Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
To say Cyberpunk is an avant-garde genre is an understatement. It was way ahead of its time in many ways. From war to corruption it outlined a dystopian reality. This holds especially true forErgo ProxyandGhost in the Shell. Both anime underscore futuristic society with a blend of postapocalyptic flair. However, there’s more to it than meets the eye.
Dai Sato, the screenwriter behind these projects foreshadowed this way earlier. Both anime outline the decimation of a society amidst war albeit their setting. Moreover, Sato’s mingling of philosophy aligns with the idea of existence.
Ghost in the Shell creator elucidates the crippling effects of technology
Dai Sato is one of the finest screenwriters in the cyberpunk genre. Some of his notable works includeSamurai Champloo,Cowboy Bebop, andEureka Seven. Although he has a diverse portfolio of work, he is popularly known for his screenwriting forGhost in the Shell: Standalone Complex. Like most cyberpunk anime, the series outlined a dystopian society.
It underscored theplight of humansamidst technology and political powerplay. Sato’s writing has similar instances. The theme of the co-existence of humans and cyborgs runs parallel in most cases. However, the creator also sheds light on how technology has crippled the present society.
One Panel Alone is Enough Proof Why Sui Ishida’s Tokyo Ghoul Anime Deserves a Second Chance like One Piece
In aninterviewwith Anime News Network, Dai Sato shared his thoughts on the dynamic between society and technology. He quotes:
Looking at the U.S., this country is completely run by social media. Any ideas about Arab nations or others comes to people completely through social networking and blogging, things like that. So a lot of that complex comes from that root problem. So I would attempt to incorporate a message that way now, rather than thinking about the complex as a “cult-like power.”
While some may dismiss it as hogwash, technology has seeped into human existence. This holds especially true with dystopia represented in Sato’s works. In contrast toGhost in the Shell,Ergo Proxyis laden with philosophical references.
Ergo Proxy fuses philosophy to outline the dynamic between humans and technology.
Ergo Proxy is one of the underrated gems of the cyberpunk genre. It excels in its portrayal of a post-apocalyptic society. The series encompassed major themes of corruption, war, and discrimination. While the series had impeccable animation and storyline, it failed togarner viewership. This holds especially true with its heavy and dark themes fused with philosophy.
The series borrows heavily from philosophy, especially Descartes or the phrase“cogito ergo sum”. Moreover, The Collectives are named after famous philosophers. However, Descartes’s phrase is the ever-looming theme that marks the relationship between autorievs and humans. On his usage of humor and philosophy in the series, Sato noted:
I think just having both a sense of humor and contemplation is really important, not just in writing a story but also in daily life. There’s two ends to that spectrum, first you have the very serious portion where you’re too in your own head, and on the other end you might be messing around too much, but right in-between is where you find human nature.
Cogito virus and AI resonate well with the current day advancements and issues in society. From programming to modifying AI, society is treading towards its downfall.
Studio Madhouse Already has the Perfect Anime for Fans Awaiting Junji Ito’s Uzumaki to Release
All in all, both series play a pivotal role in outlining the relationship between technology and humans. Although their setting is different, both anime underscore dystopia. Moreover, the depiction of war, hunger and corruption make Sato’s work relevant to this date.
Ghost in the ShellandErgo Proxyare available for streaming on Netflix.
Himanshi Jeswani
Anime Writer
Articles Published :993
Himanshi Jeswani is an anime writer at Fandomwire, with her work spanning over 900 articles. Her articles cover shojo, shonen, seinen, and all things beyond. Her interests, however, aren’t limited to simply anime. She has a penchant for exploring different genres of manga, be it horror, yanki, music, and food. She brings out her specialization and expertise in the performing arts through her articles. As a writer, she strives to bridge the gap between the viewers and the medium itself. To her, anime is a revolutionary medium that is capable of creating communities and stories after all.
