Episodes 13-16 (The Man in the Mask)

Ah, yes. So begins the better half of Psycho-Pass. Not that the first half wasn't fantastic, but its the second half that really shows what the anime's truly getting at. As I've said, it's always important to make sure one sets up an environment and characters that make a story believable and engaging, but it's what one does with all those elements that brings the entire production together. Within this arc, we see a number of questions about our characters answered, relationships flourishing, familiar literature cameos, the loss of an important character a showdown revisted from the beginning, and the initiation of this town's downfall. And did I mention reveals upon reveals? We also keep up our discussion of identity, looking at how it can be manipulated for another to utilize, as well as the idea of man's more natural and primitive aspects rising up in defiance to the control of technology. So without further ado, let's get into it!

Chasing Makishima

Following the incident between Makishima and Akane, the trust placed in the Sibyl System by the CID is understandably shaken. After all, if the deciding force on justice is unable to function properly, how then can justice be served? Yet another example of the caveats of entrusting everything to an "ultimate" power. The Chief of the MWPSB has been aware of this flaw in the system for 3 years now, and shares with Inspector Ginoza the existence of people who are "criminally asymptomatic", or are unable to be accurately measured in Sibyl's eyes. In other words, these individuals, though extremely rare, exist outside of the form of justice imposed on this society, invisible to the system. Though this flaw is alarming (as it's been made obvious that this can lead to devastating situations), the chief claims  it is still necessary to trust in the system, as it has brought around an end to stress. The purpose of Sibyl has been to remove the need to put in effort to make a decision for one's own self, and as Makishima says, it has crippled humanity as a result. Chief Joshu does admit, however, that some human input is indeed necessary for the system to be effective; hence, the use of the Inspectors and Enforcers, who serve as a safety net for cases that go beyond the system's abilities. And plus, those who can slip through the cracks of the system are merely 1 in 2 million, so there's no real problem, right?

But of course, there is. Through the mass distribution of special helmets that emulate a below-regulation CC of a nearby individual, Makishima has released a crime spree and mass psycho-hazard on society, one that cannot be detected and contained by the Sibyl System. He likens this world to that of Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, a novel we are all to familiar with. The idea of a world in which the complications of technology have become so great that man has become unsure or ignorant of his own true identity...Makishima detests this idea, and so we see his true motive: to return man to his rightful identity, in which he decides his actions himself, and accepts those actions' consequences on his own. THe implementation of a device that allows one to commit crimes, without the worry of the Sibyl System's response, seems to almost reveal the presence of stress that was supposedly not around anymore. It seems that what ha been thought to be eradicated, had actually just been pushed deeper and deeper, becoming pressurized and volatile, an explosive that merely needed a spark, a spark Makishima is more than willing to provide

REVEALS, REVEALS, REVEALS.

Perhaps some of this may be strictly plot-based, and not really pertaining to my analysis of the ideas within the show, but I believe they all connect back to them in some way. That, or I just really enjoyed how much information was given to us in these episodes.

From the start of episode 13, the information keeps flowing in. Our favorite stoic Inspector, Ginoza, suffers from elevated CC, an occurrence that could surely prove detrimental, if left to flourish. However, while this is important, it is even more so important to be aware of who he seeks to meet with one-on-one to talk about a number of issues: none other than the Masaoka. And why is that? Well, as his therapist suggested, who better to talk to than family? Yes, Masaoka is none other than Ginoza's latent criminal father! The evidence prior to this reveal does become more obvious once you think about it. Indeed, their relationship seemed the most like that between a father and son (besides maybe Kogami and Masaoka, but that's another story): Masaoka is often ready to defend Ginoza, but is never afraid to put him in his place when necessary. And so we see a man who became disgusted with the Sibyl System's robbing of human will and decision (and thus becoming labeled as a latent criminal), and his son who bore witness to his descent, and has resented it since he was young. I will say, without giving away spoilers, that this relationship becomes especially  important in the coming episodes, so be sure to keep it in the back of your mind.

We're also given confirmation on another character's special abilities. In an effort to find and capture Makishima, Akane agrees to a memory scoop, a process in which memories are relived, and information is removed and made accesible through a database. Naturally, this process may ordinarily seem like an effective one, but in cases of traumatizing experiences, they are indeed prone to increasing CCs to irrevocable points. Nevertheless, we're presented with Akane's determination to find Makishima, and fortitutde as a detective. Indeed, as Karanomori observes, Akane's PP and CC are extremely resilient, recovering almost immediately after their elevation. Is it possible that this may be a factor in her rushed entrance into the CID? Another day, another question.

Return to the Beginning

For me, there are two huge points that occur in this block of episodes that really turn the show on its head. The first of which is where we catch up to the point presented to us in the first few seconds of the pilot episode: the first meeting between Makishima and Kogami. It's an interesting conversation, to say the least; a quoted duel between the two, with Pascal and Ortega as the weapons of choice, before an actual fight breaks out. The interesting point is that the two are so very similar on a number of levels, and connected in their differences. Though they may not look anything alike physically, (Kogami's color scheme being predominantly black, and Makishima's white), they represent the opposite of each other, or rather, a complementing situation. Kogami is portrayed here as a more wild,emotionally charged individual, whereas Makishima seems more calm and collected, even calculating. This is quite similar to the difference and complements we see in the personalities of Neuromancer and Wintermute. They exist separately, but these two, like Neuromancer and Wintermute, are inexplicably connected to each other, seeking out one another with a passion.

But let us not forget about Akane. In an effort to save Kogami, she knocks Makishima unconscious, ensuring his capture. However, Kogami demands that she kill Makishima immediately. Here we see the provess that Makishima has sought to revive in action. Akane is engulfed in grief and rage at the death of her friend at the hands of this criminal, and is fully prepared to see Kogami's command through. However, and with great effort, she is able to control her emotions, and make the choice to instead arrest Makishima, and bring him into custody. This decision is made in the face of overwhelming powerful emotional desires, an example of man's ability to control the darker forces inside himself with his constructs of common sense and reasoning. This ability has been lost with the supervision of the Sibyl System, and it is these processes that have become almost extinct in this society as a result.

DEATH AND SURPRISES

But enough about all that. Let's get to the next moment of extreme awe. For this, we go to everyone's favorite laidback character, Kagari. Whereas Kogami and Akane went to face off against Makishima, Kagari sets off to apprehend the hacker in the bowels of Nona Tower, where, we learn, the true nature of the Sibyl System resides (for this part, follow the link in the next sentence, and finish the episode to its end). Kagari's apprehension of the hacker comes after he succesfully cracks into the Sibyl System's shell, revealing...well, it doesn't reveal what it is, but based on both of their reactions, it is something so mind-blowing, it could end the existence of the system completely. "Mind-blowing" is the word of the day here, too, as we see the death of the hacker come at the hands of Chief Joshu. But not before we're given yet another reveal...the chief is not a human at all, but a cyborg, composed of a completely mechanical body, just as Senguji was. As I said, the form of the Sybil System seems to be something that no one could possibly fathom, and is a secret, a secret that costs Kagari his life as well. What's interesting about his death is that the Dominator use by the chief is originally unable to apprehend him as a threat. However, it becomes forced to (presumably by the chief), transforming into Eliminator mode, and silences Kagari for good. This leaves us at the end of these episodes with the biggest question of them all: What IS the Sybil System's true form?


(Unrelated side note ahead, completely apart from the information above. Also, it's all personal belief, so disregard as necessary)

KAGARI WAS THE MAN. Honestly. Of all the supporting characters, he was always my favorite. Maybe it's because of my own connection with comedy a desire to always joke around? Who knows. But this hurt to watch (again). Classic death of the most human character. Ugh.