Paranoia Agent - Recommendations

Irashtar says...

Both Ghost in the shell and Paranoia Agent have that delicious sense of slowly exposing not only the plot, but the very word the story is based in. They also deal a lot with the question of what memory and identity is worth.

subparalien says...

It's a feeling. That blending between reality and make believe, the point at which we can no longer trust ourselves. Plus, the animation is lovely. There are more guns in Ghost in the Shell, and more trippy scenes in Paranoia Agent.

MonkeyZerg says...

It is not Paranoia Agent as a whole that is the reason for recommending Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, but certain elements and episodes that I found very inspired, that reminded me of elements within Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. If you found yourself thrilled and tickled by the understated 'suicide' episode, or if you enjoyed the insights and self deprecating humour of the 'anime production' episode, then do yourself a favour and watch Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei! Both of these anime are twisted, dramatic, funny, and unafraid to break the 'normal' to deliver great stories and art.

opui says...

These series differ very much in terms of atmosphere, storytelling, even rythm. However if what you most enjoyed in one of them is the social commentary and the black humour, you are bound to enjoy the other. Watching some episodes of Paranoia Agent I could'nt help but be reminded of similar themes in Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei and smile to myself.

VivisQueen says...

Both Paranoia Agent and Mind Game are quite abstracted, creative works whose underlying themes are about overcoming despair and embracing reality. While Mind Game goes out of its way to emphasize the random little joys in life, Paranoia Agent is more about facing up to the nightmares in life. Ultimately, though, both are emotional, compelling, and enlightening.

Poorrichard says...

Both of these animes break stereotypes and use unusual storylines to illustrate profound truths. In Mind Game, a bystander in his own life learns by near death to live with gusto. In Paranoia Agent, multiple stories show how characters face a mysterious common villain and how each in both englightened and degraded ways respond to that fear/challenge. Both can make you think, feel, and grow deeper.

badazz5001 says...

Bouth are episodeic anime directed by the same persion and bouth have simmiler animation and great thems of phycology

Diachy says...

Both Memories and Paranoia Agent are thought provoking Psychological works of Satoshi Kon. They have a great link with the mysteries and ambiguity of the human psyche. While there may be dihherences in the way they show the underlying messages they are still relativley the same. This can be said about all Satoshi Kon's works however. If you like one I truly don't see how you could not like the other. This is the most different of Satoshi Kons works. it is a a collection of three stories. I found the first story based in space to be the most thought provoking. So even if you don't like the final two stories, which I am sure you will, you'll still (more than likely) love the first of the three.

Morwen says...

Although the settings for these two shows are VERY different, there's a big similarity between both of them. Both series have a large cast of characters that seem unconnected, but when you see all of their stories together they combine into a cohesive whole. Although the theme of "everyone is a protagonist in their own story" and people's lives bumping together and drifting apart is far more obvious in Baccano, you can see it in Paranoia Agent as well. If you enjoyed the twist and turns of one series and are looking for another great cast of twisted characters to follow, give the other a try!

Wickerman says...

Evan though both shows are fitted into completely diffrent genres there is a similar feel of affection the viewer has over the charectors of both stories. Paranoia Agent a show in where all "moseique charectors" we're search episode for each charector were its up to the viewr to diagnose the case and Baccano were the moseique chectors are all capers.  Fonobility shows youll laugh with a smile and drop your jaw in shock of there events.  I'd also recomend the non anime movie Magnolia (thought I'd be cheeky and put that in there.

Morwen says...

Both of these series feature gorgeous, well-done animation, a tense atmosphere, and deal with characters on the fringe on society. I also feel like both series are easy to identify with, but deal with issues that are a part of Japanese culture.

subparalien says...

The whacky and the metaphorical combine to create a story you won't forget. Plot wise Flowers of Evil is more straightfoward and slower paced, but watch both.

hamletsmage says...

Both anime feature a varied cast that either suffer from society-induced stress or mental fatigue, and the plot is them coming to terms with their stressors. Both anime are very psychological and it's only about half-way into the anime that things start clicking together. Due to the wide casts, hinted action scenes, and general mystery, these two are very similar in structure. So, if you liked one, you might like the other. 

ryanshowseason2 says...

To say much will spoil either show but themes in both are VERY present. Especially near the ending of either show.

Qplayer says...

Both are anime where the lines between reality and dreams are blurred and the tone can become surprisingly violent. If you enjoy atypical plot structures and high intensity storytelling you'd like both of these shows.

Animatis says...

After Satoshi Kon death, i was thinking that his unique style of making anime passed away with him, but Wonder Egg, omg, it's feels just like his works from first moments of series. If your thinking was in similar way , wonder egg can be a relief for you.

CodeWordChobits says...

Both of these series are very much insane but provide you with a much deeper meaning that is pretty easily sifted out of what seems to be a crazy non-linear (or even unrelated) sequence of events.

freakzilla says...

Both Paranoia Agent and Abenobashi deal with strange realities that pass by, along with a lot of weird things going on in the background. Paranoia Agent has more of a complex story, but both are similar nonetheless.