This episode ties everything together, and I like it. What psycho pass has basically been doing is gather tropes, and taking a look at them through the mind of a psychopath. Last arc this was about online communities, this time we have this series’ rendition of Maria-Sama ga Miteru. What would happen if one of the characters there was a psychopath, and given the opportunity to commit murder?
This episode really tried to give a strange sense of beauty and aesthetics to murder, taking the elegance of what you’d usually expect in a catholic all-girl high school, and using this in its story really well (also making this the second show this season to quote shakespeare). In this episode I also really could spot some hints of Naoyoshi Shiotani. I can’t exactly put my finger to why, but the style of direction in this episode reminded me of Tokyo Marble Chocolate. Still, I’d say that he’s quite a bit more restrained compared to the episodes and OPs that he has directed in the past. But that I guess is to be expected, considering how much more people are involved in the making of just one series, compared to a single episode or opening for which you have much more freedom (which is probably also why Sayo Yamamoto keeps doing the direction for OPs like what she did for this series as well).
Also, alcohol. Love seeing it used again. Not just for the sake of alcohol, but rather that it can show totally new sides of the characters. Also, it’s good to see the female lead not get instantly drunk. There are very few female leads I’ve seen doing that. And I’d say that this episode was particularly good at fleshing out the cast, on top of telling its story, and I liked the small scene where the female lead still tried to keep up with her friends, and where we revisited one of the culprits of one of the previous episodes.
Rating: 5.5/8 (Excellent)
I think it’s interesting the way that these individual ‘mysteries’ are not really mysteries as we as the audience already know who the culprit is. Apart from the study of the human condition which each ‘mystery’ appears to be, the bigger question looms as to why we have this person enabling the murderers? What are they trying to achieve?
Finally Kogami’s back-story is fully revealed and now we know why his psycho-pass when sky-high .. and he has every right to feel anger and killer intent after what has been done to his Enforcer (whom he clearly was friends with) .. Makishima Shougo really pushed him to the edge by killing his friend (and enforcer) and mutilating his body in such grotesque sick way.
Also it’s interesting that Kogami is really such a good detective (as he showed in the previous episode), really loved it when he tied together all the previous cases with his arch-nemesis Makishima Shougo (that white-haired guy), turns out the previous cases weren’t just episodic content .. they all tie together to show the pattern of the psychopath that Kogami dedicated his life to study and chase (and became an enforcer in the process) .. and surely this episode paints that mastermind criminal in a very dark and creepy light … he doesn’t commit crimes himself but rather manipulates other people, plays with their weaknesses and problems and helps them in every way possible to turn them into senseless killers .. devilish .. he can just then sit, watch and enjoy the show .. that’s one sick twisted bastard … i will surely feel happy when Kogami puts an end to his schemes .. preferably with a Dominator shot (although it would be a problem if that guy doesn’t trigger Dominators .. maybe a good old fist-cuffs will do XD)
And i also can’t blame the people who had their psycho-pass go up four levels when they found the truth about those grotesque corpses which they thought were weird statues … heck .. just seeing few pics of those corpses and thinking how they were made (specially the last one with the cross-shaped girl) made my own psycho-pass cloudy and sent a shiver down my spine XD
And i wonder what Shion meant when she said Yayoi is into more violent and passionate stuff !!! .. i seriously can’t wait to find out Yayoi’s past, how she became and enforcer and what’s really going on between her and Shion (Yayoi so far is the most mysterious member of the team, we really don’t know a single thing about her other than that she is into violent, passionate stuff and probably in a relationship with Shion) .. she also several times showed that she still cares a lot about Kogami .. probably out of mutual respect for his skills .. or maybe more XD)
Why the heck does anybody think “elegant” and “Catholic all-girl high school” would ever go together, unless we’re talking “Japan, land of richie-rich private high schools”?
Is this some kind of non-Catholic fantasy thing?
Because if it is, y’all need to be spending a little more time in church, and a little more time meeting actual girls.
Catholic high schools for girls traditionally aspire to teach girls Catholicism, private and civic virtue, the three R’s, and how not to make the school look bad. You’re supposed to be neat, clean, humble, studious, and have good posture. And spend a lot of time on good works.
Elegance? Seriously?
someone that shows all those qualities certainly doesn’t fall far from elegant (just talking appearances here, how many people are elegant to the core?). Maybe your idea of elegance is different from us non-catholics.
That Catholic school is pretty much a nod to shows like Maria-sama ga Miteru and the rich private schools. I was almost waiting for someone to start talking about soeur pairings!
And yes they are all about teaching rich kids to be elegant
Fantastic episode as usual. Lots of imagery here but I’m not too sure what the dismembered bodies actually represent.
Compare the “sculpture” with the Enforcers’ symbol.
Here: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eAtU7tw6I7g/UKa2K88NEyI/AAAAAAAABcE/ywzVOF6S2kM/s1600/psycho-pass+tortura.png
You’re welcome.
“why are you asking about the guy? Are you in love with him?”
Standard anime response: *blush*
Akane: *Laughs out Loud*
Awesome.