Ergo Proxy

In a post-apocalyptic world, pockets of humans shelter in domed cities and use their advanced technology to survive the poisoned environment outside. But technology is beginning to fail them, their population is dwindling, they are becoming increasingly dependent on their robot servant 'autoraves' for existence, and life is losing its meaning. When the autoraves begin contracting the 'Cogito virus' and becoming self-aware, and a shadowy and seemingly unstoppable monster stalks the city, even the all-powerful Regents seem helpless to prevent the doom that is closing in on what's left of the race...

I just realized that nobody had entered a rating for this series, so I thought I would put in something. Shinsen finally finished their fansubs at the end of August '07, and you really should get them if you can. Their high resolution and 5.1 sound do justice to the technical excellence of the Ergo Proxy, and their episode notes help explain a lot of the cultural and philosophical references that are scattered throughout.

Ergo Proxy is a rather dark show, the story is almost Gothic, with lots of secrets and hidden motivations. It also moves fairly slowly, but move it does towards an ending that ties all the seemingly unconnected threads together. Although it's science fiction, it relies much more on drama than on technology.

Much of this series mystic is based on the strangeness and mystery that surrounds Real, Vincent, the autorave named Pino, the Ergo Proxy and the world that they live in. But just hang in there - each new episode surrenders another clue, sliver of truth or insight, as the story slowly begins to gain momentum.

Be aware that there are a lot of indirect references to a large number of existentialist writers and philosophers, which contribute to the surreal nature of the story. (Shinsen does a great job of providing information on the references.)

Having watched up to episode 21, I am really enjoying this series.

Real Mayer, an inspector from the Citizen Information Board, follows up on a report of an infected autorave. While destroying two infected autoraves, she encounters something very strange and very dangerous. Dropping on her from above, a creature leaps out of 4th floor window, leaving only a strange handprint.

Later that night, the creature stalks her and attacks her in apartment. In the haze and confusion of the encounter, Real finds herself pinned to the wall by a looming monster. It looks her in the eyes, presses a bony thumb to her lips and then disappears as strangely it first appeared.

The events of next day gives Real a clear understanding of her situation. The destruction of her apartment is reported as a mechanical failure with no mention of any creature and all her attempts get more information are being blocked. Frustrated and angry at the lack of information, Real returns to her devastated apartment in hopes of finding some clues as to her attacker. Hidden in the debris of bathroom, she finds a strange pendent. It is simular to a pendent that she saw being worn by Vincent Law, a recent immigrant to Romdeau who is working as part of the security team hunting down infected autoraves.

Why is his pendent in her apartment? Who is Vincent and how is he associated with this creature? And might this creature be involved with the cognito virus that is endangering the dome?