Of the last few shows ive reviewed here on the blog, I can honestly say that the end of Psycho Pass Season One has no complaints from me. Sure I enjoyed the finales of One Punch Man and Panty and Stocking just fine but even they had some faults. Psycho Pass, however, even if some of its dialogue went over my head, did all the right things to end the season on as strong a note as it began.
It was only a matter of time before Kogame went rogue but
it was more interesting watching how everyone handled it. It’s here where Akane and Ginoza really
shined in this light as both of these characters have undergone the most change
in the season. Gino is a troubled soul
who lost his best friend and his father to the system, watching them both
become Enforcers under his command. And
yet he’s still desperate to keep Masaoka and Kogame alive and Akane in the
right frame of mind. This team of his is
Gino’s family, even if he wont flat out say it, and he’s trying to protect it
while still doing his job. So it’s
fitting that his story concludes with the loss of Masaoka, who sacrificed
himself to save his son Gino, as well as, ironically, Gino’s right arm. He’s now become like his father in a way but
also seems a bit more lighter. Gino’s
chat with Akane in the car after they visit Masaoka’s grave is very different
from how they’ve interacted throughout the show. Gino’s eyes have been opened by everyone
around him as well as the events of the season.
And despite the pain it took to get him here, Gino’s going to be a better
person now than he ever was.
As for Akane, man she really is the “Dark Knight” of this
series. Rather than seek revenge for all
Makashima and Sybil have done for her, she still wants to bring them down the
right way. That means arresting, trials
and exposure by jury. It’s strange to
see Sybil put so much faith in Akane to keep its secret, and a little
surprising to hear about its wish to eventually be revealed and accepted by
all. Still, Akane hasn’t lost the spark
she’s gotten over the course of the season.
When she proclaims someone will bring Sybil down one day, even if it
isn’t her outright, I believe her. This
is a girl who sticks to her beliefs no matter what they might end up costing
her in the end. In this case, she lost
her best friend, a beloved subordinate and Kogame. Well Kogame didn’t die but he did break his
promise to Akane. And really, was there
any other way Kogame and Makashima’s game was ever going to end?
I could honestly listen to Kogame play detective all day and never get tired of it. Likewise, his cat and mouse game with Makashima was every bit Sherlock Holmes vs. Moriarty as the old story gets. I did like Kogame’s analysis that Makashima didn’t see his gift of not being judged by Sybil as a blessing but more as a curse. It makes him a little tragic despite the atrocities he’s committed. In another lifetime, Kogame and Makashima could have easily been friends: two well spoken, well read, highly intelligent bad asses. But in this world, it was never meant to be. Makashima was a monster who had to be stopped and Kogame did just that, even if it cost him the faith Akane had always placed in him. Still, it is reassuring to know that Kogame has never lost his own faith in his Inspector. He’s watched Akane grow from wide eyed rookie into the ideal citizen Sybil cant corrupt and could be the ideal face of humanity going into the future. I’ll miss the teamwork between these two as its definitely the heart and soul of this series.
All of this was seen in a rapid fire but well paced and
well written finale that gave higher stakes and even better payoffs. What’s more, every character was involved in
some way. I especially liked Masaoka and
Gino’s final moments of bonding and Yayoi revealing she has come to trust Akane
with her life. For a character who
hasn’t had as much to do this season as others, that still felt very genuine
and earned. Seriously, I cant think of
anything to really complain about with this ending. Even leaving the fate of Sybil open ended
didn’t bother me as im sure its inevitable downfall would make a much longer
follow up series. But Psycho Pass has
always presented itself as a criminal procedural that could go on with new
cases and new threats, as illustrated by Akane’s similarly styled new rookie showing
up for work in the rain, just like Akane’s first day. A new cycle begins and I can only wonder
where things will go from here.
Man, as insane and terrifying as its depiction of human
darkness can be, Psycho Pass never let up on its intensity for one moment. The mysteries were very “real world” and fit
nicely into a cyberpunk filled future.
The characters were all memorable, even if some had way more screentime
than others. The action was pure Anime
craziness, in a good way (man I want a Dominator). And the writing and social commentary were
sharp as a tac, not surprising as the writer behind such game changers as
Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Fate/Zero scored another win yet again. Even knowing there’s a second season and a
movie that follow, I wouldn’t have a problem with Psycho Pass wrapping things
up here and not continuing. It’s not
perfect but it gets a lot of things right in its first season run. And that ending, man, easily one of the best
endings ive ever watched. I really liked
this show, pure and simple and am happy I can start the first series of the new
Gundam Anime Corner year with a win.
9/10
Well we’ve spent a month in darkness so it’s time for something a bit more light hearted and fun, don’t ya think. With Bleach finally getting a live action adaptation later this summer, it’s time to give its own Anime theatrical releases some attention. A Month of Bleach Movies starts next week on the Gundam Anime Corner with Bleach: The Movie-Memories of Nobody. See ya then.
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