Psycho-Pass vs. Shinsekai Yori: A Societal and Thematic Comparison

[@skele56]

One thing I'll point out that I think you got wrong is at 7:50 when you say heterosexual romance is outlawed at a young age because the strong emotions can lead to problems. It's actually the opposite, their society uses sexual release as a way to calm people, and before puberty there's plenty of heterosexual romance... but once they hit puberty they're all supposed to switch to a homosexual partner because that eliminates the possibility of pregnancy, which, as we saw with Maria and Mamoru's case (although it is definitely an extreme case) can pose very serious threats to the society.

[@Aleczandxr]

I think you’re right. I’ll pin this to make note of that mistake.

[@bobbyzamora6389]

I doubt this video will rack in as many views as your Bradley/Griffith/Bakugo/Gon ones, but good on you for taking on such an interesting topic while knowing that it won't be too popular of a video.

[@mari-xp5my]

Bobby Zamora, In my opinion, when you know that this person can tell you something really interesting, you don't necessarily need to be interested in topic :D

[@Crouchez]

Much respect for bringing more attention to Shinsekai Yori.

[@Aleczandxr]

It deserves it!

[@AtenaHena]

like digibro

[@Necrow_Productions]

@@AtenaHena At least Digi made a good video and was honest about what it was.

[@orraz1526]

​@@Necrow_Productions digibro legit didn't even read the plot and criticised things he either didn't understand pr were literally addressed lmfao

[@easschung9442]

I enjoyed Psycho-Pass more throughout, but Shinsekai Yori left me with much more to think about. Very thought provoking.

[@RETSAMXET]

Eass Chung - I have the same feeling. I think paychopass was also paced a bit better in regards to maintaining my attention.

[@Aleczandxr]

Shinsekai Yori definitely would've benefitted from an increased focus on characters to maintain engagement during the first half or so. But I agree that it's ideas are more ambitious.

[@PrincessRimaa]

Yep, the person's preference for one or another will depend on what's more important for them in a story. Shinsekai Yori is, indisputably, the one that leaves you with more questions and has the most intriguing world-building out of the two. But, in my experience, when I finished Shinsekai Yori, it was hard to make sense of everything that had been presented, and I asked myself if I had actually enjoyed it, haha. I feel like Psycho-Pass was more cohesive? I feel like I could absorb things better. The fact that it was incredibly hard to sympathize with the characters from Shinsekai Yori tainted my first impression of the anime as well. I had to sit down and think before agreeing that yes, the world-building and concept were interesting and I did like the show for it (and all the foreshadowing was Holy Shit amazing), but the characters were weak and that docks quite a few points from it in my perspective, which is why I end up liking Psycho Pass the best.

[@yaksh2953]

@@Aleczandxr You're right. I liked Shinsekai Yori when I watched it. Now the only things which are memorable about the show is it's concept and atmosphere. The characters were the weakest part of the story. Their character arcs were interesting character because of the aspect of the story it presented not because of the character itself. When I compare it to other shows like Texhnolyze with it's realiance on show don't tell and Ergo Proxy with the creative ways of providing bits and pieces of information, the way of handling info dumps in Shinsekai Yori was boring and unimpressive. Many time I found myself checking how many episodes I had left to watch. I liked Squealer though.

[@gharaybeh9827]

both of these shows are a 10 for me. but idk why i just enjoyed shinsekai yori slightly more

[@dionisiojunioroliveira3110]

It's worth noticing that Saki did actually do something to change things: she left an written record of her experience. Given the importance her society gives to literacy and education, as those are vital for its maintenance, it may change something in a no so distant future.

[@lmaAsian]

This is the type of quality analytical content that all anime youtubers should strive to produce.

[@Bai_Su_Zhen]

Absolutely agreed, I was about to write a similar comment.

[@singularity1130]

"出る釘は打たれる" “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.”

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

Oh boy. I have a feeling this isn't going to be a feel-good video with these two shows involved..

[@Aleczandxr]

Nah, it really isn't..

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

Duh?

[@ph8883]

Two of my favorite anime discussed in a single video. I tip the hit to you, you magnificent creator. This video is great. Love the content.

[@Aleczandxr]

Much appreciated, thank you.

[@TheBeastBandit]

*Single tear rolls down left cheek.* Thank you.

[@iamthereddemon20]

The hunters dream music too... Honestly you are practically genius with YOUR use of music to emphasize each part of your video perfectly edit: transitioning seamlessly into the firelink theme as well

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks a lot, pal. It's definitely an aspect of these videos that I put a lot of thought into so I'm super glad that you appreciate it.

[@iamthereddemon20]

If you take the time to think about it it becomes very clear that a lot of effort is put into it and it really does help the videos have impact

[@IGotDiabeetus]

BassBorn I knew that song sounded familiar!

[@GabrielAmirati123]

I don't know if this video is going to be very popular, but you surely deserve it. Wow. Explaining these plots in depth and detail must have given you a really hard time, even if you enjoyed it. Thumbs up for this, congratulations for such an AMAZING content. We are missing things like this in KZbin. This is a breath of fresh air, at least for a while.

[@Aleczandxr]

It's been out for 1.5 months and only has 17K views, it's not going to be popular. But that's fine, I knew it wouldn't when I made it. Thanks a lot for the kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@brottoyottorb]

"Shinsekai Yori has perhaps my most favorite depiction of perspective ever. The entire anime is told by Saki in her old age as she tried to recollect her memories and experiences of the incidents in the story. The anime embraces that fact through its entire being. With the animation being choppy, the visuals having such noise all the time, the mild color palette, the visuals and audio create a sense of reminiscence that is unique to Shinsekai Yori. The narration itself directly gives away that she’s the one narrating the series. The atmosphere is not the only aspect that expresses this style. The contents themselves incorporate the very perspective as we have Saki as an unreliable narrator. Since she’s the one telling the story from her perspective, she and the characters who had stronger impression or impact on her were more well fleshed out at those times (which is why Squealer and Saki herself were the most fleshed out characters and most others were rather bland). The events may not have happened EXACTLY how they were shown and the importance and focus on events were unfairly distributed due to Saki’s unreliability and bias. I love how this style justifies so many things that are usually seen in negative light, such as time skips, bland characters, info dumps, etc. and induces meanings in them, which is part of Shinsekai Yori’s charm." So yeah, that's why the anime (or the novel) isn't concerned with its characters.

[@Aleczandxr]

Huh, that's cool. I still prefer my stories to have a character focus but if that was the intent then it's pretty clever and justified. I hadn't thought of it that way.

[@brottoyottorb]

That's a nice read. I've actually started writing a thorough Shinsekai Yori analysis myself and in the first part, I went through the narrative approach in-depth as well as how the anime establishes that the characterization won't be the main focus: animetropolisblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/27/into-the-new-world-analyzing-shinsekai-yori-part-1/ "The story is narrated by the main character, Watanabe Saki as she recounts the events she had experienced from her point of view as an unreliable narrator. This information is relayed blatantly through the speech and expressed subtly through the visual atmosphere which incorporates a reminiscent aura. As the animation studio, A-1 Picture concentrated their resources on their true masterpiece called Sword Art Online, the anime of this discussion attained lesser access to the budget; or so the rumor goes. In this case, however, that deficit seemed to have worked better for the well-being of its substance. How calculating the studio or the director was in this process is a mystery left to be uncovered, but the unrefined animation and illustration throughout the majority of the anime certainly captured the unreliability of Saki’s memories. Which redirects to the question as to why the opening sequence of the first episode is so beautifully and intricately crafted, where even the position of the tree behind the car or the other car approaching behind it are consistent throughout the camera angles. The answer lies in the shots themselves as they descend through satellite view, signifying these to be objective information. The narrator affirmed in the novel that she was unreliable as the storyteller; thus her self-awareness of the alteration drives her to depict these objective recording with precise visual details. The sequence displays the beginning of the bleak period starting in modern time, and the toned down colors along with the visual noise create an ambience that conveys how it’s all in the past. Upon establishing the dark nature of the series and the main events to be in a far future, the series delves into its story while Dvorak’s ‘From The New World’ symphony continues in the background, showing the characters involved in it. Violet with black is a combination used for expressing ominousness and the characters’ black silhouette consists of the latter, symbolizing that they bear the darkness combined with the violet in the background which represents their fear of the outside. It is later revealed that the darkness in the human subconsciousness including fear leads to the destructive effects of the psychokinetic ability dubbed as ‘Cantus’. The characters that happen to be children have their figures merged with the similarly black silhouette of the hill, which represents that the children are in the dark while announcing that these characters are simply a part of the bleak world in this series. But it then shows two of them in a clearer way which can be interpreted as the foreshadowing of their relatively extra free-will. These visual information here are significant because it’s the first shot showing the characters, and Saki narrated it in such manner as she knows of everything that happens further in the series. The overwhelming purple light contrasting the black silhouette is aesthetically pleasant to watch while adding to the series’ unsettling feelings, both visually and contextually. It also captures the conditioning of the children to return once they hear the Going Home, referring to the symphony; a rule established to prevent the darkness inside the children from enhancing. Aside from the appropriate foreshadowing of the Tainted Cats and the slight exposition of their characterization, Satoru claiming that a minoshiro was nothing special shows how different the world is from what’s known. Making the viewers comfortable to the vast difference, it proceeds to tell them that a thousand years has passed, while the Traditional Song of Shadows accompanies the rural scenery of Ibaraki, Kamisu 66th District. Displaying the rustic lifestyle people have chosen in order to bring stability, it follows Saki’s first venture into the Temple of Purity located outside The Holy Barrier, a border that separates the human society from the outside world." I believe I made a lot other interesting points there all through, so you might wanna check it out.

[@amandaanstett6973]

These two shows were the first two shows I ever watched airing weekly, so they both hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for this video!

[@hirisen]

How have I never found this channel before? It's absolutely brilliant

[@Aleczandxr]

Many thanks.

[@renshin4802]

Shinsekai yori is one of a kind... A masterpiece..

[@st.indigo3992]

Went out and watched the anime just so i could watch the video and understand it lmao. This is a really good video and your content is amazing. One of if not my favourite channel on this site :)

[@Aleczandxr]

That’s awesome to hear, thanks so much!

[@augustin5611]

Thanks you so much ! You made me discover Shinsekai Yori who became one of my favorite anime. Thanks you again for that !

[@Aleczandxr]

No problem, thanks for watching!

[@redmdlee]

To all the Shinsekai Yori fans out there, do you think kiroumaru is a bit of an underrated character?

[@Kenny-1-1]

Kiroumaru was fkn lit

[@arpitpandey992]

Dude was literally the MVP in the end

[@JARZR]

Literally the true hero of the story

[@edwardsuou]

​@JARZR Is that so? In a way he's going to be overrated by the people who watched the show because he has a refined and nice design and because soley of that final fight. I mean him rushing knowing full well what is going to happen regardless that the plan will work or not and taking off his bandages smiling proudly in his death is such a powerful and beautiful scene. A scene can elevate a character but the thing is outside that final adventure that character has very little going for him and is arguably a flat character as he acts in a very predictable and always the same way and is just there representing the loyal knights.

[@whitedrawf]

Squeeler is in essence like Prometheus rebelling against the gods to bring a better life for his people getting punished for this act in the end

[@calcelmoanayru5870]

Good God, did you just relate Peterson's discussion of the tyrannical father of society to the themes in PP and SSY? Holy shit, nice idea.

[@Red1Ahmed]

Holy shit, I thought I mistakenly clicked on JordanBperterson's video because I watched some couple of hours ago. What a neat coincident

[@Aleczandxr]

Awesome! Glad you enjoy these. Thanks for the kind words, I really appreciate it and I'll do my best!

[@zinedinezethro9157]

I've been saying this, Squealer is a hero. He stood up against absolute power, lost, but he showed the rest of the monster rats that a fight is possible, though winning is another problem. I believe in his words: "sooner or later there will be another one like me, and they will end your tyranny."

[@vencedore1000]

I'm so happy you talked about SSY! I told you to watch it some time ago, and not only you did watched it, but you also made a 36 min video relating it to another anime from my top 10. Love your videos so much :D

[@Aleczandxr]

Awesome, it sounds like this one was tailor-made for you then. I had a blast discussing these ideas. Thanks for the support! :)

[@klondikelegitski675]

Squealer did nothing wrong.

[@HxH2011DRA]

Klondike Legitski LOL

[@zipperman6045]

He was just human

[@zolo2036]

this post brought to you by proletariat gang

[@FinnianRowland]

He was the reason for the deaths of possibly hundreds of people but considering the real truth of their existence? It’s still hard to say if what he did was justified or not. That’s the reality of it all, to be honest. But in the end, nothing matters, as everything is destined to wither and die until they’re just what remains of something that long existed within the vast fabric of the universe and the coldness and cruelty of time.

[@Necrow_Productions]

Hitler called and he wants his rat back

[@TheCristian1409]

Both are unique shows, I really wanted you to talk about them, specially Shinsekai Yori since it's kind of underrated, I love your videos man, your perspective is always something I can relate to, I'm glad to see you back at creating videos again!

[@Aleczandxr]

Awesome, glad you enjoyed them and nice that I was able to tackle a show that you wanted me to talk about! Thanks for the support.

[@LaserFace23]

I really liked this comparison, A+. However, I always got the impression from Psycho Pass that therapy was ultimately beneficial and encouraged in their society. The first time we see it is with the female victim from episode 1, whom Akane was able to calm down from her potentially criminal state of mind. They said in episode 2 that the therapy was going well and that she would be re-integrated into society without issue. Obviously, therapy in a society like Psycho Pass's is likely frowned upon as a sign of mental instability in a world which prizes mental stability (We saw this with the factory worker guy, which I'm pretty sure was episode 4), but I think the people who administer the therapy, like the psychologists, enforcers, and inspectors, probably view it as helpful, rather than a formality before being detained, as you put it. At the very least, Akane values therapy, and since she can be viewed as a symbol of what the entire Sibyl System should be capable of, I think that's enough to show the Sibyl System values psychological therapy.

[@Aleczandxr]

Huh. If that's the case then that's interesting. I wish the show had delved more into the rehab process, tbh. There's very little to go on and it's an aspect of the setting that's pretty significant.

[@LaserFace23]

Aleczandxr I totally agree, I would've loved to see it, so it's a bit of a shame that the most we got was the two examples I described above, hahaha

[@thelightbringer1708]

They state several times in psycho pass both in season 1&2 that the hue treatments arent that effective and there are Quite serious side effects for the people who need the medication to stay within the perameters accepted by society

[@jazz4778]

I think there was also a scene (can't remember which episode, it's been more than 2 years) in which Ginoza was shown having something like a regular check-up with a personal psychologist who warned him about his Hue clouding and gave him some advice. But yeah, it was a small scene and not very memorable, the entire point of it was to demonstrate Gino's deteriorating mental condition rather than the nuances of the therapy itself.

[@mattdayne2585]

I agree to some extent. But they also showed a rehab facility in which the black haired punk chick was in rehab and it basically showed the rehab as more of a pampered prison for people with a certain latent criminal level. And seemed to like all it was doing was trying to brainwash/force Sibyl system mindset, be happy/positive mindset as the only way for people to come back. I actually questioned if this was just a fake prison because even when the Enforcers were able to recruit her, they commented that no one ever truly comes out and she was lucky. So was this a fake prison labeled as such to keep the public in this "Utopia" mindset? It can be seen as a couple different things but unfortunately, the show didn't go into much depth about it. But it felt like more of prison than a rehab because if it was a rehab, it's flaws of not truly helping people with possible underlying emotions/conditions. Or perhaps it was just imprisoning individuals that wanted more out of life than just being content. I thought it would have been clever if the story somehow tied Akane with her ability to help people reintegrate back into society since that seemed like her forte.

[@Iliketheflatb00bs]

Loved the summary you left us with from 34:00 onwards, succint yet comprehensive.

[@contemptman3646]

Yes. The two modern dystopic, fascism-based anime. So glad that you see the parallels between them.

[@bobbyzamora6389]

I've seen blog posts on this but never videos.

[@hariman7727]

Hmm. I'd use Tyranny/Oppression based anime. Fascism, by the book definition, only means "government control of industry, with private ownership allowed". So, under a fascist government, I could own an ice cream stand, but the government would set my prices/hours/etc. (It doesn't work because a government can't keep up with the millions of daily decisions and factors that affect an economy.) The modern definitions of fascism range wildly, to the point that they lose meaning, due to "fascism" being flung out as "anything certain groups disagree with", without any heed to the actual definition.

[@contemptman3646]

I'm speaking about the broad definition. "a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control" - both systems are quite autocratic.

[@hariman7727]

You do have a point. I haven't seen enough of, or don't remember clearly enough, on the societies of Psycho Pass/Shin Sekai Yori are structured how they're structured beyond the autocratic/dictatorial control. I'm more familiar with the "a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism." definition. I do prefer tyrannical/oppressive as descriptors, as "fascism" has too many connotations, in my opinion. Also: A question: Does the society/Sybil system in Psycho Pass control all production too? Or does it only monitor mental state?

[@AnimePropaganda]

I've only watched psycho-pass but looking at the environment and the system, it looks too utilitarian and not nationalistic enough to be a fascist. There is also lacking the "military citizenship" that is common in fascist states. Feel free to tell me I'm wrong tho.

[@jasondevilliers2777]

Thank you for this! I had seen Psycho Pass but decided to watch Shinsekai Yori after watching this. Anddddd just finished Shinsekai Yori and I'm still in awe of how gripping it was. Psycho Pass for me was easy to feel detached from and the message seemed shallow. Where Sinsekai Yori was a slow burn where the ideas we fight against as children we inevitably adopt with age.

[@Aleczandxr]

Glad this video was able to inspire a watch of such a cool story. I'm happy that you enjoyed it.

[@Jonsoner]

Oh man, Shinsekai Yori is one of my most beloved anime, it always pains me that it has such a slow burn that is practically impossible to recomend it without explicitly saying that you have to view it as a philosophical/psychological/sociological piece, or all the subtext, explanations and foreshadowing would go right past your head. I remember reading online about the reception of that one episode where "everyone suddently became homosexual" and how everyone lost their shit, it was at that episode when the anime truly clicked for me. "Did this show just deal with teen rebelion and lust in an hipercontrolled society by promoting homosexuality as a way to vent? Did the leaders of this town just use sexuality as a way to control his populace? And all of this was actually forshadowed?" That episode made me start over to see what else had slipped past me and helped me take a proactive approach while watching the rest of the show. Once you get past it's slow moments (or use them to introspect), it converts into a great anime; there is just so much delicious content to think and debate about, so much meaning to be found about their universe and it's comparison to our own. Hell, this anime caused such a great impression in me that I made a D&D campaign somewhat based on the town and it's culture. It was, without tooting my own horn, the best thing i've ever GM. Great analysis piece as always Aleczanderxr, it's always great to see more of your content. Hate to be that guy that makes request, but since it's recent, any plans on touching Made in Abyss since it's """"similar"""" to Shinsekai Yori?

[@Aleczandxr]

Yeah, I personally found the sudden turn to homosexual behaviour to be pretty interesting, and had to pause for a bit to connect the dots in my head. It was a really great move, I thought, and it was entirely appropriate. Not sure why people (that aren't homophobic) would have a problem with that. But aside from that, I agree - it was an incredibly intelligent anime. It's been constantly recommended to me by people who said it suits my taste, and they were definitely right. It isn't without some detractions but damn was it good. And I really enjoyed Made In Abyss, but I haven't been able to think of a video topic for it that wouldn't feel artificial or forced. A lot of the appeal of it is self-explanatory. There's a chance I'll cover it, though. I'll think on it some more.

[@tintinaus]

JonsonerETA Pushing newly horny teens towards homosexuality also limits the chances of unplanned pregnancies. In such a controlled society this would be of paramount importance.

[@jazz4778]

Damn, I would love to play a Shinsekai Yori-themed D&D campaign. (God I'm such a weeb)

[@jazz4778]

+Aleczandxr I've watched quite a few Made in Abyss videos and I haven't yet come across any actually exploring what the Abyss is specifically meant to represent, beyond the obvious that it's a kind of hell/underworld/final frontier that effectively acts as a sort of Venus flytrap or black hole for human souls. I hear that Buddhist mythology comes into it as well, so I think it might be pretty interesting to analyse from that perspective, if that's something you'd be inclined to do.

[@Jonsoner]

It was really fun and actually easy to replicate, kinda of a mix between the SsY village way of life and social control and Dragon Age's (origins mainly) way that magic, and magic users are both incredible powerful beings and easily corruptible. Spoilers ahoy for DA and SsY. Picture this: A secluded village/town/society where everyone is born a sorcerer (your choice on why), meaning that since the day they are born, they must be instructed in the ways to control their powers and emotions lest they turn against their people and cause irreversible human damage. The way they preserve order in that place is by a "social contract" of some sort; the lives of the young ones are important, there is no denying that since they've a closed society, but what matters in the end is the preservation of the village, so the council of elders/leader have an authoritarian rule and the people agree with their methods. What methods they use for maintaining control? First is social ostracism for those that don't comply, then, if the transgresions continue to occur, disposal. How? You choice, could be voluntary necromancy where the dead protect the living. Maybe some amount of golems and inanimated construct. The SsY route with man-made Chimaeras and mind control by both sugestions and memory altering. The DaO way of using their blood as a ritualistic tracking device, or the complete removal of the emotions (along with their source of magic). Whatever the method, the really important part is the objective: to preserve peace and mantain ignorant the odd traveler that comes and especially the childrens until they become able to comprehend the truth. To get an even closer aproach to the SsY story, you could use other race slave humanoids to replace the Queerats. Personally I used goblinoids (goblins, hobgoblins and bugbears) and fluffed them as creatures magically engineered from orcs (giving some background to their aggresive and tribal ways). Either way, to them sorcerers are gods, serving them as slave labour/dirty workers. They percieve regular humans and other types of magical casters as heretics, hunting them without mercy. Of course, that doesn't mean there isn't any dissidents, in my campain my PC pretty much sided with them along with some escaped/rebel sorcerers. The conflicts of the PC is actually the fun part, in the SsY anime the characters didn't have the capacity to directly opose their society thanks to the death feedback thing and the absence of desire of reform, but in a D&D campain? The PC will deconstruct/reform an age old society, destroy them along with the innocent (intentionally or not), find the source of the sorcerer birthing McGuffin and defeat it, or just preserve the status quo. Either way, it's quite an interesting ride filled with player choice and moral/ethical dilemmas. In my campaing, after a lot of subterfuge that revealed everything (minus the "why are they sorcerers" subplot) the PC united the goblinoids and rescued (kidnapped actually) the childrens and the rebel factions. Then, after a lot guerrilla attacks (remember, EVERYONE is a sorcerer, imagine hundreds of dudes that can fireball your everythings) they led a full on invasion against the town (big one in fact) to kill the 3 remaining high level sorcerers that acted as leaders. After a long, and really bloody battle (for the town and the goblinoids), they emerged "victorious" and, in a tipical adventurer way, they proclamed that they were now free and left. After that in parallel to the players misadventures, some sorcerers left the town now that they were actually able to without being hunted, those who tried to rebuild faced constant attack from the now free goblinoids until they invaded again and finished them off. Many levels and in game years laters, almost epic lvl if I recall correctly, the main plot asked the PC to explore in the direction of the village to find out why there where so many anomalies around the land (mountains breaking in half, lakes tripleing their sizes, volcanos everywhere too), they were exited to see "what would the town they saved look like now :D" and felt like shit when they found out that the place was now deserted "thanks to their help". unresolved plotlines coming back to rub their morally gray choices/10 would run again.

[@1991LPfan]

That NeiR:Automata soundtrack in the background works beautifully when talking about the setting. Great work as always!

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks so much!

[@StepBaum]

No matter what, comparisons are one of the most interesting topics. Glad to see that you did one :)

[@giulianodeconti4233]

I think the true nature of Sibyl System it's interesting because it's incredibily consistent with the filosphy of the system itself. The System considerates humanity as an entity that responds to the reality instinctively/emotionally and virtually everyone can be a potential criminal if the context unleash the wrong emotions and instincts. But the asymptomatical criminals are different. They are asymptomatical because their acts are rationally regulated and etically neutral for his mind. Having this extreme cold mind, only capable of instrumental rationality, are perfect to judge the emotions a responses of people and predict their criminality. Their minds are almost not human. And this it's a incredibly consistent system, because incorporates the fundamental flaw of the system in the control of system itself, controlling effectively the flaw.

[@nikosagou]

First of all , i really enjoyed this video, one of my personal favourites. You tackled many interesting ideas, and i am really glad you did. Shinsekai Yori happens to be my favourite anime of all time, and i never considered Saki's decision at the end the way you did.Overall , i think at the end, though she did disagree with the society's morals, just like in Psycho Pass, she could not find a better alternative. That is why, the only thing she holds on to is hope. She can only hope, that in the future , when the next squealer comes, society will change for the best. I know this kind of video won't be that popular and i applaud you for having the courage to create it anyways. Love you man

[@Aleczandxr]

Much thanks. Despite it being one of my least viewed videos, this is one of my best. And that’s way more fulfilling than getting 100k+ views on a mediocre video. I knew from the beginning that it wouldn’t be popular, so I was prepared for it and followed through with one of my longest videos anyway. But of course, it’s really gratifying to see people like you appreciate it as well :)

[@TheAutistWhisperer]

The antagonists and protagonists dynamics in these shows reminds of Horatio Hornblower and Wolfe, Horatio serves the British Empire whilst Wolfe is an Irish Nationalist who aligns with Napoleon cause he wants his people free from The British Empire and one of their exchanges in Hornblower: Duty is quite touching, with Wolfe saying "I admire you, Hornblower, I really do, but I loathe and despise everything you bloody represent" quite a cool moment and showed that whilst he opposes Horatio, he still respects him.

[@HEROFrogman69]

Came a bit late to the party but I think in the case of psycho-pass it is more of a brave new world kinda thing, where most people come to love their chacles

[@katsuo7798]

While both anime are really good, I think I prefer Shinsekai Yori over Psycho Pass.

[@animalobsessed1]

I'm not a big fan of Psycho Pass either, but at least they tried, unlike the shit that is airing now.

[@mattdayne2585]

Already seen Psycho Pass and just watched binged watched all Shinsekai Yori last night. I liked Psycho Pass but definitely liked Shinsekai Yori better, felt like it touched on a lot of issues and was a lot more interesting, just woke up today and started thinking about it. There were some minor issues in the story or plot I felt but nothing major enough to ruin anything. Like one of the minor ones which both stories have is the main character (coincidently both female too, not that it matters, I'd feel the same if a guy was given the same kinda treatment) being given this special snowflake treatment because they both have the power to remain calm? And being constantly reminded of that. Like I said it was kind of a minor annoyance but had some clarity for the reasons behind it. With Shinsekai being shown its a personality factor test (kinda like Psycho in that aspect in some degree) but with Saki's case, their group was an experimental one to the circumstances they unexpectedly faced while very young. And Saki is the only group member to come back to a healthy score faster or as the stated she was sensitive but strong in that was able to cope with it, as well as her unique insight being able to help in scenarios. I liked Shinsekai's ending much better than Psycho, although it felt a more rushed. Personally would have liked a bit more context to when and how Satoru finally came together as a couple, which I believe I remember reading someone going more in depth from the novels but wanted to see more it during the story especially during the end. Since they both were seemingly stuck in love with their past friends who perished, wish Saki loving two people making it even more complicated. The show showed them working great as a team with Satoru constantly looking out for Saki's wellbeing and safety, which I actually didn't mind if this was not part of them falling in love. Guess what I wanted to see is more exposition/explanation with their endings. Either way, I would highly recommend this show to other's if I know they can handle slow build-ups or like the theme's associated with them. 9.5/10 for me could be higher if it lingers longer in my afterthoughts.

[@mattdayne2585]

Already seen Psycho Pass and just watched binged watched all Shinsekai Yori last night. I liked Psycho Pass but definitely liked Shinsekai Yori better, felt like it touched on a lot of issues and was a lot more interesting, just woke up today and started thinking about it. There were some minor issues in the story or plot I felt but nothing major enough to ruin anything. Like one of the minor ones which both stories have is the main character (coincidently both female too, not that it matters, I'd feel the same if a guy was given the same kinda treatment) being given this special snowflake treatment because they both have the power to remain calm? And being constantly reminded of that. Like I said it was kind of a minor annoyance but had some clarity for the reasons behind it. With Shinsekai being shown its a personality factor test (kinda like Psycho in that aspect in some degree) but with Saki's case, their group was an experimental one to the circumstances they unexpectedly faced while very young. And Saki is the only group member to come back to a healthy score faster or as the stated she was sensitive but strong in that was able to cope with it, as well as her unique insight being able to help in scenarios. I liked Shinsekai's ending much better than Psycho, although it felt a more rushed. Personally would have liked a bit more context to when and how Satoru finally came together as a couple, which I believe I remember reading someone going more in depth from the novels but wanted to see more it during the story especially during the end. Since they both were seemingly stuck in love with their past friends who perished, wish Saki loving two people making it even more complicated. The show showed them working great as a team with Satoru constantly looking out for Saki's wellbeing and safety, which I actually didn't mind if this was not part of them falling in love. Guess what I wanted to see is more exposition/explanation with their endings. Either way, I would highly recommend this show to other's if I know they can handle slow build-ups or like the theme's associated with them. 9.5/10 for me could be higher if it lingers longer in my afterthoughts.

[@Fredable]

I'd pick Psycho Pass over Shinsekai Yoir

[@srnigromante9214]

SSY us one of the best anime ever made, Psycho Pass is just another edgy Uributcher drama

[@Codey323]

I'd argue that the twist in psycho pass actually served to strengthen the plot by showing that both the law and the revolution were both different sides of the same coin. Think about the French Revolution. Revolutionary forces were brutally raping and pillaging throughout the countryside. Robespierre taking power lead to the semi-stabilization of the nation, however he committed atrocities equal to those of the illegitimate government. The government wished to restore order through the removal of the troublemakers and the the revolutionaries wanted true freedom for all men.

[@Aleczandxr]

That’s an interesting idea. My problem with it is that if that was the intention, there is very little else in the narrative that alludes to that theme. Psycho-Pass is a story that tries to ensure that the audience fully comprehends what it’s communicating - it dwells on it’s themes with great emphasis. Because this revolutionism idea is so subtle, I’m under the impression that it wasn’t intended. Though, intent is not always important when it comes to theme communication, so even if it wasn't intended I don't think that means the idea should be dismissed. That's a cool interpretation, thank you.

[@l4ndst4nder]

The magic trick of Shin Sekai Yori that after the twist you realize that you as the viewer are closer to the antagonist than the leads by nature.

[@harshgarg7542]

Gr8 work this is your best analysis yet

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks.

[@justanunluckyirishmaninabl5178]

You posted this literally 2 days after my birthday. Bravo! This is an amazing gift! A shame I am only watching this now.

[@Aleczandxr]

Happy belated mate.

[@starwarsman6635]

Great video as always

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@WalkingGirlKoi]

Well, this is going to create some interesting discussions...

[@HabeeShirzad]

As always awesome video... Great job keep up.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@KaiserD11]

I love you for making this video

[@Aleczandxr]

I love you for watching it.

[@yoyohan9]

Man, I love your videos

[@Aleczandxr]

:)

[@Andrew-xo3uv]

Really enjoying this! Very insightful.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you, glad you're enjoying.

[@Andrew-xo3uv]

Aleczandxr looking forward to seeing more! Also love the touch of Jordan Peterson. Fan of his talk and lectures!

[@Asehpe]

This is one of the most interesting takes on this topic I've ever seen on KZbin. Congrats, my friend. You have a new subscriber, and yet another person interested in your take on complex problems.

[@Aleczandxr]

Cheers, glad you enjoyed the video. And re: the Shiki song - I chose it because it fit the tone of the video and because that’s another story focusing on dark humanity.

[@Asehpe]

I certainly agree. And I have to say that starting the video with one of Dr Peterson's lectures despite all the controversy about whether or not he's a tool of the alt-right is quite courageous. Respect!

[@IGotDiabeetus]

Oh man thank you so much for this! These are two of my favorite shows and I love the stories and world's. Especially the narrative of Shin sekai yori was super interesting the way the twists unveiled themselves

[@Aleczandxr]

No problem, thanks for watching!

[@IGotDiabeetus]

Aleczandxr Thank you! And btw my favorite of the two is Psycho pass mainly because I enjoyed Makashima more than Squealer as well as the production on the show being more to my taste. But in terms of the actual narrative I liked Shin sekai yori more. Like you said, it had a better twist and also I liked the horror type feeling of the last couple episodes with the terrifying fiend

[@NelsonStJames]

Of course maintaining the status quo and believing you can change it by working within the system is the pragmatic solution -- if you happen to be one of the group in the position of either power, or comfort. Those that aren't have no problem with totally dismantling the system, or else they're fates completely ride on someone's good will that may never manifest. Just look at the French revolution, or any revolution for that matter.

[@Aleczandxr]

Well, yeah. But these stories are from the POVs of those who are "benefitted" by the system yet find it morally repugnant and somewhat unstable. If the protagonist was someone on the other side of the argument then the story/themes would obviously be quite different.

[@CorvusCoraxPodcast]

Great analysis and comparison of dystopian storys in general and those two anime. I really enjoyed watching the video, I will move it into my recommendation list.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@lektroh5380]

I love too much this video :D Good job!!!

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@Winged_Snek]

A big anime KZbinr actually breaking down anything about SSY is a win for me. I consider you big at least

[@kishinasura1504]

Shinsekai Yori is really fucked up. I ended up reading the manga cause it drew me in due to the "plot", but the moment they explained what happened in that world...I put Kingdom of Predators in loop and kept reading. -"Wait...they were all normal humans?" -"Always have been"

[@dantexd25]

Oddly this video reminded me of a book i read in grade school called The giver. if anyone has not read this book and dystonian society stories id highly recommend it

[@TheStorm0208]

Thank you for the vid. Enjoyed ur analysis :)

[@Aleczandxr]

You're welcome!

[@luisreynamboarcos2958]

Thanks for the video, I love your content.

[@Aleczandxr]

Cool, thanks for watching.

[@luisreynamboarcos2958]

Keep going, greetings from Mexico.

[@reggiemaron6310]

describing the Shinsekai Yori setting with the nier automata song was brillant lol ! that got me so into again

[@vendetta12.12]

i love your brain so much lol i cant could the times i've wished Peterson would watch psychopass and you've managed to put both of them into one video. This is amazing XD

[@jghifiversveiws8729]

Interesting. You see this is why I love your content it really does get you thinking about philosophy and what ever thematics is.(Because I have looked all over google to figure out what thematics means and I still have no answer alright back to the original comment) I just want to thank you for making such steller content and I look forward to more thanks Alex.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks so much!

[@jghifiversveiws8729]

yeah no problem man I really mean it anyway keep up the good work.

[@jazzy8834]

Just finished watched the whole video and you have no idea how much I enjoyed every bit of it.Psycho pass is probably my favourite anime and Shinsekai Yori is one of my favorite novels .The whole idea of a system being incredibly corrupt but at the same time being the only good option left really hits home and makes you think a lot about what kind of society we inspire to have.Again, incredible video! (Btw English is not my mother tongue so sorry if my comment had any grammantical error)

[@senfood]

I think you might have topped your Griffith video. This was an exceptionally well organized, framed and executed essay. Extra props for that conclusion. Dystopian stories generally tend to attract very pessimistic interpretations. It's nice to hear one that both acknowledges the darkness of man while avoiding the pitfall of flat out misanthropy. Keep up the great work!

[@Aleczandxr]

Damn, really eh? That's nice to hear. I really did put a lot of thought into the structure, presentation and content of this one so that's very gratifying to hear. Thanks so much! And yes - that balance between being realistic about mankind's nature without being grim was one that I was really conscious of achieving, so I appreciate the acknowledgement of that.

[@beastvicious8672]

One of the soundtracks reminded me of Shiki, not sure if it was. Anyway, great video! It's incredible how you explain the themes in depth without any bias and an open mind. Most analytics or reviewers only imply the themes but never really talk about them. Looking forward to your next video!

[@Aleczandxr]

Yep, it was from Shiki. Music is always in the description, if you ever care to check. Anyways, thanks very much for the kind words! I've been trying to fine-tune my approach to these videos so I'm glad you're enjoying.

[@beastvicious8672]

Oh cool, hadn't seen that. I've actually made a playlist called "Game Music", which has soundtracks from Snes/Genesis till now. Check it out if you're interested.

[@lynneo8869]

Liked, subscribed, and favorited all because of this video! Goddess, it is so great to hear an "ani-tuber" who appreciates Shinsekai Yori as much as Psycho-Pass!! Both are in my top 10 favorite anime ever, and I can't like one more than the other!

[@guilhermegoes711]

The final message in this video is something mind-blowing, is something that I somehow always knew, but never was able to put into words like the creator of this video does... I live in Brazil, and the country is going through a political crisis, I guess the words at 34:00 -- 35:08 never fit me so well like they do now. Excelente video. (sorry for the bad grammar)

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks so much, glad you found the video worthwhile. Good luck with everything.

[@warman13x]

I'm kind of doubting that you'll see this since it's a late comment, but I wanted to thank you for making this video. Not only did it get me to watch Shinsekai Yori finally, it also was a very fascinating watch and one of your more interesting ones in my opinion. Both shows are very fascinating when it comes to dystopias, and while Shinsekai Yori was tough to get into at first, it was absolutely worth the watch in my eyes. I can't wait until I get to watch it again; I'm being it'll be much more interesting the second time around.

[@Aleczandxr]

One thing that's great about KZbin from a creator standpoint is that if I check my comments, they're sorted by recency. So it doesn't matter how late the comments are on the videos, I still see them if them come up when I check the comments overall. So yeah, I see it ;-) Aside from that, glad you enjoyed the video. I'm quite proud of it, I think it was one of my better ones so I'm glad you found it fascinating. And most of all, I'm glad that it prompted you to watch Shinsekai Yori! That's a show that deserves some more discourse, so it's pleasing to see that I got you into it.

[@warman13x]

Aleczandxr Well that's good to hear! And I'm inclined to agree. This video had a very strong presentation and script. It's also great at getting the watched hooked despite being over 35 minutes long. (Not that this is a bad thing in my opinion) All in all, it's stuff like this and your Chrollo video that will keep me supporting you for as long as I can. Your stuff is great, and worth the wait. P.S. I'm very glad you got me to watch it too. I had tried several times before, but always stopped for some reason. Luckily I was able to get much more invested this time around, and I really appreciated it. I'm going to need a bit more time to fully decide how I feel about it, but I loved this show much more than I expected to going in.

[@Aleczandxr]

Awesome pal. Glad you enjoyed this one and the Chrollo one too, especially given how long they were.

[@heyarnold7256]

Anime that discuss the nature of society are always my favorite topic. I think this might legitimately be my favorite video on your channel.

[@yutakeda9979]

Great topic on two great anime. Thanks for your work.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you for watching!

[@terronova]

Oh man oh man, looking forward to watching this. How interesting to make a side-by-side comparison between these shows, and it's suitable! --- Allright, having watched it, I find it an interesting discussion and go-through of this idea of human civilization (behavior?) not being able to exist without order, human individualism being too chaotic and possibly dangerous to society overall and ultimately falling into an extremist regime of sorts. Shinsekai Yori's secretive regime with psychological conditioning such as hypnosis and what I suppose could be called substitutes of evil (holy barrier). Psycho-Pass with Sibyl, technological fail-safes and it's police force. General opinion of their flaws: Between the two, I like Shinsekai Yori more. It's just got the same consistent feel to it throughout the whole show. I remember feeling a bit frustrated about the death-rebound toward the later half of the middle section, thinking about the story-telling flaws of the rampage. You just have to kind of accept that these new humans simply can or will not defend themselves or each other against another human, and from a logical standpoint it doesn't quite work, since despite their difference to 'us' they do have some courage and sense of self-sacrifice. There's a powerful psychic who can easily withstand attacks, but then falls from the 'subconscious' warping of space, when subconscious warping of space was the dominant trait of that other sort of 'deviant', rather than the rampager. Meaning this skilled psychic shouldn't have had much issue dealing with the situation. Simply restrain her, put her to sleep, then put her in some situation where she will die from indirect action, and bypass the death-rebound. Well, it's pretty much the only big problem I had with the show, some people think the animation could've been better but I think it's actually impressive what they made with a budget that seems like it could've used some more dough. Psycho-Pass has it's own set of problems, but it feels more like something we've seen before. There's this Blade Runner feel about it and we sort of know that noire-esque stuff likes to portray a villain, some form of anti-hero and so forth. So story-telling flaws are easier to accept, we want to see what happens to the characters. Well, this is all true as long as we're just talking about that first season. *shudders* -moving on- Shinsekai Yori is stronger in showing different viewpoints. When it's all said and done, you feel for the Queerats, you feel for the kids, you feel terror for the general populace when the war starts and relieved when it ends. After it's all over, you understand why the control of the populace is so necessary yet needs to change, but being just as lost as the characters as to in what way. In Psycho-Pass the Sibyl system is nothing to feel anything but contempt for. If it was lost, you wouldn't feel all too sad about it. Lots of people would not be pampered and trouble-free, in return a bunch of others wouldn't be bloodily executed on the street after being victimized by THE SIBYL SYSTEM because they saw some ELSE being bloodily executed on the street. Maybe the shows in reflection of each other tells us something? The populace in Shinsekai would've done a lot better if they could've used defensive violence. The 'criminals' in Psycho-Pass could've just used some better guidance from birth (and perhaps not immediate explosive and bloody death upon realizing you're late for work the second time that week). Other aspects: Shinsekai Yori has got some damn good music setting. Psycho-Pass' is good but man, that first outro is so good I listen to it sometimes. Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWa9eo1sq5yYnbc

[@Aleczandxr]

Yeah, the “fiend” destroying that dude felt fine in the moment but retrospectively, he really shouldn’t have died that way. I hadn’t thought of that but it is a problem. I agree that Sibyl has far fewer redeeming traits than the system in SSY, but I think that’s what makes Akane’s decision so weighty and almost even tragic. She had much more motivation to destroy the system than Saki did because of how shitty it was, but society has regressed such that the populace lean on it too heavily. There are not nearly enough people interested in replacing Sibyl when it’s so deeply ingrained in the culture of that setting, so opposing it and trying to change it in the moment without any proper succession ready was close to impossible. Saki’s decision was very similar, but more focused on self-preservation and much more subtle due to the comparatively higher complexity of the situation. Both instances were interesting but I agree that SSY did that better.

[@terronova]

Yeah. It's a lot easier to sympathize with Kogami, yet he doesn't have a plan for replacing Sibyl (in the first season at least, I'm sure those rebels in the movie has some ideas). Though I admit Akane is quite impressive in that she would accept the horror of it in order to keep the general populace safe, wanting to act as a buffer between the reactionary Sibyl and the 'criminals'. Saki seems to accept her situation, the structure of society, as the watcher does. The idea and understanding of it grows as they grow and the show progresses. I sympathized so much with the psychic human population that I honestly didn't feel any pity for Squealer at first, having gotten such a personal view of his crimes. but after thinking about it from his perspective, I only felt pity for the queerats and their fate. That scene when he declares queerats human and the primitive court outright laughs in his face is brutal. Then again, I would much rather re-watch Psycho-Pass than Shinsekai Yori. Frankly, P-P is just a lot more FUN.

[@NeostormXLMAX]

shinsekai frustrated me the most because they didn't portray fiends as genetic but instead a product of their environment, with kid K he only because a fiend because of intense pressure of his mother and the isolation he felt, while shun became a karma demon because of the overwhelming pressure of being the best psychic in the school, ultimately both fiends and karma demons could have been prevented and ironically the system to prevent fiends and demons actually makes fiends and demons more likely to be produced which is so stupid that i found it hard to watch at times. also i hated how saki had practically no character development unlike akane. saki still saw the world the same way as she did in her youth and the only change was acceptance, she didn't even change her view point she just gave up on changing the world, and also literally all of the side characters like mamoru and maria were card board cutouts, they literally were only made to serve as a plot point for the queerats and they might as well be an object rather than a character as they have no personality and development outside of 1 frame of them drawing

[@red.4712]

@@NeostormXLMAX yeah, the utopia designed a somewhat flawed system. I don't see how that's bad writing really, though.

[@Nereus00]

i think shensekai yori is much more impactuful on a deeper level because really makes you think about what is ethical and unethical si just based on the presumption who is on top

[@killerofgems5923]

At the 10 minute mark and I really want to watch both shows now. Your videos are amazing

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@stoffelthedestroyer3741]

Shinsekai Yori was powerful, it left a mark in my mind. Psycho-Pass was entertaining and is recognized as a great show, but I personally don't remember any episode or the names of the main characters. I remember the twist but other than that it fell flat for me for some reason. I tried to love the show, it's right up my alley. I wanted anther Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex.

[@roblucci4701]

Bro your channel is sooooo underrated, seriously you deserve a million subs, the effort you put in all your vids, I love it. Glad that I discovered this channel, I will continue to share it as much as I can, keep up the good work👍👍 Btw: do or have you ever read kingdom? If not give it a shot, the manga is on some god-level shit.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks so much man, every time anyone shares the channel it goes a long way. I appreciate the support. And no, I haven't, but the anime and manga are on my PTW/PTR.

[@natinal]

I only watch one of the two series, and without a doubt, will be watching the Shinsekai Yori series because of this video. Thnx for the review, and I have honestly enjoyed your videos on Berserk, HxH, FMAB, and YYH. Keep up the great work.

[@Aleczandxr]

Terrific, it's got a lot of quality ideas and writing in it. If you don't mind slow starts and a lesser character focus then you'll like it. Hopefully you enjoy.

[@ArcaneFiasta]

Shinsekai yori has better setting, theme exploration and plot outline but inferior characters and storytelling. Oh and ssy has more thoughtful sci-fi and doesn't rely on external quotes and references that may or may not land on the viewer. Buuut Psycho-pass wins in the technicalities department with its directing and animation outclassing ssy's. Overall in the places it matters the most, ssy wins slightly especially for what it achieves thematically over pp.

[@xXNickXxHD]

People like you who can break down analyze and explain like this is honestly amazing. It allows people like me who have a passionate love for art (in this case Anime) to learn and appreciate more about the show and the industry. You the real MVP.

[@Aleczandxr]

Many thanks mate, I’m glad these are so useful for you!

[@xXNickXxHD]

Aleczandxr No problem bro you deserve it. Stay Mobbin

[@Tsukasa4692]

Fascinating video, I love shit like this.

[@Aleczandxr]

Awesome.

[@kobe2926]

So glade you did this video cause I everybody says shinsekai yori is a amazing show, but after watching it, I couldn’t rap my head around wtf was going on, let alone it’s deeper meaning

[@Aleczandxr]

Hopefully this helps out with that!

[@notlewire]

How this is possible, KZbin? My two favorite animes, a great youtuber, and this video get hidden to me for so long?

[@Aleczandxr]

KZbin’s been screwing me for ages now, nothing new here unfortunately :(

[@noiedward8847]

OML YOU HAVE JP IN THE INTRO!!

[@Feds_the_Freds]

great video, I adored shin sekai yori and liked psycho pass, just liked you said with the twist, I feel about thewhole story, shin sekai yori tells it's themes better, in my opinion. hope you continue the great work;)

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks, I'll do my best!

[@kaylamckinney5740]

Incredible video, thank you for the time and effort you put into making this. I enjoyed Psycho Pass more from an entertainment stand point, but felt that Shinsekai Yori left a deeper impression on me.

[@Aleczandxr]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

"The one way for evil prevailed, is for the good people seen it to do nothing" That quotes keep playing in my mind when watch and rewatcing this anime. But the question following those quote in my mind are "then what should the "good people" do?"

[@julk2701]

I hadn't watched your videos in over a year, but I'm glad I searched up Shinsekai Yori and re-discovered your content. Very interesting and detailed comparison, as always. I was thinking of human nature and morality in dystopian stories after watching the shows, and this video gave me a lot to think about. The Jordan Peterson clips are also a really clever addition which would've never occurred to me. Also, Squealer did nothing wrong.

[@Aleczandxr]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@akaitsuki606]

I have not read Shin Sekai Yori's novel, but I like the hopeful ending to Shin Sekai Yori. It has been a while since I've watched it so i do not remember exactly what it was like, but I think it was genuinely showing hope that any society can change, the the change will be gradual. Tainted cats are not vicious until made so if I remember right, and considering that the two were hopeful for a good life for their baby, I assumed that it would at least be a world where their child would not die. Of course, I do wonder if this would mean isolation facilities as in psycho pass. I also wonder if Saki plans to wait until she is the leader of the community, as it would mean she would have more power, albeit limited. I think that Shin Sekai Yori as an anime is actually telling the opposite of Pyscho Pass--that a different way does exist, and any society, even our own can be changed.

[@Nakama4Forever]

Ok, I'm not done watching this yet.... just got to stop, now that I'm interested in Shinsekai Yori. I just finished all of Psycho-Pass and have been eager to fill the hole that was left when I was done. Thank you for this great video and recommendation :D I'll be back to finish when i get done marathoning Shinsekai lol

[@Aleczandxr]

Ah, really hope you enjoy SSY. It’s a very slow burn and a different take on dystopia but it has some amazing ideas and despite some definite faults it remained an engaging experience for me until the end. Hope you feel the same! And if not, ah well - it’s still one of those stories that I think most should at least give a try.

[@yenmeng]

Great video essay and choice in music

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you.

[@LMIHK]

Your voice's entrance into this video was beautifully smooth

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@pihlaaurora9009]

I really like your videos and how you think. Hope seeing more of them 😊

[@Aleczandxr]

Glad you enjoy them!

[@iansvoice1]

Thank YOU for putting together such an interesting cross examination! And a mix of all of our favorite Kermit the Frog impersonator to boot! Well done 👍🏻

[@Aleczandxr]

Cheers!

[@miharurokujo7376]

You are awesome!

[@Aleczandxr]

Likewise!

[@markrobs2954]

I was waiting for you to make a shin sekai yori vid. :-)

[@markrobs2954]

Also you didn't talk about the Yuri episode. I wanted you to talk about the Yuri episode.

[@Aleczandxr]

My mistake..

[@blaelgore]

I love how you did that intro.

[@Fredable]

They both touch on some very tough subjects but I'd prefer Psycho Pass. The twist didn't feel jarring to me and had me think about it a lot way after finishing it. And just in general i prefered the characters and story.

[@yfxxiii]

Akane and Saki are both cowards. They become perfectly aware of the injustices suffered through their system of government and with full knowledge elect to keep it in place (in Saki's case especially as the society of SY is straight up genocidal with regards to their treatment of queerats - the main character's personal empathy is so deeply lacking that sparing the Giant Hornets' queen alone is treated as some sort of compromise in the reprisals against the slave revolt). It's also not a coincidence that in both cases the characters, in spite of losing friends, end up in positions of privilege and authority, Akane being an important member of the police force and one of the few people that is aware of Sybil and in position to petition it, and Saki inheriting the chair of the head of the Ethics committee. Their choice to side with the status quo would be impossible to sustain if the imposition of the oppresive regime they choose to preserve happened at the hands of someone else while they remained members of the underprivileged class they came from.

[@gorrumKnight]

This kind of superb analysis is why I bothered to click the notification bell for your videos. Personally I enjoyed Shinsekai Yori more and I think that's because I feel like the theme is much more relatable to my own perception of society & the direction we are heading.

[@JapaneseAnimationMan]

A great analysis, both Psycho Pass and Shinsekai Yori are fantastic series and deserve more love in the anime community.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you.

[@SpensaVenture]

I like Psycho-Pass better because of the setting and the characters

[@yaksh2953]

Psycho Pass' important characters >>> Squealer > Saki >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> any other Shinsekai Yori character.

[@someoneelse5005]

Well, seems like spamming you to watch Shinsekai Yori on every video has finally paid off :D Yeah, you nailed it right on the head, you talked exactly about things that I have found to be really interesting about it. And I watched Shinsekai Yori after watching Psycho Pass, so a lot of the time I was thinking "wait a minute I have seen these concepts recently" which kind of threw me off for a bit until I realized that the two anime are really as different as they are similar. BTW I don't think I'd ever teared up for an anime as much as during the Maria's Letter scene, that scene runs in a way different vein than the rest of the story which is generally highly impersonal and focused on the society rather than people or their specific relations. Maria's Letter completely turns this on its head to remind you that people in this world are still human, have their own desires, dreams and feelings, which is heartbreaking after you've realized what this society does to children. Compared to Shinsekai yori, Psycho Pass has more of a tension-induced "dangerous situation" feel to it, as you said, since it is in a way a sci-fi thriller (like Bladerunner), which is a completely different flavor. It is sad when Akane's friend is murdered, but you just accept it as it is. Maria's disappearance/demise is framed in such a way to be completely heartbreaking. At first you think she's just gone far away, and then many episodes later you learn she was essentially forced into something terrible and then killed off ("if they do this to their mothers, what could they do to others?!"). This is my favorite video of yours, because you talked about two of my favorite anime and seemed to catch up on a lot of things that I thought as well :D

[@Aleczandxr]

Glad you liked the video! Interesting that you found Maria's letter and disappearance so emotionally heartbreaking. I was deeply disturbed by what eventually happened to her, and relatively sad about her disappearance, but I can't say that I was invested enough in Maria to be emotionally upset by her loss. It was a nice narrative move to make the treatment of children that weren't karma demons something personal, but I can't say that I was too moved.