Ergo Proxy

Ergo Proxy is a 23 part Anime from 2006. I had heard rumbling about around the net over several years but had never gotten around to looking it up. I stumbled back upon it while finding out about Erased (witch I will write about when it is done) and decided to give it a go. I watched all of the episodes in about two weeks and loved it.

Trying to explain why I liked it to my brother I said something along the lines of this: “Its one part Ghost in the Shell, one part Blade Runner, one part Aeon Flux with a hint of Neon Genesis Evangelion.” And that was my reaction after the first two episodes. To be fair the comparisons aren't great but gives a bit of what the tone of the series is.

Though to he honest comparisons like that isn't fair, not only dose Ergo Proxy stand up one it's own it in some ways is so much more that just that.

The setting is interesting if a bit under developed, a post apocalypse world were most of the life has died out and humans are only around due to living in huge domed city's to protect them from the poisonous air. They seem to be doing ok and life seems good. As we get in deeper the are strange under currents in the world and in the governance of the domed city.

I love the pace of the show, slow and steady but not so much that it plods. Even towards the end with what could be considered filler the are still vital things to learn about the situation and world. It fits into a standard show structure but keeps away from any tropes with no real filler.

The show is built around its themes, they run deep and there are a fair few. It focuses on the mind and what a person is as well as the nature of a person and their sole. It is a deep psychological show and explores some big ideas. The survival of humanity through cataclysms takes centre stage near the end, and it show more than one way to save a species. Though some in way that are disturbing and very controversial.

Re-l is a interesting person; a bit cold and uncaring at times but keenly intelligent but also obtuse. Here name is strange but the is a side plot that show a possibility of where it came from and that her nature is most definitely a product of her environment.

Pino is a odd child. Seemingly there to provide a cute companion but her role is important. She adds the third side of the humanity question that runs through the show. Her development as the show goes on is very well handled and its hard at time to remember that she is a construction.

The art is desaturated and muted to help push the post apocalyptic feel of the show. Grey and blue dominate the colour pallet with blue used well to set off Re-ls eyes. Though the show is mainly dull we now and then we get a contrast with some very colourful events or episodes such as the game show one.

Though for the most part the animation is basic it ramps up for some great action scenes. The lack of emotion through almost no face movement is purposeful and adds to the feel of the show. The end of the first episode stands out quality wise, there are two big set pieces and both look awesome. The part where Re-l has a hand run down her face is both well done and very disturbing.

Some 'grown up' shows are childish and others play at being smart. Here is a show that isn't afraid to go over the top at times but not to left field to be absurd. It's themes rule the show and it makes them front and centre for much of the run time. It keeps what it wants to be at it core and is great.

What is in a name? Ergo Proxy is a name that works not because of any deeper meaning but just because it sounds cool. Is the a deeper meaning? who knows? I don't care to think about it.

Ergo Proxy is 23 episode of pure mind bending, well written story that doesn't hold your hand. It makes you think and you have to fill in some of the gaps with you imagination. This is a show I will re watch for sure just like how I watch Ghost in the Shell now and then.