show: Paranoia Agent
The Bottom Line: "Perfect"
Those of you familiar with Satoshi Kon know that he’s hailed as one of the most gifted directors in the anime industry. He directed Tokyo Godfathers, Millenium Actress, and Perfect Blue and this would be his first anime series he has created. As expected, this anime was amazing as well as unexpected.
For instance, the opening theme is the creepiest thing you will ever see. The characters stand around town in precarious places, such as tops of skyscrapers, a garbage dump, and a radio tower in front of a mushroom cloud, while laughing. LAUGHING! In the meantime, the opening theme, Dream Island Obsessional Park, talks about birds, tsunamis, and mushroom clouds (in Japanese of course). While we’re talking about music, Susumu Hirasawa created the musical score which makes use of everyday city noise while the genre varies between funk and industrial. On its own, it can be a little unusual yet facinating while it blends right into the scenes perfectly.
Another unique aspect of Paranoia Agent is the way the episodes are set up. In the first four episodes, the focus on the characters concentrates on a new character that is in someway tied into the character from the previous episode. After that, it sort of breaks off but new characters, some of which are primarily minor, are being introduced in all but the last two episodes where things are resolved in an interesting and unexpected way. To think it was just… If you watch it again, things will become even clearer but more questions will be raised. The characters themselves are very unique since they are all very human. They are neither good or bad nor right or wrong. In addition, there are no lame clichés or outrageous character designs. They are just human. The character design, their development in the episode, and the many minute details makes up for the slow and fragmented plot and makes it a real keeper and has a lot of rewatchability.
A few more things before I wrap up. The first DVD comes with an interview with Satoshi Kon as well as the storyboards for the episodes included in the DVD. As for the English dub (for those of you who actually care about it and don’t call it a worthless piece of garbage), it is excellent. The voices are well-cast while the actors deliver their lines right on the money. Nothing less from what I expected from Geneon Entertainment and New Generation Pictures. This is something that you wouldn't regret buying unless you have a weak mind. I am definitely going to buy this once a complete boxset is for sale.
