C&C - Paranoia Agent - "Golden Shoes" [6/4]

[The Landstander]

=)

[Youko Recca]

When he jumped that was the title of the episode he passed on the billboard.

And the note in his locker said: YOU'RE LIL' SLUGGER!!!


EDIT: Damn do I love this OP....

[Seiken Izumi]

The hiragana said "O MAE GA!" ("oh my god!")
Heh. Crazy gairaigo (engrish).

[Artimus Gigan]

EVERYBODY LAUGHING TIME!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/00pie/laughs.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/00pie/laughs.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/00pie/laughs.gif

That OT is absolutely awsome...

Oh and this is the episode with the fat kid in it...he's gonna get clobbered

[Demonic Raven]

IT'S A GUNDAAAAAAAM!

[Captin "Hank" Murphy]

Good grief that intro was scary! Like it was made by the joker.:eek:

[Artimus Gigan]

This episode plays out with the paranoid fear ruining everything for the person...I really hate shows and movies like that

I just want them to get to the smashing part...

[Seiken Izumi]

I. am. loving. this.

[Dark Soul]

I hate that kid with the baseball cap, I feel bad for the fat kid though.

[Mugen]

Why must something happen to the fat kid? He wasn't doing anything wrong.

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Good stuff going on here, really getting involved and trying to figure out what's going on here.

[Artimus Gigan]

Why must something happen to the fat kid?Because he's the fat kid...

something must always happen to the fat kid...

[Duke]

I really like JYB's voice for Ichi. I barely reconized him.

I wish I had a Gundam in my classroom...

I want to say something obvious that has been said over and over again: WE CAN'T READ JAPANESE!

[vegetable]

Why must something happen to the fat kid? He wasn't doing anything wrong.
fat people who are main characters aren't allowed in anime

[Perfect Cell]

Poor Fat kid, though that other kid sure is annoying

[Mugen]

I thought that was going to happen. The fat kids wants to build his self-esteem and then he's knocked out. I guess it's the circle to life.

[Railith]

This show is freaken awesome, it must suck to be ichi he's one crazy mofo.

[Seiken Izumi]

Ok so does the chalk somehow correlate? 1 = ichi? Hmm...

[PearlRose86]

This show is growing on me, although it's still kind of out there.

I was rather intersted in the concept of this episode -- A "perfect" kid that fell from grace; he's also got some pretty darn serious issues. He's pretty self-absorbed and judgemental, but ... still... kids can be really cruel. The head trip thing that he went through toward the end was rather surreal.

Whenever Meromi speaks, it still weirds me out a bit. It's a cutesy stuffed toy, for goodness' sake.

There's a lot of rather unstable people on this show, it seems. ^^;; Oh, well. It keeps making the show something I want to tune in for week after week.


-Maggie

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Well, good episode. I'm thoroughly confused, but I think I'm supposed to be at this point.

[Demonic Raven]

Ok, NOW I'm impressed. The best thing this episode had going for it was the fact that you can really feel for Ichi. His problem is very interesting, but the best of it was his little flashes of paranoia. Yeah, he may be a little crazy, but you can't help but feel bad for the poor kid.

This was very very strong, I give a 10/10. Big difference from last week.

[Wolfie~Giri]

Move over Freddy Crugar, cause Slugger gets them in their dreams..
This show is golden.

[Dark Soul]

Well I definately hated Ichi. I feel bad for the fat kid. I'm still interested into the show thats for sure. I give this episode a B, better than last week.

[Railith]

Whenever Meromi speaks, it still weirds me out a bit. It's a cutesy stuffed toy, for goodness' sake.


That thing is satan and needs to die. It's just the way it moves and talks that freaks me out enough that a crazy kid in a baseball hat with a bat is going to kill me in a dark ally somewhere in Japan.

[Youko Recca]

Yay, they put the ED in a better light. Hope they do the same for Champloo. Good episode, better than last week. Actually, the episodes only get better. I can't wait for us all to have our eyes set on some double lips.

[Rabi~en~Rose]

it started out interesting but sadly it drug on for the whole 22 minutes when ichi's story could have been finished in half that time :yawn: theres so many people in the intro I thought they would try to squeeze in a couple per episode instead they go the boring route

[Eddie G.]

The show is creepy, good looking, and I enjoyed the writing on this episode however I felt the ending was a little abrupt. I mean the dream itself had some interesting connotations, but I think the story should have had a more solid ending. Maybe I'll feel differently after I watch the whole series.

Did I mention the show is creepy as hell?

Also I know everyone is saying, "Screw Ichi," but while he is obviously supposed to be a bad person (while the fat kid is just a great person) I felt you could really relate to his emotions even if it's a darker side of humanity.

[Seiken Izumi]

That thing is satan and needs to die.Seriously!

[vegetable]

i wasnt able to tell if ichi actually went to school or not. he starts his little acid trip, the camera zooms into his eye while he's still in bed, and all of a sudden he's hallucinating about his classmates. thanks, satoshi kon.

[SirLemming]

I liked it a lot... and I don't see what was so confusing about it. Aside from Moromi talking.

[The Landstander]

This show is really good at creating this kind of weird/creepy/surreal atmosphere...I think that's why I like it so far.

I liked last week and this was similar, though a bit better.

[Delthayre]

I will admit that I felt that the distorted vision and head trip elements were a bit overplayed. That aside, I really enjoyed being inside this kid's head. He had built himself upon the adulation of others and price of the jealousy with which he craved this consumed him, heart and soul. The whole experience was quite compelling.

I think, and this is just underinformed speculation (I should write a blog about it!), it may all so have been a criticism of Japanese society by Kon.

Regardless, I remain quite intrigued.

Ok so does the chalk somehow correlate? 1 = ichi? Hmm...
Yes, that's worth pointing out. Ichi is Japanese for 'one'. So is hitotsu, but its use is narrower.

[Seiken Izumi]

Yes, that's worth pointing out. Ichi is Japanese for 'one'. So is hitotsu, but its use is narrower.Actually, hitotsu is "one thing."

[Lord Dalek]

The show is creepy, good looking, and I enjoyed the writing on this episode however I felt the ending was a little abrupt. I mean the dream itself had some interesting connotations, but I think the story should have had a more solid ending. Maybe I'll feel differently after I watch the whole series.
The actual ending of this episode occurs off camera in between this and the next episode. That should explain the abruptness.

[NewLib]

I. LOVE. THIS. SHOW.

The atmosphere is top notch, but thats not whats getting me. Animes have always had the tendency at being bad at creating characters. Not this one. Episode 1 and 2 both had absolutely wonderfully crafted characters and Im glad they dont just ditch the victims after each episode.

[vegetable]

The actual ending of this episode occurs off camera in between this and the next episode. That should explain the abruptness.
phew. well now i can sleep soundly. it's worth my time more than scryed.

[pabcool]

I loved the ending, highly remicent of Invader ZIM, although this episode really had a lot going for it psychologically. very interesting...

I've noticed a corralation between Tsukiko (sp?) and Ichi... both are perfectionists who become overwhelmed by mental stress, and the people close to them seem to not be that different... the difference here is their archetypes, which actually invalidates my thoughts that this observation might mean something. I'm interested in the dream...

The use of music in this episode was fantastic.

[NewLib]

it started out interesting but sadly it drug on for the whole 22 minutes when ichi's story could have been finished in half that time :yawn: theres so many people in the intro I thought they would try to squeeze in a couple per episode instead they go the boring route
Rabi, Never EVER watch The Godfather. You will be bored to tears.

[Vagrant]

EVERYBODY LAUGHING TIME!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/00pie/laughs.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/00pie/laughs.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v40/00pie/laughs.gif

That OT is absolutely awsome...
That is the baddest cartoon opening ever. :anime::anime::anime:

The show's not too bad either.

[Seiken Izumi]

You know...thinking about the "Ichi=1" thing a bit more, the hiragana (and katakana slightly) for "Tsukiko" DOES look like 510 a bit...but maybe I'm just going crazy...just a bit anyway.

[Eddie G.]

i wasnt able to tell if ichi actually went to school or not. he starts his little acid trip, the camera zooms into his eye while he's still in bed, and all of a sudden he's hallucinating about his classmates. thanks, satoshi kon.I think that kind of ties into the theme of the episode. He keeps making himself more introverted and self centered while attempting to become a hero again. In the end what's actually happening doesn't even matter, Ichi is only concerned or worried about himself and his view of reality.

[Jack Frenzy]

Whenever Meromi speaks, it still weirds me out a bit. It's a cutesy stuffed toy, for goodness' sake. Plus, he seems to be hiding something, or more importantly, telling Sagi to hide something. I don't trust that "Hello Doggy."

[Artimus Gigan]

You know...thinking about the "Ichi=1" thing a bit more, the hiragana for Tsukiko DOES look like 510 a bit...but maybe I'm just going crazy...just a bit anyway.No, you just think you're going crazy, because you want to be crazy

[Rabi~en~Rose]

Rabi, Never EVER watch The Godfather. You will be bored to tears.

ok I won't

[Behonkiss]

If Paranoia Agent's next episode is as good as the last two, it might join Bebop and Kikaider in my favorite AS anime ever. It's just been incredible so far.

And yes, though Ichi was a jerk, I really felt for him at some parts. The scene where he looks at his torn poster and disassembled Gundam was downright depressing. (If a show can make you feel pity for a despicable person, it's doing something right.)

[Delthayre]

Actually, hitotsu is "one thing."
My Japanese historical linguistics are pretty rough, but I believe that hitotsu is from Old Japanese pitö (Japanese /p/ became /h/ in certain positions, the exact period escapes me). Ichi is Sino-Japanese, an import from Chinese, and replaced the native word in most uses, generally reducing the use of native Japanese numbers to that of counters, which probably accounts for the affixing of -tsu to the native Japanese words, so in a sense hitotsu is still 'one', but its narrow useage, and that of all the native Japanese number words (http://zompist.com/asia.htm#japanese), pretty well restricts itself to 'one thing' and a range of generally like useages.

[Vagrant]

... that freaks me out enough that a crazy kid in a baseball hat with a bat is going to kill me in a dark ally somewhere in Japan. You can get a facefull of blunt force trauma in many places in these great states. America, #1 in blunt force trauma in the industrialized world. :p

[NewLib]

ok I won't
The reason I said that is it is a bit like this show. There is a lot of talk, but the talk is all there to round out characters. Not everything has to be action-packed to be enjoyable, but I guess it might work better in a movie setting than a television setting.

[Ferquin]

Finished watching the rest of the series, but don't worry, I won't spoil things.

According to the commentary on disc 4, a lot of the animators had low expectations for this show and as such Kon said they had a lot of trouble getting people to finish animating episode two on time. But ironically, this episode got a lot of rave reviews from the Japanese audience so they had a better time of it later on when animating later episodes.

Oh, and they talked about sound production. Every single episode has a special sound that they epecially focused on. Episode one's special sound was the sound of Li'l Slugger's in-line skates. I'll let you guess what this episode's special sound was.

By the way, according to the commentary, Kon says that the opening was simply made to look cool and confusing, sort of a way to wake up viewers at it's Japanese, after-midnight time slot. If you're trying to read something into it, then you've been fooled. Kon's just messing with your head, "being kind by being mean" as he put it.

The ending, is also cool and confusing, but designed to make you go to sleep.

Not really a spoiler, but it'll make you think. Notice how the characters are laid out around Maromi in the end sequence? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

You can get a facefull of blut force trauma in many places in these great states. America, #1 in blut force trauma in the industrialized world. :pWhat the hell is "blut" force? :p

[Vagrant]

The reason I said that is it is a bit like this show ....
Man, I wouldn't worry about it.


Some people have no style.

[Tenku]

Wow, Paranoia Agent is... pretty damn...weird.

I liked this ep more than last week, and I like the ties between the victims and the Lil' Slugger (Shonen Bat). Ichi...well, I think he was one of those pompous elitists. That fat kid did nothing to him.

Though, something is bugging the hell out of me. Just to be safe, I'm just gonna put this in a spoiler box...

That same formula that the old man did in Ep 1, predicts the next victim. Ichi means one and well...that was at the end of the equation. So, the numbers have a connection....

but the OP rocks so much. The lyrics don't make any sense...or do they? Also... glad I'm not the only one weirded out by Maromi talking. That thing is evil. It's bad enough I got two shelves full of beanie baby bears. I don't need a reason to sleep with one eye open... :sweat: :sweat:

[Vagrant]

What the hell is "blut" force? :p That is the sound my head will be making when it hits this pillow in a minute. :p

*mumble*corrected*mumble*

[Shnay]

Last week I was intrigued. Now I'm completely hooked.

Someone said in last week's review thread that this show is less about uncovering the mystery behind Li'l Slugger and more about a character study of his victims. I now have a better idea as to how this structure will play out (unless they change it drastically later on) and this looks to be right up my alley. In fact, looking in some depth at a new character every week would probably be the structure for my ideal show. Paranoia Agent has used this structure well so far, and I'm very interested to see if they can focus on even more interesting characters in the future.

I didn't find this particular character too interesting in the beginning, but they developed it very well, and I found myself increasingly engrossed in the story as the episode progressed. Ichi was a great example of the inherent cruelty in children that is often overlooked or ignored. It's an intersting characteristic that I haven't seen explored in too many other things.

The show's creepy, surreal atmosphere is handled very well, though it can be taken a bit too far sometimes or feel tacked on, as others have mentioned here. When some of the more surreal stuff gets used too much, it takes away from the impact when it is used more effectively, which is unfortunate. But for the most part, the atmosphere and "weirder" elements work quite well.

Paranoia Agent is now definitely a show I'll make a point to watch every week.

[Amanha D'Adollar]

The hiragana said "O MAE GA!" ("oh my god!")
Heh. Crazy gairaigo (engrish).
Actually, that was "Omae" (you) and "ga" (subject marker). The entire phrase was "Omae ga Shonen Batto da," or "You are the Shonen Bat (Lil' Slugger)."

[Seiken Izumi]

Actually, that was "Omae" (you) and "ga" (subject marker). The entire phrase was "Omae ga Shonen Batto da," or "You are the Shonen Bat (Lil' Slugger)."
Thanks! I was afraid that I'd seen a very bad case of gairaigo...

[PickHut]

Interesting seeing how the Lil Slugger incident affect a life of a popular kid, and see it slowly crumble because of it. I thought this was definitely better than last week's episode, and I think I'm starting to get the structure of how this show works. It also got me thinking about a couple more things, but I wanna see more episodes to see if I'm right about them.

I give Golden Shoes a B+. Now, if the rest of the show is as good as this episode....

[JetMaster5]

I am so glad AS picked up this show. This is entertaining. Unfortunately, I don't see PA get much ratings.

[beren]

I will guess this episodes sound was the sound the star that came from his smile made.

My question is where did the photos of Ichi pushing the fat kid around come from, and how did they get forwarded to every person in his classes phone? Also why was that fat kid carrying a coconut tree?

my thoery

is that his tutor is the one who took and sent the photos as a way of getting back at ichi for something, since she appears in the opening and closing credits. As for the tree.... I got nothing.

What happened to the reporter guy, is he still in the hospital or what? How can the old man work on the equation if he is catatonic? Perhaps he is faking the injury to get the reporter to pay out cash, perhaps someone else worked on the equation, or maybe there is something going on we don't see....

[One Radical Dude]

Okay, I liked this episode. I need to see more of this series! The fat kid (I think he's Ushiyama) didn't deserve to be knocked out by Lil' Slugger. That should have been Ichi's head. :p I look forward to the next ep.

[Sketch]

I really like JYB's voice for Ichi. I barely reconized him.
I do too. I didn't know he could do such a convincing kid voice.

I once heard a rumor that JYB would voice Naruto. Now that Vic M. says it's someone he doesn't recongnize I doubt it's the case but actually he'd be pretty good. If not Naruto then he's gotta be Rock Lee.

[UberMonkey]

fat people who are main characters aren't allowed in animeNo kidding. I totally got shot down when I tried to pitch a harem anime starring me (http://students.washington.edu/jtl3/springcruise-bigpimpin.jpg)...

I will guess this episodes sound was the sound the star that came from his smile made. Yeah, I was thinking that or the cheering of his fellow students.

This show totally rocks. Add another to the "must buy DVDs" list.

[Regus]

Ha ha ha, that was a good episode, I love seeing people who are so full of themselves get knocked down a peg or two. The best was the kids eyes when his mom knocked on his door at the end, he looked psychotic.

[Tea]

I felt really bad for the fat kid. Ichi's such a paranoid self absorbed bastard. :D Li'l Slugger managed to bring irony, the past social outcast becoming the favorite while the popular boy is now the one who is bulled. Ichi's paranoia really did a number on his sense of reality.

Not much to point out in this episode. And someone already mentioned the =1 on the sidewalk which of course, refers to Ichi. (Or Yuichi which is his full name.)
- Ichi wears a NY Yankees cap in the beginning.
- The movie poster has a girl in a gown looking at her gold slippers. I don't think I have to point out the connection it has with this episode.
- The coconut tree the tubby kid is carrying (for whatever reason) can be seen dancing in Ichi's acid trip above the city.
- Ichi throws away his skates in what looks to be the same trash pile the old homeless lady was at in the past episode.

I really <3 the Maromi chit chats Tsukiko has.

[Karl Olson]

On this episode: Love that kid's theme music. So bouncy and surreal. Great episode in general though. Kon is able to characterize the clinically insane so well </just watched Perfect Blue before catching this episode.>

This week's spoilerific philosophobox: So, the ending seems a bit ambigous eh? Well that's because...

It's meant to be one of the first hints that Lil Slugger may be more of a psychological out passed from person to person than an actual person as he attacks the person while he's hallicuinating. The first episode largely suggests that Lil Slugger was just a character created by Tsukiko's psyche to work out her problems with her deadline. However, all it's done is plant the seeds to resolve other people's problems without actually facing them. In sense, she's created a new psychological disorder, or rather she tapped into something that had always existed in society, but now it's got a form: The Lil Slugger - The Shonen Bat. A boy who can take your problems with away with just one swing of his bat. As other people are forced into corners, they go nuts, and well, Ka-King, bingo.

Of course, there is also a real life imitator of Shonen Bat, but he gets attacked by the real one later on. Fun how that works as as soon as he's in a corner, the problem's solved by what he wanted to imitate. Stand Alone Complex becomes No Fault Complex? Works well enough for me.

Next Week: Perfect Blue redux, but still pretty good - you have one new message. Who. Am. I. Etc. Brilliant.

[CaptainRed]

I hate that kid with the baseball cap, I feel bad for the fat kid though.

Screw the fat kid. I just wanted Lil' Slugger to beat the crap out of the baseball cap kid.

Ok, NOW I'm impressed. The best thing this episode had going for it was the fact that you can really feel for Ichi. His problem is very interesting, but the best of it was his little flashes of paranoia. Yeah, he may be a little crazy, but you can't help but feel bad for the poor kid.

This was very very strong, I give a 10/10. Big difference from last week.

Maybe you can't help feeling bad for the "poor" kid, but I can certainly help it. Honestly, I have a hard time feeling for him at all. Whiny little runt.(what? I said runt.)

Rabi, Never EVER watch The Godfather. You will be bored to tears.

Hmm... is there a Paranoia Agent -- Godfather connection? I, myself felt that the Godfather dragged, and was, overall, boring.

The reason I said that is it is a bit like this show. There is a lot of talk, but the talk is all there to round out characters. Not everything has to be action-packed to be enjoyable, but I guess it might work better in a movie setting than a television setting.

Fist-fights, shoot-outs, golden-battings, and giant demon space battles do not form the sole definition of "action."(perhaps the contents of an "action movie," but not "action" itself)

I've always found that characters can be fleshed out through action better than through dialogue.

I'm just not feeling this show... not feeling very engaged by it at all. Things happen to characters I find entirely uninteresting, unsympathetic, or both. Then they get hit by the bat boy. And... well, just the technical note that's been brought up before: full-screen and other prominent/important japanese text needs to be subbed.

*honks hugs and whatever else*
Cappy Red

[Yal]

Maybe you can't help feeling bad for the "poor" kid, but I can certainly help it. Honestly, I have a hard time feeling for him at all. Whiny little runt.(what? I said runt.) He's just a little kid, like 11 years old. I wouldn't wish any sort of misery on someone that young, even if he is an evil little bastard.

This show has some really fantastic characters. I think last week's reporter is still the best overall, he was far more straightforward than Ichi but also far more visually interesting.

[Nyarl]

The police are smart enough to examine Sugi’s crutch and that coconut tree for trace blood and tissue evidence, right?

[Ferquin]

Couple of things:

UberMonkey gets the square. Tonight's episode sound is the cheers of Ichi's fans.

The palm tree (for whatever reason) is Ushi's school display project or whatever. Remember, the students were told to take their displays home and Ichi's Gundam model was smashed. Just thought I'd clear that up. After a third viewing I finally picked up on that. Didn't watch the TV broadcast, but in the sub overlays for the DVD, I recall seeing a note from the teacher saying to take their stuff home.

Ichi wears a NY Yankees cap in the beginningPretty sure it's not a Yankee's cap. I believe it's Yomiuri? Correct me if I'm wrong. I can't remember the team name, but their logo looks very similar to the Yankee's logo.

[Yal]

The colors are wrong (the hat is orange), but it's definitely the Yankees' NY logo, not the Yomiuri Giants' (http://www.giants.jp/top.html) YG.

[kaine23]

this show is weird, then again I didn't watch the setup of the previous episodes either. What's the OP name and is the opening video aviliable to view anywhere?

[Bunai]

glad I'm not the only one weirded out by Maromi talking. That thing is evil. It's bad enough I got two shelves full of beanie baby bears. I don't need a reason to sleep with one eye open... :sweat: :sweat:
i had a dream my stuffed animals attacked me...for some reason. it was creepy and weird.
---

i'm probably the only one that didn't feel bad for Ushi. hes a nice kid, has confidence, and has friends and thinks positive. i feel sorry that he ended up in the hospital over some elses jealous paranoia but thats about it.

that surreal moment reminded me of Lain...that fisheye lens thingie.

the flashing twinkle used for Ichi was funny :anime: ding

[silverwings]

The numbers are bad! The numbers are bad![/hurley]

Yeah, that equation is either one giant coincendence or there is something to it.

I don't understand why I like the show, as it's not a genre that I usually like, but for some reason I can't stop watching it. Can't wait for next week. :)

[MrBananagrabber]

This is the episode that got me hooked on this series. It was both funny and creepy, I love the atmosphere it creates. I'd never seen the dub before this episode, and it's pretty good. I know saying this probably won't do anything, but I really wish they subtitled the signs. I guess you can figure out the note in his locker said "You are shounen Bat," but still.

I loved the "Is he brain damaged?" line from Tsukiko.

Personally, I got quite a kick out of Yuuichi getting hit as the last thing that happened. Next week's episode is even creepier, I'm totally looking forward to it.

Maromi still scares the hell out of me.

[Demon Child]

awwww, poor kid! Yeah, I think that the opening shows all of lil' sluggers victims....This is a creepy anime, but I like it. I feel sorry for Ichi and the fat kid.

[NickWhiz1]

This show completely freaks me out...and I love the hell out of it. The animation is excellent, the music is wonderful, and the characters/plot are very engaging.

Add one of the most unique OPs ever (I <3 the song), and you have a sure-fire winner.

...Too bad the ratings probably won't reflect it that well.

[Demonic Raven]

I noticed something as the episode went on. Everytime Ichi would have one of his fantasies about being the hero again (like, the super awesome birthday party that never was, or the election that he never went to), some hip-hop music would be played. I originally thought "Did they get some Champloo in their Paranoia?"...heh heh.

Just an observation.

[Master Moron]

Screw the fat kid. I just wanted Lil' Slugger to beat the crap out of the baseball cap kid.


I think that's what happened at the end of the episode. At least that's what I got out of it. Anyway, I too hated Ichi. I mean, he wears a Yankees cap. That's reason enough to hate him. Anyway, if I remember correctly, the nickname Ichi was given to him because he was number 1 at everything, right? Gotta hate a guy who's perfect at everything. I mean, I'm somewhat of a perfectionist myself, but that's because I try hard. Ichi seems like a guy who has everything in life handed to him. He thinks he has a God given right to be number 1.

this show is weird, then again I didn't watch the setup of the previous episodes either. What's the OP name and is the opening video aviliable to view anywhere?

http://www.asfdotcom.net/

Am I the only one who laughed out loud when Ichi said "Why can't Little Slugger knock him out?" and then Little Slugger skated right past him? Freakin hilarious. This show kicks ass.

[True Noir]

That was hilarious. No really, when Ichi's kept shining I would laught so much. It's cool how they make the show seem so simple, yet it's pretty intelligently created if you ask me. 4.5/5

[G1Ravage]

Anyway, I too hated Ichi. I mean, he wears a Yankees cap.
Anyone who wears a Yankees cap deserves to be clubbed. :evil:

[Zero Kagayaki]

i miss episode 1 it a good series

[EightOh]

Watched the first episode last night, then caught this one at around 4:30 this morning.

This show is... wicked!

I hated Ichi after about three seconds into his first monologue, maybe sooner, but I sat entranced and even felt a little sorry for him regardless. I actually thought it would be Ichi, the twisted little self-absorbed brat, that would end up doing the clobbering of ol' George (why have I been able to call Porky McPoorkid anything other than "George?" He just... looks like a "George," I guess), but then Lil' Slugger skates on by and conks him in the head.

Ichi's response, glee, both made me laugh ridiculously hard and hate him even more.

Then the bit at the end. Freaky-Awesomeness abounded.

I've already bumped this up to "two thumbs up" status on my Tivo, and I don't even think I did that so quickly (two episodes in) for FMA or GITS:SAC.

Whiny little runt.(what? I said runt.)Bwah.

[pabcool]

[QUOTE=Karl Olson]On this episode: Love that kid's theme music. So bouncy and surreal.[QUOTE]

Agreed... Kind of macabre in my opinion.

I'll say it again... the characterizations in this show are done better than just about every Adult Swim show, including Home Movies, FLCL and Kikaider.

As a matter of fact, only FLCL has topped my level of enjoyment of this show, it is easily the best on Adult Swim right now. The OP is brilliant, so perverse...

[Sandoz]

Well, this episode hooked me. Ichi was a fascinating character; self-absorbed and mean-spirited enough to make the audience hate him, but sad and desperate enough to win back sympathy. The visuals and music were used to great effect, particularly when Ichi loses his grip on reality. Maromi continues to be both cute and evil. Brrr.

[Ben]

I noticed something as the episode went on. Everytime Ichi would have one of his fantasies about being the hero again (like, the super awesome birthday party that never was, or the election that he never went to), some hip-hop music would be played. I originally thought "Did they get some Champloo in their Paranoia?"...heh heh.

Just an observation.

On this episode: Love that kid's theme music. So bouncy and surreal.

That's �ðŒ�“¶Žq, (Jouken Douji), which roughly translates as "Conditional Juvenile" (Hirasawa's titles & lyrics are so bizarre). It's one of my favorites from the show, right up there with the OP and Toubou ("Escape"-- the one that plays right after Shounen Bat says "Tadaima" in the first episode. Speaking of which, "Hello again," is a really awful dub line for that. I know they probably had lip flap problems, but something like "I'm back" would have been a lot better. Still haven't seen this one dubbed, but I'll either see the DVD or catch it on Thursday when finals are done.

Anyone who really likes the music, I highly recommend you check out his albums. Probably the most economical option is the "Golden Best," (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002J542S/qid=1118008395/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_10_1/250-5360324-9761042) which is really just a combination release of two albums from P-Model, the group Hirasawa started out with, but his independent stuff is great if you're willing to fork it out--Kenja no Propellor (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005IWBL/qid=1118008514/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_10_1/250-5360324-9761042) is fantastic and has a lot of the music he remixed for Millennium Actress on it, including the closing theme. My favorites off that one are Tatsujin no Yama (The Master's Mountain) and En Seki Hou (‰~�Ï–@, The Yen Acquisition Method). Maybe even stronger than Kenja is Blue Limbo (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000084TOG/qid=1118008514/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_10_4/250-5360324-9761042), which has High-Minded Castle on it, an incredible song which you can hear (and read along with in English) here (http://s-hirasawa.com/nowar/nowar.htm).

But since I like the STABBY-STABBY GLITCHIFIED electronica my favorite recent purchase from Hirasawa is his latest album (released under the pseudonym Kaku P-Model, but it's really a solo album), Vistoron (http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002ZEYQO/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/250-5360324-9761042).

You can download sample tracks from all these albums at this page (http://s-hirasawa.com/teslakite/e/cd.htm).

One day I will meet either Hirasawa or Kon and ask how they met the other. It's like they were born to work together.

[Tygger Redclaw]

After seeing the first two episodes, I think I'm going to like this show.:D
I like how expressive the characters can be, Ichi's reaction to the picture on his phone was priceless.

I found Ichi to be a rather unlikable character for me. However, I will admit that I felt sorry for him because of what was happening to him.
I get the feeling that Maromi may be hiding something, or perhaps I'm just distrustful of living dolls.

I'm going to be looking forward to the rest of this series.

[TeenTitansGO!]

I hate anime, usually, but this is an amazing show! I don't know who you all are who hate Ichi, but I think he's cool. Good for you he's not in any of the other eps (TVTOME, don't read it, way too many spoilers). I'll quote the trailer:

"Is he real, or is everyone becoming...paranoid?"

Oh, Maromi is evil. I agree. Talking dolls that remotely look like dogs. ew.

[bigddan11]

This was an extremly interesting episode. Episode 1 confused the heck out of me, but this episode hooked me for good. I can't wait to see how Paranoia Agent turns out. Just tell me this, did Lil Slugger catch the kid at the end, or was he just dreaming it?

[Jack Frenzy]

Yuichi -- the kid with the sparkling smile.

In another world, another life, free of Lil' Slugger, did he grow up to be Major Armstrong from FMA?

[Chosen Raven]

Alright, I really liked this episode. Unlike the first. Maybe it's because it didn't contain an utterly disgusting pervert.

I'd like to say I didn't feel sorry for Ichi, but I did manage to feel for him when nobody showed up for his birthday party. He still deserved what happened to him, though.

As for the fat kid(I feel kinda bad calling him that...) being smacked by Lil Slugger, I think it will turn out for the best in the end. It may be odd, but I'm starting to see Lil Slugger as a heroic character. He whacked the perverted reporter over the head when he was bothering what's-her-name, his little whack to what's-her-name helped her get over the deadline thing, and his whack of fat kid will make said kid even more popular while utterly destroying evil Ichi.

If Lil Slugger turns out to be some pychological thing that was just in the heads of the people who see him, I'll be pretty ticked. It'd be cooler if he was some kind of avenging spirit or....something.

[Ben]

If Lil Slugger turns out to be some pychological thing that was just in the heads of the people who see him, I'll be pretty ticked. It'd be cooler if he was some kind of avenging spirit or....something.

I get the feeling Kon would ask what's the difference?

[cetuskun]

One thing that I've found strange so far is that...

No one who Lil' Slugger has attacked so far has actually been killed. Tsukiko obviously survived, even the pervert did (this was mentioned in her conversation with the detectives in this episode). I'm expecting even Ushi will be alright.

[beren]

No one who Lil' Slugger has attacked so far has actually been killed. Tsukiko obviously survived, even the pervert did (this was mentioned in her conversation with the detectives in this episode). I'm expecting even Ushi will be alright.


how can you say that for sure?

[jethrek]

One thing that I've found strange so far is that...

No one who Lil' Slugger has attacked so far has actually been killed. Tsukiko obviously survived, even the pervert did (this was mentioned in her conversation with the detectives in this episode). I'm expecting even Ushi will be alright.


Have no faith.

[jethrek]

Alright, I really liked this episode. Unlike the first. Maybe it's because it didn't contain an utterly disgusting pervert.

I'd like to say I didn't feel sorry for Ichi, but I did manage to feel for him when nobody showed up for his birthday party. He still deserved what happened to him, though.

As for the fat kid(I feel kinda bad calling him that...) being smacked by Lil Slugger, I think it will turn out for the best in the end. It may be odd, but I'm starting to see Lil Slugger as a heroic character. He whacked the perverted reporter over the head when he was bothering what's-her-name, his little whack to what's-her-name helped her get over the deadline thing, and his whack of fat kid will make said kid even more popular while utterly destroying evil Ichi.

If Lil Slugger turns out to be some pychological thing that was just in the heads of the people who see him, I'll be pretty ticked. It'd be cooler if he was some kind of avenging spirit or....something.
I don't think you'll like the next episode...(perversion)

As for psychological vs. spirit, you'tre in for a bumpy ride...

[Brent Long]

This episode is up in the Edit List thread.

[G1Ravage]

Uhh...so a bump just said that episodes 5-13 of Paranoia Agent will have "transcriptions".

It also called us whiners.

[Gruntling]

I must say that I didn't really think Episode 1 was that great, as everyone here seems to make it out to be. Unlike the majority of AS Action fans, I didn't really like FLCL, and the first episode seemed like Paranoia Agent would be similar to it in sorts with it's crazy opening and ending, and strange array of characters.

But Episode 2, piqued my interest. On the otherhand, the story has taken a much different route than I expected, and to say the least I was impressed. With a better grasp of the plot I think I don't have to worry about being disappointed in the future. In fact, the opening and closing are even kind of catchy!

I give Golden Shoes an A.

[Duke]

It also called us whiners."Whiners" is too harsh. I'd call us "literary complainers."

[herbkir]

I pitied Ichi in a way. The fickle finger of fate, in the form of Lil' Slugger, took away everything that had made him what he was -- Being Number One. He was despicable in his pride and ease of accomplishment, though, so he kinda deserved what he got.

But I felt really sorry for the fat kid who tried to be positive despite always getting dumped on. No matter how he tried, he still got whacked so his efforts didn't really mean anything in the end.

Fortunately, the Japanese text in this episode wasn't impossible to guess at, unlike the first episode. I'm glad to see AS realized they need to sub it. (You're not a whiner if you're right.) (^_*)

[KefkaFloyd]

It's meant to be one of the first hints that Lil Slugger may be more of a psychological out passed from person to person than an actual person as he attacks the person while he's hallicuinating. The first episode largely suggests that Lil Slugger was just a character created by Tsukiko's psyche to work out her problems with her deadline. However, all it's done is plant the seeds to resolve other people's problems without actually facing them. In sense, she's created a new psychological disorder, or rather she tapped into something that had always existed in society, but now it's got a form: The Lil Slugger - The Shonen Bat. A boy who can take your problems with away with just one swing of his bat. As other people are forced into corners, they go nuts, and well, Ka-King, bingo.

Of course, there is also a real life imitator of Shonen Bat, but he gets attacked by the real one later on. Fun how that works as as soon as he's in a corner, the problem's solved by what he wanted to imitate. Stand Alone Complex becomes No Fault Complex? Works well enough for me..
Xenogears called, it wants a core of its plot back.

I really dig PA. It's a "slow" anime that isn't boring, something very difficult to pull off.

[cetuskun]

how can you say that for sure?
I wasn’t saying I knew it for sure. I was just speculating.

[Golgo13]

If Paranoia Agent's next episode is as good as the last two, it might join Bebop and Kikaider in my favorite AS anime ever. It's just been incredible so far.

And yes, though Ichi was a jerk, I really felt for him at some parts. The scene where he looks at his torn poster and disassembled Gundam was downright depressing. (If a show can make you feel pity for a despicable person, it's doing something right.)
It should be up there as AS best anime ever, but, having seen the whole series, it may be too much for some later on. The first two episodes are light, VERY light, compared to the ones that follow. The episodes will get ten times as explicit, ten times as uncomfortable and ten times as deep.

No spoilers, just saying you new guys are in for one hell of a crazy show.

[kaine23]

Xenogears called, it wants a core of its plot back.
LOL, best reply here yet!

[G1Ravage]

"Whiners" is too harsh. I'd call us "literary complainers."At least it proves that they listen to us. And that whichever company licensed Paranoia Agent to them is willing to put up some hard subtitles.

Oh yeah, it's Geneon. Duh.

They used to be Pioneer, and Pioneer put in some hard subtitles when Toonami aired Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki way back when.

[Duke]

Oh yeah, it's Geneon. Duh.

They used to be Pioneer, and Pioneer put in some hard subtitles when Toonami aired Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki way back when.If Bandai got the show, we'd be seeing tons and tons of Japanese writing that's supposed to resemble credits.

[ClockStomper]

Lil'Slugger is actually pretty smart. Sure, we all wanted that self absorbed bastard to get whacked with the bat. But now the fat kid's popularity will soar and Ichi will get even more hell at school.

I took Lil'Slugger's mocking of Ichi's smile to mean he was the one who wrote the note and emailed the pictures.

[Lord Dalek]

If Bandai got the show, we'd be seeing tons and tons of Japanese writing that's supposed to resemble credits.Which is a shame since MD's japanese credits are tastefully done.

[delariean]

Wow almost didnt recognize Vash's VA as our dear ichi...


Great ep

[Duke]

Wow almost didnt recognize Vash's VA as our dear ichi...I too thought it was JYB playing Ichi, but according to ANN, it's really Kevin Hatcher.

[delariean]

I too thought it was JYB playing Ichi, but according to ANN, it's really Kevin Hatcher.
Kevin Hatcher is an Alias for JYB....check imdb.com

[Duke]

Kevin Hatcher is an Alias for JYB....check imdb.comSee, THIS is why I usually prefer IMDB to ANN...

[jethrek]

A lot if imdb's info is user-submitted, whereas ANN is going by the official credits. Hard to say if it really is an alias (see: David Lucas)

[Freedom Fighter]

Much better than the first episode! I have to say I'm hooked on PA!

Ichi's probably never known to be anywhere but #1 in everything in life, so he can't stand it when Ushi seems to be setting up to steal the spotlight away. It was gripping watching Ichi fight within himself, trying to prove Ushi is wronging him, that no one deserves to be on top other than him. He even went so far as for wanting Ushi to be taken down by Lil' Slugger after believing it was Ushi who set up all of the bad press about Ichi being the bad boy.

Then Ushi gets clocked, and Ichi's in even more trouble!

I've never seen a thinking man's anime with this little action that's still so very enjoyable and fun to watch! And this is only the tip of the iceberg? Wow...

9 out of 10 for "Golden Shoes."

[Ferquin]

Uh, you mean "Ushi", right?

By the way, it may amuse you to know that "ushi" means cow.

[EightOh]

pUh, you mean "Ushi", right?

By the way, it may amuse you to know that "ushi" means cow.What prescient parents.

[Ferquin]

That, or the writers have a cruel sense of humor or love puns. You'd be surprised about what characters' names mean when you translate them (depending on what kanji is used). For example, Tsukiko literally means "moon child". It's not uncommon for Japanese to name their children after certain features or times they were born or other stuff, like the Native Americans (i.e. "Crazy Horse", or "Sitting Bull", etc.)

[Freedom Fighter]

Uh, you mean "Ushi", right?Oy vey, thanks. Been fixed. Have no idea why my notebook says "Usuki."

[Ben]

Speaking of Ushi, this will not be the last time the Japanese names have significance. Keep your ears open.

[cetuskun]

Uh, you mean "Ushi", right?

By the way, it may amuse you to know that "ushi" means cow. That was actually the first thing I thought of when I heard his name. At first I thought I heard it wrong.

[Maestro]

Uh, you mean "Ushi", right?

By the way, it may amuse you to know that "ushi" means cow.
It was spelled as "Yuichi"

[Ben]

OK, for the last time:

Yuichi (nickname "Ichi," meaning "One") = Cool kid
Ushi (meaning "cow") = Fat kid

[Duke]

Wasn't Ushi's full name Ushiyama?

[Shnay]

Wow, even better the second time 'round. Everything that I enjoyed from this episode the first time I saw it, I enjoyed even more seeing it again. The emotion and atmosphere are absolutely superb. If this show continues in the way I'm hoping it does, it could become one of my favorite shows of all time. This is easily the most excited I've been about an Adult Swim anime since Cowboy Bebop.

[TeenTitansGO!]

new epi tonight