Paprika

The DC Mini is a modern psychologist’s ultimate tool. That is, it will be once it’s past beta testing. It’s a device that, when worn by patients, can translate brainwaves into digital data which is then stored in a “psychotherapy” machine (more or less a giant server that acts as an archive of medical records). This allows the therapist to literally witness the dreams of his/her patient, or in other words; direct access to the subconscious. The therapist can even enter the dream as an avatar.

However, because it’s designer, the brilliant Dr. Tokita, failed to incript the access codes, the DC Mini can also be used in the opposite manner i.e. to “implant” dreams (data) into the heads of those who’ve connected to the psychotherapy machines.

This unsettling possibility becomes the grim reality when it is discovered that the Mini has fallen into the hands of terrorists. Shortly after this knowledge is revealed, things begin to go haywire. People start to crack up, spewing gibberish and leaping from high windows, seemingly unaware of their own mortality. The data in the hacked psychotherapy machines conglomerates into one meta-dream that threatens to absorb everyone involved.

Now it’s up to Dr. Chiba, a psychologist who has more experience with the Mini than anyone else, to untangle this mess. Using an avatar named Paprika she dives head first in to this warped nightmare of collective unconscious. The description on the box describes Paprika as “part Hello Kitty and part Philip K Dick”, and I feel that’s a pretty accurate description. I would also add that it is part Akira and part Carl Jung.

Oh and I don’t recommend watching it sub-titled as I made that mistake and missed a good chunk of the stunning visuals tying to keep up.

Directed by Satoshi Kahn
Based on the novel Paprika by Yasutaka Tsutsui

Super Jail

Super Jail may be the most twisted, effed-up shit Adult Swim (www.adultswim.com) has yet come up with. Which, if you are familiar with The Swim is saying something. It also happens to be my favorite cartoon at the moment.

The action, for the most part, takes place inside Superjail; a massive prison, home to hundreds of thousands of inmates which is situated inside an island volcano. The plot revolves around the perpetual scheming of a maniacally eccentric warden who also happens to own Superjail. Flanked by a big-headed sidekick, a muscle bound m2f transsexual named Alice and Jailbot- a robotic toaster looking prison guard who packs an absurd amount of firepower; the Warden is constantly cooking up sadistic ways to entertain himself at the expense of his prisoners, who without fail meet incredibly gruesome ends.

The animation is reminiscent of 90’s MTV animation a la Liquid Television and Oddities but in an intentional gratuitously violent way. So violent in fact that one is basically anesthetized within a few moments of watching.

But I’ll let you see for yourself.

Sunday nights at 11:45 on Cartoon Network

Afro Smurai

In some sort of parallel universe, Japan is at once feudalistic and advanced technologically. Here samurai battle each other with everything from kitanas to RPGs for the right to wear a headband that would signify them as holding the rank of "#2". When in possession of this title, the man becomes marked- for only he with the #2 head band can challenge #1. Once #1 is attained the warrior is essentially untouchable, god-like, unless #2 can track him down and defeat him. This is a classic tale of vengeance. It follows Afro in his quest to avenge the death of his father, who was #1, at the hands of Justice, currently #1.

Adapted from manga comic book into five part mini series, this stellar hybrid of hip-hop and Japanese culture beautifully animated and features the vocal talent of Samuel L. Jackson (Afro) and Ron Perlman (Justice). It's directed by Fuminori Kizaki and the original sound track was produced by the RZA, an obvious choice for a project of this. nature.