Paranoia Agent

The latest and greatest of Japanese Animation. Found something new, or perhaps old and arcane... if it has to do with anime, it goes right here.

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psi29a
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Paranoia Agent

Post by psi29a »

I wrote about it in my blog and I think it pretty much sums of my thoughts...

Watching Paranoia Agent is like taking a hit of acid.

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Has anyone cought this? I'm up to disc 3 now, episode 8.
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Post by Libaax »

I rented the dvd before, it is as you say really messed up.

I have watched up to ep 6 i still dont know whats its about.


Thanks for the reminder i must rented the rest of the dvds and see what happens in the end.
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Post by LordMune »

Paranoia Agent is pretty much the coolest social commentary evAr.
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Post by psi29a »

LordMune wrote:Paranoia Agent is pretty much the coolest social commentary evAr.
I was thinking along that line, ep 1 opens with everyone on a cell phone, email, what have you saying sorry, I can't, it is no good, i apologize, not my fault.

It sets the tone for the rest of the anime.

What did you catch?
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Post by Quest »

sounds intriguing...
what kind of a person would enjoy watching it?
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Post by LordMune »

psi29a wrote:What did you catch?
It's been some time since I watched it - there's some more relatively obvious stuff like that, but since I had no conception of "superflat" culture, I had to turn to wikipedia for some of the deeper meanings.
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Post by psi29a »

*does wikipedia search"

I recommend the anime to anyone who liked FLCL, and those that like Perfect Blue.
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Post by Quest »

thanks, psi.
=)

but i ll give it a pass cos i hated FLCL.
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Post by LordMune »

Quest wrote:thanks, psi.
=)

but i ll give it a pass cos i hated FLCL.
You need help.
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Post by Libaax »

Its not like FLCL so dont let keep you away quest.
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Post by Quest »

okok since i need help. according to lordmune.
and libaax recommends it.
and i see ani-kraze has the subs...

=)
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Post by psi29a »

noticed I said for those who liked FLCL and Perfect Blue, I didn't say that only those people should watch it.

It should be a rule that you have to try at least 1 episode of everything, else you will miss out on some gems.

I live my life by that, I have to try everything at least once.
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Post by Libaax »

That really isnt a good idea i know after watching so many animes.

Most animes dont get good or start with the story before 5,6 eps even sometimes after ten eps.

So my rule is watch atleast 5,6 eps and if the story isnt interesting dump it otherwise enjoy it.
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Post by Quest »

there are only 13 eps so it should be a quick and painless watch.
=)

i usually tend to find out if its bad or good 1st.
i dont want to end up wasting my time.
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Post by psi29a »

time is valuable to me as well, however I do not trust others opinions and never have.

However, if people recommend me to watch something... i'll put more urgency on it, but on my own time. People may don't watch this, and I typically won't listen.

Try everything once.
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Post by Libaax »

Man if i listened to what people say i woulndt watch many things.

There are some people that dont recomend but they TELL you to not watch this or that.

For example Resident Evil movies, people cursed me for watching but i didnt care.
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Post by Quest »

usually if i have no idea, i will take people's recommendations.
its better than nothing.
=)
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Post by Libaax »

I take people recomendation on genres im not sure about. But if they say it sucks and it sounds interesting to me or its a genre i like i will take it.
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Post by Quest »

i just saw the first 3 ep.
looks like it is playing on the concept of a 'thought virus', a twisted variation on the concept of 'memes'.

pretty special.
=)
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Post by psi29a »

Just finished up with episode 13, and it was pretty good depiction of the human mentality covering all sorts of topics but rooting in the post WW2 Japan.

Through it all, they are still haunted very much by the past and how to keep on living. I suggest to anyone who is interested in Sociology and/or History to read up on th e Superflat concept.

I don't claim to understand everything I saw in the series, but i'll be damned if I wasn't made curious by it all. :D

*research*
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Post by Quest »

superflat="abnormal is the new normal"
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Post by psi29a »

Quest wrote:superflat="abnormal is the new normal"
go read a book.
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Post by Quest »

psi29a wrote:
Quest wrote:superflat="abnormal is the new normal"
go read a book.
ok
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Post by psi29a »

And here is the book... :P
Superflat is a postmodern art movement influenced by manga and anime. It is intended as an analysis of post-war Japanese culture through the eyes of the otaku subculture.

Artists who do work that is considered "Superflat" include Yoshitomo Nara, Takashi Murakami, and Aya Takano. In addition, some animators within anime and some manga-ka are considered Superflat, especially Koji Morimoto and much of the output of his animation studio Studio 4°C and the work of Hitoshi Tomizawa, author of Alien 9 and Milk Closet.

Murakami defines "Superflat" in broad, sweeping terms, so the subject matter is very diverse. Often the works take a critical look at the consumerism and sexual fetishism that is prevalent in post-war westernized Japanese culture. One target of this criticism is lolicon art, which is satirized by works such as those by Henmaru Machino. These works are an exploration of otaku sexuality through grotesque and/or distorted images. Other works are more concerned with the Moratorium complex (a fear of growing up). For example, Yoshitomo Nara's work often features playful graffiti on old Japanese ukiyo-e executed in a childish sort of manner. Other works are more concerned with the structure and underlying desires that comprise otaku and overall post-war Japanese culture.
http://www.hirokiazuma.com/en/texts/superflat_en1.html

http://www.artnet.com/Magazine/features ... -18-01.asp
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Post by Quest »

psi29a wrote:And here is the book... :P
Superflat is a postmodern art movement influenced by manga and anime. It is intended as an analysis of post-war Japanese culture through the eyes of the otaku subculture.

Artists who do work that is considered "Superflat" include Yoshitomo Nara, Takashi Murakami, and Aya Takano. In addition, some animators within anime and some manga-ka are considered Superflat, especially Koji Morimoto and much of the output of his animation studio Studio 4°C and the work of Hitoshi Tomizawa, author of Alien 9 and Milk Closet.

Murakami defines "Superflat" in broad, sweeping terms, so the subject matter is very diverse. Often the works take a critical look at the consumerism and sexual fetishism that is prevalent in post-war westernized Japanese culture. One target of this criticism is lolicon art, which is satirized by works such as those by Henmaru Machino. These works are an exploration of otaku sexuality through grotesque and/or distorted images. Other works are more concerned with the Moratorium complex (a fear of growing up). For example, Yoshitomo Nara's work often features playful graffiti on old Japanese ukiyo-e executed in a childish sort of manner. Other works are more concerned with the structure and underlying desires that comprise otaku and overall post-war Japanese culture.
http://www.hirokiazuma.com/en/texts/superflat_en1.html

http://www.artnet.com/Magazine/features ... -18-01.asp
thanks for the info.
=)
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