Mousou Dairinin (Paranoia Agent)

The infamous Shounen Bat is terrorizing the residents of Musashino City. Flying around on his rollerblades and beating people down with a golden baseball bat, the assailant seems impossible to catch—much less understand. His first victim, the well-known yet timid character designer Tsukiko Sagi, is suspected of orchestrating the attacks. Believed only by her anthropomorphic pink stuffed animal, Maromi, Tsukiko is just one of Shounen Bat's many victims.

As Shounen Bat continues his relentless assault on the town, detectives Keiichi Ikari and Mitsuhiro Maniwa begin to investigate the identity of the attacker. However, more and more people fall victim to the notorious golden bat, and news of the assailant begins circulating around the town. Paranoia starts to set in as chilling rumors spread amongst adults and children alike.

Will the two detectives be able to unravel the truth behind Shounen Bat, or will the paranoia get to them first?

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Edit

Background

The anime was awarded the Silver Prize in Animation Jury Award and Audience Award at Fantasia International Film Festival 2004 in Montreal, Canada.

Episode Videos

Tominaga, Miina
Japanese

More staff

Staff

Cook, Justin

Producer

Tanaka, Shinsaku

Assistant Producer

Kon, Satoshi

Director, Storyboard, Original Creator

Mima, Masafumi

Sound Director

Edit

Opening Theme

"Yume no Shima Shinen Kouen/Dream Island Obsessional Park (夢の島思念公園)" by Susumu Hirasawa

Edit

Ending Theme

"Shiroi Oka - Maromi no Theme" by Susumu Hirasawa

Reviews

Apr 4, 2024

MadMonster116

Recommended

How can i explain this animation?! It's very hard... The begining is like a true criminal series and very focused, The characters is very good builded and you start to search for evidances to understand the case, when the criminal was caught and explain your history and point of view, the main plot start to become a crazy story, if you don't force your mind to understand and walk side by side with the detectives, you will be Lost.

There is a high critical point in this show, the society try to find forms of escape your problems, even was necessary to be attacked for a ...

Open

Gift

Oct 7, 2023

Zencaine

Mixed Feelings

You have the Avant Garde animations that in addition to providing interesting visuals and sounds they tell a story that is innovative, unpredictable, and thought provoking. These are the Avant Garde animations that are appreciated by most of it’s watchers - an example of this would be Perfect Blue.

Then you have Avant Garde animations that put their heart and soul in the visuals and sounds, but in attempt to be a showpiece, they sucker the story making it entirely incoherent, and the conclusion lucid; leaving the viewers to interpret their own story by over-analyzing the conclusion, trying to make sense of it all. Some ... viewers portray this as thought provoking, and in turn, a *masterpiece*.

In addition to Neon Genesis, Paranoia Agent is an example of this.

What makes a masterpiece Avant Garde is not making viewers *have* to think, but CREATING A STORY that *makes* viewers think.

The story, or lack thereof is what makes an Avant Garde appreciated by majority of it’s viewers or have mixed reviews. Paranoia Agent is one that has mixed reviews. Why? It has poor storytelling; failing to reveal it’s theme.

SPOILERS HERE********************************************************************************************

There are many interpretations of this anime, one of the most out there being it’s alluding to Japanese escapism, specifically concerning WW2…

The simple, yet great interpretation is rumors and mass paranoia manifested aka Urban Legends. An urban legend is defined as a horrific (or humorous) story or piece of information circulated as though true, especially one purporting (claim often false) to involve someone vaguely related or known to the teller.

This fits perfectly to the animation. MC tells a horrific, purporting story about someone attacking her, it circulates as the truth, not only being investigated, but broadcasted on the News, for all of Japan to hear, then other people begin to tell the same story about it happening to them, causing mass paranoia, bring the legend to life; and the only way to rid of it is by going to the source and getting the truth.

SPOILERS END*********************************************************************************************

If you are a viewer that seeks good storytelling, you will most likely not enjoy watching this animation without interpretation. You are less likely to catch on to the theme (what you just watched) because it’s not direct, you have to think about it.

Once you are aware of the the theme, it takes it from confusing to admirable. However coming back to what was said in the beginning of this review - viewers shouldn’t have to think, it should make us think.

In conclusion, the animation alone without interpretation is just okay. Not bad, but only good enough to finish. The art is short of interesting, but the sounds however are definitely uneasy (had to sleep with the light on after it got stuck in my head lol), and once again, the animation alone doesn’t tell a consistent story. If someone were to say “I’m about to watch Paranoia Agent” I wouldn’t shy them away, but tell them to keep an open mind. Nonetheless, I would never say “You should watch Paranoia Agent!” unprovoked.

Open

Gift

Jan 24, 2024

fnafjeremy

Not Recommended

I will say this right now. I really really didn't like this anime. I tried to watch it 2 times before but got bored then forgot. The opening is probably the best part of this anime. Now don't get me wrong, I understood what they were trying to do with your worries but WOW this was a chore to just watch. The last episode was the best. But hey I did watch the dub since I knew if I didn't I'd drop it trying to read it. It felt like it dragged on. I'm just glad I finished it. I was just so close to ...

Open

Gift

More stacks

Interest Stacks

Wait, What The Hell Just Happened?

by Curlybrace101

27 Entries · 15 Restacks

Anti Escapist Anime

by ecliptyk

27 Entries · 185 Restacks

Realistic World: Morbid Anime

by zvakaz

22 Entries · 2 Restacks

More recommendations

Recommendations

View All

More news

Recent News

North American Anime & Manga Releases for December

Here are the North American anime & manga releases for December Week 1: December 1 - 7 Anime Releases Ajin OVA [incl. Ajin 2nd Season OVA] (Ajin: Demi-Human - Th...read more

Dec 1, 2020 8:59 AM by ImperfectBlue | Discuss (9 comments)

Q1 2020 Anime & Manga Licenses [Update 3/15]

In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of anime and manga licensed in the first quarter (January-March) of 2020. Winter 2020 anime which were licensed...read more

Dec 26, 2019 2:28 PM by Snow | Discuss (25 comments)

More discussions

Recent Forum Discussion

Poll: Mousou Dairinin Episode 3 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Arashi89 - Aug 7, 2009	90 replies	by pennyisirl »» Apr 21, 7:53 PM
Poll: Mousou Dairinin Episode 13 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ) katsup - Apr 3, 2008	215 replies	by mbarseru »» Mar 21, 4:16 AM
Poll: Mousou Dairinin Episode 7 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Arashi89 - Aug 7, 2009	68 replies	by LithiumHead9 »» Mar 6, 1:01 AM
Poll: Mousou Dairinin Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 ) LibreKoi - May 24, 2009	63 replies	by lkj509 »» Feb 7, 2:41 AM
Poll: Mousou Dairinin Episode 11 Discussion ( 1 2 ) LibreKoi - May 24, 2009	62 replies	by lkj509 »» Feb 7, 1:45 AM

Recent Featured Articles

12 Complex Psychological Anime to Wrap Your Head Around

In a genre with anime of various types ranging from action to sports, these are the psychological anime that will actually challenge you and the way you think.

by MAL_Articles

252,515 views

18 of the Best Thriller Anime of All Time [Updated]

If you love stories that will leave you on the edge of your seat, look no further than our list of 18 of the Best Thriller Anime of All Time.

by NicWat10

543,175 views

Collection

Mousou Dairinin

Alternative Titles

Information

Statistics

Available At

Resources

Streaming Platforms

Synopsis

Background

Episode Videos

Visit MALxJapan
MALxJapan -More than just anime-

Characters & Voice Actors

Shounen Bat

Sagi, Tsukiko

Ikari, Keiichi

Maniwa, Mitsuhiro

Maromi

Chono, Harumi

Old Man

Ikari, Misae

Taira, Yuichi

Kamome

Staff

Opening Theme

Ending Theme

Reviews

Interest Stacks

Recommendations

Recent News

Recent Forum Discussion

Recent Featured Articles

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters

Mousou Dairinin

Alternative Titles

Information

Statistics

Available At

Resources

Streaming Platforms

Synopsis

Background

Episode Videos

Visit MALxJapan MALxJapan -More than just anime-

Characters & Voice Actors

Staff

Opening Theme

Ending Theme

Reviews

Interest Stacks

Recommendations

Recent News

Recent Forum Discussion

Recent Featured Articles

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters

Visit MALxJapan
MALxJapan -More than just anime-