Anime Review: Psycho-Pass 3 Episode One

Psycho-Pass 3 Episode One

Studio: Production I.G

Genre: Sci-fi, Thriller

Streaming: Amazon Prime

Anyone else remember Psycho-Pass?  I was actually pretty surprised to hear that the series was getting another season this year after the rather disappointing second season which aired back in 2014. Whilst the first season (which originally aired back in 2012), was a quiet masterpiece, the second season missed the mark somewhat. The loss of some key cast members and a new antagonist who ultimately failed to reach the complexity of Season One’s villain made it seem like the franchise was out of ideas. Still, Psycho-Pass 3 looks to be an attempt to re-ignite the franchise and admittedly it’s off to a promising start.

Note: The reviewer has (as yet) not seen the 2015 movie or the Sinners of the System ova mini-series which aired previously this year. Therefore this review takes into account only their previous knowledge from the original two seasons.

Psycho-Pass 3 follows two new investigators who are added to the Psycho-Pass team and interestingly takes place in 2120, a good  6 years after the last season took place.  The series is set to be only eight episodes, but compared to the standard 20 minute length time of other anime series, each episode is about 45 minutes long making them more like mini-movies. Normally this would feel over-long for a series but given the much more complex mystery plot-lines, it’s actually to this series’ benefit.

To have the two new additions to the franchise be the new protagonists of the third season is risky, to say the least.  Akane was always a likable, strong lead protagonist in the first two seasons and she is noticeably missing here. The new protagonists, Kei (a stoic former military), and Arata (the younger, much more easy-going of the two) thankfully balance each other out well though. Arata is perhaps the more easily likable, a surprisingly cheerful and childish demeanor which is in sharp contrast to the dark criminal world he’s a part of. The two look like they would be chalk and cheese, but their relationship is established early on as one of mutual trust and a long-standing friendship. Kei is clearly the one adept at keeping them both inline within the strict system they exist in but has an obvious trust and understanding in Arata’s abilities. Arata is much more of a loose cannon and seems like he’d be a bad fit for the role he’s been given as an Investigator – if not for a somewhat peculiar set of abilities which classify him as a ‘Mentalist’. This enables him to get into the minds of the people they’re investigating, in much the same way as Will Graham from Hannibal or Sherlock Holmes does. Kei is the only one to shed any light on this unique talent of Arata, which leaves a lot up to the viewer to fill in the gaps.

The Sibyl System in Psycho-Pass is known to (efficiently or not) analyse a person’s psyche and estimate their current and potential criminal intent. The system has been proven in the past to be flawed and so much power in the hands of a computer is ultimately a terrifying prospect. Arata’s abilities are based more purely on empathy perhaps, but there is a certain parallel there with that of the Sibyl System that suggest something darker. His unique ability to track people via analyzing their mental states from clues is called a ‘Mental Trace’, something which brings to mind something much more computational and programmed. Ultimately though Arata’s mindset and powers are left vague and whilst the more likable of the two protagonists, there is the sense that he is hiding the most. The rest of the cast is hit and miss so far – there are some returning characters from the previous series but both Akane and Kougami who were focal points in the past are left with question marks over their existence.

As before, Psycho-Pass 3 doesn’t shy away from handling issues that are controversial and indeed mirrored in our own society – the first episode is set against the backdrop of immigration. Visually the series matches up with the themes as well – everything is sombre and dark; much more grounded in realism than the more colourful, lighter style seen in other animes this season. Psycho-Pass 3 is one of the few series which, despite being set in Tokyo, could easily have been set anywhere in the world – the series has always come across more like a dystopian crime thriller which could be seen on American television and this has always been to the series’ advantage.

The first mystery of the series sets the tone well, bringing up some overarching themes and groups which will likely continue to make their presence known throughout the length. Whilst, not an equal trade-off for Akane, the two new protagonists are interesting in their own right and bring a whole new dynamic and viewpoint to the world of Psycho-Pass. Whether it can retain the intelligence and complexity throughout the course of the season is yet to be seen, but so far it’s off to an extremely successful start.

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