Washi
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Rating: A+
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It’s becoming pretty evident to me that Ergo Proxy isn’t exceeding my expectations, which, paradoxically, is what I’d expected from the show. The show hasn’t dropped off in quality suddenly this episode, in fact this could be my favourite entry in the show since the first, but I guess I was hoping for another Gits:SAC, but this is a few notches below that kind of win. Although, the fact that there is a complete absence of self-contained stories or subplots means the show could build up into something fantastic. A few people seem to be frustrated at the initial obscurity of the plot, and I’m finding myself boarding a similar train of thought. It was good to see, then, that this week the show stopped rushing forward and began, slowly mind you, filling in the blanks, and giving the viewer some time to draw their own conclusions from the events. In some shows this would result in a slice of boredom, or it would have to be riddled with fanservice (a keen observer on 4chan noted that every time the plot of Shakugen no Shana is discussed in-depth, Shana is in various degrees of nakedness), however Ergo Proxy was so exceptionally stunning this week, it was impossible not to want to be glued to the screen. Then there was Pino’s little moments of cuteness, which or a welcome juxtaposition to the dark, broody atmosphere of the show.
I talked about Vincent being a very dry character last week, and I was looking forward to have my opinions of him changed. He’s still far from one of my favourite characters, but, after understanding his position (being framed and hunted) a little better, and after observing his reactions to the extremeness of his plight, I’m starting to sympathise with him a little more. I think it’s possible that the show will shape his character into a major adversary of the kind of docile civil compliance Romdo encourages; the irony of his previous perfect citizen image, and the transformation from one ideal to the other, would make for compelling viewing. He smiled a few times this episode, and I liked him the better for it. I can never like a character who can’t/doesn’t smile. And his desire to protect Pino, and the bravery in him that manifested as a result, was appreciated too. Last week he seemed helplessly absorbed in his own problems, but he had opportunities to express his human side more this week.
Lil Mayor continues to defiantly investigate the Proxy. Regarding her character, I’m not finding her to be made out as cool as she should be. The first episode she had this alluring rebelliousness to her, but, while she is defying orders, that spunk is no longer expressed so much in her personality, ie the way she talks, her mannerisms. Still, she didn’t have as much involvement in this episode as usual. The rest of the cast has been getting progressively more interesting. Daedalus seems like a good guy, and appears to be a great ally for Lil right now. Pino is impossibly cute once more, making her the cutest character in recent memory! The new people introduced, living a desolate life outside the dome of Romdo, seem quirky and interesting.
So, how’s the plot going? This week doesn’t open up the mystery even wider, rather it conveniently stagnates so we can get a good look at it.
We know that there were two monsters. One of them we know, is Proxy, and its corpse has been found. The remaining monster chased after both Lil and Vincent, for reasons unknown, and the dead monster seems like it was after the other monster the entire time. I assume it killed Proxy. But, I’m a bit confused about that myself, because Proxy couldn’t be dead now, unless it is a species rather than a single specimen. We still don’t know much about what proxy is, how it came to be, and what it’s purpose is, and what we do know is hazy. The people on the outside of the city seem to know about the monster, which is odd. Those people seem to have a tie with religion, or at least historic values/beliefs, so it’s likely that the creature was not created by the government, and that they don’t know what it is either. It was described as ‘a result of contempt for the land’ by the outsiders, meaning they believe it is a natural manifestation of the modern ideals and technology which have forsaken nature (or a latent response to desecration of the Earth).
The plot is very interesting, and I like how they tie in the themes commonly associated with the cyberpunk genre. The phrase “lies are happiness” (ignorance is bliss, in other words), is an age-old, but eternally relevant concept. The sociological philosophy is not on the scale of Gits SAC 2nd GIG, but I still enjoy it. I hope more information is uncovered soon!
Visually, this episode stood out remarkably. Not through fluid, or even detailed, animation, but through the amazing backgrounds and scene composition. The haunting landscapes outside the city were amazing, with the dour colours, and striking lighting. It was an artistic approach to expressing a life in the shadow of beauty. The feeling of awe Vincent must have felt seeing that sight for the first time reached me well. But the cel animation itself, looked fine, I didn’t have any gripes with it this week. Overall, this was a great episode. Vincent’s dream sequence went on for a little too long, but the show has a strong voice in its look and feel.
A+
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Maybe I’m reading too far into the OP and Vince’s first dream sequence, but…
We find Proxy’s corpse after Vincent exits the city, right? I took a few hints to mean that Vincent was the second monster, and that he killed the one chasing him, which would be Proxy.
Hmm. Great theory! I’m not sure if it’s right though, because we saw both of the monsters at one stage, and niether of them could have been vincent, unless he dressed up in a very creepy costume and gained inhuman battle ability.
The OP hints at transformation. On the other hand, every ep of Ergo Proxy I’ve seen so far I’ve watched while very, very tired. My brain cells were probably dying at a rate high enough for me to be labeled high. -_-
Actually, I’m thinking the same, that was a pretty obvious theory after ep2 ending -> ep3 pre-opening sequences. :) Though… there is the first ep ending too – didnt we see Vincent running somewhere while Ril was getting attacked?
But, yea, I still think it’s like that. :)
There might be three monsters, and Proxy might not actually be dead… O.o
So we’re thinking along the lines of Vincent being able to (unwillingly or unconsciously) transform, in which state he acts instinctually, or with another persona? That would explain a few things, but I remain skeptical. Didn’t we see the two monsters even before Vincent was ‘on the run’ so to speak? So how could he have done that?
Point. I’m going to rewatch the first four episodes and think about it some more.
…..deadulus is a guy not a girl.
and im sure uve noticed that vincent is ergo proxy, the proxy of death.
>>deadulus is a guy not a girl.
I know.
>>and im sure uve noticed that vincent is ergo proxy, the proxy of death.
I wrote this entry right after having seen this episode, you do realise? So anything I’ve learned from later episodes could not possibley have been included in this entry.
……….a!