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EP. REVIEW: Classic: Paranoia Agent

I personally enjoy the episodic reviews a lot. Reviewing an entire series does not allow the same level of depth and careful critical thought that one can get out of episodic reviews. You can notice and discuss small but important details and stylistic choices in an episodic review. You can discuss atmospherics and dialogue choices.

I am glad to see the classic episodic reviews, and hope ANN continues to do it with other classic shows. Paranoia Agent is definitely a towering presence for the current generation of anime fans, definitely deserving the title "classic" in every sense of the word. Also, the dub was outstanding in my opinion. You won't be disappointed Nick.

I almost got the sense that the story itself didn't much care for its protagonist - this felt the most emotionally removed of all three episodes so far, and though its questions of identity and paranoid seeking fit in line with the show's ideas so far, Harumi being such a distant figure made this episode feel more well-constructed in a formal sense than affecting in an emotional one.

But by the end of this episode, he's forced to concede that some crimes just might not make sense, and some criminals “might not have so many motives anymore.” “That's the kind of generation we're living in,” he continues, casting the blame for modern insecurity on the young people of today.

It's not just that, but Kon really screws up here by criticizing a character who has an actual mental illness! On top of that, she is actually attempting to get over the problem, sees a psychiatrist, etc. Yet Kon still equates Harumi to Yuichi and other far more selfish and nasty characters in future episodes.

I dunno how else to really look at it other than a really messed up moral judgment of mental illness, unless one argues that it's somehow thematically different than much of the rest of the series. Of course, then you have to fault Paranoia Agent for being rather messy and muddled thematically...

Either way, I definitely agree that this is the weakest episode so far, and is definitely one of my least favorite episodes in the series. The first half of the series in general is uneven, but that makes it easier for these kind of episodic reviews.

It's not just that, but Kon really screws up here by criticizing a character who has an actual mental illness! On top of that, she is actually attempting to get over the problem, sees a psychiatrist, etc. Yet Kon still equates Harumi to Yuichi and other far more selfish and nasty characters in future episodes.

I dunno how else to really look at it other than a really messed up moral judgment of mental illness, unless one argues that it's somehow thematically different than much of the rest of the series. Of course, then you have to fault Paranoia Agent for being rather messy and muddled thematically...

Either way, I definitely agree that this is the weakest episode so far, and is definitely one of my least favorite episodes in the series. The first half of the series in general is uneven, but that makes it easier for these kind of episodic reviews.

Quote:

But by the end of this episode, he's forced to concede that some crimes just might not make sense, and some criminals “might not have so many motives anymore.” “That's the kind of generation we're living in,” he continues, casting the blame for modern insecurity on the young people of today.

Reminds me of the central theme of No Country for Old Men: the lament of the elders who can't understand the modern world, where things have become more complicated and the things that used to make sense just don't make sense anymore. But in reality it was the man himself who had changed and his memories of yesteryear were heavily clouded with unrealistic nostalgia.

Harumi's mental illness is a dramatic shortcut, and it's not wrong to take umbrage with this portrayal. But this is one of those stories where it makes the most sense to think of the characters as symbols rather than people.

Spoilers for waaaay into the future, but I never felt that Kon was criticizing Harumi for having an alternate personality, but instead for spoiler[not being honest about it to her fiance. All the characters are criticized for using *something* as an emotional crutch and running away from their problems, rather than facing them. Harumi, though she rightfully seeks counseling, is very hesitant to trust her fiance, which is kind of a big deal when marriage is involved.] I feel like that was the point of Harumi's episode, not to illustrate that she's somehow demonized because of her mental illness, but that she's making the same basic mistake as all the other victims--and by extension, the rest of society.

Quote:

But by the end of this episode, he's forced to concede that some crimes just might not make sense, and some criminals “might not have so many motives anymore.” “That's the kind of generation we're living in,” he continues, casting the blame for modern insecurity on the young people of today.

Reminds me of the central theme of No Country for Old Men: the lament of the elders who can't understand the modern world, where things have become more complicated and the things that used to make sense just don't make sense anymore. But in reality it was the man himself who had changed and his memories of yesteryear were heavily clouded with unrealistic nostalgia.