Ergo Proxy
Ergo Proxy is a Japanese cyberpunk anime television series produced by studio Manglobe, directed by Shūkō Murase, and written by Dai Satō.[1][2] The series aired on Wowow from February 25, 2006, to August 12, 2006, comprising 23 episodes.[2][3] Set in a post-apocalyptic future where Earth's surface has become uninhabitable due to ecological collapse, the remnants of humanity live in enclosed domed cities reliant on android servants known as AutoReivs for labor and companionship.[1] The narrative centers on Re-l Mayer, an inspector in the domed city of Romdo, who investigates a series of mysterious murders linked to malfunctioning AutoReivs and encounters with enigmatic entities called Proxies—immortal, god-like beings created as part of a failed terraforming project.[1] Accompanied by immigrant Vincent Law and the sentient AutoReiv Pino, the protagonists venture beyond the domes into the wasteland, uncovering truths about human origins, artificial cognition, and existential purpose.[2] The series draws on philosophical motifs from thinkers like Descartes and Nietzsche, exploring themes of identity, free will, and the blurred boundaries between creator and creation amid psychological and dystopian elements.[4] Produced during Manglobe's early years, Ergo Proxy features distinctive visual style blending noir aesthetics with surreal imagery, animated under a budget that emphasized atmospheric world-building over high-octane action.[2] It received acclaim for its intellectual depth and animation quality, earning a 7.9/10 rating on IMDb from over 18,000 users, though some critiques highlight its dense, non-linear plotting as occasionally opaque.[2] The series has garnered a cult following for challenging viewers with its cerebral narrative, influencing later anime in the post-cyberpunk genre.[4]