Well this is, in my opinion, the best anime I have ever seen because it is like no anime I have ever seen. It is not made to please you or present you a simple story with likeable characters. It is made to make you think, to confuse you and you probably won't get it's meaning if you don't sink your teeth deep inside every single scene to suck out every little drop of imagery and hidden message. This anime is a masterpiece on it's own.
It's major strength that makes it shine above any other anime is that it's concept is so daring. No other anime dares to walk away so far from the mainstream even though you can clearly see that it's production wasn't cheap at all. No funny moments, no likeable characters, no "feel good moments" no easy plot, only a few actual cliffhangers.
Being probably the most polarizing work among AAA titles, this one will not present you a story that is easy to digest. It will shove a bunch of stones in your stomach just to see if you can carry their weight.
In fact most parts of the story are happening in the protagonist's mind. And it as a whole is a metaphore. You can't review on Ergo Proxy without starting to interpret it.
Story 10/10
So let's say this anime is about finding one's own identity in a system where everyone is supposed to be the same. Our character needs to clear his mind from the brainwashing he experienced. The system and it's ways of surpressing the individuality of people makes it hard for our main character to understand what he himself truly is: powerful. He needs to destroy society to heal mankind and the earth from it's wounds.
The earth is completely destroyed. The air outside is toxic and people only live in protected areas, artificial cities where everyone is put in line and is supposed to behave just like the system wants him to.
Most work is done by androids. People who want to migrate to the city have to prove their worth and their will to abandon their own self to fit into society. And then suddenly a mysterious creature starts murdering people.
The themes of Ergo Proxy certainly are not easy and this is not an anime to watch just to kill a little time and be done with it. Most scenes are only dreams and metaphors and sometimes you won't be able to tell what the "reality" is. Have fun... or not.
Art (10/10)
Ergo Proxy looks terrific. It has it's own style that can't be compared to anything i've seen so far. The characters look more human, each emotion is conveyed by their facial expression. But it's unique style is also meant to polarize. Nearly every image creates a cold, hopeless, dark and uneasy atmosphere.
I loved that weird aesthetic to it.
Sound (10/10)
The sound is minimalistic and absolutely on point. It helps the art to create that grim and dark atmosphere. The sound of a little android girl playing melodica in a ghosttown in a dark wasteland with only the wind blowing dust through the alleys. That's how you tell a story with a few images and few sounds.High quality production in every way.
The voice-talents are outstanding. Especially Re-l sounds icecold at the beginning and then her voice changes in tone according to her development.
Another point to mention: the soundtrack. Oh my god they put a Radiohead song in the credits. And it even sounds like it was written for the show (even though Paranoid Android was released years before Ergo Proxy was). Radiohead only gave their approval after watching the show (and they obviously liked it). I loved it as much as I loved the Opening theme by Monoral. It's weird though to hear some perfect english when listening to an anime opening and ending.
Character (10/10)
While Vincent is somewhat likeable because he is the typical loser at the beginning of the show, Re-l isn't likeable at all. She is a dick, cold and heartless with no visible emotion and therefore perfect for this anime.
The only thing that makes her appealing at the beginning is her curiosity and intelligence.
But Ergo Proxy is all about character development so there is much to see here in the course of events.
Enjoyment (10/10)
If you like sophisticated stuff like me, this one is a must see. It will make you think and reflect about freedom, identity, the system you live in, right and wrong, the future, emotions, life.
I recommend to watch all the episodes without pausing for too long to completely comprehend what is going on. Even if you do you should probably watch the anime twice or more in your lifetime to get everything.
Either you love or hate this anime but that's what art is about. What this anime clearly does is making you feel. It makes you feel terrible in a way you can enjoy. Have fun.
