Ergo Proxy
Washi
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Rating: A+
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I’m feeling rather grand right this moment, because I have finally been able to watch the anime series I’ve been waiting for, above all else, since its announcement: Ergo Proxy. To begin with, the 26-episode series is being produced by the studio Manglobe, who, despite being fresh on the scene, got their massive boot in the door with the fantastic Samurai Champloo. After that series, I expected, and hoped for, another quality series from them, and this looks like it will satisfy that desire. But there’s more than the promise of high production values. The series looked to be geared towards a style and genre that is extremely relevant to my interests: dark, vaguely philosophical cyberpunk, the core theme of which looks to be dealing with a restrained utopian society.
In this regard, a lot of people, too many people, have commented on its “similarity” to GitS and/or the Matrix. I’m sorry people, but the Matrix didn’t invent dark clothing or knee-length jackets, and GitS didn’t invent computers. The show is heavily inspired by the cyberpunk genre itself, but has its own unique style and setting, and does not borrow concepts from other entries in the genre. The best way I can think of to describe the atmosphere, is dark, gritty and sexy, a mature combination that works surprisingly well in illustrating a caged society on the edge.
This style is awesomely achieved with engaging direction, from abstract angles to a practical, yet sleek, approach. I cite this as a major reason for my love for the first Matrix film, and this raises the bar to a similar level, making everything far more memorable than it could be. The animation lives up to my demands, despite not being anywhere near as flashy as Samurai Champloo’s was. I think there is a slight shift in focus of animation from fluidity and movement, to detail and artwork. The show doesn’t feel more static than it should be, but, fitting for the dour, shadowy atmosphere there is a slot of standing around looking reflective. I’ll make sure you understand that it wasn’t a problem at all, though, and the attention to detail and consistency more than makes up for it. I guess we have plenty of time to find flaws though.
The music helps propel the show forward, and is just awesome as score music for this kind of show. The key music is a mixture of raw, rocky, techno, and gothic overtones, and it works well in making the action scenes engaging and exciting. The OP and ED are perhaps a little pre-tailored to the show’s market in the US, but they are, nonetheless, very fitting and, really, are of a better quality than most rock/pop Japan produces. It is used excellently too, seeming like it was properly produced as score music (quite the opposite of Otome’s bgm).
The characters of this show were much less important to me than they would be for most shows, because even without fantastic characters the show could still be memorable for me, with its dark, high-quality feel. However, I found what I was looking for in Lill (calling her that for now), the protagonist of the series. She is perhaps a subtle anti-hero, as, while she does not exhibit heroic traits or strong morals (as of yet), she seems like she has a strong heart and a passion for her job, and even though she seems like she’s against the system of government, her reasons stem from a connection with humanity, not a desire to cause pain and despair. She provides the perfect critical perspective on the way the city is run, citing the regime of anti-individuality as ‘boring’. Through her design, mannerisms, cool attitude, and well-suited sieyuu, I also found she was very sexy.
Iggy, on the other hand, pushes the envelope the other way. I’m not sure if I like him yet, but I appreciate the odd combination of human and machine amalgamated in his personality. He seems too inferior compared with Lill for me to really get to like him, and he is somewhat bland. But I’m sure he could go somewhere, so I’m holding my reservations. He’s no Batou though. The other characters were only briefly introduced to us in this first episode, but I did catch some of Motoko’s seiyuu in there which made me happy.
The story is very confusing so far, and it looks as though it won’t be a linear process of the series revealing it to us. I don’t expect it to be nearly as cryptic as Lain, but it will retain its closet mysteriousness for as long as possible. The potential doesn’t jump out at me, but I have faith in the show to shock me and satisfy me. This is the anime-of-the-year (or at least as far as I can see), and boy is it looking good. I recommend everyone turn off Otome and tune into Ergo Proxy for stunning, big-budget sci-fi gold. The first episode did not disappoint, and I expect as much from the rest of the show!
Another thing: Please god let another group, a better one, pick this up! Stop oversubbing REC and sub this instead to win one free internet!
A+
Sorry, I can’t stay away from Mai Otome. Ergo Proxy is confusing for sure since they didn’t provide any background information.
Well, I don’t really think that a series needs to start with a solid amount of background information. Anime is notorious for throwing someone in the thick of a story, and then explaining it backwards, so to speak. I think this can work very well.
>> I recommend everyone turn off Otome and tune into Ergo Proxy for stunning, big-budget sci-fi gold.
How about we just have everyone turn off Otome and watch something else? Doesn’t really matter what they watch, as long as it’s not Otome. Ergo Proxy works, though, because it = win. ;)
BTW, its 23 episodes, not 26. :)
If there was no GITS movie there would be no The Matrix. :P You didn’t comment on the voice acting? How you like Tanaka’s work? I’m really lovin it, this role allows her a bitchier attitude with a wider range, which she couldn’t really have with Kusanagi in GITS. :)
Well, I commented that I’d noticed her voice and was happy to hear it’s familiar sound, but really I don’t think her role has been large enough thus far for me to comment on her voice work.
None of the other voices really jumped out at me, but Lill’s seemed very fitting and cool.
Uh, right, re-read. Completely missed it before typing my comment. I suppose. You won’t get too much of her in the second episode either. *cough cough*
If the series borrows of anything I would say it reminds me of the gritty atmosphere of the movie Blade Runner.
Yeah, but it’s soo much easier for people to compare it to the Matrix. ;)
[...] The Wakaranai Blog has some comments about how Ergo Proxy fits in to other cyberpunk animes and movies: [...]
Ergo Proxy throws you a curve ball, makes you think one way and smacks you hard in the other. Overall I have to commend its effort in steering away from becoming too much like GITS(cause we all know that none could rival it in cyberpunk genre), its art style looks more cybergoth then cyberpunk and its story genre its hard to pin down. This is one show that’ll get you thinking hard and good, plot twists abound.
ergo is cooly abstract, it pulls in themes and topics from philosophy to technology, but doesn’t draw its own conclusion but allow us to judge for ourselves what it means - at least far more then m.otome - which isn’t bad either with its unusual theme of political play, political assination, even a measure of grass-root activism not often found in that sort powerpuffgirls anime.
i couldn’t have agree more with beefpaste. it’s really one of a kind, ergo proxy. stunning graphics, unconventional way of revealing the truths, and interesting storyline. for older audiences though. kids won’t even understand what’s happening.
see if this works
Personally I think the series takes a lot from another rather disappointing anime “Big-O”. Sure it doesnt share the murky, neo-gothic, cyperpunk feel: put the whole idea about the Dome City, Philisophical insight into AI, solo mega character, Dorothy … it’s all there. Dont get me wrong, Ergo Proxy is about 1 zillion times better than Big-O, its soundtrack is also particularly breath-taking by comparison, but I’d say Ergo proxy doesnt stand as a “Stand-Alone” anime. This is certainly not a problem, personally I feel it can happily revel in its hybrid nature. Slotting in great genres and ideas together to compile a 1st rate series. P.S. thanks for the insight into this being made by the same people who made Samurai Champloo (also an A+ series), it made me actually of all things assess Champloo in a different way. Noticing subtle injections of philosophy here and there.
……I wonder what they’ll do next
Hello, I found this site thanks to my windoes media player (Yes, indeed it is strange) i was just wandering if any of you knows if there is going to be a new serie continuing the story of Ergo Proxy… Thanks in advance
Hello All,
Just watched the first disc and I have to say I loved it. Very well done for sure. And I personally don’t mind the way the story is playing out thus far. Sure you don’t have “all” the answers but I like figuring it out more and more along the way :)
As far as possible influences to the series, I’d have to say it reminds me alot of a ’70s movie (and shout lived tv series) call Logan’s Run
Here’s the wiki if you’re interested.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan’s_Run_(2010_film)#Remake
Thanks for the review of the show!
And Regards to all,
Roland
esto si es muy bueno mirenlo todos tienen que mirarlo estavien