focalisé sur un personnage par épisode. Mais progressivement ce dévoile une maîtrise dans le scénario, qui inévitablement lie ses personnages et rend le tout d'une cohérence presque cruelle. Parce qu'entre l'humour acéré et décalé de l'anime, il faut bien comprendre que rien n'est réellement drôle ici bas ! Les personnages se succèdent et ont tous l'air particulièrement gratiné... La force du récit est alors de ne jamais se fondre dans un jugement. Personne ne vous fera la morale, c'est l'aspect le plus intéressant de l'esprit qui traverse toute l'œuvre : _le délire n'est pas gratuit, il est là pour disséquer le plus précisément possible la peur, l'obsession, les phobies qui habitent la société japonaise très sclérosée._ Et où être victime d’une agression semble désormais le seul moyen d’échapper à la pression sociale, professionnelle ou morale. L’enjeu principal est de faire prendre conscience à ses personnages de la nécessité d’affronter ses problèmes, ses difficultés, autrement dit de prendre ses responsabilités, si l’on veut recouvrer l’intégrité d’une psyché alors divisée par une perpétuelle fuite en avant. Cette dichotomie se retrouve vraiment à tous les niveaux de Paranoïa Agent et cela commence par les génériques [ouvrant](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-anabfAg06U) et [concluant](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5LKs6LlsPQ) chaque épisode, offrant un fabuleux contraste avec d’une part une entrée en matière tonitruante et liée à la figure du garçon à la batte venant clore cette introduction en assénant un grand coup de batte en direction de la caméra et d’autre part un générique final où retentit cette musique si douce ressemblant à une berceuse sur laquelle défile les images des corps endormis des personnages. Ces corps formant un énigmatique point d’interrogation autour de l'apaisante Maromi. Enfin, et comme une cerise sur un déjà plutôt bon gâteau, le tout fleure bon l'esprit _Dickens_ mâchonné, digéré et restitué sans lourdeur ni emprunt trop facile. On sent le Phil Dick de la grande époque, la peur de la réalité, la fuite vers l'imaginaire, la perte progressive des repères et la petite force revendicatrice qui s'ignore peut-être. ~~~youtube(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVagWJhvVbM)~~~
~~~img400(https://imgur.com/h2gSWlo.jpg) ~~~ In an era of the mundane, where every series is the same moe blob, the weird sticks out. Even the most mediocre series can get attention just by being weird. _Paranoia Agent_ is not mediocre, and it is far beyond simply "weird". Written and Directed by Satoshi Kon, _Paranoia Agent_ is one of his last works before his untimely death. With only _Paprika_ and _Good Morning_ coming after it. Known for a radical style and a penchant for the odd, Satoshi Kon was an extraordinary director, unique to any other. _Paranoia Agent_ lives up to this reputation, being unlike any other series I have ever seen. Its horror is Lovecraftian, its style chilling though as interesting as it is, this isn't always in it's favor. For the most part, the series is a joy, but when you try something new, it doesn't all stick. Welcome to _Paranoia Agent_, one of the hardest reviews I have ever written. I am still not quite happy with it, but let's jump in! __Quick Warning: This review contains spoilers for _Paranoia Agent_! If you have not seen the full series, turn back now. You can find individual episode write ups on my home blog [here](http://starcrossedanime.com/paranoia-agent-anime-review-67-100/)__ ~~~img(https://imgur.com/9b5vuK5.jpg)~~~ # ~~~__Art/Animation__~~~ Starting off, let's talk production. _Paranoia Agent_ is incredibly inconsistent on this front. Sometimes you will get an episode with fantastic, fluid animation in Kon's style. Very fluid faces and muscles, where the cheeks, tongue and chin all move and the skin stretches as they do. It's a style I love, and it looks fantastic when it's shown. There are also the occasional experimental animation, where they go off the book and do something... weird. However other times there is barely any movement at all. Lots of stills, pans and zooms. The direction, which we will get to soon, usually makes these visually interesting. But when talking animation, a still is a still. On their own, for its age, this wouldn't be a big deal. It's only in comparison to the high's that these start to disappoint. As far as Art Style goes, I mentioned it a bit just now, but Kon has a very distinctive style. You could recognize it purely based on his characters faces in any of his works. If I had to pick out why, it would probably be the mouth, and the focus he puts on it. The shadows of the lower lip, the cheekbones and jaw. It's all very distinctive, and since I watch Tokyo Godfathers almost yearly at this point, I find it easy to identify. Outside the characters however _Paranoia Agent_ is very... not generic, but metropolitan. It most likely used a lot of actual streets, buildings and angels as references for its backgrounds. It's all generally rather bland. This only changes when _Paranoia Agent_ goes off the rails, completely inventing its own environments, where the style changes completely. These are always a treat, standing out in the episode. ~~~img(https://imgur.com/4f0Ltzd.jpg)~~~ # ~~~__Direction__~~~ Personally, I find _Paranoia Agent's_ direction to be much stronger and augments its animation well. Kon goes for a lot of interesting or informative angles. Telling the viewer how to feel based on these angles. One might call this, "good film making". For instance, take the screenshot above. The downward angle and direction of the eyes conveys a very oppressive atmosphere. Making it appear these balloons are watching you, marking your every move. These kinds of tricks are found throughout _Paranoia Agent_. Informing the viewer how to feel about scenes long before any dialogue. It manages to make what would otherwise be a dull, still shot, captivating, at least until it needs to change scenes. All in all, I found the Direction and Cinematography to be the most interesting part of _Paranoia Agent's_ production, as it has a distinctly Kon flavor. ~~~img(https://imgur.com/OFamb0l.jpg)~~~ # ~~~__Story/Setting__~~~ Now though, let's get into perhaps _Paranoia Agent's_ most ambitious segment, its Story and Setting. The setting is, for the most part, just Tokyo. A large, metropolitan city with plenty of conveniences and people. The story though is... its weird. It is simultaneously the best Eldritch Horror, most inane mystery and expert social commentary I have ever seen. It starts off telling a singular story, slowly splitting off to multiple characters that tie into the lead story. Then it splits of completely separately, before somehow wrapping it all up in a single episode, retroactively granting context to many of the more questionable episodes. Even now, I have yet to decide whether or not that was intended, or if its complete bullshit. But what I can say is this: I have never been more confused, yet wholly satisfied, than when _Paranoia Agent's_ credits roll. For the actual story content itself, and why I was satisfied, I felt Kon presented it well. Each of _Paranoia Agent's_ characters hits on another aspect of society, effectively taking pot-shots on it. Whether it be gossiping moms, machismo in Japanese society, the stress of a workaholic culture or the power of rumors, Kon hits it all. All the while using it to build a greater narrative about accepting one's own mistakes, the suddenness of life, and moving on. Using Shounen Bat to turn all of our characters into victims, so their problems are no longer their fault. The only major issue I have with _Paranoia Agent_ is the effective filler episodes. After the fact, they fit a little better. But in the moment, they don't really fit the narrative leading up to that point. They feel out of place, and really drain away the stories momentum. ~~~img(https://imgur.com/YrbQTah.jpg)~~~ # ~~~__Characters__~~~ Speaking of the characters, _Paranoia Agent_ is rather hit or miss here. In the first half, many of them are well established. They get entire episodes dedicated to them. Only connecting them to the greater story as a whole by the end. Each of them then return in future episodes, to sort of check in on where they are. To make it known that their stories are still ongoing. However, in the latter half its almost as if _Paranoia Agent_ wasn't meant to be 13 episodes long. As there are 2 episodes worth of characters that aren't really relevant to the overall story. Such as the ghosts, who exist almost solely to comment on society's treatment of children or Homosexuals. I think these stories are worth appearing the _Paranoia Agent_, but not in this very fillery way. ~~~img(https://imgur.com/l0IE0Fc.jpg)~~~ # ~~~__Weirdness __~~~ Finally, I want to talk about the sheer... weirdness, of _Paranoia Agent_, as this is where it excels. More than any other series, _Paranoia Agent_ is unique. Unlike anime I have ever watched before. Its story is cyclical, without being a complete loop. Pushing the nature of the world as one that inevitably repeats, what its events have happened even before now. That humanity needs a continuous reminder as to its own screw-ups. Yet, it doesn't feel cheap or unearned. It progresses each character through the story such that their ending fills the hole left by another. On top of that, it also doesn't pop this out of nowhere. _Paranoia Agent_ has suffused Eldritch Horror into its story from the very beginning. With an unknowable, unstoppable, inhuman monster beyond human comprehension. Basically, _Paranoia Agent_ is the closest thing to a Lovecraftian anime I have ever seen. The only other place I have seen this from Japan come from Junji Ito. With his works such as "Spiral" and "The Enigma of Amigara Fault". It's something that, even if it can't happen, resonates with the very core of what it means to be human. Junji Ito does that with the unknown, and human curiosity. Our inability to stop ourselves when confronted with terrible knowledge. _Paranoia Agent_ does it here with our refusal to accept reality, to fool ourselves into believing our own lies. Creating gods and monsters where there are none, and having them strike at us just so our faults can be blamed on them. If nothing else, I think this makes _Paranoia Agent_ worth the watch. ~~~img(https://imgur.com/Cm0Xkci.jpg)~~~ # ~~~__Conclusion__~~~ So, all in all, how was _Paranoia Agent_? In my mind, it is a flawed masterpiece. A one of a kind series that, for all its faults, is wholly unique in anime. Is it objectively the best thing ever because of this uniqueness? No, it has plenty of flaws and for those who aren't into Lovecraftian Horror, I imagine it would be very boring. But for those like me, who love that kind of stuff, the flaws are easily looked past for the themes and style of the series. Yet even then, as much as I love Kon, I can't just waive away its problems. The series drags heavily in the middle, the production varies greatly and it just feels stretched thin for a 13 episode run. I feel that, had Kon made this a movie like his other works, it would have been better served. But hey, it's not his fault. Shounen Bat probably wrecked his production team is all.
Paranoia Agent Anime Review Episodes: 13 Genres: Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural Plot: 9.5/10 There’s not much I can say about the plot of Paranoia Agent without spoiling it. However, I can guarantee you it is one of the most original and well-written stories I have ever seen. Another thing I can do is describe the first episode for y’all. This way, you can understand a bit of what’s going on and you don’t need to go in completely blind. Ahem. *adjusts reading glasses* __Tsukiko Sagi, one of Japan’s up and coming animators, is swamped by work in stress as she is pressured to create a character as popular as her last one, Maromi. Unfortunately, she is attacked while walking home and ends up in the hospital. When asked for a description of the suspect, she describes a grade school kid on rollerblades with a bent baseball bat. The police don’t know whether to believe her or not.__ The plot can get quite confusing for some people and I believe that can be summed up to the show’s episodic approach. Sometimes, the plot doesn’t feel like it’s progressing. Trust me though. The pay off is definitely worth it. Art/Animation: 9.5/10 This category is definitely one of the more controversial aspects about the show. Sometimes the art can become so outlandishly weird that it’s hard to understand what’s going on. I understand why some people find this off putting but I love the art since it’s weirdness has a point. The art and animation style changes based on the character’s mental state. This way, you’re seeing the world through the character’s subjective worldview. And that is something I haven’t seen done well or even a lot. You can go from the normal art and animation you’d expect to see in anime, to something that looks like a video game to something straight out of a Franz Kafka novel. Music: 10/10 An OST by Susumu Hirasawa. What more can you ask for? His unconventional style of music works brilliantly with this show. Characters: 7/10 In my opinion, this is definitely the show’s achilles heel. The characters are still good but compared to the high standards set by the rest of the technical aspects, they aren’t quite good enough. Due to the show being episodic and focusing on multiple different characters, you’re bound to have some underdeveloped ones and boy, some characters get screwed over by the plot. They’ll be on screen for a few minutes then we’ll never hear from them again. However, the characters the show does care about are pretty amazing. That’s why I don’t feel right averaging this out and giving the characters a 5 since half of them are basically perfect. Overall score: 9/10
I WARN YOU THERE ARE ALOT OF SPOILERS!!! REVIEW Paranoia Agent is an extremely surrealistic and a mind-bending anime made by Satoshi Kon. This Anime is my introduction to his work, and I have to say my reception of this anime is mixed. I was interested to watch this anime because the concept was something which interested me, and personally, I had a lot of expectations, and a lot of em weren't really met. The show in a way is a social commentary, on the nature of media and how a rampantly growing social phenomenon can affect the society and give birth to urban legends, which can force societies to practice escapism. The themes that are explored in this anime in regards to media, society and myths are very true in nature and are shown realistically. In my opinion, it's nearly impossible, to not connect or relate to at least one of the show's numerous characters and the scenarios shown in this anime. A lot of characters and their internal and external conflicts portrayed in this anime are excellent as well, and even if on the surface this anime is 'a detective story' a lot of the show's depth and focus comes from focusing on its characters and providing subtle satire/criticism of the contemporary society we live in. The first 6 episodes of this series were really good and intriguing, and I was eager to know more about this story. However, after episode 7, there was a major tone and narrative shift in this anime. Which by itself, is a bit disappointing to viewers who liked the first half of the anime. Kon decided to take a very surreal artistic direction after 7th episode and shifted his focus entirely on characters and scenarios which weren't relevant to the main plot. In itself, these episodes are quite artistic, and served their purpose well as a creative yet satirical piece of fiction, however in a way the shift was really disappointing and sudden and the characters in these episodes weren't developed, which made the anime boring to watch. To say, metaphorically the last few episodes were deep and rich, thus they had a lot to offer, but from a narrative and entertainment standpoint, this direction didn't really work and kind of the betrayed the expectations of the viewers. (Again this is highly subjective and if you like surrealistic work, you'll love it) The point is the buildup was great, but the climax of the show wasn't. Final Verdict- Paranoia Agent is still a must-watch, given its flaws. For me, the first 7 episode of this show was when it was at its peak, after that I had to force myself to finish it. But I guess, the purpose of the show is not to necessarily be a neatly structured, well made, narrative which follows your established narrative rules, It's more about taking artistic liberties and conveying a message to its viewers. It's about understanding the crucial message Kon wanted to convey. And if you give a thought to this anime, you won't necessarily enjoy it as much, but you will certainly appreciate what it was trying to say. And that's really something that matters. So on that note, I give this anime a score of 76/100
Paranóia Agent - Escapismo Social Paranoia Agent é um anime de __Satoshi Kon__, diretor e roteirista renomado no Japão e também fora conhecido pelos filmes de __Perfect Blue__ e __Prapica__, ele desenvolveu sua indentidade, na maioria de suas obras sempre apresentando um surrealismo e críticas sócias, com Paranoia Agent não foi diferente, o anime explorar vários assuntos dentre eles suicídio, transtorno psicológico, insolamento social, perda, mídia e escapismo, mas é nesse último que ele mais se aprofundar nessa obra. Apresentando a nossa protagonista Sagi, que durante a infância por sua irresponsabilidade de soltar o cachorro que seu pai se esforçou muito para dar-la, acabou sendo atropelado, com medo do que seu pai faria ou sentiria quanto a isso ela ficou paranóica sobre o resultado daquilo, fazendo a mesma inventasse que tinha sido atacada por um garoto de patins e taco de beisebol dourado, por mais que seu pai soubesse que era mentira ele também ficou culpado por ter sido muito rigoroso em sua criação fazendo a garota ser Inclusa, então nunca a questionou sobre a verdade. Naquele momento de paranoia da garota ela criaria o que depois de anos viria a ser um grande problema, para ela e para várias outras pessoas, o Shonen Bat, esse suposto agressor que teria atacado a garota anos atrás, voltou em sua vida adulta, quando novamente lidava com problemas pessoais, este eram o assédio de suas companheiras de trabalho e pressão de seu chefe para criar um novo mascote, ela tinha se tornado um design de personagens infantis, o seu famoso personagem era Marumi, um cachorro que lidava e ajuda as pessoas com problemas, nome esse de seu antigo animal de estimação morto no acidente. Depois da notícia do ataque e da viralização do criminoso, começa a fortalecer o imaginário popular das pessoas em relação ao suposto agressor, o que era apenas uma paranóia de Sagi se tornará um paranoia de um grande coletivo popular, o que virou uma "histeria coletiva" de um suposto garoto com patins e um taco de beisebol que atacava pessoas que estivesse desesperadas, isso logo se tornou para alguns um tipo de salvador, uma entidade onipresente e onisciente que apareceria para todo aqueles que tivesse com problemas psicológicos, familiares, sócias e emocionais, e assim era, todas as pessoas atacadas por essa entidade fruto de suas imaginações traziam alívio e fuga de seus problemas. Ele tinha tudo para ser um grande salvador, porém esse não era o caso. O que seria o Shonen Bat? Essa entidade do imaginário popular era nada mais que do que a representação do escapismo, ele não era nenhum salvador, ele não tinha salvado ninguém de seus problemas, apenas jogou esse problemas para longe, todas as pessoas que ele ajudou falsamente só tiveram alívios temporários de seus problemas, aquelas pessoas fugiram de seus problemas, ignorando eles, tentando esquecer-lo, dando-lhes um jeito temporário de lida com eles, a professora com dupla personalidade em vez de revelar ao seu marido sobre sua situação, preferiu sufocar sua outra personagem o que mais tarde se mostrou inútil, quando a mesma voltou a controlar seu corpo, assim como o garoto que em vez de lidar com o assédio que sofria no colégio apenas usou seu caso de vítima para livra-lo temporariamente do bullying que sofria na escola, voltando novamente para ele mais para frente, assim como no caso do policial corrupto que em vez de resolver seu problema com a máfia só continuou devendo para eles, esse e muito casos das vítimas do Shonen Bat se resumia a fugia de seus problemas e não resolver-lo o próprio polícial que investigava o caso escolheu fugir da realidade se insolando em seu mundo de mentiras do que encerrar a situação se sua mulher doente, essa mesma mulher que em um momento de fraqueza chamou o Shonen Bat, mais em sua discussão com ele revela a verdadeira natureza daquela entidade que busca dar fuga da realidade aos suas vítimas e não resolver seus problemas assim como o personagem Marumi ele apenas vazias as pessoas que não quiseram encarar a realidade e confortar seus problemas, ignorarem eles ou fugirem deles, de todas as formas possíveis, como a garota do pai que a assediava, que preferiu perder sua memória do que voltar para casa e confrontar seu problemas com o pai, ou a esposa do polícial que queria fugir de seus problemas por meio do suicídio, como muita pessoas que se encontram em situações complicadas e de difícil resolução, se recusaram a resolver seu problema encarando a realidade, optando por várias formas de escapismo como suicídio, vícios como bebida, drogas, pornografia, internet, insolamentos sociais, e todos os tipos de fuga que ocasionam em problemas emocionais, financeiras, familiares dentre outros, como a esposa do polícial deixou claro, sempre é melhor encarar e não fugir da realidade que se encontra, este é um problema da atualidade, com tantas problemas e várias manobras de escape deles isso fica cada vez mais evidente e costumeiro nas vidas das pessoas, usando a fuga da realidade com todos as opções que se tem hoje em dia. O Shonen Bat não é a resposta ou o salvador que irá salvar-los de seus problemas ele apenas cria mentiras, fantasias e fugas temporárias de seus problemas, a realidade deve ser encarada e confrontada, aceite sua realidade, e seus problemas e continuei em frente e busque confortar-lo e nunca fuga deles, está é a mensagem de Paranoia Agent, assim como Sagi aceitou sua culpa e responsabilidade pela morte de seu cachorro, e o segundo investigar confortou Shonen Bat com sua espada da verdade que ver através da mentira que o próprio Shonen Bat é, eles confortaram a realidade, sem mentiras ou fantasias, tais fantasias que grande parte das pessoas se apegam viciadas como louco assim como os fãs do Marume este mesmo que está em todos os lugares só esperando que você o chame para que o Shonen Bat venha resolver seus problemas fugindo deles, algo irresponsável, covarde e que não deve ser usado por ninguém. O tema dessa grande obra é imortal, será sempre atual, pois onde a problema a pessoa que optaram por fugir delas em vez de confortar-las, essa obra merece todo o crédito que deveria ter, não só sua mensagem, ou temas que aborda como solidão, suicídio, mídia, abandono, entretenimento exacerbado, bullying, assédio muito bem explorado de forma clara e explicativa, mas por toda sua composição de personagens, sub-tramas, questões técnicas e narrativas, um obra maravilhosa de se assistir e sempre será uma recomendação para todas os tipos de pessoas e épocas sócias. Sobre a cena final do policial desenhando no chão, claramente ele está se comportando que nem o velho do hospital que desenhava todas aquelas fórmulas nas paredes, este mesmo personagem parecia saber das coisas que estavam acontecendo, as vítimas e até o fenômeno, acho eu que aquelas fórmulas, números de letras são tipo de algoritmos que desvendar o fenômeno do imaginário popular se manifestando na realidade, e ele solucionou a equação que desencadeia esse fenômeno e é a chave para manipular ele, ou seja é a equação para manipular a realidade e manifestar a fantasia na realidade real.
Many works of entertainment are meant to distract you from the pain and anxiety of daily life. Paranoia Agent is the opposite. Satoshi Kon has constructed a universe where the lies that we tell ourselves come to life. Some lies are sweet, some are savage, but as long as you believe the lie you will never be able to accept the truth. And if there's anything you should take away from paranoia agent, its this; to grow as a person you need to face reality and accept the pain that comes with it. This show is for people who are willing to work for their entertainment, and as long as you are someone who doesn't need a review to tell you what to think you ought to be able to piece together the meaning of paranoia agent. That said SPOILERS AHEAD. The plot consists of three perspectives: the police investigation to arrest a serial street attacker, a woman who has a personal connection to the attacker, and then a handful of episodic stories of people who were assaulted by said assailant. The episodic stories work together to establish the mythos of a phantom attacker who targets people who are trapped in their lives and feel that being struck down would be preferable to facing the problems before them. Looming deadlines, social ostracization, fractured personality, lack of purpose, and familial pedophilia all are explored to their pitiful ends. The stories are not linked together in any meaningful way aside from a desire to escape, and the street attacker "Shonen Bat" is all to happy to oblige. At the height of their anxiety they will see him, with his rollerskates and his broken bat. He hunts them down and strikes them in the head, knocking them unconscious...or killing them. Those who survive find themselves relieved of their sources of anxiety, for better or for worse. Detectives interview these happy hapless victims though can't seem to make any headway in the investigation... until they start considering the impossible. Shonen Bat, isn't of this world. At this point in the show all focus is awarded to the detectives in charge of arresting our phantom and the woman who's the source of his power. Together they expose the long forgotten tragedy that birthed Shonen Bat. Paranoia agent is not the most straightforward show. It forces you to think, though this isn't a bad thing. You ought to discover what the story means to you, and being spoonfed would make for a weaker meaning. Satoshi Kon wants you to internalize Paranoia Agent to get the For some people it may be the kick in the butt that they need to get their lives back on track. lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
_Throughout history, there have been multiple cases of the phenomenon known as “mass hysteria". Inhabitants of a town manically dancing to the point of falling unconscious, their feet bloody because of this exertion, girls at an African boarding school unable to stop laughing, and fans of a Portuguese soap opera exhibiting the same symptoms as a character on screen. In all scenarios, abnormal behavior starts manifesting among individuals that, at first glance, have no medical relation to each other and soon becomes not unlike the outbreak of a virus._ _What has been the cause of debate is not so much the validity of the events, but rather the circumstances that lead to them. In the case of the townsfolk, it’s often theorized that their symptoms originated from starvation because of the famine spreading across Strasbourg, the city in which the events unfolded. Similarly, while investigating the behavior exhibited by the African schoolgirls, linguist Christian Hempelmann blamed the incident on years of psychological pressure from strict parents._ _This does not explain the key question, however: why did the villagers dance and the schoolgirls laugh?_
Paranoia agent starts of as a simple mystery of a kid for whatever reason starts beating people up with a metal bat at night. The first victim is a character designer that can remember some bare details about the attack but cannot identify the face of the assailant. The media named this mysterious assailant as 'lil slugger' (dub version) or 'shonen bat' (original japanese version). Like all of Satoshi Kon's works it has a very unorthodox plot structure in the way exposition is presented. The plot as mentioned before is not a traditional one which personally for me I really appreciate because it makes for a more unexpected viewing experience. Each episode seems to add more questions than answers which seems to be a chaotic series where each episode function more or less as a short story but I found at the end all these stories have a thematic pattern which concludes the whole series really well. The animation was good, it was pretty consistent throughout and was stepped up in key moments in the story. What really stand out for me was the character design. Each character really stands and makes them really recognizable in an instant. Their character design also really match with their personalities and their role in the overall story. Paranoia agent is as I mentioned several times is not a conventional story, it is an interpretational work that focus not on a simple plot but a few thematic elements about life. I really do not want to tell you what these themes are because I abhor being influenced by anybody about what a piece of work is meant to represent or is suppose to represent. I like to watch it for myself, think for myself and interpret it for myself. Therefore I would not do the same to others especially for those that haven’t watched it yet. In conclusion, Paranoia agent is a story presented in an unconventional manner that touches on interesting concepts and also concludes itself in the final few episodes. It is an interesting anime that stands out not in its story but how the story is presented and the themes that is presented and explored. I guess I need 2100 letters for whatever reason so I will just write whatever relevant comes to mind now... On a somewhat unrelated note I really enjoyed the opening for Paranoia agent, it is such a weird opening where it is just the characters laughing to a non-nonsensical song in various settings. It really fit the mood of the overall story in my opinion. Did you know that this is Satoshi Kon's only anime series? and it really shows especially if you are familiar with Paprika and Perfect Blue. His directing style is so obvious in Paranoia agent.
The first time I watched Paranoia Agent was years ago, and I didn't enjoy it at all. Eventually, I re-watched it, and realized that I didn't get it back then. It's fine to admit this. A wonder of anime is not just what's next for us to experience, but going back and watching older works that an older version of ourselves may not have appreciated, that a newer version of ourselves can. I'm not saying I completely understand it now, because Satoshi Kon wrote mysterious in all the answers as well, though now I can finally appreciate what Paranoia Agent is partly about, at least. It moves me because I get to see the entire cast lose their minds. It moves me because it explores what makes people go mad, and to the extent they will go to runaway from their own problems instead of confronting them. This is an anime for people who are running away: all of us. I think everyone is running away from something. As director, Satoshi Kon shows a world that feels like a surreal circus, such as our own, and the clowns that are regular people, such as me, and our inability to cope with reality. Sagi is a character designer who suffers from a traumatic past. She falls under the pressure of not being able to create a new character, her terrible co-workers, and accidentally designs one out of her paranoia called Shonen Bat. As a result, she assaults herself at the height of her stress, and blames it on this scapegoat she created. An investigation ensues where Shonen Bat begins to take over the city as this savior of the worst kind. Instead of facing their problems head on, new characters emerge and call out to Shonen Bat, as the media made a big deal of Sagi's story, and they all try to escape their problems by taking a bat to the head, the easy way out, which hurts them more in the end. The wonder about this series is that Satoshi Kon's creativity plays here, partly with his abundance of leftover ideas from his career. That means that when Sagi's paranoia created her scapegoat Shonen Bat in her mind to take the blame for her hitting herself, so that she can extend her work deadline, fantasy and reality crossed paths. Shonen Bat turned into a sort of reality. They say Shonen Bat sets you free from all your problems. It's all so enticing and yet so fake. The message is clear here. For all of us, we make up our own Shonen Bats; our own scapegoats and form of escapism to distract us and make us forget about our realities. Whether it's anime, spending on ourselves, throwing our bodies at people, etc, this series forces us, for those who really try to think about it, what makes being ourselves and human so terrifying. It makes me think that perhaps there is no such thing as a level headed person. Paranoia Agent critiques human paranoia, our paranoia, and says that you must be weary and cautious of this. If you are driven into a corner, and run away, you have no where to go. Your are essentially running on a treadmill as your problems start to catch up to you. It's been a common theme lately in some of my videos, but you must face reality. Paranoia Agent is an extreme example of this and shows you how at least some characters manage to victoriously and magnificently overcome their situations, and keep themselves from delusion; fantasy thought. It only gets better if you face your problems and deal with them head on. Accept you were wrong, and your mistakes. Say you're sorry. Until then, you're only going backwards, and more under. Late at night, when Adult Swim would begin, long when I was young, I was only allowed to stay up late enough to watch Cowboy Bebop, and that was only sometimes. The first episode I ever watched was Heavy Metal Queen. I still remember it, despite that my memory is trash. I have almost no memories of my life left well in tact enough until my early 20s. Continuing, Once Cowboy Bebop finished, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex would be next. I'd only have time to watch the opening, sometimes, and wondered how peculiar it looked, because I had never seen anything like it. At this young and more ignorant stage, I was very ignorant. Cowboy Bebop became my favorite anime at that time out of how bizarre, different, and refreshing it was for me. I didn't care about anything else. Growing up in America, as a kid, whenever I went to a VHS rental store as a kid, the first thing I'd do was run to the anime section and just stare at it. I don't remember what was on those shelves, but it looked cool, and had an impact on me. As for Adult Swim, Paranoia Agent would come on even later at night. I never had a chance to meet it. It would be several years later, though as I said, I could not understand what Satoshi Kon and the staff were trying to say. In my confusion, I felt disappointment, and frustration that was more out of ignorance than anything else. Watching it again recently, and twice over during the editing, I was moved to tears by it, and by how much of a fool I was to think it was terrible. Maybe one day, I'll be recognized as the great fool I am and maybe a statue will be made; a statue of the greatest fool for all to laugh at. For Sagi, It's about the pressure of work. The pressure of being good at what you do, and the jealousy and torment that comes along from terrible co-workers. In my other job, it's retail, and the world of that is like a high school. It's not about who works the hardest or the least. It's politics. You have the play the game. You can be the hardest worker, and be taken advantage of and worked like a dog. They can be the laziest, and yet if they are the favorite, it is them who will get the promotions and favors. There is a game you have to play. Some look down on people who make less money. I'd say, that if the job helps humanity in any way, it was dignity and worth. Still, sell your labor to exploitative corporations, but don't sell your soul! For Keiichi, the detective who fell, he had to face many hardships. The ideal marriage was shattered by a failed pregnancy. His struggle to solve the case of Shonen Bat ended in disaster and losing his job. At first, it seemed fine to fantasize. He felt he lost his place in human society, and felt he had nowhere to go as he worked several jobs at that point to make it financially. He had to face the fact that loving somebody in this world isn't forever. As he found a way to escape in the fake town of fake people and happiness, he realized that this was all a lie. He realized he had to acknowledge his misery, and to not let it win, he decided to stop running away. He lived on because of his tragedies, because that is to be above them. He must move forward and find a better way, because it's better to be a realist than a fantasist. Wake up and admit your life is terrible. Say sorry for your mistakes and make the struggle to move forward. Break out of the comfort zone, and follow the rightful advice you've covered your eyes and ears to every time. Then, you can take that first real step forward with your eyes finally open. These are only two characters from this series. The viewers will have to prepare for the fates of the rest of the cast, as disturbing as they are. Satoshi Kon once again creates a work that though it appears to be horrifying and bleak, is trying to shake you and to wake you up from your misery with inspirations and motivation. Something I enjoy about this series is how it has very strong episodic episodes. There's the one about the chaos of mania of gossip, another written very well about three friends who want to die, and find out by the end something even more disturbing, and yet another episode as a critique of anime production and how this careers is killing the staff, all worth it for the finished product. Once again, as in Millennium Actress, Susumu Hirasawa delivers another great soundtrack that continues to show the viewers how he can create something so fitting, immersive and creative to the work. The problem with this series is that most of us in the West saw it as kids, and could not grasp this series and how deep what it's trying to say is. I made this mistake, and learned so much on this re-watch. As the world crumbles, in fiction here and in reality, people lose their minds, in here and in reality, and find ways to escape. However the series reminds us, that for many of us, the insanity of escapism will never be overcome. It's tragic. Paranoia Agent a warning, to wake up from your paranoia, because most never will.
It's my second time watching Satoshi Kon's work, "Perfect Blue" being the first. Some of its similarities are very noticeable. This particular style of portraying a story is unique, which I haven't seen very much of in other animes I've watched so far; perhaps it is truly a signature of Satoshi Kon's style. First off, the anime starts as a typical mystery anime, displaying a variety of hints that appear to be a key to understanding the story. Maromi was designed by character designer Tsukiko Sagi, and it became a very well-known figure. She is under pressure to create a follow-up to her first hit while struggling with a creative block. Late at night, as she walked home, she noticed a small, homeless woman who then abruptly vanished as she turned around. From there, things become increasingly unsettling, ending in her being struck over the head by an unidentified elementary school punk wearing gold skates and wielding a bent bat. This incident was reported on and made the news, attracting the attention of detectives, who then start investigating the case. Similar occurrences quickly follow, with victims describing the suspect in the same way. At first, the incidents occur in a seemingly consistent pattern. It will somehow allow you to take a guess and predict how the story will unfold. but then it will start defying all of your expectations in order to introduce a newer concept, which will allow you to see a much bigger picture. When I noticed that, the plot was fairly simple for me to comprehend and keep up with. You need to have a much broader perspective in order to truly comprehend the story. Take care not to misinterpret the meaning behind some of the portrayals. (Unless you are familiar with Satoshi Kon's works, keep an open mind about what it might represent and refrain from making quick judgments.) The portrayal of the story frequently shifts from reality into a setting that is far more surreal. This allows one to transcend reality's constraints in order to express a rather complex idea, which portrays reality in an imaginative and figurative manner. sometimes making the audience puzzled about whether a particular scene is real or not. For me, this is a brilliant way to handle a psychological plot. Anyone who considers themselves a fan of psychological fiction will regard this show as one of the masterworks of the genre. Even so, as I previously stated, one of its drawbacks is that not everyone will be able to keep up with this story and thus will find it difficult to appreciate this work. Nonetheless, it really succeeds as psychological fiction. It explores the nature of the human mind pretty well, presented in an extremely creative style. And the title is well thought out, justifying the plot.
__WARNING: FULL SPOILERS FOR _PARANOIA AGENT_ __ _Paranoia Agent_ may seem like a complex show, and it is, but to find out the core of its story is not difficult. Satoshi Kon lays it out for us the moment we start watching. Episode 1 opens with a shot of a crowd of people walking across the street, cars parked at the side, before zooming in onto the crowd and showing a man apologising for something while calling someone. Then, as the camera follows him, we see a girl with a boy next to her, calling someone and saying that she'll pass on something since she's tired. Judging from the look on the boy's face, I think it's safe to assume she's lying. Next, a truck driver calls and says that the road is packed so he'll be late. It is revealed that he is simply parked on the side of a relatively empty road. This time, a blatant lie. Finally, it cuts to the interior of a train, packed with passengers, all on their phones, all looking stressed, and all expressing some form of dissatisfaction - and maybe lies - be it through call or text. We can immediately see two main groups of people. The first - people who have made a mistake and feel wronged by the person blaming them. The second - people who are trying to escape from their trouble through lies. Both groups have problems they want to get rid of, and the second group is a result of the first. Also of importance is the fact that everyone is communicating through their phones. That's it. The main themes of the story can be found in the first few minutes. _Paranoia Agent_ is about a society that is experiencing many problems, and a society that wants to get away from these problems with false truths and their own fantasies, running away from them instead of actually solving them. But, this is just the main idea. The true brilliance of _Paranoia Agent_ lies in the way it explores this main idea, in addition to other ones. I'm going to assume that you already know the entire story, so I'll skip summarising it. What Shonen Bat represents is extremely obvious. He is nothing more than a form of escapism, a lie created by society as an easy way out of their problems. What is more interesting is his connection to another one of _Paranoia Agent's_ ideas - well, paranoia. Shonen Bat is literally a paranoia agent, in the sense that he spread it and is fueled by it. At the start of the series, he was just a small grade schooler. After all, only Tsukiko knew about his "existence". By the end, he had turned into a hulking monster, resembling an ogre more than a human. The media had given him much coverage, and everyone knew about him. Everyone wanted him to appear before them, knock them out, and finally give them their salvation. The media had made him a much larger problem than he would've been. By making him seem like a massive threat, people actually started to believe it, and this belief made him so so much more dangerous. Similar incidents have occurred before in real life. Of course, none of them involved a supernatural monster and a flood of black goo, but the point still stands. The media holds the dangerous power to make us believe in anything, true or false. Maniwa is important to Kon's depiction of paranoia. He becomes obsessed with Shonen Bat, determined to stop him no matter what. He kits himself with "holy equipment", unsettlingly similar to FOX, the fake Shonen Bat. However, the difference between the two is that Maniwa knows this is not reality, which is why he can take on Shonen Bat. Maniwa is not scared of him as he knows he is just an illusion. He shows us that we need not be affected by the media's misleading portrayal of events. We have the ability to decipher what news is true and what isn't. It's just a matter of whether we're willing to or not. _Paranoia Agent_ may have many scary scenes, but the most terrifying thing about it is that Satoshi Kon managed to predict this large-scale spreading of information and hysteria through the media and Internet - in 2004, the Internet's infancy. Time to move on to the main idea of this show. I think by now you'll probably have realised that _Paranoia Agent_ is about escapism and how it can be bad and why we should face our problems head on and all that jazz. So, hopefully I can explain something less of you realised. Either that or I'm just stupid. Tsukiko is important to both ideas of paranoia and escapism. She started everything about Shonen Bat, showing how just one small incident can lead to mass paranoia. Meanwhile, she also created Shonen Bat as way to escape her own problems and stress, as well as her guilt regarding Maromi. Maromi eventually becomes another symbol of escapism despite it seeming to be the furthest thing from Shonen Bat. Instead of making people physically incapable of dealing with their problems, Maromi induces them into a state of bliss, happy enough to ignore their problems and remain in la la land. Ikari is probably the most important character. In one of the later episodes (I forgot which one), it ends with him exiting a restaurant with his former-burglar friend, and the world outside has been seemingly turned into cardboard. Everything appears to be a cardboard cut out, almost like a children's TV show. Then, he chases a burglar, an old-fashioned one, one with a burlap sack on his back and dressed in all black. This is all obviously his own fantasy, his own form of escapism, and the episode ends with him picking up and keeping a Maromi keychain, signifying his acceptance of fantasy and rejection of reality and his responsibilities. Yes, Maromi is the same as Shonen Bat, just another way for people to run away from their problems. This depiction of Ikari's fantasy culminates in the tragic death of his wife. This is the trigger. He finally realises that he cannot stay in this fantasy. He snatches a golden bat, obviously representing Shonen Bat, and smashes all the cardboard around him in dramatic fashion. The bat was previously a symbol of escapism, but now Ikari uses it to free himself from it. Ikari's character is the most extreme representation of escapism and its effects. His fantasy literally results in the death of the person closest to him. But he is also meant to show that no matter how deep into our fantasy we get, there is always a chance to break free and return to reality. It's just a matter of whether you're willing to or not. Finally, we reach the ending. Everything seems to be fine. Japan has been rebuilt, Shonen Bat and Maromi are gone, and all is well. I'd argue that Japan is even worse at the end than the beginning. It ends with pretty much the exact same depiction of dissatisfaction as the beginning. Only this time, people have gone through the effects of their escapism and irritation, yet they still refuse to properly solve their problems. This ending seems to suggest that this exact same escapism and paranoia is doomed to repeat in our society, just with slightly different names and circumstances. However, I think that despite the bleak ending, _Paranoia Agent_ wants us to remain hopeful. It wants us to break free from this vicious cycle, and finally come to terms with our reality. The ending shows not what will happen, but what could happen if we decide to forever fall into our fantasy.
Typically, Satoshi Kon's works begin with a conventional anime setup and then sharp a turn into the surrealist realm. The case of Paranoia Agent initially presents itself as a typical detective-style anime, but soon the plot takes unexpected twists and turns. Its unpredictability is unsurprising for those acquainted with Kon's other works like Perfect Blue and Millennium Actress. The series prompts viewers to contemplate the events' unfolding and attempt to deduce the true culprits. The omitted parts were vital for comprehending the episodes and their overall coherence. However, many puzzle pieces fell into place, and the narrative made much more sense.
Paranoia Agent is an anime series crafted by Kon, known for its psychological thriller genre, immersing audiences in a perplexing expedition that blurs the boundaries of what is real and imagined. The show's enthralling storyline and contemplative concepts make it an extraordinary and captivating addition to the anime world.
Right from its opening moments, Paranoia Agent captivates viewers with an atmosphere of mystery and suspense. The plot revolves around a series of apparently unrelated assaults by a mysterious perpetrator named Lil' Slugger. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that these attacks hold significance deeply. Paranoia Agent skillfully intertwines various characters, delving into their innermost fears, anxieties, and psychological struggles. Each episode acts as a puzzle piece, gradually revealing the larger picture of the series.
One of the standout aspects of Paranoia Agent is its exploration of the intricate workings of the human psyche. Fearlessly delving into themes like societal pressures, identity crises, and the consequences of suppressed emotions, the show sheds light on the darker aspects of human nature and the psychological toll inflicted by modern society. Through its diverse cast, Paranoia Agent prompts viewers to reflect on their fears and contemplate the impact of collective paranoia on society wholly.
There were moments when we questioned the relevance of certain story arcs or how certain characters fit into the overall narrative. However, everything eventually falls into place and makes sense. The character cast is incredibly diverse, both in appearance and personality. The attention to detail is evident, especially in the characters' facial expressions. Notably, the older the character, the more intricate their facial details become. The meticulous attention to detail extends beyond character design and voice acting.
Visually, Paranoia Agent showcases Kon's exceptional direction and meticulous attention to detail. The animation style seamlessly shifts between fluidity and surrealism, accentuating the blurred boundaries between reality and the distorted perceptions of the characters. This visual approach adds an extra layer of unease and uncertainty, immersing the audience in the disconcerting atmosphere that permeates the series.
The show truly shines in its portrayal of character props and background art, whether it's an artist's cluttered workspace or an otaku's room adorned with figures. The level of detail is remarkable, with the ability to almost see a layer of dust on an old bookshelf. Each scene is distinct and showcases the effort and time invested in the small details that set this show apart. However, the only criticism of the artwork is its predominantly warm and earthy color scheme.
Specific characters appear very ordinary, even cute, while others with more pronounced personalities possess exaggerated features like oversized mouths, small eyes, or unusual lips. Its drastic contrast is most noticeable in the male characters.
Furthermore, the sound design and musical score of Paranoia Agent play a crucial role in heightening the tension and evoking the emotional impact of each scene. The hauntingly beautiful melodies and dissonant soundscapes perfectly complement the narrative, intensifying the overall sense of unease and paranoia.
However, Paranoia Agent's intricate storytelling may prove overwhelming at times. As the series progresses, it delves deeper into abstract and surreal territory, demanding the viewer's complete attention to piece together the fragmented narrative. While some may find this complexity fascinating, others might find it challenging to follow and interpret.
Paranoia Agent played a mesmerizing and thought-provoking anime that pushes the boundaries of psychological storytelling. Its exploration of paranoia, identity, and the human condition leaves a profound impact on its audience. Although its intricate plot may not be everyone's cup of tea, those who appreciate a deep dive into the complexities of the human mind will find Paranoia Agent a rewarding and unforgettable experience.
The series offers a truly unique experience. Despite plot twists and occasional gaps, the story does have a few issues overall. The narrative starts relatively straightforwardly but then takes a surreal turn.
# La mitologia nera della modernità ~~~img220(https://s4.anilist.co/file/anilistcdn/media/anime/cover/large/bx323-VQ3r4CbYxRIo.png) ~~~ Può un anime surreale e ultra-colorato essere una critica perenne alle illusioni e alla fuga dalla realtà? Un’opera appartenente al medium artistico della giovinezza per eccellenza, in un nuovo millennio dove il digitale ha diffuso ulteriormente l’immersione in mondi privati, fuori dalla socialità. Dall’altro lato, in arte come nella vita un nuovo status quo, una nuova realtà sociale porta anche insoddisfazione e da questa sorgono tentativi di reagire con una spinta contraria. Ed è da queste dinamiche che sono sorti anime opposti alla tipica idea di consolazione evasiva, tempi rapidi e dirompenti, che non danno il tempo di riflettere. Uno di questi prodotti in controtendenza è "__Paranoia Agent__": un anime che, come anticipato, sicuramente non si focalizza sul dare dignità artistica all’immaginazione (se non più sottilmente), a differenza di opere del fantastico in senso stretto come __Neon Genesis Evangelion__ o __Puella Magi Madoka Magica__. Piuttosto che seguire questa linea o il suo diretto opposto, l’unica serie del grande __Satoshi Kon__ fa del conflitto stesso tra realtà e finzione il suo fulcro, visto nelle sue conseguenze sociali e nella psicologia dei personaggi, attraverso una trama noir che si impadronisce dell’immaginario e delle convenzioni di più generi narrativi per poter comunicare al meglio i suoi messaggi. Tutto parte da un’indagine circa un ragazzino detto Shonen Bat che picchia con una mazza da baseball persone stressate e angosciate, che desiderano perdere la memoria, avere giorni liberi dal lavoro, cambiare in qualche maniera la loro vita e investigano due poliziotti: Maniwa e Ikari, poliziotto “buono” e poliziotto “cattivo”, metodo deduttivo e metodo induttivo, giovinezza e maturità. Questa contrapposizione tra i due poliziotti si ramifica anche all’interno degli altri personaggi (cioè le vittime e le comparse) e della vicenda stessa. Ci sono false piste, casi di giustizialismo, azioni irrazionali, questo smuove insomma l’idea del metodo di investigazione classico, degli ideali di rigore scientifico, ordine e comprensibilità sono destabilizzati e caduti, con una struttura che sembra emulare questa continua caduta di certezze nel suo dipanarsi che gioca tra precisione geometrica e falsi finali, bruschi cambi di rotta. Ne è l’esempio più lampante la struttura della serie che fino al settimo episodio dispiega le varie tessere del puzzle attraverso la caratterizzazione delle vittime di __Shonen Bat__, che hanno ognuno il suo mestiere, un dissidio con sé stesso o con l’ambiente (anche se lo stesso dissidio interiore viene sempre reso come una conseguenza dell’ambiente, piuttosto che un qualcosa di isolato). Dopo quei sette episodi di movimento dell’intreccio in senso stretto, la storia si espande verso personaggi più evanescenti, che servono a farsi voce di una condizione più sociale che intima, come se dall’indagine ci spostassimo a come il fattaccio viene interpretato da persone qualunque. Questa scelta è coraggiosa nello spezzare il ritmo e l’immersione in personaggi conosciuti (che ormai avevano già dato) ed eccelle nel dipingere l’idea di una mitologia moderna della cronaca nera, incornicia l’anima cupa della serie stessa e le sue peculiarità, che guardano sia al Giappone con le sue peculiarità che al mondo capitalistico e industrializzato in generale, di cui la nazione scelta si fa un’iperbole tristemente reale, in quanto sede di grandi business mondiali e di una cultura predisposta all' abnegazione più totale verso il lavoro fino all'auto-alienazione e il sacrificio del proprio lato umano. In altre parole, l’investigazione, benché non priva di colpi di scena, è più un pretesto per guardare alla società come un saggio di psicologia delle masse, è un modo (come in ogni grande noir che si rispetti) di scoprire gli scheletri nell’armadio dei personaggi coinvolti (anche minori) che formano l’atmosfera psicologica in cui sono immersi i tanti protagonisti sviscerati in rapida successione quasi come in una serie antologica. I _fil rouge_ che uniscono tutti questi episodi si evincono solo alla fine di un episodio o addirittura negli ultimi episodi della serie stessa, aumentando il senso di sorpresa, di inafferrabilità e di confusione così come nello stato d’animo dei personaggi. L’idea di chiamare il picchiatore “Shonen Bat” (cioè giovane battitore) sembra beffarda, se pensiamo al suo maggiore interesse: un videogioco fantasy simile alle atmosfere di anime e manga di target giovanile che vediamo concretizzarsi per alcuni momenti davanti ai nostri occhi, così come la paranoia che diventa deformazione fisica e allucinata delle persone intorno ad uno dei protagonisti, o il mondo evasivo di __Ikari__, che è un’evocazione un Giappone stereotipato, frugale e bidimensionale, è contraddistinto da una calma zen ma monotono. Paranoia Agent è, insomma, un’opera che ha sia dei micro-stili “interiori” creati su misura per i personaggi che una linea “globale” caratteristica del disegno e dell’estetica generale come la splendida colonna sonora elettronica di __Susumu Hirasawa__ e gli originali disegni dall’aspetto leggermente morboso e grottesco, spesso anche quando sono personaggi positivi, sembrano più o meno semplici e realistici come in qualsiasi altro anime, ma pur sempre rappresentati come maschere in pelle quasi come in un quadro di Munch o di Ensor e Kon non teme di renderli anche brutti esteticamente pur di tradurre con più accuratezza nella foggia dei tratti somatici un temperamento, una visione del mondo. Con lungimiranza, l’ anime non menziona questi mondi interiori da lontano, ma piuttosto ci immerge nel loro immaginario, lo fa proprio attraverso alcuni passaggi in cui l’immaginazione e la realtà si confondono con una spontaneità che non porta confusione gratuita nonostante i momenti immaginifici non siano sempre pensati sul momento dai personaggi ma sono anche la descrizione dell’essenza di questi personaggi, una sorta di lettura onnisciente ed esistenziale che con la quale Satoshi Kon crea un gioco con lo spettatore, gli chiede contemporaneamente di immergersi e di decodificare quello che sta guardando; è soprattutto da questo che deriva la complessità della serie. Come anticipato all’inizio, in Paranoia Agent viene criticata l’evasione dalla realtà, eppure questi mondi sono abbastanza complessi, pittoreschi e stranianti da essere seducenti per lo spettatore più di quanto lo siano spesso per i personaggi stessi. I mondi interiori sono insomma il fulcro della sperimentazione formale e dei virtuosismi d’animazione della serie, generando quindi una contraddizione solo apparente con il messaggio dell'opera. Infatti, l’occhio dei personaggi e dello spettatore vengono messi in contrapposizione, il primo vive all’interno nell’immaginazione ma ne trae poco a livello mentale, noi però vediamo tutto questo con distacco e in prospettive differenti, facendo confronti anche istintivi con il resto dei contenuti della serie e con noi stessi. L’occhio di Paranoia Agent è, insomma, un occhio di satira mimetica che, invece di ergersi su un pulpito distante rispetto al soggetto della critica lasciato all’immaginazione del lettore, lo rende parte della storia per descriverlo così com’è, in modo da mostrare come sia in grado di suscitare sdegno da solo senza tagli, fintanto che venga visto in relazione al contesto sociale in cui ha modo di nuocere. Questo messaggio non è però una sterile critica verso il valore artistico del fantastico (com’è possibile vedere ad esempio da __Paprika__ dello stesso Kon che è di fantascienza e ha tutt’altro messaggio), ma è più una critica a come venga sfruttato dai mass media fino ad alienare le persone influenzabili o con problemi psicologici, per paradosso corrobora la potenza dell’immaginazione perché riflette su quanto sia in grado di cambiare il mondo concreto intorno a noi attraverso menzogne che si radicano nella collettività, modi di mentire a sé stessi, anche l’arte se mal utilizzata può diventare un mezzo per alienare piuttosto che per migliorare i fruitori. Come tutti i più grandi capolavori da pantheon delle varie arti, Paranoia Agent riesce a trascendere il proprio medium per diventare parte di un apparato simbolico profondo della cultura umana. Da un lato è, infatti, una massimizzazione del potenziale creativo del proprio medium da serie animata perché scuote il rapporto con lo spettatore, gli approcci standard e i generi, la struttura seriale viene scelta e usata da Kon per sperimentare qualcosa di nuovo attraverso il formato episodi che concede una maggiore poliedricità rispetto al lungometraggio con una narrazione ferrea che permette a questa mutevolezza di diventare più esauriente e ricca di differenze interne senza essere puro esercizio di stile. Ma, oltre a questo, questa pietra miliare di Satoshi Kon mette in dialogo i generi per dare la sensazione di complessità a tratti vertiginosa e versatile della realtà e del suo inconscio collettivo, cosa a dir poco inconsueta sia nelle opere di fantasia che strettamente realistiche, sia animate che non, come a trasportare il discorso dalle diverse fasce di persone alle stesse differenze che le contraddistinguono, tutto viene visto nella maniera impietosa e distaccata di chi vuole andare oltre, generando un'allucinante bugia più vera della realtà.
~~~img220(https://i.imgur.com/5FKpkbK.png) There is no other anime that manages to make me feel as uncomfortable and as if I’m being read like an open book quite like Paranoia Agent. I picked up this anime solely on promotional art looking cool, having no prior knowledge about it. I had no clue it would be one of the most creative, daunting, and psychologically terrifying shows I’ve ever seen. Though despite its horror and ambiguous nature, the message it gets across is ultimately one of self-empowerment. How can a series that’s a thriller first and foremost have one of the most potent messages of all time? I was immediately drawn in by the show's distinct artstyle. The way it was able to evoke emotions within me that no show before it had from its visuals alone is a testament to how perfectly the art style lends itself to this type of story. The colors it uses are drab and dreary. The setting of the show, being a reflection of ours, is filled with towns crammed with cars and pedestrians emitting so much heat that you’ll want to get some fresh air. The character’s designs resemble people of our world, but with exaggerated features. For example, a guy who’s overweight will slightly resemble a frog. And a cute character will lack detailed facial features to accentuate their cuteness. Attention to detail is not all the visuals have going for it. The series also utilizes shots such as close ups, dutch angles, and transitions in creative ways to make what the characters are feeling in a given scene also applicable to the viewer. In various episodes the show taps into other art styles that better articulates the episode’s intent, rather than just for the sake of looking cool. While watching the show, not only did I feel like I was having a mirror aimed at me, but also that the person holding the mirror was saying, ”Look at how ugly and pathetic you all are”. img220(https://i.imgur.com/A3NaA0b.gif) But what gives me the sense that this show is lampooning me? Because the show is about dilemmas that everyone faces at some point. Procrastination, ignoring reality, hating our situations, having unhealthy outlets for dealing with pressure, and a poor outlook on life in general. This isn’t a by the numbers show telling its viewers that consuming too much media is bad. The way the show handles the subject matter is more nuanced and better articulated than that. Think less “consumption = bad” and more “why are we doing the things we do? Why am I afraid to face reality head on? And am I truly happy with my life?”. That’s as much detail as I’ll go into regarding the themes of the plot because the best part of this anime is watching the events unfold and how it uses its unique brand of storytelling to convey its theme. Having just referenced the theme of this show, you likely imagined the show having some fat otaku lurking in his room and the show portraying his situation as less than desirable. And yeah, it does have that in a couple scenes. But it’s not crucial, nor is it the only example the show uses to exemplify its message, far from it. You will find episodes of all subject matter throughout. Some people will consider certain episodes filler, but I disagree. As every development that happens in reference to either Maromi or Shonen-Bat is necessary to convey the magnitude of the situation. The events that happen in the episodes are so uncannily similar to the real world that it’s disturbing. The show goes out of its way to make the viewer feel what the characters are feeling in that moment to a tee. You’ll be feeling uncomfortable, disturbed, paranoid, and possibly even sweaty while watching it. img220(https://i.imgur.com/Rybs6H8.gif) The whole experience feels so surreal and yet so cinematic as if you're watching a film in a theater. That’s thanks in part to the writing and the directing by Satoshi Kon. Earlier I mentioned the names Maromi and Shonen Bat without a proper introduction to them, and that was intentional. Though I brought them back up because of the way Satoshi Kon utilizes these two, let’s just say “characters”, to go beyond being thematic antagonists. Or in other words, the bad guys. Because by pointing the finger at them for causing all the problems the characters are having, then you’re doing exactly what the show is calling you out for. Despite the fact that Shonen-bat’s authenticity is always being called into question and I was always on edge on what exactly he was up until the end, you feel a looming presence throughout the show no matter if you question his legitimacy or not. There is also a spectacular moment with one of the detective’s wive’s stands up to shounen-bat in her own unique way. Shounen Bat is not the only presence you feel stalking your viewing experience. As a piece of Maromi merchandise is almost always present throughout each episode. These entities manifest themselves into larger than life creatures both literally and figuratively. Speaking of figuratively, the show is not afraid to try out new things and get philosophical. It will present situations, perspectives, and ideas that’d otherwise have no business in a story like this. It will have episodes dealing with suicide, animation, JRPG’s, using your family for ulterior motives, envy, robbery, and prostitution. It holds no punches and it manages to find the least appealing aspects of everyday mundane life and turn it into a psychological roller coaster of emotions. The dialogue between characters is authentic and true to life, almost scarily so that it must be commemorated. As are their thoughts and actions during their interactions with one another. This is partially due in part to the amazing voice acting performances. Though there is not a single poor performance, I’d say the stand out ones came from Shōzō Iizuka and Toshihiko Seki as the two detectives. They have great chemistry together, and play off each other so well that they did a damn fine job convincing me that these two detectives have been in the game together for a hot minute. In regards to the rest of the show’s audio department, the soundtrack is also audaciously delicious. From the opening’s bombastic and attention grabbing yodels, to the ED’s awkward yet soothing synth slumber inducing vibe. The soundtrack is able to encapsulate the same emotions as the show but in audio form. That’s thanks to Susumu Hirasawa. Other tracks such as Focus are also noteworthy. That song is the theme that plays when little slugger is about to strike, it uses irregular synth note patterns and chime-like titters to make me feel as if I’m being stalked as prey. But don’t be scared away from listening to this, because the OST isn’t all synth songs that make you feel like you’re being hunted. Koufuku is a ballad of acoustic guitars and harmonies in the background that makes it feel like everything is going to be alright. It also samples the yodeling from the opening, but it’s much less intimidating as if we’ve reached nirvana and a state of acceptance. Those are just some of my favorite examples, but rest assured it’s a beautifully crafted assault of your eardrum’s sense of security. Paranoia Agent is a show that manages to make me feel like I’m being read like an open book. How can a series that’s a thriller first and foremost have one of the most potent and positive messages of all time? Because not only is the presentation of the show’s story and character arcs so enveloping, but it's the way the show chooses to present itself that’s so off-putting yet alluring. The show holds a mirror up to the viewer and our world with a reflection that’s not so pretty. Because even if the ending may seem vague and gloomy to some, I took it as the show stating that the best life to live is an honest one, where you take on the problems life presents you instead of running away from them. Accepting what’s happened, even if it was tragic, learning to grow from that experience and be able to approach life with a positive outlook thereafter. That’s why it’s one of my favorite series of all time. img220(https://i.imgur.com/iimt259.gif)~~~