Paranoia Agent Archive

  • The wrong tack to take when watching Citizen Kane, discovering the nature of Rosebud, is anger: “What the hell, it was a sled? That doesn’t explain a damned thing!” That […]

    The Final Episode

    The wrong tack to take when watching Citizen Kane, discovering the nature of Rosebud, is anger: “What the hell, it was a sled? That doesn’t explain a damned thing!” That […]

    Continue Reading...

  • The irony is that this is the first episode to center around the younger detective, Maniwa,  after he is no longer a detective, but an insane vigilante, viewing himself as […]

    Episode 12: Radar Man

    The irony is that this is the first episode to center around the younger detective, Maniwa,  after he is no longer a detective, but an insane vigilante, viewing himself as […]

    Continue Reading...

  • Confusion and ambiguity are different, but are easily mistaken for each other. It may be an oversold notion that an ambiguous narrative is superior to a clear/fully realized narrative, but […]

    Episode 11: No Entry

    Confusion and ambiguity are different, but are easily mistaken for each other. It may be an oversold notion that an ambiguous narrative is superior to a clear/fully realized narrative, but […]

    Continue Reading...

  • There’s a certain disconnect, or lack of understanding, when it comes to meta. Meta means self-commentary, self-awareness. But the simple acknowledgement of a medium within the medium is not interesting, […]

    Episode 10: Mellow Maromi

    There’s a certain disconnect, or lack of understanding, when it comes to meta. Meta means self-commentary, self-awareness. But the simple acknowledgement of a medium within the medium is not interesting, […]

    Continue Reading...

  • “ETC” is an excuse to do a bunch of Shonen Bat short stories, weird half-formed ideas to explain the normal unpleasant goings-on of urban life, placing the Bat at the […]

    Episode 9: ETC

    “ETC” is an excuse to do a bunch of Shonen Bat short stories, weird half-formed ideas to explain the normal unpleasant goings-on of urban life, placing the Bat at the […]

    Continue Reading...

  • The title of this episode is only revealed at the very end, after all of its secrets have been divulged (or, at least, implied). Happy Family Planning, on a condom […]

    Episode 8: Happy Family Planning

    The title of this episode is only revealed at the very end, after all of its secrets have been divulged (or, at least, implied). Happy Family Planning, on a condom […]

    Continue Reading...

  • Paranoia Agent is odd, in that the storytelling, the story, and the apparent intent changes from episode to episode. I was going to begin this review by saying it was […]

    Episode 7: MhZ

    Paranoia Agent is odd, in that the storytelling, the story, and the apparent intent changes from episode to episode. I was going to begin this review by saying it was […]

    Continue Reading...

  • Paranoia Agent has used interconnected plot lines from the start, but never as assuredly as it does here. “Fear a Direct Hit” mixes two storylines expertly (replete with flashbacks), letting […]

    Episode 6: Fear a Direct Hit

    Paranoia Agent has used interconnected plot lines from the start, but never as assuredly as it does here. “Fear a Direct Hit” mixes two storylines expertly (replete with flashbacks), letting […]

    Continue Reading...

  • One of Satoshi Kon’s major concerns has always been point of view. Paprika, his final film, could be seen as depicting a world where point of view is shared like […]

    Episode 5: Holy Warrior

    One of Satoshi Kon’s major concerns has always been point of view. Paprika, his final film, could be seen as depicting a world where point of view is shared like […]

    Continue Reading...

  • “You don’t need a character to be sympathetic, just compelling.” It’s become an old saw, at least since anti-hero characters have been mainstreamed (something that happened in American cinema in […]

    Episode 4: A Man’s Path

    “You don’t need a character to be sympathetic, just compelling.” It’s become an old saw, at least since anti-hero characters have been mainstreamed (something that happened in American cinema in […]

    Continue Reading...