Story:
The main reason why the anime is categorized as confusing is the fact that the most of the essential plot facts do not take place in the “present time” the anime is set in. Thus, it is crucial to acknowledge every piece of information the anime gives to the viewer (some episodes look like fillers when they are really crucial to the plot). To avoid this, please do NOT skip any episodes.
Although the post apocalyptic setting is common in a lot of animes, it is worth noticing that EP deals with the same one on psychological and philosophical level, rather than displaying solely the technological, futuristic and fantastical components that would be expected from a classical sci-fi anime.
Characters:
EP gives a strong insight into the themes of existentialism, the limits of omnipotence (ironically) and analogies of the eternal human dualism (between live and death, wrong and right). The series is set on a world where three possible intelligent forms of life may arise; The humans, the autoraves and the proxies. Although their existence is entirely different in essence, the characters show depth in the development of their personality and the vast differences and difficulties in dealing with their existential matters. This open mindness that results from dealing with the difficulties of other forms of live other than humans is one of the distinguishing features of the series.
The deep way of dealing with these themes, while keeping emotions felt by the characters very faithful to reality, is what makes this series so memorable. The characters expose their mournful emotions without giving the series an overly dramatic, depressing atmosphere. The mood achieves moments of desperation without leaving a melancholic after-taste. It is this equilibrium between action, emotion and mystery what makes the characters especially interesting.
Although a common plot unites the characters, they each deal with their own problematic personally, only involving the other characters in the essential, depicting a more realistic and desperate struggle than the majority of psychological animes (where the characters tends to share their struggle between them.
Each main character has a specific role in completing the metaphorical nature of the series:
Vincent depicts the deep sorrow of exile and amnesia, while Pino personifies a chilling innocence that contrasts the strong and tough reality of the Ergo Proxy world.
Re-L (or Lil) has a tough personality that allows her to give a voice to typical human complaints and attitudes. She gives voice to what we all think yet no one says, which makes her very relatable and the true representative of humanity in the EP world.
Art:
The art remains dark, with shades of brown, blue and black with some occasional yet outstanding red and blue contrasts. Overall, very beautifully drawn, sharp and well distinguished faces with complex facial features.
