The Intriguing World of Psycho-Pass Providence: Unveiling a Riveting Masterpiece

Note: This film does not have any major spoilers for Psycho-Pass Providence, but it may have minor spoilers for the rest of the series.

Psycho-Pass seems to not only honor its own series but also pays tribute to the sci-fi classics in Production I.G.'s impressive repertoire. While infused with the essence of Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor, one wonders if Psycho-Pass Providence goes beyond simply being a nostalgic homage to the studio's illustrious history.

Psycho-Pass Providence, directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani and written by Tow Ubukata and Makoto Fukami, marks the franchise's 10th anniversary by bridging the narrative gap. This film not only addresses lingering questions but also serves as a transformative finale for Akane Tsunemori's journey, connecting the Sinners of the System films and Season 3 seamlessly.

The Hunt For The Stronskaya Papers

In 2118, Japan stands on the precipice of a momentous decision regarding its future. The government contemplates a groundbreaking move: the elimination of the judiciary system and the abandonment of law itself, in favor of placing unwavering trust in the Sibyl System. However, Akane Tsunemori staunchly opposes this notion, firmly upholding the indispensability of law and professing that Sibyl, despite its capabilities, cannot be entirely relied upon.

Suddenly, a report comes in about a vessel off the coast with a deceased professor named Milicia Stronskaya on board. Stronskaya had created a model that predicts the impact of Sibyl on the world, and the revelations it holds could be disastrous for Japan. Now, Akane's team must collaborate with the Foreign Ministry to locate the papers before the rogue militia group known as the Peacebreakers get their hands on them.

In the midst of all this, Akane is reunited with her old friend Shinya Kogami, who now works as an agent in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs's Suppressing Action Department (SAD). Despite the unspoken tension between them, they must work together to avert a catastrophe. Those who have already seen Psycho-Pass 3 may have an inkling of where their collaboration will lead.

Thankfully, only a small picture. Fans know that most of the original main cast is transferred, that Atsushi Shindo commits suicide, and that Akane Tsunemori is in prison, but the bigger context is missing. The film aptly addresses the lingering questions and undoubtedly enhances Season 3 upon rewatch. However, the audience must genuinely care about those answers in the first place.

The Shadow Looming Over Psycho-Pass

Psycho-Pass is finding it increasingly challenging to capture audiences the way it once did, and this is not solely due to the absence of Gen Urobuchi as the writer. The issue lies in the limited longevity of its premise and its core, visceral allure. The impact of witnessing individuals being obliterated by a Dominator diminishes with repeated exposure, ultimately diminishing its allure.

As Psycho-Pass expands beyond Japan, it inevitably transitions into an action-packed series, featuring intense gunfights and plentiful martial arts. However, there remains a cautiousness to deviate too far from the core of the story - the presence of Sibyl, the judgment system. Thus, the narrative gradually shifts towards bringing the war to the domestic front. The crucial role of Hues and the Dominators as the ultimate arbitrators necessitates the constant efforts of the villains to find loopholes and circumvent them.

Over time, this repetitive pattern becomes tiresome, along with the contrived reasons for providing the adversaries with weapons, solely to facilitate shootouts or showcase Kogami battling against an opponent with his theme music playing in the background. These elements were initially captivating in Season 1 due to the unfamiliarity of the viewers with the world, but by the conclusion of that introductory phase, the audience had acquired a comprehensive understanding - or at least the most fundamental aspect.

Sibyl, a collective of AI-empowered brains stored in jars, serves as a guiding force for humanity. It is the moral conflicts that arise from this concept that truly impact the story. Continuing Psycho-Pass in a meaningful manner is no easy task. While Psycho-Pass 3 aimed to recapture the essence of the original series, it was not without flaws. Despite its imperfections, it managed to achieve certain aspects that often go unappreciated. So the question remains, does Providence offer any unique perspectives?

Why We Need The Law

Providence, in a peculiar manner, tackles its flaws by embracing them, albeit unintentionally. Throughout most of the film, the Dominator is deliberately underutilized, providing justifications for exhilarating gunfights, intense fistfights, and gripping knife fights. While there are moments that exude sheer awesomeness, there are also instances where the pace may seem sluggish, and the sound design deceives the listener into perceiving greater impact than what is visually depicted.

However, there is a change that occurs before the climax. Akane and her team are faced with a mounting conspiracy that involves shady dealings behind the scenes, resulting in them being prevented from completing their investigation. Similar to Section 9 from Ghost in the Shell or Section 2 from Patlabor, they take matters into their own hands and decide to finish the task themselves, adhering to the rule of law. This entails using Dominators and eliminating the loopholes that the villains rely upon.

Nevertheless, this approach could be seen as fan service, with a grand movie climax that includes a few additional elements to evoke the feeling of the first season. Some may argue that it may be overly elaborate to be reminiscent of Season 1. However, this approach mostly succeeds due to how beautifully Providence's conflict is intertwined with the underlying themes, effectively showcasing why Akane Tsunemori is the heart and soul of this series.

Akane's absence as a vital character in a series has been prolonged. She transformed from an innocent newcomer to a tragic heroine, dedicating herself entirely to fighting for justice within a flawed system that contradicts her beliefs, with the hope of improving it. This film aims to test her to the core and unmistakably conclude her story. If there was one thing that Providence needed to accomplish, it was to depict Akane accurately, and they accomplished this admirably.

The conclusion, its significance, and the revelation of how Akane arrived at her Season 3 circumstances were astonishing, reminiscent of when the series first began in Season 1. Psycho-Pass frequently delivers shocking moments, often through violent means, but Providence's ending was a culmination of the entire series. The ending alone made it all worthwhile, especially with Kate Oxley's powerful performance reprising her role as Akane.

The returning cast delivers an excellent performance as expected. Surprisingly, Jouji Saiga's role in the plot adds an unexpected dimension, while Michael Federico's portrayal adds a touch of sophistication to every scene. On the other hand, Kai Mikhaylov, despite his strong connection to the main characters of Psycho-Pass 3, could have been further developed. Though his few scenes were impactful, the audience never truly gets to know him.

Many may express their desire for a more satisfying reunion between Akane and Kogami. However, considering the exceptionally well-written relationship between them in the first season, it would be challenging to fully appease the fans. With three seasons, three short films, and now two feature films, it feels like a substantial amount of time has been expended to arrive at this point - and that is perhaps the most significant complaint.

The failure of Season 2 had a severe impact on this franchise. However, Psycho-Pass Providence serves as proof that there is still vitality in this story. The key for the writers lies in recalling the elements that initially made this series exceptional. It goes beyond a mere appreciation for psychology, philosophy, and advanced technology. Instead, it should convey a compelling and prophetic message about justice.