Ergo Proxy: Noble Lie
I’m starting to see some themes forming in Ergo Proxy. Mainly the idea of Plato’s Noble Lie. In short, Plato believed that myths were effective tools in which the masses could be controlled. A noble lie was seen as a way to keep order in society. The theme is introduced along with the character Hoody in episode 4 when he states that “Lies make people happy”. He goes on to add that truth does not always bring people happiness contrasting lying as an alternative. Hoody goes on to implement this philosophy in episode 5 to quench the anxiety’s and fears of the people in the commune of Romdo City. He tells his people that Vincent Law is a revolutionary hero who is fighting against Romdo, that they have Romdo with their backs against the wall, that he is contact with Romdo and that negotiations will be made. While Hoody’s lies initially work and cause his people to calm down. But truth arrives with Re-L that there is no negotiations but instead a planned destruction of Hoody and his commune. I’m sure this theme isn’t done playing out yet. The people in the commune still know nothing but Hoody’s lies. I wonder what will happen when reality comes crashing down. I’m hoping Ergo Proxy will let things play out realistically.
Impressions: Revisiting Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion has always been one of my favorite animes. It was one of the first anime that I ever saw. I was drawn in and mystified by it’s use of religious imagery, it’s violence and how it got into it’s character’s heads. Since then, I’ve hailed it as my favorite anime of all time. I owe a lot to Evangelion. It’s impacted me on a personal level and it’s what got me into anime. I’d even go so far to say it’s a large part of who I am today.Recently I watched through Evangelion with some friends. It almost seemed like a different show then the one I remembered watching when I was 15. I came out of watching it this time with a new perspective and understanding of it, similar to how I felt about rewatching Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. I also discovered that Evangelion is no longer my favorite anime.
Impressions: Starting Ergo Proxy
Started watching Ergo Proxy. I hear it’s gets pretty philosophical which is my favorite thing and why I started watching it. But I hear that the characters don’t get developed very well. So far I love the design, art, and atmosphere, it’s interested me from the first episode. It’s kinda dark like Fate/Zero. The dub is pretty great and I’m getting a Stand Alone Complex vibes but not in a rip off way. Also the main character looks like the girl from Evanescence. Hopefully this turns out to be awesome I’m in need of a pick me up.
Impressions: Gundam Unicorn Episode 5
This episode was pretty exciting, I’m not sure if it was my favorite though. Spoilers ahead!
Impressions: RahXephon
I downloaded the first few episodes of RahXephon on a whim a week or so ago. I remember renting the movie when I was about 14 and being completely absorbed and mystified by it. Then tonight, I decided to go ahead and stream the first few episodes after seeing some people discussing it on /m/. I was met with a weird sense of nostalgia.
Impressions: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Corporate conspiracies, government conspiracies, politics, terrorists, extreme idealists, philosophy, cyborgs, awesome and annoying AIs, the internet, brilliant characters and a kickass soundtrack, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is one of those series that always keeps me coming back for more.
Impressions: The Legend of Korra
The Legend of Korra has been fantastic so far. The story is moving forward with a great amount of momentum with no wasted time. The world feels very alive and the landscape has change since the original series in many interesting ways. How technology has grown in the 70 years since the original series and impacted the world for example. The conflict and tension between those who can bend and can’t comes off as very real. Korra is a very strong and well written and female main character. She’s the most kickass and believable female lead I’ve seen since Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.
Impressions: Memories: Stink Bomb
Do you smell that?
Stink Bomb starts off with a sick hospital employee going to work and taking what he thinks is flu medicine. Hilarity and insanity ensues, I can’t say much more without spoiling it. 
I enjoyed Stink Bomb, it’s a very whacky and fun anime short running about 40mins. It’s a much welcome break to my constant watching of darker anime. There’s a real charm to the 80’s/90’s OVA anime style and feel that I don’t feel from current anime. Everything about Stink Bomb was so lighthearted and nostalgic almost. I love how they draw the expressions of their characters. I recommend this to people looking for something short and different to watch. I
Impressions: Memories: Cannon Fodder
I’ve finally decided to watch through Memories in it’s entirety. I lost interest in seeing the second two episodes from the first time I saw the first episode Magnetic Rose. So this time I’m watching it backwards.
The third episode in Katsuhiro Otomo’s anime compilation film is Cannon Fodder. It follows the working class of a Totalitarian war hungry nation through a day of loading cannons. The animation in this short is excellent, it’s like watching a moving work of art. Cannon Fodder is only about 20 minutes long and does most of it’s story telling through showing. They don’t talk about how not everyone is on board with what’s going on and they don’t talk about how the young main character is being brainwashed. Everything is very subtle. Cannon Fodder didn’t hit me as hard as Magnetic Rose and I can’t see myself ever watching it again. I probably shouldn’t go into this comparing everything to Magnetic Rose.
Impressions: Pale Cocoon
Pale Cocoon is a single episode OVA (22mins) about a boy and a girl who work in the archive department restoring data files from the better days off Earth. If I say anymore about the story I will spoil it. I haven’t watched anything for awhile that has a environmentalism warning message, but Pale Cocoon got me thinking. 2,000 years from know what will our descendants think of us if we keep abuse nature and resources and leave nothing for them but a damaged earth? That would suck to be remembered like that, and it would suck for them. I’m interested to find out who the directed Pale Cocoon and if they have done anything else similar to this.
Impressions: Patlabor 2
I enjoyed Patlabor 2. The only problem I had with it is like with me and all Oshii films, I’m going to have to watch it at least two more times to get a grasp on it. I particular liked what it showed about Government failing to understand things, how the power structure works and extreme idealism. I also liked what it had to say about war and false peace. And it all seemed very real, detailed and relevant, a lot of what I look for in an anime. It’s not about the robots.
Impressions: Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo
Gankutsuou is a futuristic anime retelling of Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo with an avant-garde art direction. All of these things together produced what I found to be a moving and thought provoking series about money, power, love and revenge.
Impressions: Mobile Police Patlabor OVA
I’m not sure why I decided to watch Patlabor. I have started to watch multiple series at a time, I guess it was a spontaneous sort of thing. I had seen the first movie once and thought it was alright. I will probably watch the movie again now that I have more familiarity with the characters and the setting.
Impressions: Kara no Kyoukai 6: Oblivion Recording
Oblivion Recording is my favorite Garden of Sinners movie so far, at least it gave my liking the first movie a run for it’s money. I thought the awesome concepts didn’t get in the way of me enjoying the story and characters this time. I wish more Typemoon stuff were like this. I hope Mikiya’s sister shows up again, I like her character a lot.
