Paradigm City, a place where forty years ago, everyone lost their memories. My name is Roger Smith, and I'm a negotiator..
Accompanied by a soft piano and saxophone, our main character takes center stage. Smooth talking Smith, accompanied by his mercurial butler, sarcastic android Dorothy and backed up by the ubiquitous "Megaduece" Big O takes on Paradigms dark side, composed of criminals, cutthroats and it's very past.
The episodes are a fun mix of a little detective work and Mecha combat/destruction. The slow reveal of the cities past and development of characters is kindly treated, and I found myself happily re-watching the series just to revisit the interactions and growth of both. The ending is an unmistakably polarizing event for many I've spoken to. Respected or hated, it IS sad to know that a third season was at least at some point a distant possibility; though one website comically points out that this would have likely resulted in even more confusing plot threads.
The element of mystery that is prevalent could frustrate some viewers whom see it as a glossing over details or never explaining itself. I find that the airs Big O puts on is part of a neo-noir charm. It's not a labyrinth of complexity and depth, but a comfortable amount of detail that's style with respectable substance
The art is wonderful, the hard edges and colors giving a severity to the backgrounds and characters. Much like the acclaimed animated Batman series, this helps the minimal amount of animation stand out, as the gloomy city evokes a tangible moodiness in all of it's shadows. True the animation itself may not be all that much to right home about, and the occasional guffaw that interrupts the sleekness is noticeable. Overall the art compliments and enhances the story and characters.
The soundtrack belts bluesy melodies and classical pieces at the right moments. An ominous, wistful tone is very present here, and helps establish the city. The fight scenes are accompanied by appropriately energetic and loud bits. As for sound effects, nothing superhuman, all proper. The voice work in the dub is great. Not much cringe-worthy "Engrish" is present, and Roger's quips can be genuinely funny. The dialogue can take on Saturday Morning Superhero Special quality, but when the tone is series it's played straight without much narm.
Roger isn't particularly complicated, but a fun character to see go about his business and relationships. The supporting cast each have their own quirks, but make nice compliments to Roger and one another. Roger's rogue gallery is an interesting sort: not-Lupin III Beck, the forever preaching and philosophical Schartz, and vaguely Joker-esque Alan. All mix well in an assortment of tales and interactions, the series even bringing one-shot characters to the forefront with old concepts that still seem interesting.
I don't hesitate to re-watch The Big O because I know it delivers. The end of the second season compromises outright explaining the plot with a stereotypical, drawn-out soliloquy to instead require the viewer to think just a little bit. An understandably foreign concept in a standard giant-robot-punch-everything anime, but not an unwelcome one. Otherwise the episodes are varied and entertaining.
If I read correctly, the show is supposed to re-air on television sometime this year (2014) One can only hope that a renewed interest might breathe some life into a third season. If not I'll drop the $100 to get the complete set one of these days, as I can't find a pressing reason not to own this classic.
