It used to be that if you wanted to watch a cool Japanese cartoon, you had to stay up and watch Adult Swim. Thankfully, that's no longer the case.
Networks like IFC ("Samurai 7"), Showtime ("Peacemaker") and Spike TV ("Afro Samurai") have jumped on the grown-up Asian 'toons bandwagon recently. And now Fuse is staking its claim with "Ergo Proxy," a visually arresting and intellectually stimulating post-apocalyptic sci-fi/cyberpunk anime (phew!) that joins "Tenjho Tenge" on the music channel's Friday night line-up.
Set in the future, ecological disasters have forced much of mankind to live in tightly-controlled, bubble-like structures. But when Inspector Re-l Mayer of the Citizen Intelligence Bureau begins to investigate murderous androids infected with a computer virus (which gives the 'droids sentience and, in some cases, anger management issues), she uncovers a secret that could destroy the fragile balance keeping society together.
What keeps this anime together, though, is its mix of literate writing and equally engaging visuals. Crafted by Manglobe—the Japanese animation house responsible for "Samurai Champloo"—"Proxy" is as smart as "Battlestar Galactica," recalling the literary works of writers like Philip K. Dick ("Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep") and Yukito Kishiro ("Battle Angel Alita"). Similarly, its mix of traditional 2D cell animation and 3D CGI work creates vividly detailed imagery that instantly puts it a step above your typical anime.
A little warning to viewers: This is not a tale for casual watchers. Like "Lost" and "Heroes," "Proxy" feels more like a really long movie (albeit a very enthralling movie) being told in 23 parts; its existential dialog can get a little confusing as well, even to those who majored in philosophy.
But whether or not you're willing to pay attention and keep a thesaurus handy, "Proxy" is a landmark sci-fi show, animated or otherwise.
"Ergo Proxy" premieres June 8 at midnight ET on Fuse.
