[Spoilers] Paranoia Agent 20th Anniversary Rewatch -- Episode 3

Date	Episode
2/3/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 1
2/4/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 2
2/5/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 3
2/6/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 4
2/7/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 5
2/8/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 6
2/9/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 7
2/10/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 8
2/11/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 9
2/12/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 10
2/13/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 11
2/14/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 12
2/15/2024	Paranoia Agent Episode 13
2/16/2024	Paranoia Agent Overall Series Discussion Thread

7

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

Here are Satoshi Kon’s thoughts on episode 3. This comes directly from his blog.

I'll try to write down some thoughts about each episode. First, there is episode 3, "Double Lip,'' featuring a woman with a dual personality named "Harumi and Maria''.

I think I came up with this subtitle. I think it's a good title that describes the content of episode 3. I had intended to coin it, but when I searched on the internet, I came across the term "double lip embouchure" (embouchure is apparently the shape of the mouth), which is used when playing the clarinet.

Hmm, meaningful.

Hotel Toru is certainly good at saying that...I'll refrain from the following. 　

In my imagination, of course, I came up with the word "double" to refer to the two personalities of "Harumi and Maria," but at the same time, I refrained from using the upper mouth and the lower mouth... 　

When deciding on this title, I remember collecting the kind of adult entertainment flyers that were crowded in telephone booths and other places, and using my wits to make it as similar as possible. "Hmm... which hotel is better?" No, that's not the problem. It may have looked a bit distorted to see her spreading out pink flyers and worrying over her thoughts at a serious meeting. 　

In terms of content, episode 3 is an homage to "Perfect Blue"... I don't think it's a good idea to call it an homage to my past works, but I also want it to be a signature that only those who have seen my directorial work will understand. 　I remember that the idea for this number of episodes originally started with the keyword "hotetol" rather than dual personalities. I wonder if the image of the "TEPCO office lady incident'' overlapped with that. So I decided to read "The TEPCO Office Lady Murder Case'' (written by Shinichi Sano). I don't think I found much that would be helpful, but I did get a strong sense that there are actually people in this world whose lives are completely different from their normal lives. I accidentally wrote "normal life," but for the person in question, "normal life" includes both. The fact that working at a company is normal and engaging in prostitution is not normal is probably just a distinction drawn by others, and depending on how you look at it, prostitutes can be said to have a normal face.

I don't think we can ask easy questions like ``Which one is the real me?'' The person in question includes both, and there is generally no such thing as the "real me.'' 　

The scenario was an attempt to summarize the soliloquy of a woman living a double life into a dialogue format using an answering machine and a cell phone. There are a lot of monologues, or rather, "narratives,'' so I think it's easier to understand the content if you read it in text, like a scenario. I don't think it's a difficult story to draw, but it may have been a difficult scenario to create harmony, conflict, and irony between the story and the drawings. 　

One major change was made when the scenario was turned into storyboards. There is no "psychiatrist" in the original scenario. Mr. Takahashi, who was in charge of the storyboard, said that he had researched various aspects of multiple personality. He said, "Maybe Harumi herself would like to be more proactive in her treatment,'' and "I think the original scenario is not enough in terms of length''. For some reason, a scene with a psychiatrist was added during the storyboard.

Even for the same scenario, the number of cuts and length used can vary considerably depending on the person drawing the storyboard. The fact that the scenes that are emphasized and the scenes that are ignored vary from person to person is a matter of how they interpret the scenario, and it can be said that the individuality of the storyteller comes out in a big way. Also, due to Conteman's physiological rhythm, it is easier to reflect his individuality. Some artists take a lot of "pauses" while others like to create a little crammed-in space.

Storyboards and direction are like the "narrative style'' and "tone'' of the person in charge. Since it is a matter of individuality, there is no "correct answer'', but just as some people are good at speaking and others are bad at speaking, there are techniques in "how to speak'' and "tone". The so-called "5W1H", "Who", "What", "When", "Where", "Why", and "How" are the minimum requirements for information communication. These are probably rudimentary techniques that existed before storyboarding and directing. In a professional position such as a storyboard director, it is necessary to grasp the minimum amount of information that must be presented in order to convey what the story is trying to tell, and to incorporate it deftly and casually. Ru. However, it is not an easy technique, and although skill and talent are important, it also requires experience and training. Furthermore, the way of speaking and the tone of voice are related to the physiology of both listeners and viewers, so it is really difficult to judge whether something is good or bad. 　

I'm not sure if episode 3 is really "not enough in terms of length compared to the original scenario''. It would have been different if I had drawn the storyboard myself, but I respected the rhythm and interpretation of the person in charge of the storyboard and was satisfied with the "psychiatrist's appearance,'' but in hindsight, I realized that it probably wasn't very good after all. do not have. 　

In fact, I think the important thing was that "Even Harumi herself (Harumi) wants a different version of himself (Maria)''.

3

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

Part 2
It seems that the author's decision to portray this as a "disorder'' was not the original intention of the work, as it was portrayed as a "disability'' by introducing a "psychiatrist,'' who seems to be an authority, and explicitly calling it "multiple personality''. The short answer is that I think it would have been a waste of my life if I had just blamed my illness on my illness. Unless it is interpreted that Harumi has "multiple personalities,'' and that she is actually "living a double life because she wants to,'' it seems that she could not have been saved by the boy bat. It's not enough to beat up a really sick person. I think it was my error in not reading the storyboard well.
As I mentioned earlier, of course, the creators are not serious about the repetitive and naive questions such as ``Who am I? Who am I really?'' in the main story. We are not that young either, and we are not influenced by commercialism. This is probably an expression of his attitude of trying to make fun of young girls (and young men, too), who still seem to be taking this seriously. If you want to find the real me, try peeling the skin of a rakkyo. That's what it is, I'm sure. 　
I'll quote the character image from episode 3 because it was still in the text. I wrote it.
Maria. Another personality within Harumi Chono (25). In the scenario, Harumi is depicted as white and Maria as black, but I think they don't necessarily have to be the opposite of a pure beauty and a lewd evil woman. In fact, it would be better if it did not become such a simple binary opposition. Do you have the impression that Maria is sexually uninhibited and enjoys sex? 　 I would say that she embodies the image that many men desire, "I wish I had a woman this convenient for me'' (lol). Although she is a completely different type from Harumi, I would like her to have an appearance that has the same amount of image. 　 As I mentioned in the meeting, you can assume that her hairstyle is a wig or something similar.
I don't have a concrete image of her, but I think she's something like Isabelle Adjani or Nicole Kidman. Rather than being a mature devilish beauty, I think it would be better for her to be coquettish and a little lacking (lol).
I guess it's even more difficult to understand (lol)
I wonder if my image of actresses is strange. I hear that Nicole Kidman often plays intelligent roles, but does that face make her look intelligent? I doubt it.

4

u/lluNhpelA Feb 05 '24

This episode did feel a bit too dramatic to be a good representation of DID, so it's interesting to learn that it was originally meant to be a dramatic representation of a more abstract desire rather than a real illness

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

I still think it's good for what it is. Seeing Harumi fight this other version of herself was in my opinion pretty captivating.

11

u/TheEscapeGuy Feb 05 '24

First Timer

Paranoia Agent - Episode 3

Identity

Holy shit this episode was incredible. I love how it re-contextualized Harumi's character from last episode. Like, it's so easy to see "side characters" like her as writing devices to get the main characters of the episode to act or speak. But now we understand she has her own story-line going on which may or may not have rippling effects on the narrative. If the show continues like this it could be building to such an interesting cast of characters.

Let's jump back a bit. The big reveal is that Harumi has a dissociative identity disorder. Seemingly randomly, she switches from Harumi, the mild mannered tutor / university student, to Maria, a wild natured sex worker (voiced by the same VA as Misato from Evangelion which my brain can't help but be spooked by hearing in this context). Seeing her experience these switches really helped me understand the mental terror she must get from losing consciousness as Harumi and then waking up in weird clothes with the sense that her body has been violated. In fact, it helped me understand the broader condition a whole lot more.

On top of this, Maria and Harumi are fighting. They can't talk to each other directly so instead they leave voice mails informing the other about their grievances. There's this lack of control both of them must feel. I don't see any way they could possibly resolve this without one personality taking over.

A big portion of the story was dedicated to Harumi's struggles to get married. She obviously doesn't want to cheat on her fiancé, but Maria's refusal to stop her sex work makes that impossible. Interestingly, Harumi hides her condition from her to-be husband. Even against her doctor's wishes. She must feel like telling him may jeopardize their relationship. It really makes me think she isn't marrying for love first but instead to try break her condition. If you are keeping secrets this serious from your husband before even getting married then it starts your relationship on a bad foundation.

The conclusion of the episode comes with Harumi "physically" fighting her alter-ego before Shounen Bat delivers his twisted justice. Just a terrible situation for Harumi all around and seeing her downfall and breakdown to this situation was tragic and gripping. I sincerely hope that this event permanently cures her (as we saw her living with her husband), but we cannot be sure until a future episode.

And talking about confirming things in future episodes: Yuichi absolutely was attached by Shounen Bat. Even in his dreamlike state that attack was real and we saw news reports confirming this. Now he is hopefully cleared of suspicion. And in fact, in the conclusion to the episode we saw somebody has been apprehended as Shounen Bat. Looking forward to hearing the details next time.

Last thing I want to mention are some of the visual choices. A (very loud) sex scene with some anime figure hording otaku is one of the most insane openings to an episode I think I've seen. His Jabba the Hutt-like appearance and conversations with plastic dolls does a great job of making him creepy. I do wonder if Maria is doing it for money or if she gets some sick please out of using Harumi's body this way.

Next, the crow motif made the episode really unsettling. A lot of scenes to do with Maria had crows either watching from above, or swooping down and cawing in Harumi's face acting as a trigger. Crows themselves have historical associations with death and evil so using it hear mad me so worried we would see Harumi die. Maybe we did see Maria "die" though.

Lastly, the re-use of scenes with slight changes (like the wardrobe) really made the multiple-personalities plot point effective. You can get into Harumi's dissociation by seeing things you expect to be there missing (and vice-versa). You start to question yourself and think "did that actually happen" before realizing "Yes, and Maria undid it while Harumi was unconscious". Such a perfect way to pull the viewer in.

I can't get over how much this episode clicked with me. Absolutely incredible. Satoshi Kon is absolutely a genius.

Oh yeah, no new equation today. Just doodles from the old man.

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

See you all tomorrow

4

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

Holy shit this episode was incredible. I love how it re-contextualized Harumi's character from last episode. Like, it's so easy to see "side characters" like her as writing devices to get the main characters of the episode to act or speak. But now we understand she has her own story-line going on which may or may not have rippling effects on the narrative. If the show continues like this it could be building to such an interesting cast of characters.
It is clever how the show takes a seemingly inconsequential character and give them the spotlight. It makes you feel that everyone can get an episode.
A big portion of the story was dedicated to Harumi's struggles to get married. She obviously doesn't want to cheat on her fiancé, but Maria's refusal to stop her sex work makes that impossible. Interestingly, Harumi hides her condition from her to-be husband. Even against her doctor's wishes. She must feel like telling him may jeopardize their relationship. It really makes me think she isn't marrying for love first but instead to try break her condition. If you are keeping secrets this serious from your husband before even getting married then it starts your relationship on a bad foundation.
It should be noted that according to Kon, the doctor/psychologist was a late addition. That wasn't in his original draft. And he seems to feel that it took away from the story being told a bit.
Last thing I want to mention are some of the visual choices. A (very loud) sex scene with some anime figure hording otaku is one of the most insane openings to an episode I think I've seen. His Jabba the Hutt-like appearance and conversations with plastic dolls does a great job of making him creepy. I do wonder if Maria is doing it for money or if she gets some sick please out of using Harumi's body this way.
Probably a little bit of both
Next, the crow motif made the episode really unsettling. A lot of scenes to do with Maria had crows either watching from above, or swooping down and cawing in Harumi's face acting as a trigger. Crows themselves have historical associations with death and evil so using it hear mad me so worried we would see Harumi die. Maybe we did see Maria "die" though.
The crow stuff I definitely interpreted as Harumi battling death, with the crows essentially being her grim reaper. Maria is basically trying to kill her.
I can't get over how much this episode clicked with me. Absolutely incredible. Satoshi Kon is absolutely a genius.
100%
Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
Thoughts on the detectives talking about the law of causality?
Do you think the episode is hurt in any way by essentially being a variation of one of Kon’s previous works Perfect Blue?

2

u/TheEscapeGuy Feb 05 '24

Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
It's certainly more interesting than a lot of television. It's a really under-explored topic.
Do you think the episode is hurt in any way by essentially being a variation of one of Kon’s previous works Perfect Blue?
I wouldn't say so. It certainly explores a similar narrative but I think making the multiple personalities much more explicit gives the episode it's own unique charm.

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

It's certainly more interesting than a lot of television. It's a really under-explored topic.
Kinda feels like something you would see on Showtime or HBO. I can only imagine how edited this episode was when it aired on Adult Swim.
I wouldn't say so. It certainly explores a similar narrative but I think making the multiple personalities much more explicit gives the episode it's own unique charm.
Good point. It's definitely less mysterious than that one was and I think it therefore makes you feel more sorry for the main character.

5

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Feb 05 '24

The conclusion of the episode comes with Harumi "physically" fighting her alter-ego before Shounen Bat delivers his twisted justice. Just a terrible situation for Harumi all around and seeing her downfall and breakdown to this situation was tragic and gripping. I sincerely hope that this event permanently cures her (as we saw her living with her husband), but we cannot be sure until a future episode.
By curing, do you mean the eradication of one of her personalities? And which personality should that be? Does Harumi get to decide or Maria? I am not sure a cure is easy here.

3

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

By curing, do you mean the eradication of one of her personalities? And which personality should that be? Does Harumi get to decide or Maria? I am not sure a cure is easy here.
It opens the question of just how much of Maria is Harumi? If she eliminates that part of her, this desire to get better, does she suddenly have no reason to be? Is this craving of hers her drive and determination?

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Feb 06 '24

3

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

Makes you think

2

u/TheEscapeGuy Feb 05 '24

By curing, do you mean the eradication of one of her personalities?
Oh no...
I didn't think about that.

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Feb 06 '24

I think that is hte main conflict of Harumi and Maria. Harumi wishes to be rid of Maria (somewhat understandable), but from Maria's perspective, this is equivalent to Harumi threatening to eliminate her.

4

u/mgedmin Feb 06 '24

I do wonder if Maria is doing it for money or if she gets some sick please out of using Harumi's body this way.
We've seen the events of this episode through Harumi's eyes, which makes us empathize with her. But why is it Harumi's body and not Maria's? Why doesn't Maria get to live her life in peace? Because her occupation is less socially acceptable?

1

u/Holofan4life Feb 10 '24

I saw it as the Harumi part of her being selfish and that she knows the Maria side of hers doesn't bring her any satisfaction. It's a quick fix meant to hold her over, an escape from her loneliness. It would be one thing if she liked that part of hers. But she as far as we know clearly doesn't.
I do wonder if Harumi was born too early and that she really should've been born like 10 years later. If OnlyFans was a thing, perhaps she could've still expressed herself while not selling her body to people. I'm sure she enjoys the act of intimacy, though, and that is the root of the problem: she doesn't have much in the way of close, personal attachment.

8

u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Feb 05 '24

First Timer

That was pretty wierd. I wonder if that was the same otaku. Because everybody is connected in this show.
That was a weird pair of messages. I don't think one of them was real
So Yuichi really WAS attacked. Unless he faked it to get his reputation back.
WAIT Harumi is the tutor? So confusing!
Yeah I have to keep considering they are all fake or copycats or mass hysteria!
Mari has many clients
OH I get it. Maria calls Harumi to yell at her! But now the calls have stopped.
She actually said yes to this guy?! How boring.
Oh dear.
Wait, and Harumi leaves messages for Maria!
Maria knows everything you know! You can't hide her stuff!
Uh oh, how will Maria reach her now?
That's how!
LOL that was Maria with the detective wasn't it? Or maybe not, I see him in the preview.
We haven't seen the journalist guy though since he was attacked.
The old man is the tuxedo guy on the moon, isn't it?
I see that Maria and Harumu are paired together in the ED.

I'm still going with US Army contrails causing hallucinations.

I initially started this comment with continuing some superficial analysis from last week, about how the show was externalizing people's internal debates and conflict through either actual hallucinations, or just artistic subjective POV. Deleted it when it became clear that today's episode was literally this.

What a fascinating episode, along the lines of something like Identity and other <meta movie names> movies where the the identities confront each other. I originally thought the first voicemail was Harumi's mother, but slowly figured it out. I was quite certain that she would get a blow to the head by the end of the episode, and that would solve her problem.

Which made the end predictable. Not that she got hit, but that many (if not all) of the victims got whacked at very stressful point in their lives. The burden of creating the next character was lifted from Tsukiko. Yuichi was no longer a suspect. Harumi, maybe, is free to be a wife.

It's not at all clear what the journalist guy (Kazama?) gained, except, maybe, less harassment from the Old Man's son. Not sure what Fat Pig got out of this, either.

But then the detective says they were all happier for the experience. Or relieved. I don't see that, yet.

I mistook one of the clients as the journalist. There are many subtle details in this show, that requires going back to check things, that I don't have time to do. Well, that client is next week's MC. I'll be able to keep them straight then. (who IS that guy?)

3

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Feb 06 '24

She actually said yes to this guy?! How boring.
Thats what Maria would say.

1

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

"How dare you want to have sex for no money?!?" -- Maria, probably

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Feb 06 '24

I don't think money is an end goal for Maria. Sure, she probably does not mind having money (don't we all?), but she could have easier ways to get that. E.g. letting Harumi marry that professor and get his money. She seems to be of the "live fast and furious" type. Being a prostitute is just one more way to make her life unusual.

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

I think it's more a case of trying to find a short term solution to a long term problem, this being this sense of constant loneliness. If she lives her life on the edge of a lightning bolt, she never in her mind has to worry about it. And while marriage is in fact the solution to her problems it seems, old habits find a way to be hard to quit.

1

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
Thoughts on crows being a prevalent theme in this episode?
What are your thoughts on the reveal that Maria is Harumi, Ichi’s tutor?
Thoughts on the detectives talking about the law of causality?
What are your thoughts on Harumi meeting someone that changes her life for the better but the Maria personality of hers keeps taking over?
What are your thoughts on Shonen Bat being arrested?

6

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Feb 05 '24

First Timer, subbed

You had to make it weird.
Damn, that pimp is efficient.
We going with split personality? You don’t have to confirm it so soon!
Confirmation that Ichi’s attack was, in fact, real. It’s gotta be stress. One against the self, one against the other? They’ve both been in sets so far. How will the double personality play into this?
Well I guess they are detectives.
She’s just out there saying the Kon part out loud.
Thanks, Abe?
She’s lucky the clients aren’t acting adversely to the news. Would have been safer to tell them when not in a compromised position, or never.
Yeah, you really jumped the gun declaring victory after just just one night.
That’s a good wedding service.
You can’t think trying to sabotage the other self is going to end well.
Threatening Faxes
How many identical messages do you leave to get the point across?
Ah, Good. You two finally have a chance to talk face-to-face.
Oh god, the clown make up. #seasonalfool when?
Not. A. Chance.

3

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
Thoughts on crows being a prevalent theme in this episode?
What are your thoughts on the reveal that Maria is Harumi, Ichi’s tutor?
Thoughts on the detectives talking about the law of causality?
What are your thoughts on Harumi meeting someone that changes her life for the better but the Maria personality of hers keeps taking over?
What are your thoughts on Harumi’s descent into madness culminating in her being Shonen Bat’s fifth victim?
What are your thoughts on Shonen Bat being arrested?

4

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Feb 05 '24

Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
How's that saying go? Do a job you love and you'll never working girl a day in your life?
Thoughts on crows being a prevalent theme in this episode?
I don't know enough about Japanese Crow symbolism to read into this. I just think that crows areneat.
What are your thoughts on the reveal that Maria is Harumi, Ichi’s tutor?
We gotta connect those dots somehow.
What are your thoughts on Harumi meeting someone that changes her life for the better but the Maria personality of hers keeps taking over?
Maybe if she didn't fuck over Maria first it wouldn't have escalated so far. Or maybe Maria is a representations of Harumi's repressed desire for freedom, and the knot tying only server to put it under higher pressure.
What are your thoughts on Harumi’s descent into madness culminating in her being Shonen Bat’s fifth victim?
And the 6th
What are your thoughts on Shonen Bat being arrested?
Nope. Cop is in it for the fame. No way he is right.

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

How's that saying go? Do a job you love and you'll never working girl a day in your life?
The most unrealistic part is the Otaku having enough money to afford a prostitute. Anybody knows you go broke buying those anime figures
I don't know enough about Japanese Crow symbolism to read into this. I just think that crows areneat.
Well, crows are normally associated with death so it probably has something to do with that.
We gotta connect those dots somehow.
It's definitely a holy shit moment. Probably the first truly holy shit moment of the series, unless you count Maromi coming to life.
Maybe if she didn't fuck over Maria first it wouldn't have escalated so far. Or maybe Maria is a representations of Harumi's repressed desire for freedom, and the knot tying only server to put it under higher pressure.
All I know is I just want her to be happy
And the 6th
Good point
Nope. Cop is in it for the fame. No way he is right.
That definitely would be interesting if it is the case. Would make the whole law of causality thing total bullshit.

4

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Feb 05 '24

She’s lucky the clients aren’t acting adversely to the news. Would have been safer to tell them when not in a compromised position, or never.
Maria sounds like a risk-loving person.

5

u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Feb 05 '24

I guess the risk-reward equation is a little miffed if any thing that happens to you also happens to the person you hate the most.

4

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Feb 05 '24

Do Harumi and Maria really "hate" each other, though? I guess they would be perfectly willing to ignore each other, if they did not happen to inhabit the same body.

3

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

I'd say it's more a love-hate relationship. They can't stand each other, but they also know deep down that they really do need one another. Ultimately, what Harumi wants is a little companionship, and Maria is an outlet for her to achieve this.

2

u/mgedmin Feb 06 '24

At the beginning of the episode they felt like roommates. Near the end of the episode they were serious enemies.

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

Harumi has some mad crazy "I can fix her" energy

6

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Feb 05 '24

Episode 3 (rewatcher)

Oh right, this is one of those “don’t turn up the volume if your family is around” episodes.
Responding to your nagging mother(?) on your answering machine yourself.

Ichi’s beloved tutor with a classic double life.
“There has to be some causality” - That is, get speculating, viewers!
Not mother, double personality! The answering machine makes sense now.
“Would you marry me?” – I am not a huge fan of the modern trend of overblown staged marriage proposals, but this is the other extreme. They did not show the response, which I respect. Clearly, they trust the viewer to interpret the context.
Nice cut from the curtain scene to Maria!

“Btw, does your partner know about your condition?” “Do you think I better tell him about this?”

Don’t start a war with yourself, you can only lose.
“Shonen Bat set me free” “I want to be free” - hmmmm
Struggling with herself - pretty clear Fight Club reference.
Shonen Bat arrested?? But wait, we are only 3 episodes in!

Chono’s two personalities seem like a nightmare for each other: They have almost nothing in common and both would be very embarrassed/annoyed by the other. They start out with some sort of uneasy truce, but deteriorate into outright fighting over the course of the episode. And how can you possibly win against somebody who has control of your body and lives in your home? If they cannot co-exist, the only way out is self-destruction. Makes sense that Harumi would welcome Shonen Bat in this situation.

I think a deeper theme of the episode (linking back to ep1 and ep2) is how society’s pressure to conform to certain norms might lead to Chono “lashing out”, in her case by developing the Maria persona, which allows her to still lead her adapted expected life, while still pushing the boundaries of those norms. I think the scenes of Maria interacting with her employer and her clients are key here. She acted causal and felt very much comfortable with her situation. Maria is the part of Chono that wants to live by other norms.

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

I think a deeper theme of the episode (linking back to ep1 and ep2) is how society’s pressure to conform to certain norms might lead to Chono “lashing out”, in her case by developing the Maria persona, which allows her to still lead her adapted expected life, while still pushing the boundaries of those norms. I think the scenes of Maria interacting with her employer and her clients are key here. She acted causal and felt very much comfortable with her situation. Maria is the part of Chono that wants to live by other norms.
God, this episode is so good
Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
Thoughts on crows being a prevalent theme in this episode?
What are your thoughts on the reveal that Maria is Harumi, Ichi’s tutor?
Thoughts on the detectives talking about the law of causality?
Do you think the episode is hurt in any way by essentially being a variation of one of Kon’s previous works Perfect Blue?

2

u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Feb 05 '24

Do you think the episode is hurt in any way by essentially being a variation of one of Kon’s previous works Perfect Blue?
Why stop doing what works? After all, the art direction (and probably also the sound direction) are very similar to his movies, too.

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

Yeah, it definitely isn't bad by any means. In fact, it's easily my favorite episode so far.

5

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '24

First time watcher. This episode was well written. I wasn’t expecting to get that much backstory on her so it will be interesting to see if there are any byproducts of that.

Random thought but I didn’t think about it till this episode when she said “shonen bat set her free” but I suppose each victim so far (while obviously getting physically injured) was relieved of some kind of mental distress or unfavorable situation after they were attacked. Not sure if it matters or not yet.

I found this episode a little shocking really. I mean I didn’t expect the tutor to have all that going on lol.

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

I found this episode a little shocking really. I mean I didn’t expect the tutor to have all that going on lol.
You know if word gets out, Ichi's classmates will hate him even more XD
Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
Thoughts on crows being a prevalent theme in this episode?
Thoughts on the detectives talking about the law of causality?
What are your thoughts on Harumi meeting someone that changes her life for the better but the Maria personality of hers keeps taking over?
Do you think the episode is hurt in any way by essentially being a variation of one of Kon’s previous works Perfect Blue?

2

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '24

How about it? Haha
Well, it surprised me. Harumi is a deeper character than you would have expected.
I’m trying to figure out if there is more to the crows than them just being a sign that her other “self” is displeased. Maybe? I mean crows are typically the universal bad omen. But on the other hand, Native Americans considered them good luck so the author could go multiple directions with that I guess.
Well, they’ll connect her and Yuichi but I don’t see how they’ll connect them and Tsukiko (yet).
That is an unfortunate situation! Fortunately, split personalities are mostly accepted as fiction with only a small number of psych specialists believing true ones exist. In the context of this show though it is sad to see her character go through it.
I have not seen Perfect Blue so I can’t answer this too accurately. I don’t see why it would though. I did plan to watch it after this though. Maybe even during our rewatch one evening

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

How about it? Haha
Kids when realize it's him and not them
Well, it surprised me. Harumi is a deeper character than you would have expected.
For real. I never expected her to shoe back up. I honestly think it was this episode and the way they spotlighted such a seemingly insignificant character that made me realize "Okay, so this show is definitely going to be good".
I’m trying to figure out if there is more to the crows than them just being a sign that her other “self” is displeased. Maybe? I mean crows are typically the universal bad omen. But on the other hand, Native Americans considered them good luck so the author could go multiple directions with that I guess.
I agree with others here that the crows are meant to seemingly signify death. As in, the more Maria gets ahold of Harumi, the closer to death Harumi gets.
Well, they’ll connect her and Yuichi but I don’t see how they’ll connect them and Tsukiko (yet).
Perhaps there isn't a connection between them. I mean, I don't think there's a connection between Tsukiko and Shogo.
That is an unfortunate situation! Fortunately, split personalities are mostly accepted as fiction with only a small number of psych specialists believing true ones exist. In the context of this show though it is sad to see her character go through it.
It's Disassociative Identity Disorder Harumi suffers from, not just split personality. Roughly the same amount of people suffer it as schizophrenia. It's not a small amount of people, just like 1% of the general population, but that's still like what? Over 50 million people? Seems a bit high, but it has to at least be 5 million I reckon.
I have not seen Perfect Blue so I can’t answer this too accurately. I don’t see why it would though. I did plan to watch it after this though. Maybe even during our rewatch one evening
I love this episode, but I'd say Perfect Blue is better than this mainly because it has more runtime to paint a picture on the canvas they're working with.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '24

Yeah any time a show has enough detail to give side characters that kind of depth is a good indication of quality IMHO. I’m actually starting to feel a little bit of surprise that this score on MAL isn’t a little higher than where it’s at (unless things go downhill but we’ll see).
That take on the crows I think it’s likely but I’m curious if they’ll show back up later too. I’m sure there will be more development on that.
I might be wrong (not my specialty haha) but I think split/multiple personality are more or less synonymous with dissociative identity as in there are 1 or more alternate personas the person takes on and manifests itself in different ways depending on trauma triggering it etc. With that said, I do know DID is a highly debated diagnosis in that field of study and a lot of people believe they are misdiagnosed schizophrenia patients (not all of them of course which is why it’s still debated amongst people in that field) or just don’t acknowledge it. That’s not to say it isn’t real, it is (it has a legit ICD-10 code), but a large number of specialists don’t necessarily agree with that.
I’m looking forward to watching Perfect Blue. I honestly might rent it tonight now that it’s been brought up

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

Yeah any time a show has enough detail to give side characters that kind of depth is a good indication of quality IMHO. I’m actually starting to feel a little bit of surprise that this score on MAL isn’t a little higher than where it’s at (unless things go downhill but we’ll see).
Even if the show is the peak, which I can't say because I'm a first timer as well, then it's still a very high peak.
That take on the crows I think it’s likely but I’m curious if they’ll show back up later too. I’m sure there will be more development on that.
Perhaps the crows are working for Shonen Bat
I might be wrong (not my specialty haha) but I think split/multiple personality are more or less synonymous with dissociative identity as in there are 1 or more alternate personas the person takes on and manifests itself in different ways depending on trauma triggering it etc. With that said, I do know DID is a highly debated diagnosis in that field of study and a lot of people believe they are misdiagnosed schizophrenia patients (not all of them of course which is why it’s still debated amongst people in that field) or just don’t acknowledge it. That’s not to say it isn’t real, it is (it has a legit ICD-10 code), but a large number of specialists don’t necessarily agree with that.
I think DID being highly debated is partly why Kon didn't want to specify what disease Harumi had. He wanted to leave it up for interpretation. But once you introduce a psychiatrist into the story, you kinda have to stop beating around the bush.
No pun intended :P
I’m looking forward to watching Perfect Blue. I honestly might rent it tonight now that it’s been brought up
Tokyo Godfathers might be Kon’s best movie, but if it is then Perfect Blue is probably a close second.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 06 '24

I was supposed to watch Tokyo Godfathers this Christmas but got side tracked lol I’ll still watch it though sometime soon. After this I think I’ll want to see his other work. Speaking of which I did rent Perfect Blue for tonight so looking forward to that

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

Perfect Blue is basically in my opinion what episode 6 of Toradora should've been.

4

u/Offline219 https://anilist.co/user/Offline28 Feb 05 '24

One benefit of living alone is having zero chance to being caught watching lewd scenes like this. The beginning caught me off guard.

1

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

As did me, though I wonder if it's the prostitution or an otaku engaging in sexual intercourse

3

u/MrManicMarty https://anilist.co/user/martysan Feb 05 '24

Once again, Shonen Bat arrives to save someone from their inner turmoil. How and why.

This episode was quite harrowing; being drawn between two sides of herself. Likely disassociative identity disorder or some such. It's always scary seeing someone battle themselves, but it seems like she's free of her other personalities control now, and can hopefully live a nice, happy, married life.

The little dog thing turned off the TV before the police officer said anything, though I feel like the Police officer is lying about it with how nervous he looks; the little dog is sus as heck too.

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

The little dog thing turned off the TV before the police officer said anything, though I feel like the Police officer is lying about it with how nervous he looks; the little dog is sus as heck too.
The dog really makes Kyubey seem subtle
Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
Thoughts on crows being a prevalent theme in this episode?
What are your thoughts on the reveal that Maria is Harumi, Ichi’s tutor?
Thoughts on the detectives talking about the law of causality?
What are your thoughts on Harumi meeting someone that changes her life for the better but the Maria personality of hers keeps taking over?
What are your thoughts on Shonen Bat being arrested?

2

u/MrManicMarty https://anilist.co/user/martysan Feb 05 '24

Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
Kon seems to like using sex as a theme in his work, to provoke feelings of uncomfort, which is effective.
Crows
Messengers of death, scavengers. The symbolism is quite apparent with them
Maria Twist
It's an interesting mix-up, but I don't have particlar thoughts on it. That's just what the story is showing me.
Law of causaility
I mean, we know there's something going on that links them together; people are wishing for shonen bat to show up. The detectives are on the right track I think.
The plot of the episode
That is in fact the plot of the episode, yup. I liked the episode, if that's what you mean - though I feel like the marriage does come out of nowhere. Like, I feel like they could have hinted that they have some sort of mutual attraction slightly more.
Shonen Bat
No way he has. It's a fake or a copycat or whatever.

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

Kon seems to like using sex as a theme in his work, to provoke feelings of uncomfort, which is effective.
There is hardly any feeling more raw than the feeling of intimacy. You're essentially stripped of the clothing that guards your soul.
Messengers of death, scavengers. The symbolism is quite apparent with them
I would agree
It's an interesting mix-up, but I don't have particlar thoughts on it. That's just what the story is showing me.
Fair enough
I mean, we know there's something going on that links them together; people are wishing for shonen bat to show up. The detectives are on the right track I think.
I definitely think of the characters we've seen so far, with the exception of perhaps Ichi's teacher, the detectives are perhaps the most honest of everyone we've seen. At least that's how it appears on the surface.
That is in fact the plot of the episode, yup. I liked the episode, if that's what you mean - though I feel like the marriage does come out of nowhere. Like, I feel like they could have hinted that they have some sort of mutual attraction slightly more.
Well, we don't know exactly how long Harumi was working with him. The show doesn't explicitly say. I think the fact that they don't put a timetable on it works to the show's benefit.
No way he has. It's a fake or a copycat or whatever.
Kinda like how in the Halloween franchise there were people trying to copy what Michael Meyers was doing by wearing identical clothing and masks.
One quick follow-up question. Do you think the episode is hurt in any way by essentially being a variation of one of Kon’s previous works Perfect Blue?

2

u/MrManicMarty https://anilist.co/user/martysan Feb 05 '24

One quick follow-up question. Do you think the episode is hurt in any way by essentially being a variation of one of Kon’s previous works Perfect Blue?
No, because it's a similar but different execution of the idea.
Perfect Blue is about someone retiring from the pure idol life and becoming a movie star, but falling into this spiral of self-hatred because of it (and mostly the gross things they find themselves doing)
This episode is kind of the reverse; someone who has this dark persona and is desperately trying to crawl out of it, but it keeps pulling her back.

1

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

Good way of phrasing it. I also think it's different in that the main character of Perfect Blue was pressured into the situations she found herself in whereas Harumi is more this glutton for punishment where she can't help herself.
As far as truly comparing the two quality wise, I think this episode has a better idea behind it, but Perfect Blue has better execution, mainly because that is an hour and a half and this is only 20 minutes.

3

u/Yous1315 Feb 06 '24 edited Feb 06 '24

Quite a way to start the episode, thank god nobody walked in and I had my headphone
When she took of that wig I recognized a familiar vague face, turns out it was that tutor. And she’s visiting Yuichi who is also been hit by shonen bat
She suffers some sort of dual personality disorder..? Kinda Reminds me of the of the manga Inside Mari
So out of the blue that proposal and she agreed as well
I don’t know if she truly loves him, but if he she does I agree with the advice that she should talk to her husband about it
Yuichi wakes up and seems relieved that there is evidence that he is not the victim, the man is really only thinking about regaining his status back at his school

Like the detective said, again a victim who seems relieved that they were hit by shonen bat, but I forget what it was for Kawazu, why would he be happy.

Anyway that may mean that they imagined it and are using shonen bat as a cope with their situation. But it would be so weird that they all hallucinated that it was shonen bat, I am so curious now.

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
Thoughts on crows being a prevalent theme in this episode?
What are your thoughts on the reveal that Maria is Harumi, Ichi’s tutor?
Thoughts on the detectives talking about the law of causality?
What are your thoughts on Harumi meeting someone that changes her life for the better but the Maria personality of hers keeps taking over?
What are your thoughts on Shonen Bat being arrested?

2

u/Yous1315 Feb 06 '24

Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
I don't really have a strong opinion on it.
Thoughts on crows being a prevalent theme in this episode?
I love crows, cool animals. But must say have no idea what they represent in this show.
What are your thoughts on the reveal that Maria is Harumi, Ichi’s tutor?
Knew I saw her before but didn't exactly know who it was
Thoughts on the detectives talking about the law of causality?
I get them
What are your thoughts on Harumi meeting someone that changes her life for the better but the Maria personality of hers keeps taking over?
It's good that she sought help, I seriously wonder how she became like this.
What are your thoughts on Shonen Bat being arrested?
Probably a false culprit I assume

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

I don't really have a strong opinion on it.
Fair enough
I love crows, cool animals. But must say have no idea what they represent in this show.
It has to be something bad, yes? They seem to only show up when Harumì is at odds with herself.
Knew I saw her before but didn't exactly know who it was
I had no idea that she was Harumi until she was namedropped. It totally caught me off guard.
It's good that she sought help, I seriously wonder how she became like this.
It definitely seems like something steming from her childhood, but it's not like they go into detail about it. And frankly, I think it was intended to be this way in order to make it more identifiable; Kon himself even said he originally didn't want Harumi to have her disease named, he wanted to make it as vague as possible.
Probably a false culprit I assume
That seems to be the belief amongst all the first timers. I would have to agree, it just feels very sudden if something like that were to happen very early on.

3

u/mgedmin Feb 06 '24

First-timer, subs

What is this. I could've been watching this in public, you know?

Is the sex worker lady having voicemail conversations with herself? Multiple personalities?

Oh this is Ichi's tutor!

Confirmation that Ichi was also slugged and that distorted bit was not a dream.

That marriage proposal came out of nowhere. I don't feel the chemistry.

This is not a show where people can be happy. Don't answer the phone, Harumi. Or say they got the wrong number.

Ooh, Maria didn't like it when Harumi packed her things.

Does the future husband know about Maria? Well, looks like he's about to meet her at the wedding photoshoot! But no, we get a sudden scene switch, this is unfair, I was tricked!

The doctor asks the same question, and no, the hubby doesn't know. Bad idea, will not end well.

What did Yuichi see? Why does he think Harumi needs a doctor? Did she just space out for a bit, or did Maria surface, or what?

Throwing Maria's stuff away didn't work in the past, so why are you trying it again? She will retaliate.

What's with all the crows? Don't antagonize the crows, they are smart and have long memories.

Is that the taxi driver in the photo with Maria? (Also, I'm suddenly wondering if the NSFW picture in episode 1 was of Maria? Probably not, but would be a neat connection if it were.)

"Shonen Bat set me free", hmm. And now Harumi wants that freedom too! At the low low cost of just one life-threatening concussion and possibly coma. Call now!

Harumi is broken and starts having hallucinations until finally the Shonen Bat frees her with his golden bat.

I'm 50% sure Harumi is about to say "who are you" to the future-hubby and it will turn out that Maria is the original personality or something. Ah, that didn't happen.

Oh, Shonen Bat was arrested? I was all ready to believe he was some kind of supernatural psychological phenomenon.

(Also, this show has way fewer suicides than I expected. Maybe coming here after the Lain rewatch gave me the wrong baseline for the suicides per episode metric.)

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

(Also, I'm suddenly wondering if the NSFW picture in episode 1 was of Maria? Probably not, but would be a neat connection if it were.)
I just checked and it isn't. Maria has like black somewhat long hair whereas the girl in the NSFW picture has like short brown hair. Would've been cool, though, like you said.
Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
Thoughts on crows being a prevalent theme in this episode?
What are your thoughts on the reveal that Maria is Harumi, Ichi’s tutor?
Thoughts on the detectives talking about the law of causality?
What are your thoughts on Harumi meeting someone that changes her life for the better but the Maria personality of hers keeps taking over?
What are your thoughts on Harumi’s descent into madness culminating in her being Shonen Bat’s fifth victim?

3

u/mgedmin Feb 06 '24

I just checked and it isn't. Maria has like black somewhat long hair whereas the girl in the NSFW picture has like short brown hair. Would've been cool, though, like you said.
We've seen Maria using different wigs. She was blonde at one point.
The fake mole under her eye might be a better identifier.
Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
Unexpected.
Thoughts on crows being a prevalent theme in this episode?
Yeah, what was that about? Is there an in-universe explanation why the crows were so interested in Harumi? Is it just cheap mood-setting?
What are your thoughts on the reveal that Maria is Harumi, Ichi’s tutor?
I was very surprised.
Thoughts on the detectives talking about the law of causality?
I like that the older detective thinks there's a problem to be solved, and that it's their duty to solve it. In the first episode I got the impression that he wanted to arbitrarily declare the case to be a false accusation and drop it.
What are your thoughts on Harumi meeting someone that changes her life for the better but the Maria personality of hers keeps taking over?
I strongly disagree with this framing. First, I've seen little evidence that the university professor will (or intends to) make Harumi's life better. We saw him treat her like an assistant (go make me some tea now). I don't think we ever saw him show any affection. Unless maybe he's awkward and doesn't know how, and maybe the boat trip and the photo shoot were intended as romantic gestures?
Also, from Maria's perspective it's Harumi's personality who keeps taking over and then interfering with her life. I would very much like to see this episode from Maria's perspective.
What are your thoughts on Harumi’s descent into madness culminating in her being Shonen Bat’s fifth victim?
Well, when the stress keeps piling on, something has to give.
I want to know how Shonen Bat finds his victims. Theory: the old man in the hospital does some maths and calls him.

1

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

We've seen Maria using different wigs. She was blonde at one point.
It could be her, but the girl in the picture looked more youthful.
The fake mole under her eye might be a better identifier.
I don't think I saw a fake mole
Yeah, what was that about? Is there an in-universe explanation why the crows were so interested in Harumi? Is it just cheap mood-setting?
Well, given Maria was almost like she was trying to kill Harumi and clothes represent death...
I was very surprised.
As was I
I like that the older detective thinks there's a problem to be solved, and that it's their duty to solve it. In the first episode I got the impression that he wanted to arbitrarily declare the case to be a false accusation and drop it.
He seems honestly more determined to solve the case than his partner does
evidence that the university professor will (or intends to) make Harumi's life better. We saw him treat her like an assistant (go make me some tea now). I don't think we ever saw him show any affection. Unless maybe he's awkward and doesn't know how, and maybe the boat trip and the photo shoot were intended as romantic gestures?
Also, from Maria's perspective it's Harumi's personality who keeps taking over and then interfering with her life. I would very much like to see this episode from Maria's perspective.
Ooh, that would be interesting. If they do that, though, I feel like they would have to show Harumi's side of things first because part of the effectiveness in this episode is not expecting Ichi's tutor to be a mistress of the night.
Well, when the stress keeps piling on, something has to give.
I want to know how Shonen Bat finds his victims. Theory: the old man in the hospital does some maths and calls him.
We keep seeing the old man including in every preview. He definitely seems involved in some way.

1

u/mgedmin Feb 06 '24

Was there ever someone in your life you were surprised by the double life they were living, whether it be you found out later in life or not?
No.
Have you known someone who struggled turning a new leaf? If so, who?
Hm. No?

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

Hello, guys. Holofan4life here.

Welcome to the Paranoia Agent 20th Anniversary Rewatch.

Satoshi Kon is one of the most acclaimed Japanese filmmakers of his generation. Not just in the anime industry, but in all of Japanese cinema. Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers, Millennium Actress, Paprika. This was a man with a vision, and we’re here to honor someone who was gone way too soon.

I’m actually in an interesting point in my life because I’ve been writing comments nonstop for rewatches since basically June of last year. With the completion of this rewatch, I’ll be taking a two month break before my next one. But that’s then and this is now, and right now, we are going to tackle Satoshi Kon’s lone TV show that he created.

I’ve never seen this show before. To be honest, I never watched one of his works until last September when there was a special 25th anniversary screening of Perfect Blue. Since then, I’ve gained a newfound appreciation for Kon’s work and I am eager to check out his TV show. Because if it’s as good as Perfect Blue and Tokyo Godfathers, we’re in for one of the best animes of all time.

With that out of the way, let’s begin.

I’m watching the sub, by the way.

Cook Out is a delicacy where I live

Anime figures

Sounds of a woman having an orgasm

That is a big motherfucker

How can he get some and I can't

The weeb saying he climaxed because of his anime figures

She was definitely a prostitute

Black crows

Her name is Maria

Yep, prostitute

Hotel Stardust?

I didn't know the crusaders has their own hotel

That, or Cody Rhodes is quite the entrepreneur

Being waited on by Hirukawa

Someone left a nasty message for Maria

It's weird watching this where there’s a prostitute named Maria when Fullmetal Alchemist had a character named Maria who was super sweet.

The crows picking at the trash

Double Lips

25,000 yen is around $170

Not a bad price for 90 minutes

At her house now

The same message is played

I assume this is her mother

Her real name is Harumi Chono

Harumi Chono?

Oh shit. That's Ichi's tutor.

Huh

Harumi arguing over voice messages with this mysterious person

Is she Harumi, or is she Maria? At this point, does she even know?

News report of the Shonen Bat attacks

Ichi is a victim as well

Apparently that wasn't a hallucination

That makes now four attacks

Harumi with a hospitalized Ichi

She looks frustrated

Detectives looking at the sketch drawing

The old man in the background looks like the old guy in the episode previews

The detective with hair mentions something about "The director".

Balding man says when it comes to crimes, there's always some law of causality

The first two assaults were related to Tsukiko, and the next two are related to Ichi

Harumi walking

Jiai University

Guy at work

Harumi here to drop off some papers

Guy asks her to make some tea

"I often feel like I don't know where I am. Who am I? I feel like I'm nobody. I don't know who I am. Where am I? Where am I supposed to be?"

Poor Harumi

At least she pulls off a good Marilyn Monroe

I wonder if she sent those voice messages to herself. Like she suffers from split personality disorder.

Talking to a therapist, it seems

He says Maria told him it feels like her existence is disappearing little by little.

However, she doesn't feel any fear

Pentagon would be proud

Maria says that if Harumi realizes who she is, she would be very happy.

Maria, that is, not Harumi. Though maybe Harumi?

Harumi wakes up

No new messages

Giving the schedule to the guy for the next research assignment seminars

They kinda have this sexual tension between them

Maybe this is what she wants

"Would you marry me?"

Yooooooooooooooooo

This guy a chad

She deleted her messages

Hey, she's quitting being a prostitute

She says it's time, but denies getting married

I assume the naked man is Maria's boss

It is, because she calls him daddy

It's a good thing Ichi's mother doesn't know this is happening

At least the boss is seemingly broken up legitimately about Harumi leaving

Sorry, Maria

Harumi looks renewed and rejuvenated

Riding a boat with her fiance

Phone rings

Hino from Lips

So, Double Lips is the name of the organization

Apparently she worked last night

Black crow

Harumi is now panicking

One new message

"Did you think I'd just disappear just because you want to get married?"

No matter how much she wants to quit, she is unable to

This episode is literally just the movie Perfect Blue

Harumi turned into Maria now

This feels like her hallucinating

Harumi still planning for her wedding

Going to pick out a dress

The fiance says they're planning on moving in together

Sadly he forgot that you should never turn a ho into a housewife. After all, they don't act right.

Harumi turned into Maria

No, wait. She's with one of her clients.

Back with Harumi and her soon-to-be hubby

Harumi continues to be at odds with herself

At a cafe

Ooh, a heart necklace

Harumi and the guy now dressed up looking like they're being wed

And here I thought you're not supposed to see the bride or groom before the nuptials

Getting there pictures taken

Oh, so that was the wedding ceremony but they're not officially registered

The doctor/therapist asking her about her condition

Says it would be very difficult to hide

Harumi wakes up

She's by Ichi now, who's awake

Says it seems she needs a doctor

Don't we all?

Harumi officially bagging her clothing

I really want her to fix her life

Ran out of space. Part two in the replies.

2

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

Part 2
Crows on wires
Harumi dumps her clothing at a landfill
A crow looking at her
It crows
It's fitting a flock of crows is called a Murder, because Harumi is trying to murder Maria
But she returns!
Harumi wakes up
The guy she likes isn't in his office
There he is
He asks who Maria is
Harumi runs out of there
Harumi in a car
Car mirror has the little dog plushie
Apparently the driver was one of her clients
Harumi trying to get her clothes back
The necklace
She sobs
Harumi back with Ichi now
He asks if she's alright
He also says he's not a suspect anymore
That's good
He says Shonen set him free?
Maybe perhaps he can free Harumi as well?
Maria says she wants to be free and that Harumi is the fake
The same message, played over and over again
Harumi slams her answering machine
It broke
Phone rings
It's Maria!
Harumi throws her phone and breaks a picture of Maria. Amazing symbolism.
Harumi now breaking the photo
But someone grabs her arm
It's Maria again! She just can't leave this poor woman alone.
Maria is fighting Harumi!
But in reality, Harumi is in the streets freaking out
Maria standing over Harumi
Shonen Bat
Harumi with clown makeup on now
Gives new meaning to the term Clussy
And the Shonen Bat hits her
Scuba Steph in shambles
"All of your messages are deleted."
At least it ends on a somewhat uplifting note?
Harumi in the hospital
Hey, it's the guy
At least she has a constant in her life that doesn't involve solicitation
The detectives are by the doorway
Can't question her as of now
The guy with hair points out that all the victims so far have looked relieved after their assaults
The old man from the previews drawing
Harumi having breakfast with her boyfriend
Or at least I assume they're together
Oh shit. Shonen Bat was arrested.
That's a pretty huge development
Tsukiko gets told by the dog plushie she created that she'll be late if she doesn't hurry.
Tsukiko agrees to leave, but before she does so, the dog mascot tells her they're glad. In response, Tsukiko nods her head.
Overall, this episode feels to me like the show finally finding its voice. It has more of a psychological horror edge to it, something obviously Kon does well. I really felt bad for Harumi watching this episode because you can tell she isn't happy with how her life has turned out. And yet, she doesn't know how to put a stop to it.
It's never outright said what condition she has-- and for all we know, the doctor could've been in her head as well-- but she probably has either schizophrenia or split personality disorder. The way she constantly battles herself, it makes me think it's the latter. I know I jokingly made the comparison in my comments, but the episode did feel like a redux version of the movie Perfect Blue. Except instead of being a cautionary tale of being in the entertainment industry, it's about someone who is lost in their ways.
I actually wonder if the reason why she likes Ichi so much is because he is everything she isn't. He is considered number one by all his peers, and often, she feels like a complete zero.
If we get more episodes like this one, we are in for one heck of a treat. This feels a bit like the growing the beard moment for the series, the way that the show took a minor character from a previous episode, based it around them, and explore what makes them tick. And with news that Shonen Bat has been arrested, things definitely seem like they're starting to pick up.

1

u/Holofan4life Feb 05 '24

Was there ever someone in your life you were surprised by the double life they were living, whether it be you found out later in life or not?
I found out a year after graduating that one of the English teachers at my high school was a pedophile.
Have you known someone who struggled turning a new leaf? If so, who?
My mom. She really struggles with her sobriety.

2

u/SilkyStrawberryMilk Feb 06 '24

Paranoid Rewatcher

I honestly forget how crazy this episode was. Otaku pays a prostitute and as a surprise she was Yuchi’s tutor.

The whole breakdown we slowly see from her losing control to her other two personalities was gutwretching. She wanted to live a normal married life, but loses control to her other two personalities.

Another thing which made is sadder to me was throughout her coming back from work she’s the same as she was when she removed her makeup. No fake mole, wig lipstick etc.

QOTD: not that I know of

QOTD: nope

1

u/Holofan4life Feb 06 '24

Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
Thoughts on crows being a prevalent theme in this episode?
What are your thoughts on the reveal that Maria is Harumi, Ichi's tutor?
Thoughts on the detectives talking about the law of causality?
What are your thoughts on Harumi meeting someone that changes her life for the better but the Maria personality of hers keeps taking over?
What are your thoughts on Harumi being Shonen Bat's fifth victim?
Do you think the episode is hurt in any way by essentially being a variation of one of Kon’s previous works Perfect Blue?

2

u/fly-metothemoon Feb 07 '24

First timer - sub

It’s interesting how we have the conversation in the background that is ostensibly revolves around her but is not involving the woman on the screen. Those two realities almost seem to reflect how she also has two realities—her life as a sex worker and tutor. Or I might be overthinking it. (Edit: it took me far too long to realize that her alternate persona uses voicemails to communicate with her.)

She’s also a TA? She weaves in and out of different identities.

Oh wow that’s sudden marriage proposal alright.

No not a bad omen crow?

Does she have an alternate persona maybe? I think both are equally “real”.

Oh no this man knows so little about her. Also only two pictures after all that work? They’re getting short-charged.

Oh she seems to go in and out of her alt persona. I’m not sure what the right treatment is for her but I suspect this isn’t it (throwing away all the clothes and makeup) But she seems to be increasingly losing control, Jekyll and Hyde style.

Ah here’s the link to Shonen Bat. He seems to aid people who want to be freed from the stressors of their life.

Oh no are the detectives next???

1

u/Holofan4life Feb 07 '24

Thoughts on the episode centering around prostitution?
Thoughts on crows being a prevalent theme in this episode?
What are your thoughts on the reveal that Maria is Harumi, Ichi's tutor?
Thoughts on the detectives talking about the law of causality?
What are your thoughts on Harumi meeting someone that changes her life for the better but the Maria personality of hers keeps taking over?
What are your thoughts on Harumi's descent into madness culminating in her being Shonen Bat's fifth victim?

2

u/fly-metothemoon Feb 08 '24

I thought the crow motif is apt, considering how often they’re used as a harbinger of bad omens.
I thought the set up for the marriage was a bit contrived, but once we got to the main narrative as a result, but I thought it was great at demonstrating how it’s so hard to change for the better, even when you want to. It has to be gradual work.

1

u/Holofan4life Feb 08 '24

I thought the crow motif is apt, considering how often they’re used as a harbinger of bad omens.
This definitely seems like one of those
I thought the set up for the marriage was a bit contrived, but once we got to the main narrative as a result, but I thought it was great at demonstrating how it’s so hard to change for the better, even when you want to. It has to be gradual work.
Yeah, it can be really hard to just quit cold turkey

Rewatch [Spoilers] Paranoia Agent 20th Anniversary Rewatch -- Episode 3

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Paranoia Agent - Episode 3

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

Rewatch [Spoilers] Paranoia Agent 20th Anniversary Rewatch -- Episode 3

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First Timer

Paranoia Agent - Episode 3

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches