Plastic Memories - 01

“If my lifespan was predetermined, I wonder how I would handle that?”

If there is something that has fascinated me since the early years of my childhood, it was the relationship between organic and synthetic life - of humans and androids/robots/AI. Chobits, Eve no Jikan (Time of Eve), Ergo Proxy, and Metropolis are a few examples, but The Big O is one particular show that comes to mind, with the duo of suave negotiator Roger Smith and the stoic but quirky android Dorothy R. Wayneright. The thoughtful and often times humorous dynamic between the two offered the insight of exploring our humanity. Plastic Memories does indeed focus on this organic-synthetic partnership, and so far it seems like it might offer much more. 


At the time of my writing, I have only seen this episode, and I am aware the second has been out. I'll get around to reviewing it shortly.

Somewhere down the future, recently graduated Tsukasa Mizugaki (Yasuaki Takumi) manages to get a job at the Terminal Service Department for a company called SAI. SAI is known for the creation of Giftias -- androids who posses "synthetic souls", and are hard to tell apart from ordinary humans. The only downside to these remarkable creations is their short lifespan, which consists of only nine years and four months. Once they reach that limit, their memories and personalities start to fall apart.

That's where the company's Terminal Service comes in. Operating in teams consisting of one human and one Giftia, they go over to an owner's home to retrieve the Giftia before it's operation time expires. As a newbie, Tsukasa at first has no Giftia to be paired with. This is quickly remedied however when they decided to partner him with Isla (Sora Amamiya), a veteran Giftia who has been off the field for some time. Once the decision is made, the two begin their new partnership.

The start of a new friendship.

This episode covers Tsukasa's training and introduces us to some of the cast. The one responsible for his training is Michiru Kinushima (Chinatsu Akasaki), an assertive, young girl who is pretty critical of Tsukasa. In contrast she is paired Zack (Sayuri Yahagi), a Giftia with the appearances of a young boy with a mischievous side. Together with Isla, they take Tsukasa to a retrieval to show him what it's all about.

Third time's the charm... maybe?

Teams consist of a Marksman: the Giftia who is in charge of negotiating, and the Spotter: the human that simply acts as an observer. Owners must sign an agreement form in advance, and must be present to the very end during the retrieval to ensure privacy. Already this procedure shows us how heart wrenching it is for the owners, and issues where they are highly resistant are soon encountered with Chizu Shirohana, an old lady who is not willing to part with her Giftia, a little girl named Nina. Although Isla has trouble with negotiating at first, a talk between her and Nina finally allows Chizu to release her control and say goodbye. By the end, Tsukasa starts to see the nature of his new job.

Last tea before goodbye...

The show definitely gives us a lot in the first episode, and already we have a good idea of where the show will be heading. Tsukasa is introduced as a typical fresh faced graduate thrown into the world of Giftias -- one that he has little knowledge of. While I can't say there is much to write about him from this episode, he certainly has the potential to develop as he accompanies Isla on their retrievals.

Isla, a veteran Giftia in the Terminal Service, is a young white haired girl who appears to be stoic and proficient in her field. Although Tsukasa soon learns that she can be quite nervous and awkward. Her repeated attempts to convince Chizu to talk to her using tea and snacks highlight these qualities. Despite these shortcomings, she has quite the determination to go the extra mile to get the job done.

The ultimate (?) ace.

Below the odd behavior she exhibits, there is an inner turmoil in Isla that is given a few glimpses in the episode. It is made clear when she tells Tsukasa that "doing this job never feels rewarding", due to the very fact that they are "ripping apart memories". Given that she has been active for a few years and off duty until recently, it's possible that she herself is close to her final days.

The concept of retrieving Giftias at the end of their life provide some heavy themes to this show. Unlike the Persocoms of Chobits, who are commonly tools and lack things like emotion or free will, the Giftias all have a wide range of personality and feelings. The owners themselves care greatly for them as well. Those shown this episode don't see them as disposable tools; they value them as almost irreplaceable family, and their parting is often filled with such strong emotions on both sides as Nina and Chizu can attest to.

An interesting comparison to note is how the Terminal Service members -- especially the Giftia -- are like  grim reapers -- coming for those whose life is at an end, and take them away to "die". The connection here provides a strong image, and is especially ironic for the Giftias sent on retrieval as one day a "reaper", doing their own job, will come for them.

The process of her job has a strong effect on Isla. The fear she conveys to Nina about losing her own memories and personality certainly supports it, and the fact she is erasing the memories of other Giftias at the end of their life only serves as a reminder to her own fate. It certainly invokes the thought of our own mortality and how one's days are numbered. I anticipate to see how Isla's conflict will be handled.

"Ripping apart memories... That's our job, after all."

Despite the seriousness surrounding their job, the episode managed to end with a comedic note as Isla expresses that she needs to use a bathroom. While some might find it a jarring shift from the sadness moments ago, I still found it rather cute to see her make all those expressions. Lighthearted moments will certainly be a part of this show; one can not help but wonder where this will end up. With the conflict stated above, I hope we see a nice balance that provides a whole lot of healing.

I didn't realize androids needed to pee...

Overall, I am very pleased with this show. It may not be the most unique looking thing in the art department, but it's story and themes presented already provide a big hook, with the OST augmenting each scene appropriately. The parting between Nina and Chizu will no doubt touch many, and although I wasn't shedding tears myself, don't be surprised if you end up doing so. Already Plastic Memories provides huge amounts of potential, and I can't wait to see where they go with Isla and her struggle.