Paranoia Agent Review: Fantasy and Reality

I talk about another work by the late, great Satoshi Kon. This time, Paranoia Agent. A 13 episode anime that covers themes of tulpas and delusions. It's fantastic.
Music Used:
Mladic- Godspeed You Black Emperor
Forest- Silent Hill 2 OST
World of Madness- Silent Hill 2 OST
Null Moon- Silent Hill 2 OST
The Dreams Begin- Cultist Simulator OST
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[@hilotakenaka]

The most accurate part about this series is that the eldritch horror unleashed upon the world that consumed the thoughts and focus of millions of people, driving them into near insanity Is Hello Kitty

[@ZX-Gear]

Literal Hello Kitty Fans are like this.

[@cockfightinglord]

Walking into a girl's room and seeing it completely covered in various hello kitty merch and decoration is the real life equivalent of accidentally walking into Qlipoth

[@LuisSierra42]

Now it's Taylor Swift

[@ZX-Gear]

@@LuisSierra42 I fucking hate how right you are.

[@ringkunmori]

Makes sense. Never met a person with a hello kitty pfp that was reasonable and stable

[@SwaggyG_2102]

Fun fact about this anime, Paranoia Agent's opening theme is the oldest anime video that's still on KZbin, as a video of it came out in 2005.

[@theblocksays]

Man, around that time I was going through an "anime burnout" mostly cause IMO the best series I watched was Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, and Trigun. After those nothing really wow'ed me anymore, at least that which was being brought to my TV on Toonami/Adult Swim at the time (like Gundam or the myriad Shonen based anime which goes on forever; DBZ). PA was one of the few which actually enthralled me again due to it being so deceptively dark despite that upbeat sounding intro then that closing theme.

[@SwaggyG_2102]

@@theblocksays Have you checked out Monster? It's a 2004 psychological horror anime that I think you might like.

[@nathanmalik7056]

I saw it myself and it's this old.

[@tylercoon1791]

It’s kinda funny. Sukiko was pressured to create a character as popular as Marumi, and when push came to shove, she kinda did with Bat Boy

[@THERI0NdotAI]

The English version couldn't call him "Bat Boy" and had to go with "Li'l Slugger" because Weekly World News owns the trademark of "Bat Boy". (I don't know if that's actually true but I think it's funny and plausible)

[@eldeadkilljohnkennedy3946]

Bat boy is basically like the punisher or ghost Rider.

[@user-en6jw2cc4n]

I like li’l slugger better anyway, sounds more threatening and reckless

[@blackosprey2219]

​@@user-en6jw2cc4n Right? It doesn't immediately make you think of caped crusaders.

[@user-en6jw2cc4n]

⁠@@blackosprey2219yeah bat boy sounds too much like a younger version of Batman made for Cartoon Network boomerang

[@PALACIO254]

The English dub was pretty good too

[@PicotheSpicyWarlord]

This is one of those anime that were made for late-night viewing when your brain is on the brink, which is probably why it was such a perfect fit for Adult Swim back in the day. Hearing Dream Island Obsessional Park blare in the dead of night is one of those life-defining anime experiences that you simply can't get anymore.

[@rhinocore]

True.

[@mariokarter13]

Timeslot, yes. Format, no. If you want to understand what's actually happening in such a high-concept plot watching one episode a week for three months is one of the worst ways to do it.

[@Snakedude4life]

Man, wouldn’t it be awful if social media lead to the rise of immense paranoia, distrust, and general discord among the General Public? I’m glad this is just a Japanese cartoon. 🎩 🐍 no step on Snek!🇭🇰🇺🇸

[@creed8712]

At this point that Snek has Ben trampled on to the point of concussion

[@blackosprey2219]

In the very least, if non metaphorical tulpas were real, they probably would have happened by now.

[@Snakedude4life]

@@creed8712 I got my rifle. Where’s yours, black pill?

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

Japanese people making wild and outlandish stories that surely would never reflect real life. Since they’re cartoons for kids. Boy, am I sure glad. Imagine if psycho pass had real world implications? Thankfully it’s all fiction!

[@UnicornStorm]

worked already before social media

[@sebastiank5934]

Juicy Smollett wished he could have made up this cool of a story.

[@noravanguard3993]

This is one of my favorite anime I got my sister to watch it with a few years ago She liked the beginning But as each episode went on she liked it less and less because of how heavy it got At the end of the show she turned to me and said why did you make me watch this And then I laughed my head off

[@Night_Raptor_5991]

Trolled (͡⁠°⁠‿⁠ ͡⁠°⁠)

[@darwinaguilero3175]

Since they’re both the opposite ends of the same coin, it’s interesting how Lil’ Slugger and Moromi both became sensations, one with how cute it was and the other with how morbid it was. Really interesting. Great review as always. Cheers.

[@Sykopath96]

the timing on this is kind of insane, I just had a memory unlocked moment from my nights as a young lad watching adult swim, of a anime boy dragging around a bat on roller blades, like just a week ago and did like an 30 minute dive into the wiki after googling it, now my berserk sleeping playlist guy graces me with this, what a good day

[@topcat59]

Paranoia Agent’s opening is so fucking good. like I get chills every time I hear dream island obsessional park, since when I was young hearing that song was really haunting to me.🐱

[@THERI0NdotAI]

I do wonder if you've ever watched Serial Experiments Lain, theres some similar vibes and arcs between it and Paranoia Agent, and both definitely feel like series that have become nothing but more relevant and prescient as we advance in technology.

[@dallahan7879]

The belief of Shonen Bat becoming real through the beliefs of others reminds me of Japanese spirits/gods and how they're warped based on how the population perceives and thinks of them. The more crazy the rumors got the more insane some of his actions became until it all just exploded. Always loved this series and I get something new out of it every time I rewatch it years later.

[@thegrandnope7143]

So from my understanding, the whole destruction of Tokyo and attack of the Bat Boy and Maromi conglomaration, is just all is Tsukiko's head, all the guilt she felt finally morphed, into a singular entity that in her mind, is Destroying Tokyo, as Bat Boy and Maromi are now linked together, as people up and run with the rumours and a larger mythos forms around the two, culminating in the 'Destruction of Tokyo' aka Maromi and Bat Boy consumed the populations minds for maybe a few months or a few years for those who want the 'truth' despite the truth being, Tsukiko, the creator of Maromi, broke her own leg in the midst of a mental break down, and in a knee jerk reaction, blamed it on the being that she made up when she accidently let her dog die and she was affraid to tell her father about it. At least those are my thoughts on the matter.

[@Suiki1]

This is one of my FAVE anime dude, thanks so much for covering this!

[@THERI0NdotAI]

I binged this series just a few nights ago, (commenting early to get it in so you may already talk about this) a very intriguing look at how the lies we tell, both to ourselves and others, can build and snowball upon each other and cause so much more damage than the truth.

[@1Sir-McKnight]

Take a swing at an absolute home run with Paranoi Agent. It still makes me sad though, Satoshi Kon, Kentaro Miura, (unrelated category, but JIm Croce!) the good ones are taken from our world far too soon.

[@60gritphil66]

i love how i sit down expecting to just watch the video in one go but only get 5mins of content before i go to watch the anime and come back days later

[@Sp0ntanCombust]

Never again will there be a duo like Satoshi Kon and Susumu Hirasawa...

[@dankeykang4576]

I distinctly remember, as a teen, laughing at some of the comedy and hijinks in the episode with the suicide group, before just stopping and thinking about what exactly I was laughing at. It's just one of those shows, man. Excellent stuff.

[@TheObicobiHD]

Excellent video and summary mate. I adore this series so much, its about time for a rewatch. I love the atmosphere in this show, legendary opening as well. Ending left me so empty in the end 😢💜

[@rootfish2671]

The most disturbing part of the series was the father who had hidden cameras in his home to spy on his nude underaged daughter.

[@ZX-Gear]

That was the episode I saw and that FUCKED ME UP!!!!!

[@rootfish2671]

@@ZX-Gear It's frightening because of how realistic it is, the banality of evil. That someone you trusted, loved and thought you knew is really a depraved monster.

[@NomadMonkey396]

The journey of reviewing all of Satoshi Kon's work continues....

[@igodreamer7096]

It was a great show, and Satoshi Kon going to soon is so true.

[@orboakin8074]

Another great video, friend👍 As someone relatively new to anime and manga, videos like these are quite a joy to watch and the recommendations are welcome. I have not seen any of Satoshi's works but I definitely will! I think I will definitely start with Tokyo Godfathers. The wholesomeness of that just hits so hone for me.

[@guilhermereis9520]

Just finished ep13. Very good.recommendation and assay! Tks

[@Echo2-2]

This sounds fascinating. I'll think about giving it a watch sometime. Thank you for bringing this up on my radar

[@xenohans9364]

Love this series. Two favorite parts are the trio (the episode with a twist) had me crackling. And the episode of with the older detective working with an ex-con he arrested. Just having those guys rememise about simpler times and act like normal people to each other, despite their history. That one actually uplifting in a strange way. Kon will always be missed.

[@jojonr619]

I expect a gurren Laggan review on my desk next Monday

[@gordonp57]

Top video well worth a like by anyone, you hit the nail on the head, a work of art. It's been at least a couple of years since I've watched it,, time to hit the DVDs again.

[@adrianalexanderveidt344]

I love this anime opening.

[@zeebooboo9663]

Great review and analysis.

[@Scylithen]

Another one to look into is a spin off of a series, _Electro-magnetic Girlfriend_ OVA if you have the time, saw that with the first series of Higurashi

[@TERMINATOR-0002]

I blitzed through higurashi for the first time for 2 days straight. Some of the greatest psychological horror I've seen in a show in a long long time. And now a top 10 anime for me now.

[@godhoward3144]

"Bat boy" < little Slugger*

[@ZX-Gear]

Funny enough,whilst most people were gushing over Paranoia Agent when I was a teen,I was more of a S-Cry-ed Person. But recently since seeing a few of Kon's movies like Millennium Actress and Paprika,I have been curious to revisit this series.

[@crazyinsane500]

Oh man, S-Cry-ed, that's a helluva thing to remember. I remember at that time it and Ergo Proxy kinda got shafted because they were on Sci-Fi and filler premium Cable networks.

[@ZX-Gear]

Ergo Proxy is one of those series that got slept on and I just love the atmosphere of it all. The world feels too clean at first and very isolating. Then we have the replicants added to it and the very nature of being.

[@zeebooboo9663]

I would recommend this one because it's short. Because life is busy

[@DravenLostSoul]

Glad you reviewed thisn anime. Satoshi Kon is one of my favs.

[@JustinAnglinVA]

Dude, loving the use of Mladic by Godspeed! Solid track! 😀

[@webbrowser6454]

Thanks Loli, always loved this one!

[@ventkatczinsky]

nice use of Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

[@whyisgooglemakingmedothis603]

: Big ups for putting my favourite GY!BE track in here as background.

[@sexistspaghettios]

Man, please keep these coming. I'm a bit of a normie when it comes to anime (I do love anime, though. Just dont keep up with what's pop/good, etc, and I completely forgot about this show. I'm going to go back and watch it, but your other reviews gave me others to watch! It's very much appreciated and hope to get more of these!!! 🙏🏻

[@marshalmarshall2109]

i really enjoyed this one, it's been firm on my shelf a while

[@ParrotMan01276]

Personally, I think the Adult Swim block was a bad idea for this show. Unlike Twin Peaks, I think this show heavily benefits from watching from beginning to end at once. Otherwise, it's very easy to potentially lose interest. That's what happened to me. I always knew about it and knew it was good, but it wasn't until I committed to simply watching it from beginning to end that I learned why this show was so great. I didn't even know Satoshi Kon made it before I did this, which is why I did it in the first place. I loved Perflect Blue and Paprika and yeah, Paranoia Agent is up there for me.

[@canibezeroun1988]

I remember this one. Absolutely a great show. Need to watch again

[@howdoilogin]

And that Bat Boy grew up to become Bat Man.

[@gunnernwp8392]

Thank you.

[@absolutezerokyukyokami2288]

This is beautiful

[@nathanmalik7056]

Remember when Analyzing Evil did a video on Paranoia Agent. It focused on World War II history for Japan FYI even though it's not directly referenced or brought up.

[@mariokarter13]

I remember watching this on Toonami/Adult Swim back in the day. Absolutely terrible way to watch it because I had no idea what the hell was happening.

[@briannakata]

Hell ya I can’t wait to watch this video. I was in 8th grade when this show aired on adult swim and it blew my mind. It scared/confused me in a good way and for sure left a lasting impact on me. A lot of the imagery of the show sticks with me to this day. I didn’t know what was going on a lot of the time when I was younger but something about it was just so captivating that my undivided attention was fixated to the tv screen. Fuck it’s been almost 20 years already. I’m extremely thankful for what adult swim introduced to me during that time period.

[@darsheky]

I completely forgot about this anime, I think I watched it when it was still new. I remember I liked it, but don't remember what it was about

[@Senator-Wary]

Cool video loli never heard of this show

[@Snakedude4life]

I’m surprised, it was quite a hit on [adult swim].

[@Senator-Wary]

@@Snakedude4life I only saw dead man wonderland and bleach

[@Phonyominal_Chumpion]

Captain Baseball Bat Boy strikes again

[@michaelsilver253]

The opening credits is made even better when you realize how incredibly, incredibly rare it is to see an atomic detonation depicted in Japanese media. Plenty of explosions and cities being destroyed... but almost never with a mushroom cloud

[@nicolasgoulet4091]

True detective season 1... Paranoïa agent... Mention of twin Peaks... ARE WE GETTING THE FIRST RIGHT WING REVIEW OF TWIN PEAKS SOON 👀 I CLAPPED CUZ IT WILL BREAK NEW GROUNDS

[@nerodragon8703]

Greatness

[@gathenhielm9977]

And just when I needed something to taje the pain away.

[@farahahmedkarim377]

A possible recommendation for a movie you could watch and review would be The Last Samurai; it's live action and has actors like Tom Cruise, Hiroyuki Sanada and Ken Watanabe, and it's about an American dude in 19th-century Japan fighting samurai. I highly recommend it, but if it ain't your thing, aight then

[@sternonisoil]

Fantastic show

[@therussiancomicbookgeek]

This interesting as hell

[@xion0713]

I used to have alot of nightmares of this series as a kid because i left adult swim on before falling asleep

[@UnicornStorm]

never saw it as Shonen Bat coming actually into existence. To me it's more like a shared hallucination. Bad things happen. The kid in prison kills himself, the wife of the inspector dies due to her illness, the mother-in-law got murdered by her sons wife, an earthquake at the end destroys much of the city..... and they all blame Shonen Bat for it. One of the episode is about this whole concept.

[@taylorlucius3188]

Hell yes! Loved this show as a kid

[@Kesyabasturd]

Fantastic show.

[@negawan]

woo, one of the best anime series out there. wish i had a muromi plushie

[@skbproject5589]

I love this show, it makes me feel like I'm not the only one. Also Lil' slugga' kinda looks like Naota from FLCL. Same clothes, color scheme, roller blades and they even use golden bats. Weird.

[@ViperousVT]

I remember watching this on a adult swim at my cousins house!

[@mccabestevenson]

excellent show to do an excellent video on

[@bretc7294]

never stop making videos pls

[@rdp6096]

watching this being older makes more sense than as a kid learning about lil slugger on adult swim lol

[@vagrant2863]

I'd recognize the Cultist Simulator soundtrack anywhere

[@asura7322]

watch this as kid thought it was a fever dream.

[@defectivenull]

fucking godspeed you black emperor in the title card

[@60gritphil66]

just finished it... good show, did like, good stuff.

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

I’ve been subbed for a couple years I think. I don’t remember psycho pass review, but I could just have forgotten. Do psycho pass.

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

DANCE FOR ME MONKEY BOY

[@a-liminal]

I did a guitar cover of the outro song on my channel. It's shit quality, but I wanted to share my appreciation towards this series.

[@brainiac.computer]

I’m a simple man. I see Loli has posted a new video, I click.

[@JohnnyBurnes]

I don't know, the police station episode was like the hentai part of Paprika where in hindsight, I went "oh. That's the point where it started to suck." Hated how both went too literal and just did whatever....Like Twin Peaks.

[@youngthinker1]

Paranoia Agent reminds me of my middle and high school years where my mates and I would lie about our situations. We would exaggerate what we did, and where we went to simply seem better what we were. We were lost and purposeless for the most part. Shoot, even devoting myself entirely to wrestling did not fill in the emptiness within my heart, nor did any of the women. At the end of that journey, I lost everything, and was left with just Christ. From Him alone, did I rebuild into a better Christian which made me a better man. You live through the feast times where everything seems to be abundant and without end, then you live through the famine times where everything fails and you lose so much. The fool lives without considering the famine, the coward lives without considering any opportunity, and the dumb lives without considering any knowledge. Boy does everyone play the role of the foolish dumb coward often, and really need to learn courage, wisdom, and basic planning. Tangent (Do like the outro music coming from Cultist Simulator. I do wish that game had a sequel which enabled the use of macros and the like to simplify some of the game loops, as it takes way too long to get into the fun stuff, or reach a harder ending.)

[@GAMESYSTEMHUNTER]

so the idea of evil is a tulpa

[@user-en6jw2cc4n]

I actually own the dvd box set of the anime.

[@Hornetog9vp]

Im surprised this wasn't 2 hour long lol

[@stageblood9935]

paranoia agent is the only satoshi kon work i still aint seen. probably should fix that

[@Kweemz]

You got it chief, I'll be back when I finish it. Edit: Came back, just finished it, always trust your local schizo cop.

[@arealhumanbeing4651]

Uncanny with this one

[@SomeHarbourBastard]

Good stuff as per normal, Loli.

[@pinusmaster2151]

wwatched it and yah

[@ThelronFjord]

My favorite episode of Paranoia Agent is when the old guy, the gay guy, and the little girl formed the online suicide pact and spend the whole episode trying to kill themselves. Dark comedy done right.

[@irish-italianintrovert.8600]

So you’re saying if enough people will a Tulpa into existence we can actually get a Big TT muscle mommy… Sign me up

[@user-en6jw2cc4n]

Keep dreaming

[@TotallyBossDetective]

Real weird show. But I like that about it.

[@blueblaze9800]

Have you seen ego proxy

[@toddanderson3449]

Babe wake up, new loli just dropped

[@mrnobody2683]

Oy this f×××ing thing

[@Burns_RED]

Great review as usual, but man, I HATED this anime

[@thematiasmadness7010]

You want trippy anime that talks about humanity and the internet? Look at serial experiments lain that shit still confuses me

[@nonten4]

How come it’s cool when this show is paranoid, but when I am I’m just called schizophrenic?

[@eldeadkilljohnkennedy3946]

So bat boy be like reverse flash

[@PeaboWebb]

Super bored Hey watch this N i c e

[@dirt481]

Weeb (I’m the weeb)