[Categories: Anime Reviews]
Ergo Proxy 5-9
It’s a pertinent question, this pretentiousness thing. Ergo Proxy is a damn fine example actually, because once you strip away the spiritual/obtuse/highbrow side of things, what’s left? Unless the story winds up much more involved than this I’ll have to resign to the fact that this is just another dystopian sci-fi show; on the other hand ‘dystopian sci-fi show’ would be a good way for the series to go if it carries on like this because there’s already plenty going on. I won’t pretend that I’m convinced it’s another milestone in the same way that GitS or Lain was but I’m still finding it to be enjoyable enough; musically for instance it can’t be faulted (the op sequence is one of the finest in recent memory, and the rest of Monoral’s album is great too). Although the futuristic wasteland environ isn’t a new idea either that doesn’t stop it being marvellous to watch.
I was quite surprised to see Vincent take centre stage at this point in the story when Re-l was painted as the heroine of the piece; perhaps this is one area where Ergo Proxy really does stop following the cyberpunk rulebook. Not content with setting most of the events in this section outside Romdo, there’s even a shocking cliffhanger that takes this idea even further…I’m hoping things don’t turn out as final as this for her (perhaps the Brave New World-esque growth tanks will offer a way out for the plot in that respect?), because it would be hard to imagine Ergo Proxy without her otherwise.
Re-l on a mission outside the Dome
Whether or not we’ll see Re-l appear in later episodes I don’t know but Vincent seems to have started on something of a journey in both the physical and metaphorical sense. Right from the outset I could tell he was a character who had a lot of questions regarding What It All Means and would in all probability spend much of the episode count addressing those issues; the sight of the hovercraft scudding inexorably towards his home town across a lifeless desert really conveyed the sense of loneliness very well I think. Not to mention the pitiless and jarring way in which his companions - new characters at the start of the volume no less - dropped like flies after their commune was attacked. I honestly thought that they would be accompanying him further but in the end I guess that with the exception of little Pino (autoreiv or not, she creeps me out and I’m not sure why) Vincent’s journey feels like a lonely one, which is probably the intention.
The demise of Hoody back in Romdo wasn’t much of a surprise given his age, and felt appropriate somehow; similarly Quinn’s mantra of living by the sword - or rather the gun - pretty much ensured that she’d die in the same way that she lived. Adults dying with their boots on in the face of fate and Romdo’s authority was saddening but in a way I was prepared for it; the death of a child on the other hand is always shocking, even when the moment itself takes place out of view, and this was no exception. For me, the consequences were enough - I was surprised and intrigued at how an autoreiv such as Pino exhibited a very human reaction to losing someone close to her but was taken aback at how far the powers-that-be are prepared to go to further whatever plans they have. What could possibly justify wiping out the entire commune, adult and child alike?
The cost of Romdo’s influence on the outside world
The details concerning things like the nature of the Proxies don’t offer more than conjecture at this point either - my guess is that they are some form of artificial life that went wrong in a Frankenstein kind of way. The truth may well be as predictable as this but the talk of their being the source of all life and whanot sounded too vague to be sure. Still, the suggestion of there being more than one is interesting, although I’m undecided as to the significance of the prisoner and her ‘prophetic’ ramblings. If nothing else, Ergo Proxy’s distinctive style of storytelling hides meaning in a lot of red herrings; fortunately it’s generous enough towards the eyes and ears for this to not be much of a problem for now.
Vincent and Pino set out to Mosk
Perhaps the main reason why I’m enjoying this show so much, apart from the aesthetic side of things, is because it is a mature type of series that dares to take itself seriously. Perhaps too seriously at times thanks to the philosophy and symbolism, but nevertheless it’s not every day that you find a show that’s animation but as far from cartoony as you might think possible. I can immerse myself in its gritty worldview, scratch my head over what’s important and what isn’t and while I’m waiting for more pieces of the thematic puzzle to play with, soak up the awesome atmospherics. Relying on the style while I’m waiting to properly ‘get into’ the substance may not be the ideal situation but it’s paid off in the past - with any luck I’ll be able to have more to write about beyond idle guesswork next time around.
Posted on January 23rd, 2008 @ 11:25 pm
Ergo Proxy waxes and wanes throughout its run, I have to admit, but when it waxes it often seems quite brilliant. Inconsistent, certainly, but its redeemable features warrant recognition.
I wish I had the funds to buy the DVDs and rewatch it as you blog. It’s one of the ultimate ‘rewatch’ anime; not only because it’s complicated storywise, but the hindsight enhances all the simple things, too. Reading through this entry reminded me of all the outstanding moments that are coming and how my attitudes towards certain characters changed dramatically throughout the journey. I won’t spoil, but Pino is a good example of this.
It’s odd - I hasten to even consider Ergo Proxy one of my favourites, yet in terms of lingering memories and fondness it stands up there with FLCL, Eva, GitS and suchlike. I reckon I should just bite the bullet and accept it.
Posted on January 24th, 2008 @ 12:09 am
Hey, I just finished watching the second set of episodes my self and have to say, your review pretty much sums up my thoughts on it.
I think whether it can be pretentious or oversymbolic etc is really a side issue here as the meat of the package is good stuff.
I agree with your thoughts the images of Vincent and Pino floathing through Romdo, really got the point across excellently, and I really enjoyed these parts.
As a real fan of dystopian sci-fi, and more importantly, competent intruiging storytelling, Im loving ergo proxy, theres just so many intruiging side issues to be ironed out, Raul Creed, those freaky talking statues, Re-ls grandfather, and Vincent is one of the most intruging characters Ive come across, cant wait to find out what happens next.
Volume 3 here I come.
Posted on January 24th, 2008 @ 12:12 am
Ergo Proxy has always been one of those nagging series that I dropped early on and always wondered if I should get back to. It does however worry me that I probably won’t have the first clue as to what’s going on.
Posted on January 24th, 2008 @ 3:02 am
“It’s a pertinent question, this pretentiousness thing. Ergo Proxy is a damn fine example actually, because once you strip away the spiritual/obtuse/highbrow side of things, what’s left?”
I wondered about that too, cos in retrospect not much happens honestly. Guy leaves city, girl follows him, they meander around for a while, and it’s fairly obvious that the serious must conclude at Romdeau.
The philosophical ponderings are interesting enough to keep me, even the textbook philosophy nerd wide-eyed and deep in thought.
Also I wouldn’t put all my eggs in the gritty animation basket. There are a few very americanied cartoonish episodes.
Posted on January 24th, 2008 @ 6:37 pm
@Hige: it’s worth the DVD price, if only for the rewatchability. I can see myself marathoning the whole lot all over again after finishing it, just to pick up details I missed.
@Outlawstar: yeah, the increased emphasis on Vincent really helps in connecting with his character. In the first volume he just ran around squinting a lot but now he seems to have a goal and personality too.
@Karura: it’s a recurring worry that I don’t have the faintest idea about what’s going on either! I have my vague theories but that’s all they are at this stage.
@berkles: I need to think more about that pretention issue really because this is one of those shows that seems to be throwing up jargon and philosophy left right and centre but it’s enjoyable enough for that to be only a minor issue. I can’t comment on the later episodes though, since I’m following the UK DVD release (and getting a bit behind with it too!).
Posted on February 3rd, 2008 @ 3:59 am
I found so many people called this pretentious babble, but it was hardly that.
This show lives on its own ideas about humanity, individualism, “God”, social issues, mythology (many of the characters borrow from Celtic, Norse and ancient Greek pre-Christian mythology), identity, civilization, social hierarchy’s and so much more. It only slightly borrows pre-existing philosophical ideas, and when it does, it expands on them. It’s easy to say it’s pretentious if you don’t get it, but if you can grasp the subjects at hand and realize they’re not what the show is primarily about - and rather simply a backing to it - then it’s easy to enjoy this for what it is. It’s one of the finest pieces of science fiction I’ve seen.
Also, I agree that this is very aesthetically pleasing. The animation is some of the most unique and experimental I’ve come across.
Lastly, it’s interesting to take note that a few of the main robots/AutoReivs are named after Edmund Husserl, Jacques Lacan, and Jacques Derrida. If you’re familiar with their philosophical and educational subjects, it really adds a lot of depth to the series (concepts about deconstruction, structuralism, epistemology). This form of “covert intellectualism” (for lack of a better word) reminds me a lot of Boogiepop Phantom and Serial Experiments Lain, which had lots and lots of subtle ideas planted into the show that really need a conscious mind to notice and interpret.
Don’t give up on the series yet! Also, the music/sound of this is amazing.
Posted on March 12th, 2008 @ 6:05 am
I agree with Kris about philosophical ideas serving as a backing to the series. They also help push the story further.
Just to add something to this discussion, ideas and fact drawing from disciplines other than philosophy will appear.
And to add to the selection of names, I think there’s a way to draw something out of almost every character’s name. They’re name may be related to a person or concept, and it may reflect the character’s personality or ideals. Another thing one might pay attention to is who some of the characters look like (I don’t mean the striking similarity between Re-l and Amy Lee of Evanescence). There are more episodes to come and plenty more details to notice.
I’m looking forward to your next review, ConcreteBadger!