Paranoia Agent

Satoshi Kon is known for his unique style and often bizarre storylines, and Paranoia Agent was an outlet for him to explore some of his ideas that didn't fit into his other films. Most episodes are capable of being viewed on their own, although things make more sense if the series is viewed in order, and more can be gotten out of it that way. The show is about several people, often seemingly unrelated, being injured in hit-and-run attacks by an unidentifed boy with a golden bat and rollerblades. These people are often in very stressful situations at the time, and sometimes seem even relieved to have been attacked. As the crimes continue, the gossip increases and the legend of Shounen Bat (or Lil' Slugger as he's called in the dub) grows.

I was honestly expecting something a little stranger than what it was. The show has its moments, plenty of disturbing or darkly funny ideas, but I expect a little more craziness from Kon by now. Several episodes are outstanding, my favorite being the one about three online friends who meet in real life to try to commit suicide, which happens to be the most tangentially related to the plot (although it is related). While it's not as great as it could have been, it's still an unusual, enjoyable show with pretty decent production values. They do a good job of paying attention to all the different characters while keeping the story going, and resolving it in the end. It's pretty short, but worth checking out.