As printed in The Northern Light newspaper
Jan. 30, 2007
"Ergo Proxy" is a stylish science-fiction series that combines first-rate animation and seamless 3D to create an engaging mystery with elements of social and philosophical commentary.
The story starts in Romdo, a self-contained city where androids called AutoReiv assist in every aspect of society, including serving as companions or children, but are still treated as products. Immigrants also are considered lower class, but by serving the ruling establishment they have the chance to become Citizens. A computer virus known as Cogito (after "Cogito ergo sum") grants infected AutoReiv self-awareness, but the resulting disobedience makes them targets for destruction and scapegoats for a string of mysterious murders.
Jaded heroine Re-l Mayer (pronounced Ree-el) investigates one of the murders and stumbles across the real culprit, a monstrous being known as a Proxy. As she chases down just who or what the Proxy is, she uncovers a whole world she never knew about, with implications that could change everything.
Action scenes don't take any animation shortcuts, and the moody visuals add to the paranoid air of the show. The opening theme is a catchy U2-ish song that sounds almost Western (but isn't), and the ending theme is the appropriately named "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead, which both help set the tone for the show.
The first volume moves at a quick pace, not stopping for exposition but revealing just enough to not be too confusing, while slowly bringing out the larger mystery. The second volume focuses more on immigrant Vincent Law, who becomes a big part of Re-l's investigation, leading her to some big discoveries. The pace is also slower in the second volume, but there are several big developments in the story that move things along.
Besides the Cogito Virus, the show is littered with subtle inside references to science, literature and mythology - little touches that add something extra to the discerning viewer. "Ergo Proxy" definitely stands out above the average sci-fi anime, and the first two volumes don't disappoint.
“Ergo Proxy”
Vol. 1: 4 1/2 stars (out of 5)
Vol. 2: 4 stars (out of 5)
U.S. release: Geneon Entertainment
Produced by: Manglobe
Genres: Sci-fi, mystery, drama, action
Release date: Nov. 14, 2006
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