After the explosion of the methane hydrate layer, humanity was forced into a select few domed cities where society is strictly controlled. To assist humanity, autonomous robots called AutoReivs were spread throughout the cities. Enter Re-L Mayer, granddaughter of the regent, and charged with investigating a series of cases in which the AutoReivs have gone haywire. In her investigation she comes in contact with a mysterious monster called Proxy. After meeting a man called Vincent Law that was blamed for several of the incidents, the pair strike out across the wasteland to unravel the mysteries of the Cogito Virus.
As a cyberpunk with a slower, more deliberate pace as it unfolds a mystery, if you have more anime recommendations like Ergo Proxy, then head on down below.
Anime Like Ergo Proxy
For Fans of Cyberpunk
Psycho-Pass
In the 22nd century, the justice system has changed. The Sibyl System now determines the threat level of each citizen by examining their mental state for criminal intent. This has become known as their Psycho-Pass. Once criminal intent has been identified, Inspectors like Akane Tsunemori are in charge of subjugating them. However, this tough job is not without dangers. This is why Inspectors are paired with Enforcers, like Shinya Kougami, latent criminals with just the right amount of psychopathy to keep other criminals in their place.
In essence, both of these series start off kind of similar. You are following a law enforcement figure as they are investigating something. However, both series grow into different things. Ergo Proxy becomes less about crime and punishment and more about higher minded philosophy about their ruined world. However, they both remain dark and gritty cyberpunk worlds, but Ergo Proxy explores that technology side a little less as it goes on.
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
In the not so distant future, mankind has advanced to a state where the transplant of the complete body from flesh to machine is possible. This has blurred the lines between physical and technological worlds. Unfortunately, criminals can also make use of this technology, which led to the rise of Sector 9, a government agency that operates independently and deals with this new kind of cybercrime. Section 9, led by Daisuke Aramaki and Motoko Kusanagi, deals with these crimes typically with success, until they find themselves faced with the rise of a new hacker who goes by the nickname The Laughing Man.
Both series follow investigators in a technologically advanced city that is not exactly a utopia. Of course, Ghost in the Shell doesn’t pretend their city is great unlike Ergo Proxy. As both series goes on, it becomes less about being a cop drama and more about the philosophical aspects of its setting.
Texhnolyze
As an orphan that made his name as a street fighter, Ichise finds his way of life crushed when an angry promoter takes an arm and a leg. Before he dies, he is rescued by a scientist that uses him as a test subject. With new limbs at his disposal and a new mysterious girl that can tell the future at his side, he realizes the city is on the brink of destruction, and only he can save it.
Both series are about the people that live in s sort of false utopia that gets exposed. As the series goes on, it forgets more about the initial plot and explores more philosophical themes about their technologically advanced existence.
For Fans of Deep Psychology
Serial Experiments Lain
Introverted Lain Iwakura finds herself one of many girls to receive an e-mail from classmate Chisa Yomoda, even though Chisa Yomoda recently committed suicide. Averse to technology, Lain soon finds herself able to enter the Wired, a network system similar to the internet. From there, her life gets turned upside down as she finds herself the target of mysterious men and mixed up in a series of cryptic mysteries.
While Ergo Proxy has its more action-based moments in the series, Serial Experiments Lain takes its psychology plot very seriously right from the beginning. Both shows start crafting a mystery, and take different ways to explore it.
Paranoia Agent
There is an urban legend going around in Musashino City about Shounen Bat, a boy that rolls around on roller blades and beats people with his bent golden baseball bat. Numerous reports of his attacks have turned up, but the police have been unable to catch him. As the investigation continues and more people fall victim, paranoia begins to set in.
Both series follow investigators that explore what seems like a standard case that needs solving. Yet, as the series goes on, it goes wildly off the rails into something much bigger. However, Paranoia Agent has a different story telling approach and isn’t afraid to throw in some fun moments, unlike Ergo Proxy which is much more serious overall.
Witch Hunter Robin
Robin is a witch that has recently traveled from Italy to Japan in order to join the STN-J, an organization of witch hunters. There Robin learns that the organization tries to capture the ESP, telekinesis, or mind control-wielding witches of Japan alive in order to study them, but not all is as noble as it seems.
While witches are much different from AutoReivs, the plot of these series is actually quite similar. They start off as investigators, get wrapped up in a case that leads to something bigger, and their world starts unraveling because of it, then explores from there. They end up in different ways, but the basic set up is the same.
For Fans of Post Apocalyptic Setting
Wolf’s Rain
In a dying world, there is a legend: when the world ends, the path to paradise will open, but only wolves can find the way. Long thought extinct, wolves live among humans with the the ability to shape-shift into human forms. In Freeze City, several wolves find themselves drawn by a mysterious scent that they believe is the start of their path to paradise.
If you enjoy somber worlds with a group of characters journeying towards an ultimate goal, then Wolf’s Rain is a great follow up to Ergo Proxy. Both series follow characters as they sort of unravel the greater meaning to their world.
Casshern Sins
With the world over and humanity gone, all that is left is sentient robots. They were supposed to live forever, but as they begin to rust and die, a rumor goes around that eating one called Casshern will stop their passing. Casshern, the target of their intentions, knows nothing of his past, but leaves death everywhere he goes as he is constantly hunted.
Both series focus on what appears to be the last dregs of a dying world. While Re-L is a human, she is unraveling the mysteries of her world while Casshern is trying to regain his memories. Regardless, both are faced with a harsh existence as it explores the philosophy of it.
From the New World
After the sudden outbreak of psychokinesis, the .01% of the population that developed it started using their powers for nefarious means. Far into the future, the town of Kamisu 66 is wholly populated by psychics with the young Saki being one of the most recent to awaken her powers. Finally she can join the rest of her friends at the Sage Academy. However, her school days are plagued with questions that threaten to unravel the dark secrets of her idyllic village.
Both series start off in an apocalyptic world where the characters are rather sheltered about it. However, as a mystery pulls them in, their world grows, and they discover just how horrific their world really is as the wool is removed from their eyes.
Do you have any more anime recommendations like Ergo Proxy? Let fans know in the comments section below.
