Psycho Pass Re-Edit: Episode 5 + 6 [The Splendor of Human Souls]

This episode set premiered together to make up for last week, which was banned. That being said this episode set is a very convenient one to have together, as it sets up the turn of the series. To begin we see that Kogami finally feels as if he’s getting somewhere with his obsession on the case. All the while the Re-Edit adds a crucial backstory; we see from the beginning Kogami could understand the concept that if someone evaded the Sibyl System there was no way to truly fight them. From this we can understand that Kogami genuinely has an intuition for the true nature of crime, even ones the Sibyl system cannot detect.

We get a shot on the news of a man who supports the idea of immortality through transfer of the human brain to a robotic body. Most of the people involved are just watching him on the news, but viewers of the last episode can easily recognize him as the man that killed Rikako Ouryou. From the moments on the news we can quickly see why Makishima would find him interesting, as the theology he holds behind life itself is most interesting when you can compare it to the attitude he takes towards human life. Self preservation holds to be his strongest habit and yet he kills people so casually. Akane and Kogami head to see someone Kogami used to know, and it turns out to be the very same teacher from the flashback earlier. Not before Kogami ribs at Akane for her clear Psycho pass hue, of course.

Kogami asks his teacher to help him find someone; a man he describes as the worst criminal since the dawn of the Sybil System. He’s likely fit, in good health, and charismatic in every way. Meanwhile the rest of the MWPSB is trying to find records of him, but note he is both daring and cunning, as all the data of him was deleted from the school records. All they have is an audio file of him and the way he discussed things with Rikako Ouryou.

Before long, it’s discovered that Yuki Funihara, one of Akane’s close friends, has gone missing. Akane and Kogami proceed to investigate a clue left behind, only for Akane and Kogami to be separated. Kogami ends up on a fast traveling train with a girl whose face is covered, who turns out to be none other than Yuki herself. The two are to be part of a game set up by Makishima and his new ‘apprentice’. Makishima is most interested to test out his capabilities and strengths against Kogami, and has found himself to become quite interested in toying with the MWPSB Enforcer. His cyborg student, however, is more interested in the literal hunt of humans.

Meanwhile Akane is dealing with a skeptical Ginoza who believes Kogami ran away and suggests now he might lose his life solely because of Akane’s carelessness. Masaoka steps in and almost beats the crap out of Ginoza, while telling him to chill it. But Kogami’s in a much deeper mess than they anticipate, as he is being literally hunted. Kogami is given a radio that has no antenna or battery, but mysteriously finds a battery on top of one of the hunting dogs he goes to kill in order to buy time. He realizes he is being given a chance at winning this game, and refuses on leaving Yuki behind even though she is an obvious hindrance to his successful fighting capacity.

As it turns out, the last piece of the puzzle is hidden ON Yuki. Makishima intentionally mismatched her underwear and hid the antenna in her bra. Wow. That is the least sexy situation implying Makishima touched someone’s boobs ever. Did he just like get so cock blind by Kogami he literally could take off a woman’s bra, see epic boobies, and just keep on trekking? You ARE a sociopath good sir. A really, really, attractive sociopath whose monologues makes me fidget uncomfortably. . .what was I saying?

But as they signal for help and Kogami looks as if he’ll be in the clear. . . the game has only just begun for Makishima as he watches from afar. The importance of this episode is focused so clearly in Makishima’s true nature. He is a man who views much as a game, but an important game. How can he judge people as they are by simply living within the boundaries of the limited Sybil system? There is much more to the human soul than he feels people see, and he will test it until he sees what a person truly is underneath the layer of protection provided by the Sybil system and the society it creates.

‘A showdown not unlike those in westerns, or should I say a duel in the tale of a grand hero. A duel in a moldy basement . . . A dystopian Beowulf, metaphorically speaking. We’ve gotten it all wrong. . . even the time and place we were born. Even so we ended up here. We were born into a disturbed society. Even so, we weren’t mistaken in the path we took. What a waste. . . Mr. Senguji is much better at dealing with “strife” than I expected. I wonder if it’s possible for those two to suddenly make nice. . saying something like “Hey, we tried to kill each other once, but let’s shake hands and reconcile. Let’s let bygones be bygones.” Oh, no. I’m afraid I’m enjoying this a bit too much. I musn’t forget that I’m treading on thin ice right now. Hnn.’

Makishima presents himself as always analyzing every situation. In the re-edit we discover the side of him that isn’t always presenting himself or ideas to new people. We see the idealism and intrigue in his mind. Perhaps, we even see a slight bit of remorse that a person he considers genuine must die in his scheme. He remarks that it is a waste that Senguji is as he is, and ponders if there was a possibility in reconciliation. Yet watching the two men fight to the death with their separate ideals is a catharsis for him. He is a man who deeply enjoys the issues presented with and how the people presented to him deal with it.

There is no better time to pause in this re edit and examine the subject and matter given to us to truly understand the themes of the show. Without a doubt, we are supposed to see and understand the charisma of Makishima Shogo. The spectrum of personality given to us for Shinya Kogami is also expanded to show us a mind always capable of sharp judgment and intellect beyond what the Sybil System deemed appropriate. It is of course fitting that a mind truly interested in seeing what a tested person decides and a mind determined to stop evil even at the cost of himself would clash and become the true painting for the piece of this series. There is no question of who is right and who is wrong, Makishima is clearly wrong at this point in the series. For now, he is painted to us as a villain with no cause but twisted judgment of humanity.

Kogami and Senguji continue their duel until they are both wounded, and with the help of Yuki, Kogami manages to end the fight with his dominator. It seems all is well until Kogami begins to lose consciousness and only through flashes of his fading vision does he see Makishima handcuff and drag her away. Akane reaches Kogami who warns her of this, and she chase after him. What ensues is one of the most meaningful and traumatic scenes of the series, as Makishima is confronted by Akane. Interested in seeing her perspective and will, Makishima declares he will kill Yuki in front of her unless she stops her. Akane lifts her dominator.. . and sees she cannot judge him, his psycho pass reading is below any form of action.

Makishima explains that he believes people cannot be judged unless they are doing things of their own surpressed will. As before, he states he believes nothing can be truly precious unless tested, and souls are included in this. How can we judge what is good and evil if people are not their true selves, if we cannot judge what they truly will instead of what their minds are capable of doing or believing?  As he explains his intent to kill and displays such, his psycho pass reading drops lower and lower. But Akane cannot bring herself to shoot him. . .and the cost of that inability is the life of her dear friend.

The look on Makishima’s face declares something that might be much more deep than these episodes imply. He doesn’t make the same gratuitous display and smile he was making during his speech. His charisma fades as he does what needs to be done. Akane is a disappointment, she knows nothing beyond the simplicity the world has allowed her. But the strange thing is if the two ever truly discussed the world, they are in essence of the same coin. Neither has been truly judged by the Sybil system, but the reasons are different. Makishima Shogo has been isolated and unnoticed by the world for his peculiarity, finding he is more charismatic for evil than good. He believes the world as it is does not allow for any true judgement. Akane however, has been lent the ability to work in any of the crime bureaus. She can choose her life, just as he could. Her choice was to go to a place where she could help the most. Yet she hasn’t faced evil, and once she is, she cannot bring herself to quench it out. In that respect neither can Makishima. He enhances it, brings it to life, and judges it for the true nature of ‘evil’ that it is. These two aren’t often compared the way they should be. While Kogami is the catalyst for both of them, the more alike people are actually the polar opposites Akane and Makishima. Their coins are completely different, but their choices and circumstances are much the same.

   Born into the same world with much the same issue, Shogo found the world to be cold and untrue, while Akane believed that there was a right and a wrong that could still be judged. He is disappointed by her, but in so many ways that can easily be because in different circumstances she could be him. Kogami has already been ‘tainted’ and ‘judged’ and thus can be the only one to truly judge Makishima. The Re-Edit is showing this, the pure aspirations of will. A person truly capable is one it is a shame to waste, but other people’s lives are simply catalysts to show a person’s true nature. One could almost say Makishima’s attitudes towards his victims and those his fellows kill is that of toys, perhaps that of a child searching through a mountain of toys looking for a friend. He does not expect to find it, but when he does, he is elated. When that friend does not come out to be something he wants, he finds that he is staring at another toy with emptiness. Makishima is the most intelligent man in the series, but his attitudes reflect in one simple statement. “I have wondered that since I was a child.” Part of him will always be stuck in the stasis of a child who cannot understand his own mind.

  In a way, Kogami has a deep relationship with both Akane and Makishima. Both are trying to pull him to their side, but Kogami is only truly connected empathetically to Akane, and he is connected to Makishima through a sense of outrage and hatred. The relationship between the three of them is the most complicated and obscenely difficult to understand thing, but it is also the foundation of the series. There is more to discuss on the matter of them, but for now we’ve reached the limit of what the show is telling us to judge. Hopefully, the Re-edit will further divulge into their lives, Akane included, in order to prepare for season 2.

“A perfect plan doesn’t mean having everything go within expectations. A perfect plan is achieved when it has the plasticity needed to flexibly deal with troubles. An inspector at the MWPSB. . .you could say my disappointment in her was to be expected. But what about you. . . Shinya Kogami. . .? What degree of trouble are you? What degree of chaos are you? Do we contradict each other? Are we opposing each other? I don’t care either way. I’m sure you are my polar opposite. To you guys, I appear harmless, right? A good member of the Sybil System who can’t even kill a bug.”

Oki