Anime: Ergo Proxy

The distant future. Earth became a barren place. Land, water and air is infected with lethal particulates. The environment is so damaged that humans live in domes cities as they wait for the Earth to heal itself. Eventhough they live in a consumerist society, maintaining the lifestyle they once had and used to, the city's council control every aspect of the citizen's lives...under close survailance and stringent information control. With the help of humanoid robots called 'autorave', the council keeps close watch over the citizens and the goverment employees. A model of socialist/ totalitarian rule...and the people are somewhat used to it. Never questioning...always obeying.

Welcome to the world of Ergo Proxy.

The story is about the exploits of Autorave Control specialist Real Mayer and immigrant Vincent Law, as they sought the reason behind the recent infection of autoraves, civilian killings and the emergence of powerful and mysterious beings referred to as 'proxies'. Their actions not only create a conflict of ideals between Real, Vincent and the controlling council, it also made them into outcasts and outlaws as they search for the truth about what is happening to the world.

A few episodes past halfway of the series, the theme of the story becomes a set of mind games. Psychological to say the least. It seems to connote the toll their journey takes on the psyche. Being alone, traveling amidst the desolate landscape, without any other human contact except amongst themselves.

There is also a sort of love-hate tension between the main characters, Real and Vincent, which was explained at the closing episodes of the series. All the things they have done and felt is deeply rooted in their past, as their existense, it seems, are just shadows of proxies and people who are responsible for the creation of their society.

As an anime, Ergo Proxy presents itself well with thought provoking lines and seemless animation. The overall theme is like a clash of scientific, psychological and theological ideals presented with dark overtones of a future filled with deception, despair and hope.