Episodes 1-4 (The Introduction Arc)

Like every show, it's important to grab the viewer's attention from the start. I mean, without it, you've forced the audience to try and justify continuing on, and this already puts a strain on the relationship between the show and the audience. In an attempt to avoid, Psycho-Pass starts us off in medias res, presenting us with a fight scene that we have no context for. We're immediately inclined to ask questions, to seek knowledge about a fight scene we have no information on. Of course, we're left with these questions in the back of our minds as the story jumps back to its beginning. Therefore, we too can jump back to it as well.

Setting

The story is set within the year 2113 in a futuristic city (assumed to be located in Japan, though I believe it is never explicitly named) where the stress of living has been mitigated by the implementation of the Sibyl System, a complex network that rules over the city's society, much like an absolute justice system. Throughout the city, there are points in which each individual's psychological state and potential are analyzed and quantified into a number, their Psycho-Pass (it's the name of the show, so it MUST be important). This system is considered the end-all be-all on the potential threat of individuals within the society. Already here we see the idea of an overall technological entity maintaining the well-being of humanity, much like how we saw in William Gibson's Neuromancer, with the god-like jurisdiction and power Wintermute and Neuromancer possess in the Matrix. This Psycho-Pass is determines the potential threat of an individual; the more elevated the number, the more dangerous the individual is considered to be. We see this explicitly explained within these first 4 episodes, from the average joe Nobuo Okura of episode 1, who goes off the deep end due to his PP (Psycho-Pass) reading, to the meek and mild-mannered factory worker-turned-killer in episode 3. What is most interesting about both of these instances of elevated PP, is the fact that the crimes committed by each of these individuals is committed after elevation. Okura does not kidnap the woman until after he is flagged by the Sibyl System, and the worker no only commits a crime after his PP rises, but it also lowers itself and clears up afterwards. Not only that, but there also appears to be a contagious effect of a clouded/elevated PP on those surrounding them. Having been kidnapped and held hostage by Okura, the woman herself adopts an elevated Psycho-Pass, one that is outside of parameters. Even though she is strictly a victim of circumstance, she is nevertheless treated as the same as Okura. This brings in the question of the efficiency of the Sibyll System overall. Is it truly as efficient as it claims to be? Or is it merely a construct that has corralled humanity into a false sense of safety?

Technology

Being set in the future, it's no surprise that Psycho-Pass hosts a expansive list of technology years beyond our time. As seen in the works we discussed in class, while the presence of machines, programs, and robots in everyday life can make things much more simple, it seems that a caveat of this advanced technology is the somewhat heavy dependence that can occur with it. Outside of the Sibyl System (we'll return to it in a moment), we're frequently given glimpses of the technology at the disposal of society. For instance, in the beginning of episode 2, we're given a scene in which our protagonist (who will be discussed later) is capable of commanding a program to cast a hologram that transforms her apartment from a simple one into a 5-star hotel room. Not only that, but this same technology is utilized for personal appearance as well. This idea reminds me of a more superficial version of the technology seen in Dollhouse. While individuals may appear a certain way, they are instead altogether different from what they show. This, in and of itself, shows a malleability of personal identity this society...if you don't like what you look like, simply change it with the press of a button. A pretty convenient option, indeed. This same technology also seems to be used within the public safety domain as well, though I personally found its use a little disconcerting.

However, the piece of technology that tends to stick out the most of all is the Dominator. Shaped like a handgun, this device is the most effective means of determining (and apprehending) individuals with elevated PPs. Dominators are only usable by registered members of the Ministry of Welfare Public Safety Bureau, Criminal Investigation Department (also known as the CID within the MWPSB). It is this organization that is tasked with the apprehension of criminals, a detective/police force, if you will. Each Enforcer and Inspector (again, explained later) is capable of establishing a link whilst using a Dominator, usually signified by a blue glow in their eyes. The Dominator is capable of two settings: a non-lethal Paralyzer mode for subduing suspects, and a lethal Eliminator mode, for dispatching threats. These guns are linked to Sibyl System, and are only capable of firing at individuals with PPs considered too elevated by the system (this is an EXTREMELY important point to remember later on, as the show progresses).

Characters

At last, we reach the part in which we can look at one of the show's most important aspects of all: the humans that exist in this world. For the entirety of the show, the focus remains on the members of Section One of the CID. From the wise-cracking Kagari, to the uptight and by-the-book Ginoza, to the "father figure" Masaoka, the audience is given a myriad of characters and personalities to observe. However, the story tends to fall around the two main protagonists: Akane Tsunemori, the newly appointed (and inexperienced) Inspector to Section One, and Shinya Kogami, a veteran Enforcer in the CID. Between these two, the audience is faced with opposing approaches to the cases presented in the show: the optimistic (and sometimes naïve) ideals of Akane, versus the hunting tactics of Kogami.

One of the most interesting things about the CID is the hierarchy that exists within its ranks. Section One is divided into two groups: Inspectors and Enforcers. Inspectors are considered to be the ones in charge, and are capable of giving orders and commands to the Enforcers. This is because the Enforcers are actually what are called "latent criminals". This is a term given to an individual whose PP is elevated past the acceptable level, but instead of being detained, they are used to analyze and predict the actions and thoughts of other latent criminals. In fact, within the first few minutes of the first episode, the nature of the Enforcers and their purpose are made explicitly clear. Already we see another instance of the duality of humanity in this world: the "normal", those who have been deemed acceptable by this absolute power, and the "aberrant", those who deviate from what is normal, and are considered dangerous to the well-being of the majority. This also emphasizes the idea that a select few must suffer for the preservation of the many. However, what makes the connection to hunting all the more interesting are the tendencies for Kogami to became enthralled in the hunt of a criminal, seen in episode 3's ending. Is it possible that the social constructs under which this hierarchy exists could lead an individual to embrace this "beast" label? Is this considered forfeiting humanity, and if it is, is it a positive or negative choice?

Of course, the question that may be the most intriguing are those surrounding the importance of Shogo Makishima. An enigmatic character for sure, we see him for the first time since the beginning of the entire show, in the ending of episode 4. What is his connection to the Spooky Boogie murder, and what is is purpose as a character overall? For that, we'll have to look to the next set of episodes, which will be found in the next blog post!