Paranoia Agent

I caught this series by accident on Cartoon Network, but I was instantly hooked. This series tackles more weighty topics than almost any live-action drama on television today, and does so with rare intelligence.

Throughout this parable of a city struck with fear over a (possibly imaginary) serial assailant, the show presents some powerful insights on the terrible price of repression, on the thin line between reality and perceptions, and on the fragility of social order. The inter-twining stories of the victims are both entertaining and thought provoking.

This series does not feature giant robots, monsters, or big breasted magical girls. Nor does this narrative stick to simple, linear story lines with obvious heroes and villains. This is a challenging but very rewarding look at the darker side of modern society. It is unlike any anime series I have seen, and I recommend it highly.

When I first heard of this series, I was doubting myself whether Satoshi Kon's "Paranoia Agent" would be worth my time. I've watched "Tokyo Godfathers" and thought it was really great and touching. When I watched "Perfect Blue" I began to think what was the point of the movie... it was just about an actress suffering from hallucinations and there were many unnecessary sexual references. I thought that Satoshi Kon was just wasting his time making the anime. It was pretty pointless and too twisted.

Curious, I started to watch the first episode of "Paranoia Agent". I became interested in it after seeing how modern Japanese citizens run their own lives, while trying to deal with their own problems. The main character, Tsukiko Sagi, is the first to get attacked by Shōnen Bat (Lil' Slugger in English). Folowing next is a series of attacks, also conducted by Lil' Slugger, which are aimed at random people. The mystery here is for the police to solve and try to figure out the connections between the victims. The journey continues up until episode 13.

Viewers are also encouraged to come up with their own theories: Why is Lil' Slugger attacking the victims? Is there something deeper about this case? "Paranoia Agent" explores society issues, and also makes us question whether human emotions and psychological conditions are strong enough to create their own illusions. Is Lil' Slugger even real? Just like other Satoshi Kon films, this series also contains many symbolisms, which help us viewers to understand more about the story.

My last word is, if you like psychological thrillers, then "Paranoia Agent" is a must-watch. If you prefer lighter anime series, then don't (because this series can only be understood by more mature audience). The story may be way too complex and seem like it's going nowhere, but once you start watching it you'll become addicted and try to solve the mystery too.

The is so weird as well as amazing. It is rare to find this kind of psychological anime. It has every single thing to blow your mind and keep you wondering. It is hard to guess, is all those incidents are supernatural or delusion?

Though story seems bit complex at first, but all things become crystal clear at the end and put end to my curiosity. The story amazed me that much that I kept googling about it to know more.

While I admit I found the concept of the series rather odd and pretty weird especially since I am not really into these type. But found this one pretty addictive and interesting as the series went along.

Lil slugger a elementary school kid is murdering and attacking victims in every corner and it is up to the police to stop him. Meanwhile, this japanese writer is creating her own character which has taken over life.

Despite a few episodes that didn't seem necessary to the plot at all the story was pretty good.

The music was great.

Apparently it is the same guy who created Paparika did this movie. If you liked that movie I am sure you will like this series.

A simply stunning anime, "Paranoia Agent" is a thoughtfully thought out trip into psychosis and the darker aspects of the human psyche. With a no holds barred approach to its philosophical and occasionally violent story telling, it highlights the very best that is achievable through the medium of anime with a plot line that is as dark as it is witty and as disturbing as it is intelligent. "Paranoia Agent" is one of those few serial creations that will have you hooked from the very first episode and have your mind salivating for more once it concludes, it is supremely assured from its style to its substance and will toy with your mind in the best possible ways.

Set over thirteen episodes of crisply created animation, "Paranoia Agent" is a paranormal, psychological thriller which charts two men in the Tokyo Police Force investigated the sudden spates of attacks of members of the public by an entity known as "lil slugger". With the first attack having taken place on the creator of popular creator of the sensationally cute dog "Mamori", we discover that "lil slugger" is a metal bat waving, rollerblading teenager. As the investigation progresses and the police become more attached to the case and more victims fall at the hands of this crazed child things take a decidedly more "surreal" turn as things become complicated.

Successfully fusing style, ideas, intrigue and compelling characters, Satoshi Kon has created not just one of the best anime's in recent times, but also one of the most sublime series in recent times. "Paranoia Agent" is a powerful tour de force that will veer from moments of you scratching your head to shocking your eyes, through to putting a knife through your heart. It is a study in humanity and the human psyche, handling characters in difficult positions that would in other programmes feel contrived and forced. It stretches the boundary of its environment and the sanity of your mind as you find yourself falling as deep as the characters into this surrealistically normal construct. Satoshi Kon has not merely created something that every fan of anime must surely possess in their collection, but something that certainly deserves wider recognition and broadcasting than that what is has achieved already. This is thought provoking entertainment that rivals recent animated hits like "Broken Saints" and leaves many others reeling in its wake, but "Paranoia Agent" must be seen to be believed and understood. Rollerblades have never been so scary.