Review of Paranoia Agent: Volume 3

Introduction

After a bit of a hiatus, the third volume of Paranoia Agent finally makes its presence felt. It`s been a harder wait than usual, as Satoshi Kon`s mind bending anime is nothing if not compelling, and the need to know what happens next is more tempting than for most anime. But if you have been following the investigation into Lil` Slugger by the two detectives, you`ll have to wait a little longer still, as Volume 3 takes something of a diversion from the main storyline, and looks at the urban myth that has been built around the assaults.

Paranoia Agent concerns a series of brutal attacks committed by Lil` Slugger. This mysterious figure, apparently an elementary school student, wears gold inline skates and a baseball cap, and attacks his victims with a dented metal baseball bat. But clues and witnesses are light on the ground, and the only apparent link is that the victims are under some sort of psychological pressure in their personal lives, and may be seeking some sort of escape. At which point, Lil` Slugger appears like some sort of supernatural saviour.

Three more episodes are presented in this penultimate volume of Paranoia Agent.

8. Happy Family Planning
Three visitors to a chatroom, who hold in common an appreciation of Maromi, meet up for the first time in the real world. Zebra and Fuyubachi are shocked to see that Kamome is just a little girl, and opt to ditch her. It soon becomes clear why, as the three have agreed a suicide pact over the Internet. But Kamome is more persistent than the elder two expect, although suicide is harder, or just plain messier than they imagined. Could Lil` Slugger be the answer to their prayers?

9. ETC
Four housewives meet for a good old gossip when they are out shopping, and the topic of conversation naturally turns to Lil` Slugger. When these four women begin chatting, the urban myths fly, with over stressed students, overbearing mothers in law, incompetent obstetricians or even a grieving lover all falling prey to the skating menace. At least that`s according to what a friend of a friend heard. But the newest member of the group is having a hard time fitting in.

10. Mellow Maromi
The new Maromi anime is in the process of production, and with deadlines looming all isn`t going well. Production supervisor Saruta is feeling the strain more than most, and it will be a miracle if the first episode actually makes it to air, as the production staff fall victim one by one to Lil` Slugger.

Video

Paranoia Agent gets a 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer. The colours are strong and the image is sharp throughout. This is an absolutely stunning animation, with character and world design influenced strongly by a sense of realism, and is of consistently cinematic quality throughout. Satoshi Kon`s work always twists perceptions and realities, and that is reflected in the animation here. Mellow Maromi is certainly one to watch out for in terms of challenging one`s perceptions.

Audio

You get a choice between DD 2.0 English and Japanese, with the option of translated subtitles or translated signs. As usual I chose the Japanese track, and while it is a stereo track, it is one of the best I`ve heard in a long time. Sound design is an important part of Paranoia Agent, and the stereo separation and placing of effects works very well. The dub is good as well, with the translation natural, and the voice actors suiting their characters. The theme tune is something special, especially when combined with the title sequence and encapsulates the tone of the series perfectly.

Features

The usual collection of extras, animated menus, jacket picture, trailers (for Full Metal Alchemist and Lunar Legend Tsukihime) grace this disc. In addition however, there are a couple of art galleries, with 12 images of cover art for the Japanese DVD releases, as well as 40 images of character art, with both line sketches and coloured cels presented for your perusal.

Conclusion

The first two volumes of Paranoia Agent fit together like intricate pieces of a jigsaw, with character, plot and mystery coming together to make a tantalising whole. At the end of Volume 2, we ventured into dark territory, as the investigation seemed to fall apart, affecting the younger of the two detectives to his detriment. I was aching to find out what happened next. After Volume 3, I`m still waiting. The episodes on this disc are a significant diversion from the stories on the first two discs, in tone and in content, although the tenuous links between plot and characters is still there. The investigation into Lil` Slugger is put on the back burner for the duration, and we get to see his effect on the wider community. If anything, this is the comedy disc of Paranoia Agent, but it is black comedy indeed.

When you are presenting a topic like a suicide pact, then perhaps comedy is the best way to go, lest you end up depressing the audience, and the first episode on this disc does its best to balance the bleak subject matter with moments of wry humour, beginning with the older members of the pact shying away from allowing a young girl to join them. Her persistence is legendary though, and they wind up on an adventure together, trying to find the best way of achieving their aims. Suicide is a messy business and certainly not for the squeamish, and it seems that no method is just right for the three. The story wisely refuses to address their motives, but rather focuses on the bonds that form between the three. It seems that Lil` Slugger will provide the release that they seek, especially when they discuss just what the apparition has done to others, but that final moment turns out to be hilarious. Of course there are one or two twists and turns in this episode, and the ambiguous ending invites you to watch it again straight afterward.

The second episode on this disc is even funnier, with the urban legend that is Lil` Slugger providing much gossip. Of course, most of the stories told by the housewives are second or even third hand accounts, and they get more and more ridiculous as the conversation progresses. As it is with most of these group dynamics, the newest of the group will remain an outsider for quite a time, and in an effort to fit in, her stories begin to exceed the others in implausibility. Her desperation to fit in seems to invoke that familiar sense of isolation and stress that has been seen earlier on in the series. But this episode throws up a funny twist in the tail.

Mellow Maromi seems to descend even further to farce as the episode begins. I was left wondering whether this was a self-parody, before the story became clear, and I realised that it was about a Maromi animation being produced. It still has a light tone to it, as we see the inner workings of an anime production company, from the dubbing to the art design and animation. It maintains that light feel with the action pausing documentary style, and a mini Maromi popping up to explain the new character`s role and the job he or she does in the animation production. This is interspersed with vignettes of the stressed Production Supervisor driving through the rain to deliver the first episode on time. What is amazing about this episode is its transformation from light to dark over the course of 20 minutes, as the pressure of getting the episode out on time, the deteriorating atmosphere in the production offices, and the repeated appearance of Lil` Slugger all begins to mount. What starts off as a comedy episode moves quite naturally to one of the bleakest endings yet of a Paranoia Agent episode, and by the time the story concludes, with a twist that feels like a punch in the gut, the same atmosphere of tension and dread has been built up, making the anticipation for Volume 4 unbearable yet again.

I`m consistently amazed at the quality of anime coming to our shores, and in recent months the number of exceptional series keeps on increasing. Paranoia Agent once again raises the bar. Forget for one minute that it is animated, as Paranoia Agent is outstanding television full stop. The mystery that was the glue in the first two volumes takes a back seat for the third, but at the show`s heart are some exceptional character pieces. It`s strong writing of the sort that is rarely seen in any medium, and if for that reason alone, it makes Paranoia Agent worthy of recommendation. If you are only going to try one anime series, make it Paranoia Agent. You won`t be disappointed. This is absolutely brilliant stuff.

NOTE: I have since learned that to be released in the UK, Volume 3 of Paranoia Agent has suffered 1 minute and 20 seconds of cuts from the BBFC. It`s apparent that the subject of suicide is extremely touchy, and the sight of a young girl attempting to hang herself is more than the censors can stomach, even at an 18 rating. Those who prefer their anime unadulterated should consider importing.