Feb 4, 2021
Satoshi Kon’s animations are intellectually challenging and very fulfilling. His films start off as normal, and then delve into strange and unreal scenarios. His style is unique and instantly recognizable. The first of his works I discovered was his first film, Perfect Blue, and I immediately fell in love with his style. Perfect Blue is a psychological horror masterpiece, where for a good amount of the film the viewer cannot tell truth from fantasy. The same can be said for his gems Paprika and Millennium Actress. I went into watching Paranoia Agent with his other films under my belt, and as a result I was
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mentally prepared for what I was about to watch. I would recommend watching Kon’s other films before Paranoia Agent, as it will set you up to enjoy the anime to its fullest.
Paranoia Agent is a twisted, psychological masterpiece. Be prepared to leave behind all preconceptions you have about anime before you watch this show. The surreal, haunting, and cerebral ride will leave you confused, entertained, scared, and personally, it left me screaming in shock and excitement at my screen several times.
The 13-episode show takes the viewer through the tale of a middle school boy on golden roller skates who assaults civilians with a golden baseball bat. The story follows the characters who become victims of this criminal, and the detectives who try to resolve the mystery. The assailant is dubbed Shonen Bat by the media. Each victim visibly experiences emotional discomfort in the time leading up to them being cornered into their attack, and they appear relieved after they are struck.
Each episode carries on its own story and most of them have a unique central character. In an experimental fashion, Kon tends to make episodes wildly different from the other episodes. However, by the end of the show, you will see that each episode is connected in some way.
This is not a normal anime. There is not a trio of main characters with a lot of personal development, and there is no emphasis on combat or romance. This is what some people look for in an anime, and with that in mind, this is not an anime for everyone.
I consider Paranoia Agent to be one of my favorite anime ever. It helped that I had experienced Kon’s previous work, but from the beginning of the first episode I knew that this was going to be a legendary series. Through the show, I was on the edge of my seat, double analyzing everything I saw, and thinking deeply about how everything was connected. This is something I search for in film, and when I find a medium that encourages this method of viewing, it is one of my favorite feelings. Satoshi Kon is the only director to truly master anime that encourages this analytical method of viewing.
I viewed this entire series with my friend, and every evening we would watch one or two episodes together. I would wake up every day looking forward to that evening when we could watch Paranoia Agent. After craving it all day, sometimes I would be almost shaking in excitement at the beginning of each episode.
Some reviewers have complained about the plot being confusing, or how some of the episodes are filler. I do not think any of the episodes are filler. Each episode gives viewers additional understanding of the obsession the society develops with Shonen Bat and Maromi. Many of the episodes are groundbreaking and outright insane, and those are some of the best ones. There is not a weak episode for me. Some are more exciting than others, but all of them are fascinating in their own way.
This show is a flawless 10 for me. The animation, music, and themes are gritty and fit perfectly. I cannot think of anything that bothers me about this anime. It is entertaining, captivating, unsettling, and makes you think. The same cannot be said for a lot of popular anime. Watch Paranoia Agent.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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