Paranoia Agent - The Most Terrifying Anime Ever?

This was the hardest video I ever had to do... partially because I'm the most vulnerable I have ever been in this video... and also because I spent HOURS TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT MUSIC. :P
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#anime
#spooktober

[@dragonpjb]

Well she was suppose to create a popular new character and, she apparently did.

[@maxderrat]

Good point! :P

[@mrlaz9011]

It's like she got a successful new character out of a monkey paw.

[@MyManJFKTV]

That was what I initially took from the series as well.

[@LuisSierra42]

success?

[@stevenirving4597]

I believe this too. I think she worked so hard on creating a character that she subconsciously created a tulpa that took on a life of it's own, continuing to attack people.

[@No-Ink]

Paranoria Agent is the example of the mass hysteria taken from the collective unconscious. The mascot was the representative of taking a break from stress, however it was exploited to gain mass appeal. The very thing to help stress causes stress to people that made the mascot and with no way to escape she broke down and had a hallucination of being attacked. This in turn became a means of escape like the mascot and slowly took hold in the collective unconscious. Shonen Bat and Maromi are one and the same.

[@Jesus_Offical]

Indeed

[@doodlePimp]

Japanese culture often deal with the concept where if enough people believe in something supernatural it gains power to affect the real world. It is often a theme in anime and manga.

[@AdamOwenBrowning]

The peoples of Christendom could comfort themselves that there is "God Almighty" above all things, whether that's true or not. Japanese peoples did not make things so simple. Anything, any force, place or area, person - alive or dead, "styling" of person, cultural drive, item, achievement, ANYTHING can be become the supreme God for a point in time. This isn't my idea, it's a Japanese anthropologist's and I am doing him an incredible disservice by not remembering his name. Perhaps, with some Googling, you could find the book he wrote about this. This theme in anime and manga you have managed to highlight exists for a very real reason.

[@MoskusMoskiferus1611]

Sounds like the social perception of weird and normal. If one person is weird and everyone is normal, then the single person will be seen as weird, but if one person is normal and everyone is weird, then the weird will be considered as normal while the normal will be seen as weird.

[@KaizokuSencho]

Sounds like what Terry Pratchett does too, with narrative imperatives.

[@ArawnOfAnnwn]

@@AdamOwenBrowning You're talking about kami and yokai. Those are not supreme gods. They only rule over the aspect of the world or life that they are personifications and manifestations of. Their domains can often be quite limited.

[@maggot1602]

Just like Da Ork boyz in Warhammer 40K

[@lazylass2309]

As someone with autism, I can agree. While most gore doesn't effect me, my real triggers of fear are those in facing reality and breaking under the pressure of reality. It's this haunting emotion of keeping up with the social standard and knowing anyone can crack and fall under it. There are many times I get scared of becoming so trapped in a horrifying state of either uselessness or utter insanity even though I feel like I'm the furthest away from that happening. But the fact it can happen to anyone, it haunts me everyday. I view my mistakes as teetering to an undesirable personality, and try to correct myself. Thankfully I have people who I can lean on that help me understand that is not the case and that I can do it. Not sure if this is something everyone on the spectrum feels, but from my personal experience, I have felt that before. That is why I can never handle psychological horrors cause they hinge too close to my real life fears

[@barbarianzg8826]

And when you have nobody to lean on,when you feel like you're all alone? Good thing for me is I that i've been feeling like i've been all alone from the start,so,that keeps me going. When you feel you're not as others,you have your bubble of universe noone understand as I do. Am I just lucky or..something completely different from all others? As I less think of it the better..and except things that is or end up in madnes of not be able to change my self,to be like others. And,please,stop me from spoiling this beautiful text of yours. My sincere apologies..

[@lazylass2309]

@@barbarianzg8826 Your fine! This is one of those things about people with Autism that each experience is different. For some, they can feel independent, for other, they wish to be dependent. There is a sense of isolation I believe people with Autism experience and it's not bad to want some space and be introvert. But one of the things about this I personally feel like is that it is important to at least have a support system of some sort, even if it is with one person. One of the reasons Perfect Blue and Paranoia Agent tend to freak us out is because the state of insanity they experience is not just isolation, but completely cutting off opinion and judgement and saying "I know best" even though our very minds is flawed. I guess what I'm saying is that there is nothing wrong with not being social and having people with you. There is more or less of a sense that these psychological horrors more or less do is make you frightened of your own judgement and mind as if you can't trust it. But these more or less are just extreme cases that while could happen have a slim chance if you understand where you can tap out and submit to the fact your mind is flawed and can rely on other opinions and facts. This is very true for everyone, not just people on the spectrum. Hopefully I didn't misunderstand your text, I'm glad to hear other people's experiences and their thoughts on it!

[@TheDragonfriday]

Also with autism well specifically high functioning autism gore doesn't effect me. But I find it interesting whenever I see it. I'm not effect by any pressure or standard by anyone because I don't care whoever thinks. It's to the point I don't care when I sink haha I find it hard to find anything scary, only thing scare me, but who knows this anime might hit me. I will try watching this anime so I'll be back if I remembered this comment.

[@lazylass2309]

@@TheDragonfriday I do suggest giving it a watch cause it is an interesting dive in paranoia

[@sboinkthelegday3892]

I commented the same on Super eyepatch Wolfs video, Shounen Bat is an amalgamation, the darker side of heroism found in the "original anime" Ougon Bat cardboard theater, and the, functionally child recruit trappings of characters like Naruto in shounen anime. It plays along with the superflat moeficitaion of media like the trendy Maromi character, and these are not to counter each other but to be comprehensive look at the entire phenomenon, both cute and violent. And how violence and escapism play the "hero" in saving people from their unadjustment to responsibility, by the convenient excuse of conflict and villains. In the more, late adolescenct side of things, it mirrors stories like Dororo and Zorro, and how the original existential dilemma has regressed into more clear-cut despicable villain -narratives, like that of Batman, Punisher and Berserk, that seek all the solutions in defeating "the evil", rather than having achieved good through compromise and sacrifice. The thesis of Paranoia Agent is to break down the illusion that cartoons are real. Maniwa is an allusion to haniwa statues, and represents "real" depiction of humans that pass off as "real" PEOPLE in the narrative, in the escapist illusion, that is being broken down by Shounen Bat. Deliberately, the most horrifyingly real crimes, are committed by exaggeratedly proportioned characters, meant to induce the PARANOIA of fearing these crimes, in your real life. BUT on the condition that you fail to break out of the illusion, and see that THESE criminals are cartoons, and never existed. Their crime doesn't come from evil of the character, but the amalgamation of mixing ACTUAL reality with fictional paranoia, and in the mind of a criminal, create the conditions for Mens Rea. The witch hunt for a Shounen Bat will not reduce the crime, but it will cartoonify real humans into becoming criminals, and the cartoons themselves are not entirely guilty but also not completely without responsibility.

[@astrochiken]

I find most media to be alien and impersonal compared to Paranoia Agent. Satoshi Kon was an artist who really understood what it meant to be human, and those are hard to come by.

[@darianstarfrog]

You seen Neon genesis Evangeline then right!? Or the movie, Everything Everywhere all at once?

[@Greetings-r6f]

Avant garde 90s and 2000s anime just hits different.

[@SimnaibnSind]

You did mention that Maromi and Lil' Slugger were filling the same role, but it might also be worth pointing out in creating Lil' Slugger Sagi fulfilled the responsibility she was tasked with even if she and her employers didn't realize it.

[@Tainuo]

This. Almost as if the extreme pressure she was under forced her to create something so distorted & malevolent to solve the problem.

[@savage_Sloth90]

This was my first thought, as soon as he explained her situation.

[@fahr]

paranoia agent is my favorite anime and I never even thought of this, mind blown

[@darianstarfrog]

Thanks, been a fan of this series from the start, but was weirded out he said 'Shonen bat' lol wasn't it always' lil' slugger!? '

[@JuriAmari]

@@darianstarfrog nope - OG name is Shonen Bat. But because foreign audiences were not as fluent in anime cultural references at the time it released in the west, they came up with the equivalent Lil’ Slugger to get the point across. If anything, the English translation makes it creepier because it takes an innocent sports symbol and distorts it into a nightmare due to internal and - eventually - external pressures.

[@Dethmaster64]

Satoshi Kon was truly a one of a kind

[@theendisthebeginningistheend]

So is Max.

[@whoareyoutoaccuseme6588]

He was taken from us so soon.

[@spiwolf6998]

RIP Satoshi. He brought us so many nightmares we will treasure.

[@moejuggler6033]

Translate to English removed an "a" - lol

[@dghfgdhfdfghdhfg]

o7

[@NeoPotato98]

"Sometimes its okay to run away. To retreat into your safe space. It provides a momentary ease of mind. But eventually, you have to face your problems head on. Always falling back to your safe space and escaping can have serious repercussions on yourself and the people around you, creating an illusion that everything is fine" Is what I got after watching this show.

[@Savicurlly]

I always loved Paranoia Agent because I was living in an abusive household growing up. While I was watching, I felt a sense of release whenever someone would have an untimely end and it made me feel like there was validity in some of my darker desires to just go to sleep and never wake up again. It was when I finished the series, after that same talk the officer gave to his wife, that I realized that while I was doing my best the people in my life that were supposed to be protecting me just couldn't. Instead of just accepting the reality that they were trying to force me into, I went against it and discovered that if I truly tried MY best I could go beyond what they ever thought I could. It was a big reason why I was able to rgaduate college, and why I was able to pull my grades up in the first place. Sometimes, it's in our darkest hour when we have to strain our eyes to see the light that's only a short distance away. And when we get to that light, we can't help but notice all the darkness around us. Worse, sometimes we have to step back into that darkness in order to appreciate the light we once stood in. This anime is so good that I wish more people knew about it, and hearing your experience with it makes me feel validated in my stance. I hope you can take some time for yourself and listen to the trees cheer you on as you go through life, feel the warm encouragement from the sun, and breathe in the fresh winds of change during a storm. Your videos are awesome, and I can't wait to watch more.

[@metalspinda9594]

Amidst the cloud of obnoxious insects getting in your face, It takes OPEN eyes to see the SWATTER and grab hold. Congratulations! ^_^

[@Savicurlly]

@@metalspinda9594 I don't understand your comment.

[@metalspinda9594]

@@Savicurlly I'm congratulating you on concluding and recognizing that even though OTHER people in your life may not have valued setting boundaries, YOU chose to and they had to listen as a result. You SAW that YOU still could. You should know getting where you are is difficult and so I am praising you. Congrats! ^_^

[@Savicurlly]

@@metalspinda9594 oh, thanks ^-^ I appreciate that!

[@xerotonin6776]

Self destruction, in correct context could be our true selves bringing to the surface all that needs to die so you can move forward and grow

[@kalypsodeepsea982]

No wonder this terrified you. But if anything, this proves that you are strong. Yes, we all face horrors in our lives, and the very definition of life is to suffer. But there is a way to cope, and that is to see the positive things. If you are doing your best, then, don't let your negative thoughts poison you. The people who are in some sort of relationship with engage with you because they want to. As long as the right people are in your life, you are not alone. And they can help you cope and see the good, when all you can see is the bad. ☯️

[@absolstoryoffiction6615]

And when everyone and everything turns into dust... ... ... Well... I have always done things on my own. The death of this world phase me none. Even though it's a bit unfair for it to happen for those who still live. ... A predestined design...

[@MrRAGE-md5rj]

I don't know much about destiny. What I do know is that we all end up in the ground at some point. Might as well make things worthwhile while we got the time?

[@DEATHGamerStickmanStories]

@@MrRAGE-md5rj wow, ima comment so that i use ur wisdom words for future motivation.

[@helloofthebeach]

From my understanding, this sentiment is what motivated Susumu Hirasawa when he wrote the lyrics of the opening theme. (I'd personally interpreted it in the exact opposite direction, though, oops)

[@Chronostream]

For reasons I don't seem to understand - and I watched Paranoia Agent on Adult Swim, your breakdown actually had me sobbing at the mention of Ikari's wife. Its a common conclusion - as long as you have something to hold on to, you keep fighting. An overwhelming task, almost sisyphean. You are only held together by your purpose. Without it, there is nothing. I'm fine now. Just this struck a chord right now.

[@xtryptaminex2148]

I teared tf up too, this anime is really moving when you think about it

[@thetalantonx]

You always manage to make me feel better by taking me through the darkness.

[@maxderrat]

That's my aim. Thank god it worked for you.

[@mercenarygundam1487]

@@maxderrat Take a rest.... Yeah, gonna be honest, you really should take it easy soon. I don't want you to lose your sanity.

[@thetalantonx]

@@maxderrat Camus said "We must imagine Sisyphus happy," and I think after reflection I disagree. We don't have to love fate, or love the darkness, but we can persist together. So maybe, we can imagine Sisyphus still rolling his stone, right along with us? Maybe it's all the same stone and the load gets a little easier to bear when it's shared. Thank you for all you do, Max.

[@theendisthebeginningistheend]

@@maxderrat TGIF.

[@dasuero7489]

@@theendisthebeginningistheend unironically based comment! Woot, gotta love those fridays. Also didn't know that Max's gf turned into his fiance eventually. Nice. Hopefully that continues to go well and or get more/better than already it is.

[@remygallardo7364]

I appreciate your candid explanation for your fears, as someone else on the spectrum I also have a very unusual experience with fear. For me though I find the most terrible media I can consume revolves around the loss of the ability to communicate, in any capacity. For me that fear is born primarily from being born deaf and recovering my hearing when I was nearly 4. My ability to communicate is incredibly valuable to me, dare I say the one thing I value the most. And then on top of that you factor in autism, the inability to communicate effectively, the misunderstanding of the invisible world of neurotypical communication that defies explanation. Movies where people lose their communication and thus agency terrify me greatly. The Shape of Water, while heartwarming in the end, is a tragic and heartbreaking movie to me. While comedic, I cry uncontrollably in scenes of Kung Fu Hustle when the mute love interest of the main character tries desperately to communicate her silent admiration to the main character. Horror is a fickle thing on the spectrum, significantly more personal and all the more terrifying as a result.

[@VSPhotfries]

I'm not in the same boat as you, but the fear of failed or impossible communication IS most definitely horrifying to me, and it reminds me of something: Have you ever by any chance read Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace? It's not a horror work to most (although it as lightest is a "dark comedy"), but a lot of the plot revolves around that very fear of loss/lack of communication: While I don't want to spoil anything, it begins In Medias Res with a (purposely) confusing and terrifying situation involving someone who seemingly can't connect his intended words and gestures to anything he actually DOES, which is in actuality flailing and screaming. Then it rolls back the clock and eventually builds up to that initial scene, and, again, no major spoilers, that character starts out as an exceptionally good communicator. That's just one of countless plotlines in that brick of a novel, but it's one that many, including myself, find truly terrifying.

[@yualwayscmecommenting3074]

I totally forgot this anime existed! I hardly remembered any of it except a couple characters mostly bat boy. My older brother showed me it when I was young but I didn't find it scary at all maybe cuz I had no responsibilities or expectations back then and was always just enjoying the ride lol. Maybe I should give it another watch now that I'm in my 30s

[@TosterCx]

Same, I remember liking it and being a bit creepy but def not scary. Time for a rewatch :)

[@VSPhotfries]

I also found it unscary, but I'm largely immune to the fear that comes from expectations and responsibilities. I might have to give it a rewatch just to see if it "works" for me now that I am also in my 30s.

[@shgnamaste7730]

As a person with PTSD, not autism, I must say that delving into darkness cinematically is both breathtaking and enjoyable.

[@nottheguru]

As someone with ADHD, I've been confronted by this beast, this responsibility many times. I acutely feel stress, especially social stress. So much like you, Max, this anime hit me hard. And yes, Mrs. Ikari's confrontation with Shonen Bat was truly brilliant storytelling, especially for the message. Satoshi Kon will be greatly missed.

[@deltacharlieecho4732]

You’re not alone with psychological thrillers being the only kind of media that you find legitimately frightening. There is something masterful in creating media that tapes done enough into the introvert mind that it forces the viewer to face real life demons as a result. There is nothing more terrifying than having to face a real fear.

[@kylespevak6781]

The concept of your sanity is more terrifying than pain

[@Denneth_D.]

Spectrum representation LET’S GO LADS!

[@finalbreath15]

The intro to the anime says it all, unsettling laughter and a somewhat uncannily giddy song. There's a disorienting quality to it that was just so well done.

[@Javp_]

Maniwa's descent into madness was terrifying

[@yurihime9739]

Yes!!! I was so unsettled by how he turned out... so scary

[@magamew5419]

And when reality reset he become the old man who has lost it and guides the path for the next loop

[@AllExistence]

The only horror that works is one that personally relatable.

[@JKKoneofakind]

I've long advocated for Serial Experiments Lain and Paranoia Agent. Appreciate to hear someone talking about this one, it's an absolute classic.

[@shigglezz684]

Thanks for the recommendation I'm going to watch serial experiments now

[@plugshirt1762]

Both anime are absolutely amazing

[@dasuero7489]

Satoshi Kon is a gem who we'll never have the likes of ever again! He exposed, peeling back the secrets and weirdness of Japan, but also the horrors and secrets of Idol Culture there and in America and elsewhere, predictably/in a predicting sense. Also in/how Japan's work and hypochondriac culture and Kon predicting or bringing to light the hell and nightmares (figurative) that mangaka, Japanese authors and writers (mangaka), visual artists, special effects crew, and then the actual animators and animation directors all undergo, the dismally low paying unfavorable disagreeable unpleasant conditions and other unreasonable and seemingly cruel and harsh living conditions. The social disassociation and alienation and s***dal tendencies and ideation of each character and actual worker irl. RIP Kon. Suffice it to say, Kon's own death may have been caused by such overwork and profound and extreme labor and living conditions and of course these are not exclusive to just Japan but other parts of the globe as well. MAROMI was so compelling and Shonen Bat/Lil' Slugger appearances and implementation was so compelling, so thrilling and unlike anything I've ever seen minus/before knowing more about Silent Hill series. Tangible and intangible darkness and psychosis. The topics of hysteria and mass and social panic and hysteria are also depicted and touched on in the series. English dub is also quite good or at least decent, give it a shout/try! I also adore how all the different characters are intelligent and distinct archetypes, but also play off of and link to each other via trauma, anxiety and fear, secrets and darkness, mental and neurological disorders and illness etc. Death is a 'temporary release' and done in the non-homociderr way, only brings about pain, grief, torment and denial and trauma for that one or more's family, friends, community and sometimes if not, even beyond those. 13:07 When you said that Max, I got an ad for "Hard Action RPG" mobile game. Bruh. So inappropriate even if it made me laugh a bit. Was 13:17 also captured/recorded live as and for a bit, Max? Kon and others like him who have been gone will and continue to be dearly missed. Great and emotional and personal video, Max! Keep 'killing' it with these bangers and mental and neurological health appreciation and awareness. Stay yellow, safe and healthy, guys!

[@JMrealgamer]

This is one of the reasons I appreciate Videogames and certain anime’s because they really deal with real issues that they blend in the entertainment.

[@maxturbo45]

If you ever decide to go back to Silent Hill analysis, I have two potential topics you can cover; Who exactly is Stanley Coleman, and who keeps writing the save points everywhere? I wanna hear your take on those two topics, also I wanna se you go into the other Silent Hill games (post T-S break up)

[@maxderrat]

Hmmm... I could do stuff on the supplementary Silent Hill lore like that. I do want to do videos on the stuff post SH3. Stay tuned for that. :)

[@maxturbo45]

@@maxderrat Aww hell yeah man, cant wait, and keep up the great work 😎👌🏾 I'm sure you've seen my introspective on Honecoming, but short story long, some/most GP mechanics are related to the fact that Alex believed he was in a war, which is why we got a reticle, (somewhat) melee combos, and the dodge roll, and despite it not following the traditional SH lore, I believe it is on the SH (1) movie side of the universe... I like the game because it was the first I beat, AND I didn't shit myself, aside from the Decent to Hell scenario, that was kinda fucked...

[@lpsoldier9657]

Yo great video max But as I commented on your last couple of videos I want you if you could play haunting ground I am sure that you’ve heard of it especially it is a survival horror alchemical game Hope you can play it and make a video on it

[@CaptainMera]

I watched this show with a jerk who had seen it twice before watching it with me; who kept belittling me when I didn't "see the obvious" of what each episode was about. She ruined the show for me and I just felt stupid. Years later I watched it again on my own and I found myself enjoying it for what it is.

[@tasogarerubica]

There's something about Satoshi Kon, the aptitude he has to capture and distill reality within his work and manages to cloud it in a cascade of delusions. How each of his stories captures a certain aspect of the human condition, and lays it bare for us the viewer witness. The aspects of us, our society, our psyche that we rather not shed light upon. He's letting these wounds within us all to be recognized, so we ourselves can take steps to mend to it.

[@actuallytom]

Max, this is creepy. I have just finished rewatching this anime in preparation for a class on Jung's Shadow! Easy there with the Synchronicities haha ;)

[@triosciankliquit9982]

Yeah and I plan on watching a video about Jungian shadow this week and saw this video and your comment! Real thing

[@dougt8682]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXulcmSYnsmqn9U It's shadows all the way down lol Just saw this video yesterday talking about shadows as well.

[@Chimera6297]

@@dougt8682 As I ran from the things that go bump in the night, I thought to myself "why is this happening to me?" I ran as fast as I could, frantically searching for a way out. The portal had opened, giving way to another dimension. Of course, I took it without hesitation and began to see things for what they truly are. I had been enlightened within the split second between split seconds, a point in space-time so small that it could not be measured. As I looked into the anomaly, the horror that had befallen me was all too real. I had come to realize the inescapable truth, the revelation of revelations that had broken down my very sense of reality: that it was, in fact, turtles all the way down.

[@reifuTD]

An under rated anime I think you'd have good time exploring, Haibane Renmei, It takes place in a world that might be some kind of after life, but there are a group of these angle like people are very least reincarnated people and have to fallow these strange rules, The series leaves a lot of questions unanswered at least in the anime. It's a little dark but not really and is mostly upbeat slice of life series.

[@SethGaramonde]

As an Spanish fan of your channel, I’m deeply grateful of all your work. Serve these humbly words to give you a tiny little push. You’re making great things. Sometimes you’ll make it great, some other times, you’ll make it not so great, but you are making it anyway, and it do really count. I have visual disability and I know very well what is to feel a burden to the loved ones and the world. I hope in my heart my little good actions and the ones I make in the future marks the difference and give me the meaning I search in my life, but meanwhile, I’ll keep pushing, so do you. P.S. I do like Paranoia Agent and the opening of Susumu Hirasawa, a great composer who worked in Berserk too. In fact, I love the opening of the Ps2 game of Berserk named Sign, by Hirasawa himself. Don’t forget to stay yellow, my friend. 🙂

[@TwistedMecha]

Do you think that the Shonen Bat could be related to Japan's interpretation of collective consciousness? He started off as one person's idea, but as the idea spread it grew in power. In Japanese culture and media this kind of thing often is then manifested in some spiritual form (like how we see in Persona 5, as an example). Could it be that the Bat became a real thing and it leeched off the immense stress of others? It would explain it growing in strength over time, with more and more people becoming stressed simply at the thought of the Bat coming for them compounded on top of their pre-existing stresses. The Shonen Bat really is a fascinating idea.

[@Two_Ravens]

This is how it reads to me too currently, about half way through the video.

[@tunasandwich8049]

Fun fact. The intro was intentionally loud since the show airs late at night just to wake people up, and the credits are very quiet to make people relax Also in the credits you notice that everybody lying down is shaped as a question mark and the viewer is the dot c: I always interpreted the credits as a showcase that this show you are watching is based on real life. All these peaceful sleeping faces resting together making you remember that they are humans living in this messed up reality.. And you are part of that same reality Goodnight

[@kamikaze9699]

Shonen Bat is video games, metal music, Elvis, jazz, daycare satanic cults flying kids round trip coast to coast in a single day on a barely able to pay your staff budget. Every moral panic over fictional circumstances causes real damage, follows the same course as Shonen Bat, and people always blame the wrong thing for it, as the next fad causes one panic to be replaced with another, all simply because those caught within the irrational fear fail to perform the most basic of introspection, something your interpretation working on this forced you to do. The "filler" episode pretty much laid it bare, girl distraught she knew nobody affected, then overjoyed and boastful the moment her husband was attacked, as she could finally join the in crowd.

[@Pyromaniac77777]

It’s good to know other autistic people have similar fears. The fear of my own resentment or bitterness turning me into something monstrous is a deep seated one I really struggle with. I view my own bitterness as my principle antagonist in life; all I want is to be compassionate and understanding, and bitterness breaks those down over time and poisons the well.

[@prodbycapri3081]

Nice to have someone else voice how I feel, thank you

[@lawgx9819]

i cant believe her trauma literally becomes a ripple because she was at the time, very popular it worked when she was a kid, but now shes an adult and being a well known figure her actions had consequences to society in general

[@limbojones9202]

I always get excited when Max uploads. Still somehow miss the MGS content sometimes though. But it’s okay. Stay Yellow ✌🏼

[@maxderrat]

Thank you for leaving such a sweet comment, limbo.

[@TheGrubKing]

Damn, I remember this show. I think it showed briefly on Adult Swim back in the day. Thanks for reminding me of it.

[@MrMrilikepie1234]

Watched Paranoia agent two weeks ago. Used to catch the occasional episode on TV when i was a kid and was always curious. Decided I'd finally finish it. Terrified me. Genuinely, in the last hour or so I finished your Aion series. Terrified me. It's a day of traumatic synchronicity

[@Mankey619]

I remember watching this anime and I remember that how much of a sudden depression it gave me after watching it. Ever episodes shown a lot of character’s fear,anxiety and mental breakdowns. This is the same guy who made Perfect Blue.

[@dasuero7489]

Yes. Same here. What's with the profile pic change from the blue colored one from before?

[@Mankey619]

@@dasuero7489 I just like to change my image every month.

[@dasuero7489]

@@Mankey619 That's cool. I can respect it. Based.

[@Phantom86d]

I guess that proves the fear of being helpless is universal. The real fear behind every other fear is lack of control. If you're my brand of crazy, it means cultivating a high level of discipline and letting go the moment you have no control over something. Or attacking things at angles. I might not be able to do this, but I can do that. Yay Stoicism!

[@ulmxn]

Oh my god. No way. This is it. This is the anime I've been looking for and unable to find for years!!! I watched some episodes of this as a kid, and truly, it was more terrifying than anything else I had ever watched up to that point.

[@freddywilson6784]

It's all on youtube for free. Enjoy yourself!

[@Cerebrum123]

@@freddywilson6784 I'll have to go and watch it then.

[@ignorethis214]

I believe it only got a good bluray in the US this last year. I think it's worth owning and seeing in higher quality.

[@scoot4348]

@@ignorethis214 You're correct it has been re-released and of course I had to buy it.

[@MyManJFKTV]

I watched this on adult swim when I was in high school, and it blew my mind. It blows my mind that it’s nowhere near as appreciated as it should be.

[@jamoR72]

What really is terrifying is the power of Thoughtforms. It's almost like Shonen Bat is a Tulpa, and there is something about tulpas in that they recur as synchronicities' patterns in real everyday life..

[@cook_it]

Hearing you talk about your experience with such topics reminded me of some fears deep in me, ones I had pushed away years ago. I think I'm lucky enough that they will never become a problem, even if they resurface every once in a while, but I can absolutely understand how some stupid thoughts, some dangerous "what-ifs" can eat away at you, without a way to "turn them off", especially when you are under real pressure (be it school as it was for me or finding/having a job, etc.) I don't know what I wanted to exactly bring across by writing that but at this point I also don't want to delete it so... Anyways, thank you Max for continuing to share these videos with us! :) It's been amazing to learn about things I never would have looked into myself and it's great for getting to know myself better, even if I'm (for the largest part) neurotypical.

[@AdaraFukuchi]

I LOVE this anime

[@umbraemahwa5675]

I'll save this video for after I watch Paranoia Agent...brb

[@Hlbb4]

This is the best channel ever

[@maxderrat]

You're so sweet. Thank you.

[@davivignola5895]

I... wow, this hit so fricking hard. My wife wife is disabled in chronic pain, and I've had to be strong even when I wanted to break down crying. Most of my family has had to rely on me to be strong for them. I sacrificed so much of who I am for so many years to live up to what they wanted. There are times in my life, where I would have fallen prey to Shohen bat. Thank you so much for putting this piece into words which really touched our hearts and souls.

[@mbuszka5295]

If You think about it, it is even popular meme, that difference between West and East nowadays horror is, Asian ones leave *IMAGINATION* doing a job. Opposite to that, many West horrors base on gore-ish, zombie/blood involving simple 'jump scares', that works for second, if even. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Lets compare it to West most appreciated horrors, Like Blair Witch Project, or FIRST Nightmare on Elm Street, where what we DON'T see is scarriest. Camera movements and noises in a background. Nails shrill on a metal. Such things stay in our head, as opposite to gang of half-dead zombies, eager for human meat. 🙄 Paranoia Agent not only give us sounds, images, that stay in our hands, but this needed feeling of growing uneasieness, that is needed to create perfect horror. As often, half of WHAT WE THINK we seen is more important to creating movie, than what we INDEED had seen. Like with Perfect Blue, or Paprika, Monogatari series and many others. West is too influenced by action movies, meanwhile horrors needs IMAGINATION of person watching doing it's job. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 🙌

[@DJTS1991]

Phenomenal video, Max A few days ago, I was given a forced week off for medical stress leave at work (luckily, paid, yay). I wouldn't say the pressure got to me... but rather, the sheer monotony of doing the same thing again and again and again. My position has only ever been held by 3 people before me, and I'm the longest so far. All 3 left due to mental health issues brought on by the job. There is nothing more soul crushing to me than doing something that I'm not particuarly interested in, even if I'm the most qualified to undertake the task, and then having to do it over and over.

[@DJTS1991]

8 months on from writing this comment, I began watching this show for the first time (the English dub), and I'm about 9 or 10 episodes in. As someone also diagnosed with ASD in my youth, I was waiting to be scared by this show. I wasn't. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing. I've laughed alot watching the show. Particularly during the hilariously morbid S@#$%^ Pact episode. Unlike the characters, or yourself, Max, I wasn't backed into a corner emotionally when I watched this. I probably should have watched the show when I posted my original comment. Plus (I believe) you watched the Japanese dub ;) Last year, my workload was unrealistic, and my employers thought I was whinging or exaggerating. They employed someone new to fill my position, and I was demoted to a supporting role. His first day, he looked them dead in the eye and told them the workload was insanely unrealistic, and to lower their expectations. They thought he was also exaggerating, until he couldn't meet any of the deadlines. Last week, I was re-promoted, offered a massive pay rise, an apology, and a healthy workload. So it all worked out. Now if you have any horror anime about getting married (as I recently got engaged), that'll scare me =P

[@QueenOfFails]

Fiancée! Congratulations 🎊 👏 💐 🥳

[@RwnEsper]

My wife and I are both neurodivergent. She has some kind of debilitating physical condition that hasn't been diagnosed yet. She had the better career path of us, but now I am the sole provider. I think it is time to watch this again.

[@LetsGo-LoveYourself]

It isn't a cool thing to not have a response to gore. Why do people brag about not feeling anything to grotesque situations? It's a mental illness.

[@johnclaudetaylor5224]

It’s edgy

[@badbadbad873]

Interesting. I have autism and also have been naturally exposed to many forms of violence and terror through my life, but in contrary to you, i ended up being naturally scared of almost everything most of the time. The feeling of being scared or in terror turned into something so common in my life that i ended up kinda obsessed with it.

[@zeliardforty-two4692]

I find a lot of horror only made for flashy spectacles. So when you actually come across something that reaches into the human mind for that deep fear, it hits hard. Sometimes it doesn’t even have to be intentional but the suspense and fear hits in such a way that leaves a mark When I think about Shonen Bat I was reminded of one of my favourite plots of all time: Ghost in the Shell, the Laughing Man. It definitely would make for great content, but in this instance I feel an almost connection to the main focus characters, Shonen Bat and the Laughing Man. Sure there might be an origin point but the collective human consciousness takes over. There is a whole scene we’re whole team of section 9 is trying to stop an assassination attempt by the laughing man. Everything starts going bonkers when it seems many people claim to be the assassin and attempt to take out the target. Strangely they have no connection to each other, have no reason to do such a thing, and only connection was being cybernetic and seeing the Laughing Man symbol. They didn’t even seemed to be hacked! Anyways I didn’t plan on writing a long message. I just found a strange connection. If at all possible (unless you already have) I’d love to hear a take on the Laughing Man, or more of anything Ghost and the Shell!

[@blackmetalfollower666offic9]

As a person with autism, its all relateble to me. Thank you for the content that you make.

[@luissantiago5163]

Damn. Neat

[@michaelcarlton1484]

It's more disturbing than horror or terror.

[@DavidJackRabbit]

The easiest way to explain the boy with the bat is that he is a Tulpa, a spirit that is created through the very process of imagining it.

[@codsamy23]

I really think Oyasumi PunPun can be a super nice manga to review. It's the only manga that truly struck me with fear, but I really don't want to say which. I'll let you find out if you ever read it !

[@Cloperella]

I can easily say that Paranoia Agent is my absolute favorite anime that I have ever laid eyes on (with a close runner up being flcl-- the first one, the only one that matters). I was probably too young when I watched it, but it has stayed with me forever. I always think of how perfect so many of the scenes feel, the way the characters speak so imperfectly and realistically, the long and dreadful silences that hung in the air, how there would be moments where nothing was said at all but the noise of the environment would just dig into your ears like an earworm. Paranoia Agent does a great job of conveying the horror of a situation without overexplaining things, giving you enough to grasp the gravity of the moment, but leave enough gaps to make you still feel in awe of what's happening. I feel like it's an underrated masterpiece, and I wish I could find more people to gush over it; anytime I bring it up, the people I'm talking to have never heard of it and it remains on their to-do list for eternity.

[@Armadillo999]

A bunch of my friends and family have asked why I love horror and terrifying media like this, but you explained that perfectly. The journey through the darkness is scary because it’s something we like to push away out of instinct, When source of that darkness is shown however, it always leads to a beautiful meaning that will never fail to make me tear up from emotion. I haven’t seen this anime but your explanation and THIS genre of storytelling (usually horror or dark media) really lets me push through life’s hardest moments because it shows me I’m not alone in feeling the things I feel deep inside

[@dasuero7489]

Oh yeah two other things I forgot to point out: the PA english voice actor (dub) Dean/Deen Bristow voiced the perverted self-proclaimed detective that stalked Tsukiko Sagi and talked with Detective Maniwa and the other detective also the man who once voiced Doctor Eggman/Ivo Robotnik in some classic 3d and voiced sonic games. Sadly, he passed away back in the mid or early 2000s. His laugh and energy as Eggman and his work will and he, will and shall also be dearly missed. (2) Apparently, the ending theme of the series in the episode give a hint or clue about the true nature or ending regarding Maromi and all the events that transpired. For that, you have to look into the lyrics of the ending theme and translate the japanese words and lettering into english. Or more easily, listen closely to the audio and voice of the ending voice and translate that japanese part to english, that's what I mean to say. Lmk if you guys found that and understood after finishing the series. *_Spoiler alert_ * Note also that Tsukiko Sagi once had a living dog.

[@OttoOG3]

I'm assuming you were talking about Kawazu. If I am not, please disregard this. The English voice actor for Akio Kawazu is Doug Stone. He is a tabloid reporter who is in debt because he recklessly drived into an old man. The character that has the same voice actor as Dr. Eggman is actually Masami Hirukawa, a corrupt police officer who is working for the Yakuza.

[@abiromy]

I discovered Paranoia Agent in my youth and it left a mark in my mind that I couldn't quite explain. I think now, close to two decades since I was exposed to the anime, I'm able to begin to understand that message. Thank you for bringing it to the forefront of my mind.

[@DedHedZed]

Paranoia Agent truly sent me spiraling into lonliness and self doubt when I watched it. I remember looking at my family and physical enviornment completely disconnected. I dont remember what even brought me back. It was painful for so many reasons. I love this show, but i dont think I could every watch it fully through again.

[@krad1314]

The show definitely gave me a ton of Paprika vibes when watching it, the absurd type of genre that has a very profound meaning ~

[@aku896]

watch Mononoke series by Toei Animation, its supernatural psychological horror, but it also has happy endings

[@deeptalks2964]

Let me tell you something Max. I love you, your channel, and the pain/love you put in to your work. Thank you.

[@maxderrat]

I love you, Deep Talks. Don't you EVER forget that.

[@friktogurg9242]

@@maxderrat Your videos spew lies and bullshit. You know it.

[@BROLY392]

This is one of the most amazing anime I have seen The twists in every episode and the atmosphere changing Like from funny to creepy You don't know when it's going to be change It shows you what you are not expecting I love this

[@XRandomXShinigamiX]

Thank you for making this sort of content, you're topics bring light to my otherwise gray life and hope that one day it will get better. I struggle personally with people in my life that should be family yet I never felt more alone and isolated because of their demeaning behavior when they have no use for me I want to escape, and I thought many times about escaping permenently, yet I think about all the knowledge, achievements, friends and content creators I will leave behind and never go through with it because it won't solve any issues I have, only leaves them for others to pick up the pieces. I also hope that one day there will be remakes of the games you cover in our lifetime so we can experience true horror again as adults who have gained wisdom & overcome our darkest moments :)

[@robbie5181]

Thank you for sharing such tender thoughts and helping my understanding of autism better, as well as your beautiful description and interpretation of paranoia agent. Thanks so mucj dude, phenominal vid keep it up!

[@splnter648]

Honestly the last time I believe I have stared at the nietzschean abyss was when I listened to Everywhere At The End Of Time. Honestly I want to feel that again…

[@DominusNox106]

As another member on the spectrum I too have noticed a lack of fear in horror genres. I, too, had a violent, tragic life and saw much that no one should. My fear is basically that I loose control and lash out with it.

[@dr.sleaseball441]

Watched it recently. Here's what i have to say. It started great, it was scary, avant garde and interesting but later on i lost interest. In the end it felt like the giant baby from paprica was about to show up. On a technical level it was such a great anime. The world felt alive and real unlike today's cheap and rushed anime where the world feels to exist only for the story. I rate this a 6 out of 10.

[@mojonojo3]

The news of a Fiance! congratulations!

[@BlingBlams]

Internet was out at my house and randomnly watched an episode of Paranoia Agent today...and then you release this? Really weird coincidence lol, one of my favorite anime

[@jamesgrey13]

Is it the fear of going crazy, or being seen as going crazy? I once had this fear... There's no freedom having to constantly look at your steps to make sure they're in line... You'll go crazy if you constantly worry about going crazy!

[@lysanderxx1664]

I knew a guy who was insanely damaged as a result of electrocution from directly touching a power line (and falling off a rather tall ladder). He's known others in such major accidents who were married but ended up getting divorced during their recovery and treatment. Can you guess who suggested the divorce? It wasn't the healthy spouse! It was the injured one who couldn't stand being "a burden".

[@sober1373]

Spooky!

[@themyth8239]

This was easily the most well explained and thought out breakdown of Paranoia Agent. Most explanations from other channels left me with questions and things I still didn’t understand. Yours on the other hand made the whole story click for me. Phenomenal job!

[@lardy2310]

Alchemy Agent is even better, huh?

[@stalex801]

Not only is this good analysis. It's deep to you. This is why I always come back to this channel

[@ludwig549]

superflat is really awesome, I really love satoshi kon, maybe you could do a series with all of his movies. I would suggest you to see Masaaki Yuasa's Mind Game (2004), it is really great

[@dupirechristophe7703]

13:33 The character "Sickness" from Johnen Vasquez's "I feel sick".

[@thederpysage]

13:16 me too, man this is one of my favorite shows of all time its message is powerful and timeless

[@GamingWithSpoons]

Paranoia Agent is one of my favorite anime's

[@Etidorhpa]

This is your best video by far. PA is one of my favourite anime. When I first watched it, it did instil a deep terror in me that I couldn't really define. On the spectrum myself, I've, for a long time, practised a keen sense of stoicism. Rarely does anything bother me, upset me, disturb me; I've been desensitised to pretty much everything. I've seen some shit in my life, and it's flattened me out, so to say. I don't know what my greatest fear is, I don't know what my happiest memory is. Horror doesn't scare me, and I'm not counting jump scares, which don't count as it's just startling someone, and that's not horror. My closest moments to being scared are deep, unsettling, crippling terror, or anxiety. There's no in-between. I either don't feel scared at all, or I have this existential dread. PA got that dread in me, but I didn't know why. Not only did it go against my desensitisation, but it also went against my stoicism. On my fourth watch of the series, desperately trying to figure out the source of my creeping anxiety, I came to basically the same conclusions that you've come to. I underwent a realisation, and suddenly my 'normal' self kicked in, and the wave of blissful acceptance hit. PA is a great watch, but it no longer gives me the creeps. There's no dread any more, and no feeling of something I can't control. I will always love this anime, as it caused me to go through 'soul-searching,' and 'discovery.' It made me feel things, and that's an accomplishment in itself. Edit: Also the music is incredible. Condition Boy is one of my favourite musical tracks hands down. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnfCk36jbduLp5o Susumu Hirasawa is easily one of the best musicians to have ever been.

[@maxderrat]

If only you knew how much this comment meant to me right now. Haven't been feeling that great about my work lately.

[@Etidorhpa]

@@maxderrat Yea, it's hard sometimes, and you're your own worst critic, but you'll pull through this. It might take a while, but you'll do it. You got this, mate : ) Your work is awesome, and you're always an interesting watch. Thanks for all you do.

[@jerrysstories711]

Dang it. I started watching this, but then you started talking about Perfect Blue, which is on my watch queue! I had to stop the vid for fear of spoilers. I'll have to check in again some day after I've watched Perfect Blue.

[@seeker_rodan3113]

The "weight of responsibility" hit home for me. Being on the spectrum I am often afraid of what comes with age and time. But I'm reminded daily that you eat elephants one bite at a time

[@kickass1437]

lil slugger was unintentionally her next biggest creation. A way out for those willing. Also kinda reminiscent of the whole Halloween candy scare.

[@StarshipJais]

+1, Commenting for your algo boost.

[@maxderrat]

Thanks, dude! It really does help me out.

[@masonr1666]

It's helpful to thing of "the bat" as a metaphor for a psychotic break. Finally succumbing to being overly stressed in life. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch all the episodes on Toonami when it was first released, so this is around 20 years ago since I last saw this anime. The cyclical nature of the plot is what stuck with me the most. A spoiler, is a moment where we see the detective meet the old man working on an equation, then his eyes widen in horror. That is the scene that has stuck with me for 20 years.

[@Isaac_Young]

I started watch this series like 12 years ago.And even now I clearly remember that grim and disturbing feeling after watching the opening.There‘s something wrong inside it. After all of this time passed, I still haven’t completed it yet...

[@Brian-yv1wv]

Love your videos. You should check out osyama punpun

[@piratekinghavoc6251]

this is a cool surprise, one of my favorite youtubers covering one of my favorite anime.

[@rctecopyright]

He'll always be lil slugger to me

[@miguelfajardo33]

Early bird!

[@mbalsevich]

Can't possibly imagine a cartoon will scare me, but I'll give it a try anyway

[@Mr.BeefwithChixken]

Trust me it's worth the watch

[@5FtOfAnger]

If you think this is terrifying there is a lot more anime out there more terrifying

[@fallzero7304]

It's Satoshi Kons work so the deeper you dwelve into the concepts behind the work it becomes more creepy and terrifying Paranoia Agent is something that always been with me since Im someone who loves more psychological animes like Texhnolyze, Serial Exp Lain, Elfen Leid All of em sheds light more sinister part of humanity when are forced to dealt with such circumstances that are in as a plot There are a few episodes that always stayed with from Paranoia Agent especially the wife who kills her husband just so she could fit in with conversation, the 3 Ghost twist(was sad for a week) and most definitely the nuclear explosion There was this reddit post from 2009 which was interesting af One of the most unique point was Japan was never supposed to recreate the happenings of Nuclear event in any form of media and then this guy shows exactly that and not even in a fantasy setting but IRL drawn japan The openings are loud, colorful and optimistic but the epsiodes are super depressing and dark Theres actually reason which is Paranoia Agent was supposed to air at midnight so the creatives thought the opening would wake up the audiences to sit through for the entire episode There are so many things that could be related to this anime which not only makes it creepy but also a one of a kind experience on its own I really wish many people would watch cause it deals so many sensitive issues in a well thought out path but it could also lead most into many rabit holes which is in itself is a discussion for another day

[@rantuoftheshadows]

i Loved this anime as a kid