Ergo Proxy...
Sometime in the latter part of 2007, I started to collect the individual volumes of Ergo Proxy...
In the latter part of 2007, I read in the trade papers that Geneon US has decided to cease operations as of September 28, 2007. What did this mean for me? I developed an interest in Black Lagoon and it looked like some releases beyond the deadline might have been in doubt. The trade papers suggested that there might still be new titles forthcoming into November 2007, but, I had my doubts. I looked up Geneon's releases and found a handful of entries of interest. Among the departed: Haibane Renmei, Ergo Proxy and Chobits...
I could have probably lived without finishing off Chobits and Haibane Renmei, but, a world where I didn't have a complete set of Ergo Proxy wasn't going to be a fun and happy place...
As we all know, the world did go on after the deadline. Happily, I was able to finish collecting all three of the departed series. And, one by one, in the intervening years, much of Geneon's back catalog did get re-released by other distributors. In fact, Funimation just released a box set of the entire Ergo Proxy series, in August 2012, for less than what I paid for one volume of the original individual Geneon release.
Volume 1
Awakening
The domed city of Romdo is an impenetrable would-be utopia where humans and robots coexist and everything is under complete government control - or so it appears.
While working on a mysterious murder case, Re-l Mayer, a female detective from the Civilian Intelligence Office, receives a foreboding message that something is going to "awaken." That night, she's attacked by a deformed super-being. What was this unidentified monster that attacked her, and who was the figure that came in between them?
As Re-l attempts to unlock this spiraling mystery, a metaphysical battle cry leads her to the unknown outside world...
Volume 2
RE-L124C41+
Re-l leaves the safety of Romdo in order to bring Vincent back and clear his name. Leaving the shelter of the city is a test of courage, but dealing with the realities of life outside the dome is a test of conviction. The idyllic illusion of life within Romdo begins to crumble for Re-l and Vincent as they forge into the darkness that surrounds them and travel away from the light.
Volume 3
Cytopropism
Vincent finds himself in an unfamiliar room where a mysterious individual who seems to know him quite well confronts him. While Vincent struggles against his inner demons, the delicate balance of control in Romdo begins a slow descent into chaos as Raul and Daedalus agree to work together and fix the growing threat. However, their intent is not entirely pure as each one of them has a deep and ugly ulterior motive.
Volume 4
Wrong Way Home
Re-l, Vincent and Pino have been re united but the danger is far from over. Pino enters a cave and discovers a mysterious giant, Re-l is taken over by a not so pleasant doppelganger, and Vincent is forced to participate in a game show with deadly results for the loser. Each encounter that obstructs the journey ahead is connected to an inevitable fate and a betrayal no one could expect.
Volume 5
Terra Incognita
The journey to Mosko is approaching its end but not before Re-l, Vincent and Pino discover an appalling revelation about humanities fall from grace. As they wander through Vincent's city, they realize that the answer to his lingering question lies not in the wreckage of the destroyed dome but back in Romdo. All roads lead to the same conclusion and the journey to the end must inevitably lead to a new beginning.
Volume 6
Deus Ex Machina
The thrilling conclusion of the series brings Re-l, Vincent and Pino back to Romdo to face off against the machinations set in motion by the Creator! Vincent must come to grips with who he is and what he wants to become while Re-l faces the ugly truth behind her own existence. Can these two travelers finish their journey of discovery and enlightenment or will they succumb to the malice implanted by the Creator?
In the latter part of 2007, I read in the trade papers that Geneon US has decided to cease operations as of September 28, 2007. What did this mean for me? I developed an interest in Black Lagoon and it looked like some releases beyond the deadline might have been in doubt. The trade papers suggested that there might still be new titles forthcoming into November 2007, but, I had my doubts. I looked up Geneon's releases and found a handful of entries of interest. Among the departed: Haibane Renmei, Ergo Proxy and Chobits...
I could have probably lived without finishing off Chobits and Haibane Renmei, but, a world where I didn't have a complete set of Ergo Proxy wasn't going to be a fun and happy place...
As we all know, the world did go on after the deadline. Happily, I was able to finish collecting all three of the departed series. And, one by one, in the intervening years, much of Geneon's back catalog did get re-released by other distributors. In fact, Funimation just released a box set of the entire Ergo Proxy series, in August 2012, for less than what I paid for one volume of the original individual Geneon release.
