Review of Paranoia Agent: Volume 4

Introduction

Ending a series is hard enough, ending it well is nigh on impossible, especially if the series is universally adored and acclaimed. Entertainment history is replete with popular shows given duff endings, the last two Star Trek series have had heinous travesties tacked on, the X-Files just ran out of steam, and Quantum Leap`s ending was a cop out. Unresolved cliffhangers, writers running out of steam, bizarre last minute plot developments, all these have blighted popular shows, and the same is true for anime. The final four episodes of Kiddy Grade just felt tacked on, while Evangelion`s ending was so vocally despised by its fans that the End Of Evangelion movie was filmed to replace the episodes, yet caused just as much controversy. I love the first three discs of Paranoia Agent, it is without doubt in my top five animes, so when the final fourth disc turned up for review, I approached it with a mixture of anticipation and dread. Please let there be an end worthy of the series!

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.

The final three episodes are presented in volume 4 of Paranoia Agent.

11. No Entry
After the debacle of the police investigation into Lil` Slugger, Detective Maniwa has dropped out of sight, pursuing his own private quest against the urban terror. Meanwhile, his older partner Keichi Ikari has similarly fallen on hard times. Also sacked from the force, he now works as a security guard, and the strain on his marriage is beginning to tell. His wife Misae is ill and despairing, an ideal target for Lil` Slugger. But Lil` Slugger is growing as he feeds off the paranoia of society, and once where he provided release, he now kills. Ikari`s own despair sucks him into an idealised world where he is still in control, leaving his wife, forgotten, to face Lil` Slugger alone and wait in vain for him to return.

12. Radar Man
Mitsuhiro Maniwa has now styled himself as a superhero avenger, standing alone against the menace that is Lil` Slugger, and staying tuned to the radio for any clue on how to defeat him. He pays a visit to his former partner`s house to find it wrecked, but Ikari`s wife Misae untouched. When he learns just how she defeated Lil` Slugger, it finally provides a clue as to what is going on, a lead that brings him right back to the beginning.

13. The Final Episode
… That would be telling…

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. Satoshi Kon`s work always twists perceptions and realities, and that is reflected in the animation here, and the final episodes more than live up to his reputation.

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 Gunslinger Girl and Ikki Tousen) grace this disc. Much more significant is the audio commentary that accompanies these episodes. Satoshi Kon, production supervisor Seishi Minakami and Producer Satoki Toyoda engage in a conversation about the show, the story, the production, sound design and acting. It occasionally alludes to the on screen action, but is more of an overview of the series in general. It`s an excellent addition to the series, and it`s worth it to hear the creator`s thoughts on his work. Naturally, it`s in Japanese with English subtitles.

Conclusion

The conclusion of Paranoia Agent then. With any other series, I would be ecstatic if the finale lived up to my expectations, but with a series of the calibre of Paranoia Agent, I could be forgiven for looking for more. I am pleased, and relieved to say that the final episodes not only exceeded my expectations, but defied them also, ending the series in mind-bending style. There`s revelation enough to satisfy anyone who has been puzzling out the various conundrums set by the show, but an air of enigma still remains at the end, and there are plenty of talking points. Satoshi Kon`s work is fulfilling in that he creates a mystery that tantalises, yet gives it an emotional weight that anchors it to the real world, and makes the audience invest in what they are seeing. Paranoia Agent`s finale runs the gamut of emotions, with the obvious paranoia and dread associated with Lil` Slugger, as his presence and stature in the world increase. Yet there is also tenderness, sadness, melancholy, and the final five minutes put such a wry perspective on the show that by the end credits I was laughing uproariously. It`s a typical twist in the tail that still managed to surprise, and my view of the series was fundamentally altered.

Quite naturally, the focus is on paranoia and dissociation from reality. After the apparent diversion of the previous volume, we return directly to the investigation into Lil` Slugger. Only by this volume significant time has passed, and the two former detectives have not fared well. Both have been dismissed from their jobs, and the official investigation appears to have fallen by the wayside. Lil` Slugger still preys on the stressed seeking escape, but as his legend grows, his description changes in the rumours. It`s as if he is feeding off his notoriety. Keichi Ikari has fallen on hard times, reduced to working as a security guard. His marriage has suffered, and he no longer feels worthy of his wife. The proverbial straw occurs when he finds himself working alongside a former burglar he once apprehended. While they initially reminisce and lament the fact that both crime and crime prevention have changed, that the sort of policeman he is is surplus to requirements, it only spurs him to want to escape. He is offered that escape, and it leads him to an idealised nostalgic world where he is in control, a world where Lil` Slugger doesn`t exist.

Maniwa on the other hand has become obsessed with fighting Lil` Slugger. He sees himself as a knight in shining armour, an avenger, a stylised superhero that pursues the villain. His fantasy also overwhelms him, but he remains in the real world, and interprets what he sees through his delusion. I was briefly surprised at this development. It seemed a little tacky until I realised that it was hinted at in the earlier Volume 2 episode where they interrogate a suspect who lives his life in a haze of RPG clichés, and get sucked into his world. It apparently has more of an effect on Maniwa than I first thought. Despite his altered perceptions, he is able to conduct his investigation, and it leads him back to the first victim of Lil` Slugger, Tsukiko Sagi.

Paranoia Agent has been an outstanding series that gets an awesome, awesome conclusion here. It`s a series that delves into the worlds that we create to protect ourselves from the real world, the desire to escape when stress becomes overwhelming, and the damage that such dissociation causes. The conclusion manages to be intensely personal and epic at the same time, and the interpretation is left open-ended. Is Lil` Slugger the result of the paranormal, mass hysteria, or self-fulfilling prophecy? You decide. In my view the answer isn`t as important as what the question implies about society. Paranoia Agent has a typically enigmatic title sequence, with the show`s main characters standing in front of images of destruction or hectic urbanity, laughing uproariously. I now know why they laugh.

Paranoia Agent has constantly impressed me with its depth of story, accessibility of characters and quality presentation. I`d say that it was a must own series, were it not for the BBFC`s decision to censor volume 3. With that in mind, I`d urge you to buy the rest of the series here, and import volume 3. This stunning final volume concludes the series in style, and I can find no fault with it whatsoever. Utter brilliance!