- For another Psycho-Pass, see Psycho-Pass (disambiguation).
| Crime and Punishment | |
|---|---|
| |
| Information | |
| Kanji | PSYCHO-PASS サイコパス SS (Sinners of the System) Case.1「罪と罰」 |
| Rōmaji | Psycho-Pass: Sinners of the System Case.1 - Tsumi to Batsu |
| Release date | January 25, 2019 |
| DVD release | September 18, 2019 |
| Length | 60 minutes |
| Opening | abnormalize |
| Ending | Fallen |
| Navigation | |
| Prequel ← Psycho-Pass: The Movie |
Sequel First Guardian Note: Chronologically, Case 2 precedes Case 1 → |
Case.1 Crime and Punishment is the first installment of the Psycho-Pass: Sinners of the System trilogy. The film debuted in Japanese theaters on January 25, 2019. The story focuses on Inspector Mika Shimotsuki and Enforcer Nobuchika Ginoza as they investigate a case at an isolation facility in Aomori-ken. Enforcer Yayoi Kunizuka appears in a supporting role.
Synopsis
In the Winter of 2117, an out-of-control vehicle careens into a building. The driver is Izumi Yasaka, a psychological counselor at the isolation facility for latent criminals in Aomori prefecture known as "Sanctuary". Yasaka's immediate repatriation is decided just before her interrogation, giving rise to suspicion. Inspector Shimosuki, along with Enforcers Ginoza and Kunizuka, is sent by Akane Tsunemori to learn more about the situation. What they find is a "false paradise" as they endeavor to learn the true nature of the facility, its occupants and the therapists who work there.
Analysis
In the world of Psycho-Pass, Tsunemori is the answer to the question: “Who watches the watchers?” Even though the system can judge itself after the events of Season 2, it still recognizes that a viewpoint outside its own is necessary. Tsunemori is perfect for the role because she believes the system is inherently flawed, but also knows that bringing it down would cause irreparable harm to the normal population. And without a better system to replace it, she reluctantly allows it to continue.
While this means Tsunemori is able to directly confront the Sibyl System when it does something questionable, it also means there is always the looming threat that she will deem the system unsalvageable and attempt to destroy it. Thus, it is dangerous for her to do things that may cause the impression that she's gone rogue ― like Shinya Kogami ― which is why she dispatches Shimotsuki, Ginoza and Kunizuka to investigate the prison while she and Shion Karanomori cover the Tokyo end of things.
The prison expands the world of Psycho-Pass even as it serves as character development for the Sibyl System itself. While the impression given is that the Sibyl System is an omnipresent antagonist, the system believes itself to be a force for good by keeping society safe and peaceful. While mostly true, there is still the issue of latent criminals, especially those who have done nothing wrong. Thus, the system always seeks improvement in its judgment and treatment of identified latent criminals.
Though the film points out Tsunemori's and the Sibyl System's roles in both the narrative and greater world at large, the main focus is a deep dive into what kind of person Shimotsuki is after the events of Psycho-Pass 2. While Tsunemori's morality considers all people to be human beings with reasons for their behavior, Shimotsuki is an indoctrinated member of society under the Sibyl System, "dealing as necessary" with anyone marked as a criminal or latent criminal while leaving her own crime co-efficient unchanged. She, too, knows the secret of the Sibyl System, but because she believes the system is infallible, she aligns her beliefs to its methods. In Crime and Punishment, we see this influence going both ways as she has the ability to twist the system itself into a framework that suits her beliefs.
Over the course of the investigation, Shimotsuki evidences personal growth. Though her Enforcers are still latent criminals, she now views them as human beings, though of a lesser quality. It is the investigation into the drugged therapist's condition, however, that creates her greatest shift of mindset. At first, she only views Yasaka as a criminal worthy of elimination but, as secrets are uncovered, she begins to identify parts of herself in the victim. Her understanding of humanity and criminality alters in a dramatic way and she begins to see that latent criminals may possess noble motivations, like the love that drives you to protect those you care about. The ultimate goal of the Sibyl System is also to protect. Ergo, she must adapt.
In the end, Shimotsuki still believes the Sibyl System is infallible, but recognizes that it is trying to evolve. In doing so, she realizes that it may become less than perfect and that is something she cannot condone.[1]
Note: Analysis is a revision of original text.
Behind the Scenes
Director: Naoyoshi Shiotani
Script: Ryo Yoshigami
Original story: Gen Urobuchi
Original Character Design: Akira Amano
Character Design: Naoyuki Onda, Kyoji Asano, Hisashi Abe, Yasuhiro Aoki
Storyboard: Toshiyuki Kono, Toshiyuki Yahagi
Soundtrack: Yugo Kanno
Art Director: Shūichi Kusamori
Sound Director: Yoshikazu Iwanami
Animation Director: Satoru Nakamura
Cinematographer: Eiji Arai
Color design: Emiko Ueno
Japanese Voice Cast:
Kenji Nojima as Nobuchika Ginoza
Ayane Sakura as Mika Shimotsuki
Shizuka Itō as Yayoi Kunizuka
Kana Hanazawa as Akane Tsunemori
Hiroki Tōchi as Teppei Sugo
Takahiro Sakurai as Sho Hinakawa
Miyuki Sawashiro as Shion Karanomori
Saori Yumiba as Izumi Yasaka
Sachie Hirai as Takeya Kukuri
Hiroe Oka as Kyoka Tsujigai
Rikiya Koyama as Rodion Matsuki
Kimiko Saitou as Aiko Kurosawa
Yōhei Tadano as Koji Noto
Keiichi Nakagawa as Akira Karasuma
Noriko Hidaka as the Dominator
Yoshiko Sakakibara as Joshu Kasei
References