The words I put in the summary were haphazard; it's hard to describe Ergo Proxy in a few words. It does have a masterful story, and the overall design is intensely sophisticated, the characters are brilliantly memorable, and the overall theme, while "esoteric" to some, is deeply emotional and humane. The series doesn't try to explain things away; if you don't pay attention, you'll miss a lot. But as the story progresses it becomes so engrossing that not paying attention is almost impossible. It doesn't try to be smart and philosophical; it's naturally so. Some shows try to highlight the inherent ideas so much that it starts seeming superficial at some point, but not with Ergo Proxy; the deep psychological episodes in the story are not only necessary, but elements that adds to the enjoyment.
The anime starts in distant future, in a "dome city" called Romdeau, populated by citizens and androids in human form called "AutoReivs" who are encouraged to waste more. Re-l Mayer, granddaughter of the highest authoritative figure in the city, is investigating a series of crimes apparently carried out by AutoReivs infected with a virus called "Cogito", which imbues them with self awareness. Re-l is bored, she yearns for change. While investigating, she comes across a face she knows, an immigrant named Vincent Law, whose dream it is to be accepted into the society as a fellow citizen...
What is built upon this humble premise is extraordinary. To watch, AND to understand the series is to fall in love with it, utterly, blindly. If someone has told you it was no good, you will know they didn't quite get it. Before I could start the last episode, it was time for me to go out to work, and the only thought that kept rolling in my head was, if I were to die outside, I won't be able to finish it, and that will be the only thing I'll regret about my whole life!
The anime starts in distant future, in a "dome city" called Romdeau, populated by citizens and androids in human form called "AutoReivs" who are encouraged to waste more. Re-l Mayer, granddaughter of the highest authoritative figure in the city, is investigating a series of crimes apparently carried out by AutoReivs infected with a virus called "Cogito", which imbues them with self awareness. Re-l is bored, she yearns for change. While investigating, she comes across a face she knows, an immigrant named Vincent Law, whose dream it is to be accepted into the society as a fellow citizen...
What is built upon this humble premise is extraordinary. To watch, AND to understand the series is to fall in love with it, utterly, blindly. If someone has told you it was no good, you will know they didn't quite get it. Before I could start the last episode, it was time for me to go out to work, and the only thought that kept rolling in my head was, if I were to die outside, I won't be able to finish it, and that will be the only thing I'll regret about my whole life!