Psycho-Pass (2012-2023)

[Recommended] (at least season one)

Finished watching on 339.2025

Interesting look into a futuristic society where an algorithm that understands human psychology allows it to direct people's choice of career and even partners whilst simultaneously knowing whether someone will or could commit a crime, thus preventing them through counseling, medication, or more forceful solutions. The story is focused on the people who work to enforce the judgement of the oracle as they battle with their own morality.

The first season is without a doubt my favourite of all of the seasons and movies (and short movies?) as it focused on the dynamic between a few characters' core philosophies. Although the second season tried and almost succeeded, the stories that come after the first season failed to capture that same nature. They expanded the world and introduced a larger cast, both allies and adversaries, which allowed for higher stakes and more dangerous events to happen, in the process, unfortunately, creating a different kind of show, one that I nonetheless enjoyed.

Spoilers

• The OST that plays in the final confrontation of First Inspector was really good. The mix of electronics and brass was well done.
• This list here seems to be a complete list of books (at least from the first season)
• Most of my issues with this setting come from the lack of proper security measures. The CID is shown as having only three units of two inspectors and four enforcers totalling eighteen law enforcment personel for a city which I'll generously assign around fifteen million citizens to (from this data of modern Tokyo). During the helmets riot, it was practically confirmed that they were the only people with the power to enforce law. Now, the JDF (and the MOFA's SAD) exist though they do not deal with domestic issues as Sibyl oversees law and order. Also lack of proper facial recognition software such as in First Inspector (when Azusawa uses someone else's ID and just waltz in).
• The beginning sequence of season two gives the impression of it being a superhero movie, hence it felt different from the start.
• The only version of the 2015 movie I will ever recommend is the "Engrish eradication project." Side note, I like how one of the villains quotes Fanon: reminiscent of Makishima.
• The 2023 movie, Providence, which show the events leading up to season 3, makes me think the story still has a little bit more to give. Akane's public murder of the bureau chief (which is a murder: she did not survive, and yet she's in season 3 and no one who is unaware of Sibyl's nature bats an eye. Plot hole or did I miss something?) made me laugh in excitement as Shimotsuki showed the public that Akane was not a target for enforcement, was not judged as a criminal by Sibyl, thus demonstrating the necessity of a lawful system outside of Sibyl. There is this talk of the "eventual unveiling of the Sibyl system to the public" since season 1 and I don't think the story is over until that happens.