With works like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Serial Experiments Lain, Ghost in the Shell, and even the more recent Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, anime has given its fans some of the most iconic sci-fi titles ever. The genre dominated the landscape of anime and manga during the late '80s and '90s, as series after series appeared, taking cues from the last mega hit to build their own fictional worlds. However, one show premiered just as the trend was taking its dying breath, and has largely flown under the radar ever since: 2006's Ergo Proxy.

Ergo Proxy's lack of popularity is puzzling. The series is written by Dai Sato, who contributed to the writing of shows like Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Samurai Champloo, and Space Dandy. Shuko Murase, who worked with Sato on Samurai Champloo, and on his own for several Gundam titles, directed the series. Ergo Proxy has the aesthetic and star power that would typically excite even the most hardened sci-fi anime fan, yet few engage in discussion surrounding the show. Fortunately, it's on Crunchyroll for those who haven't seen it.

Ergo Proxy Has Everything Sci-Fi Anime Fans Are Looking For

Despite a Few Flaws, Ergo Proxy Is One of the Most Brilliant Sci-Fi Anime Ever

Set in the post-apocalyptic fictional domed city of Romdeau, Ergo Proxy is a breathtaking, highly cerebral, sometimes pretentious, sci-fi masterpiece. The world is inhabited by humans and artificial androids called AutoReivs, and protagonist Re-l is sent to investigate a series of murders committed by the androids. Over the course of its events, the series touches on a variety of philosophical ideas from the likes of Schopenhauer and Nietzshe, exploring nihilism and contemplating reasons for living.

The concept of a reason for being is central to Ergo Proxy's plot, and is visited through the main characters consistently throughout the story. During her investigation, Re-l runs into a few spooky humanoid creatures, which are later revealed to be the titular 'proxies'. The mysteries behind the murders, Romdeau, the other domed cities, and the nature of the proxies begin to unravel as Ergo Proxy moves along.

Aesthetically, the anime has an incredibly unique presentation. It's often hard to believe that certain scenes were created for a TV anime almost two decades ago, with jaw-dropping, well-choreographed action sequences and incredibly dark tones. By every metric, Ergo Proxy should likely have become one of the most popular, highly acclaimed sci-fi anime series of all-time, but it isn't without its problems.

Ergo Proxy Isn't Perfect, But Its Strengths Make Up For Its Flaws

Masterpieces Are Rarely Without Their Flaws, and Ergo Proxy Is No Exception

While Ergo Proxy has the aesthetic and general vibe that sci-fi fans might love, all while touching on important and cerebral themes, it does have issues. There are times the series prioritizes certain concepts or themes over coherent storytelling, and it will occasionally really straddle the line between being smart and being pretentious. It may tumble over itself, but the entire package that Ergo Proxy presents doesn't suffer much from its flaws. The end result remains a masterful sci-fi tale that dives into some very interesting ideas.

Among the titans of the genre, Ergo Proxy deserves a place to shine. Those behind the series are two of the most respected names in the industry, with several classics under their belts, and they delivered a series that's as compelling as it is haunting. Sci-fi may no longer be the dominating force in the anime industry, but the titles of the past 40 or so years still hold up just fine, Ergo Proxy included.