Categorized | TV & Movies

Ergo Proxy Anime Review

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Flames


Available at Amazon.com

Anime has come a long way since Astroboy and Voltron, as is evidenced by even the merest glimpse of Ergo Proxy. This visual delight, though perhaps not the latest, is – in this reviewer’s opinion – one of the greatest anime series to come out in recent history.

Delightfully dark, Ergo Proxy revolves around two main characters: Re-l Mayer and Vincent Law. Re-l, privileged Citizen and Security Bureau member of the post-apocalyptic eden-dome of Romdo, becomes rapidly obsessed with a bizarre series of murders committed by AutoReiv androids. Vincent Law, immigrant and apparent loser is merely a hurdle in her way, until his coincidental timing makes him suspect number one in a secret government plot involving strange monsters called “Proxies” – a plot which Re-l is determined to unravel.

Ergo Proxy delves deeply into psychology, sending the viewer’s head spinning off while trying to figure out what will happen next. Several episodes are devoted entirely to a given character’s particular mental state. Much of the time, this leads to a deliciously suspenseful darkness in the episode. Visually, Ergo Proxy is stunning, combining some 3D modeling with more traditional 2D cel animation. The post-apocalyptic world is not only contrasted with the idyllic perfection of the domed city, but with Re-l’s gothic style and the steampunk outer world technology.

My partner and I would start an episode, thinking we would watch only one – only to find ourselves finishing a disk that night and wanting to stay up late to watch more. The gothic acerbity of Re-l reminded us altogether too much of people we actually knew. Vincent’s apparent amnesia confused us, and the unsolved mysteries kept coming. The writing was well done, leaving us with that pleasantly suspenseful feeling that comes with cleverly planned implications and visual omissions. If you’re into science fiction and anime at all, I’d recommend checking Ergo Proxy out.

Review by Aly Condon

Tags | , ,

Print This Post

Leave a Reply

Email Newsletter Sign Up

Click Here to Sign Up for FlamesRising.com's Weekly Newsletter.

You will receive horror and dark fantasy updates, news, and more once a week!


11 Tales of Ghostly Horror

    Reviews Wanted!

    The new Review Guidelines have been posted on the Flames Rising website. We are currently seeking a few good reviewers to help us expand our collection of horror and dark fantasy reviews. RPGs, fiction, movies, video games and more are all welcome on the site...

    What do you get out of it?

    Beyond helping out fellow Flames Rising readers by letting them know what you think of these products, we're giving away some pretty cool stuff. Regular Reviewers can earn free products to review, which is their to keep after the review is submitted to the site.

    Note: We are especially looking for folks interested in reviewing eBooks (both Fiction & Comics). We have lots of great titles in digital format and even get advance copies sometimes.

    Use the Contact Page to submit reviews or let us know if you have any questions.

    The Devil’s Night WoD SAS

    Free Devil's Night | White Wolf