PSYCHO-PASS Season 1: A cyberpunk masterpiece and a profound exploration of social systems

PSYCHO-PASS Season 1 - Psycho-Pass - Reviews and Recommendations

"PSYCHO-PASS" is a TV anime series that began airing on October 12, 2012. It is a work that Production IG was in charge of animation production based on the original story by Gen Urobuchi (Nitroplus). The work is set in a future Japan and depicts a world where a system that measures the psychological state of humans, called the Sibyl System, has become widespread throughout society. Below, we will provide detailed information, reviews, and recommendations for "PSYCHO-PASS".

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

October 12, 2012 - March 22, 2013

■Broadcasting station

Fuji Television, Kansai Television, Tokai Television, Akita Television, Iwate Menkoi Television, Sakuranbo Television, Fukushima Television, Niigata General Television, Television Shizuoka, Television Shin-Hiroshima, Television Ehime, Television Nishinippon, Saga Television, Television Kumamoto, Kagoshima Television, BS Fuji

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 22

■Original Story

・Story concept: Gen Urobuchi (Nitroplus) ^{PSYCHO-PASS series}

■ Director

・General Director: Katsuyuki Motohiro ・Director: Naoyoshi Shioya

■ Production

・Animation production: Production IG
・Production: Psycho-Pass Production Committee

■Works

©Psycho-Pass Production Committee

■Cast

・Shinya Kogami/Tomokazu Seki・Aka Tsunemori/Kana Hanazawa・Norimoto Ginoza/Kenji Nojima・Tomoki Masakuni/Kintaka Arimoto・Hidehoshi Kagami/Akira Ishida・Yayoi Rokuitsuka/Shizu Ito・Shion Karanomori/Miyuki Sawashiro・Shogo Makishima/Takahiro Sakurai・Dominator/Noriko Hidaka

■ Main staff

・General Director: Katsuyuki Motohiro ・Director: Naoyoshi Shiotani ・Original Story: Gen Urobuchi (Nitroplus)
・Screenplay: Gen Urobuchi (Nitroplus), Makoto Fukami, Aya Takaha ・Character design: Akira Amano ・Character design and chief animation director: Kyoji Asano ・Dominator design: Makoto Ishiwata (Polygon Bancho)
・Color design / Emiko Ueno ・Art director / Koji Eto ・3D director / Atsushi Sato ・Director of photography / Eiji Arai ・Editing / Yoshinori Murakami ・Music / Yugo Kanno ・Sound director / Yoshikazu Iwanami ・Animation production / Production IG
・Production: Psycho-Pass Production Committee

■ Main Characters

Shinya Kougami is an enforcer belonging to the First Division of the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Department. His masochistically well-trained physique and tenacity towards investigations are looked upon with awe by fellow enforcers.
A newbie inspector belonging to the First Division of the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Department. She is innocent but has a clumsy and timid side. Despite being pushed around by Kogami, she continues to investigate the case.
Nobumoto Ginoza is a supervisor who is a senior to Akane and belongs to the First Division of the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Department. He is an elite who has made his career out of hatred for people with high crime rates and the desire to eliminate them from society.
Tomoki Masakuni An enforcer belonging to the First Division of the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Affairs Department. A diligent, honest and reliable veteran.
Shusei Kagami is an enforcer in the First Division of the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Department. He is always joking around and enjoys teasing the rookie, Akane.
Rokuitsuka Yayoi An enforcer belonging to the First Division of the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Department. She is a cool-headed woman who rarely shows her emotions and remains calm even when dealing with brutal crimes.
Karanomori Shion Analyst at the Public Safety Bureau's General Analysis Division. She backs up the investigative activities of enforcers and inspectors with a variety of analytical data. A talkative beauty with a nice body.
Makishima Shogo: A mysterious man who operates behind the scenes of numerous incidents. He seems to have some kind of connection with Kogami Shinya.

■ Main robot items

・A value that measures the psychological state and personality tendencies of a psychopathic person. This will lead to the spread of mental care to maintain an ideal mental state throughout society, and also to the realization of a society in which people can pursue optimal happiness according to their hobbies, preferences, and occupational aptitudes, all of which will be clearly indicated in advance.
Hue: A very superficial barometer of a psychopath, it is a visualization of the measured values ​​of their biological reactions before they are analyzed by the Sibila System. If their psychological state is healthy, it is close to white, but if it deteriorates due to stress or negative thinking, it becomes cloudy and close to black. Very easy-to-use measuring devices are in widespread use, and many people use it as an indicator of their daily mental care.
Crime Coefficient: A number that indicates the risk of becoming a criminal. One of the parameters included in psychopathy. People whose numbers exceed a certain standard are treated as potential criminals, even if they have not committed a crime, and are essentially excluded from society.
・In the event of a Dominator emergency, this special handgun is only allowed to be carried by supervisors and enforcers. It is preferentially connected to the Sibila System and has the ability to instantly analyze the crime coefficient of a suspect's psychopath. If the target's crime coefficient exceeds a set value, the safety is automatically released and a system is implemented that selects and changes the effect of the shot according to the level. The basic mode is a paralyzer (paralysis gun), but if the target becomes more dangerous, it switches to an eliminator (death gun), and if the shooter himself is in great danger, it is set to the maximum power of a decomposer (molecular decomposition gun).
Detectives in charge of criminal investigations at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's Public Safety Bureau. They are potential criminals with a high crime coefficient, but at the same time, they are evaluated as having the aptitude to understand, predict, and solve crimes, and are employed as enforcers on the condition that they are released from isolation facilities. As potential criminals, they are always under strict surveillance and are not allowed to go outside unless accompanied by a supervisor.
A detective in charge of monitoring and commanding enforcers at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's Public Safety Bureau. They are elites who have a good and healthy mind and exemplary social skills, backed by a low crime coefficient, as well as high intelligence and calm judgment. It is a tough job that requires them to control enforcers and bear full responsibility for investigative activities, but it is also a career that promises future promotion.
・Drones are machines created to assist humans in their work. They work in various places around the city, such as public institutions, companies, and stores, and play various roles. The main tasks of the Public Security Bureau's drones are patrolling, directing traffic, and preserving the scene of crime.
・Psychohazard: A phenomenon in which the psychopathy of people around them worsens due to the influence of people with unhealthy mentalities. For this reason, people whose psychopathy has deteriorated beyond a certain level are treated like those suffering from an infectious disease and are subject to quarantine.
- Hologram Spatial projection technology has made great strides in order to maintain the mental health of citizens. Projection devices are now widespread enough to cover almost the entire city, and the streets are always covered with holographic textures, maintaining a beauty that is favorable for mental health. Mental care through talk sessions with artificial intelligence has also become commonplace among people, with special dialogue programs covered with holograms to act as advisors. Other examples include holoavatar suits that project holograms onto the human body and transform the entire body into a different appearance.
・Commissar-chan The Public Safety Bureau's mascot character. The boy is Taro and the girl is Hanako. Their adorable appearance is used on the holographic exterior of the Public Safety Bureau's detectives and drones, and the appearance of Commissar-chan reduces tension among citizens, creating the effect of allowing road checkpoints, questioning, patrols, and guidance to be carried out without causing stress.
Nona Tower: The headquarters of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Its exterior is a magnificent, shining symbol of the city, decorated with holograms. In this era, society is so dependent on the Sibila System that the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has enormous power over it.
・Sibyl System A comprehensive lifelong welfare support system that analyzes citizens' psychopathy and diagnoses their deep psychological desires and occupational aptitude. With the slogan "A society where everyone is needed," it has realized an ideal society where everyone can work appropriately, receive an appropriate salary, and receive appropriate welfare benefits, without any disparity between high and low occupations or rich and poor. The operating motto is "Those who can do it, do what they should. This is the grace that Sibyl has brought to humanity."

■Subtitle

・Episode 1: "Crime Coefficient"
・Episode 2: "The One Who Can Do It"
・Episode 3: "How to raise animals"
Episode 4: "No one knows your mask"
Episode 5: "The Face No One Knows"
Episode 6: "The Mad Prince's Return"
・Episode 7: "The Language of Purple Orchid"
Episode 8: "The rest is silence."
Episode 9: "Fruits of Paradise"
Episode 10: "Methuselah's Game"
Episode 11: "The Saint's Supper"
・Episode 12: "Devil's Crossroad"
Episode 13: "Invitation from the Abyss"
・Episode 14/"Sweet Poison"
Episode 15: "The Town Where Sulfur Falls"
・Episode 16/"Gate of Judgment"
Episode 17: "Iron Guts"
Episode 18: "A Promise Written in Water"
・Episode 19: "Transparent Shadow"
Episode 20: "Where Justice Lies"
Episode 21: "Blood Reward"
・Episode 22/"A Perfect World"

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・"abnormalize"
・Song: Ling Tosite Sigure・OP2
・"Out of Control"
・Song／Nothing's Carved In Stone
・ED1
・"The Monster with No Name"
・Song: EGOIST
・ED2
・"All Alone With You"
・Song: EGOIST

Evaluation

"PSYCHO-PASS" is set in a future Japan and depicts a world where a system called the Sibyl System, which measures the psychological state of humans, has become widespread throughout society. This system measures a person's crime coefficient based on a numerical value called "psycho-pass", and isolates people who have the potential to become criminals in advance. This setting asks viewers the question of whether they should prioritize "freedom" or "safety".

The story revolves around Kogami Shinya, an enforcer attached to the First Division of the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Department, and Tsunemori Akane, a rookie inspector. Kogami is a potential criminal with a high crime coefficient, but he works as an enforcer in charge of the actual criminal investigations. Meanwhile, Akane has a low crime coefficient, so she monitors Kogami as an inspector and directs investigative activities. Through the relationship and contrast between these two characters, the work explores the boundary between "justice" and "evil."

The portrayal of the characters is also very realistic, with Kogami Shinya's character having particular depth. He has a masochistically well-trained body and a tenacity towards investigations, which makes him feared by fellow enforcers. Meanwhile, Akane is innocent but also timid and clumsy, and is portrayed growing despite being pushed around by Kogami. The growth and conflicts of these characters make the story deeper and more moving.

The visual aspects of the work have also been highly praised. Production IG's beautiful artwork and depiction of the futuristic city are visually very appealing. In particular, the design of the special handgun called the Dominator and the depiction of the holographic technology make a visual impact. The music, written by Yugo Kanno, is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work.

The storyline is well-developed, and although each episode depicts a different incident, there is a consistent theme throughout the series. In particular, the truth behind the Sibila System and the presence of a mysterious man named Shogo Makishima add depth to the story. The tension leading up to the final episode and the shock of the ending leave a strong impression on viewers.

Recommendation

"PSYCHO-PASS" is a work that I would especially recommend to those who like science fiction, suspense, and social dramas. Although it is set in a future society, its themes that project the problems of modern society are appealing. It is also packed with various elements such as character growth and conflict, beautiful visuals, and a tense story development.

In particular, the relationship between Shinya Kogami and Akane Tsunemori, and the process of learning the truth about the Sibyl System, provide viewers with opportunities to think deeply and deeply. The events in each episode are also interesting and have the power to draw viewers in. Furthermore, the music and visual aspects of the series have also been highly praised, making it a highly polished work overall.

This work has been produced not only in the first season, but also in sequels and movies, so you can enjoy the entire series. In particular, the ending of the first season is shocking and increases expectations for the sequel. Please watch "PSYCHO-PASS" and experience its deep themes, beautiful visuals, and moving story.