Cogito ergo sum (We will come back into this...)
Existentialism. Yes, the same one that has been used in anime for years and years, and that has brought such good results to the introspective dialogues that the characters developed by the Japanese animation industry tend to have. But... Which is also fundamental to understand the complexity of some stories. It is existentialism, a branch of philosophy that links the human being and his human mortifications with the purpose of life itself. And this is not empty talk, it is elementary, extremely important in order to understand Ergo Proxy, a masterpiece of only 23 episodes and 1 single season (momentarily available on Netflix).
Well, you see, if there's one thing that's fascinating, it's how they're not afraid of complexity in Japan. I started watching this anime with low expectations. A group of friends who have been anime lovers for years gave me mixed opinions about Ergo Proxy: ‘it's a bit dense’; ‘if you don't like the philosophy, you won't understand it’; ‘it's too pretentious’. And I won't lie to you, my mind was a bit polluted with other people's opinions.... However, despite this, I can assure you that I have rarely enjoyed a story so well done and where Isaac Isamov's concepts go so well with mass consumption.
Ergo Proxy is a dystopian story of a Humanity that has ruined the planet for human life. Then, in the best ‘Oblivion’ style, the humans live in space, orbiting, while they have envisioned the planet as androids. Technically, they are called ‘Proxy’. They have a mission, which is to decontaminate the planet and make it habitable. And this is where the fascinating part begins... They are not slow and clumsy robots, but belong to the most optimal technology. They are identical to their creators, the humans. In fact, some earlier versions could even mingle with flesh-and-blood humans...
It takes so long for the ‘task’ originally assigned to them, that they inevitably develop consciousness. And it is this that Ergo Proxy explores, develops and shows us beautifully. How it is existence that gives meaning to life. As Rene Descartes asserts ‘Cogito ergo sum’ (I think, therefore I am). Asserting, that if one did not possess consciousness, one could not really live fully, let alone possess useful intelligence. And it is truly amazing how the concepts that explain our reality become one in this anime.
The visual aspect is unbeatable and the music (it has one of the best songs for an Ending I've ever seen in an Anime. Radiohead's ‘Paranoid Android’) it is impossible not to connect as an audience with what we see on the screen. Moreover, the ability to arouse genuine curiosity and the desire to continue consuming more and more episodes of Ergo Proxy, is totally impossible to avoid. If you've read me before, you'll know that I don't reveal details of the plots of the anime in my reviews; I leave that up to you to see and have a unique experience. What I can reveal is that it is one of those anime to watch alone and even to cry in intimacy. It is not cruel but it is deep and challenging. If you have the opportunity and the time, give it a chance and watch it. I wish you all in this community a happy new year. A thousand thanks for welcoming me among you.
