Harmony: A Dystopian Future with a Philosophical Twist

It's possible that dystopian anime are a dime a dozen. Whether it is anime like Ergo Proxy or Psycho-Pass, they vary in complexity and depth. They may or may not carry relevance at the time of release, and despite a cohesive story, they become overlooked, only to surface again when the viewer is ready.

That is the case with Harmony, a hidden gem that deserves far more attention than it gets. This series will leave a genuine impression with its intriguing and thought-provoking plot, well-developed characters, stunning animation, incredible sound design, and timely themes.

Released in 2015, "Harmony" The movie is based on the same-titled science fiction novel by Project Itoh. Born on October 14, 1974, in Japan as Satoshi Itoh, he went by the pen name "Project Itoh" before his untimely death on March 20, 2009. Writing under the alias "Project Itoh," he became known for his works of fiction. He was an avid participant in online science fiction communities and a web designer before he ever picked up a pen.

The book "Genocidal Organ" was published in 2007, marking the beginning of Project Itoh's writing career. Later that same year, he published "Harmony," his second book. Both books were well-received by critics and achieved widespread popularity in Japan. The prestigious Japanese Science Fiction Grand Prize was bestowed upon "Harmony" in 2009. Before finishing his third novel, "The Empire of Corpses," Project Itoh died of cancer. After his death, his friend Toh EnJoe finished and published the book.

Following his death, Project Itoh's works have continued to gain recognition, and all three of his novels have been adapted into anime films. These adaptations, released between 2015 and 2017, introduced Project Itoh's thought-provoking stories and unique ideas to a broader audience, solidifying his legacy as an influential figure in Japanese science fiction.

"Harmony" explores themes of personal freedom, individuality, and the morality of surveillance in a world striving for peace and security. Studio 4°C, renowned for its inventive animation techniques and distinctive visual styles, produced it under the direction of Michael Arias and Takashi Nakamura. The screenplay was by Koji Yamamoto. Koji Yamamoto has been involved in other works, such as Babylon and Angels of Death, as a producer or executive producer.

Due to its content, which includes suicide, mental anguish, and complex social issues, "Harmony" is not appropriate for very young viewers. The film deals with severe and profound issues that may be too complex or mature for younger viewers. The film is better suited for a more mature audience, such as teenagers and adults, who can better appreciate and understand its themes and narrative. It carries an R+ rating for mild nudity.

Harmony is set in a world reconstructed after the global chaos called the Maelstrom. In reaction to that event, the world dramatically values extreme health consciousness and societal harmony. But one girl, Miach Mihie, thinks of ways to defy this benevolent world. She and two other girls, drawn to her, attempted suicide.

13 years later, after having survived the suicide attempt, Tuan Kirie is a helix inspector who works on the front line of a peacekeeping operation in a warzone. Suddenly, a criminal organization causes the deaths of several thousand people. Tuan suspects her old friend Miach, supposedly dead, is somehow involved and hits the road to prove whether Miach, who has a death wish, is actually alive and well.

Before I get into the characters, I'd like to talk about the world-building. Harmony will instantly remind you of the movie Demolition Man, the Hunger Games series, or any number of anime or movies that feature a sanitized city-state surrounded by areas that are uncomfortably conforming to the new societal status quo.

In the future, most of the population will have signed up for nanotechnology, connecting everyone. People and their emotions are now connected. They can collectively feel pain and empathize with others, even strangers. This has created a more harmonious society, with people caring for each other. This has removed the need for war. This is not to say that minor skirmishes do not happen, but the World Health Organization oversees them.

Diseases are a thing of the past. WatchMe is the nanotechnology that connects everyone, and Medicare supports health. Now, WatchMe is not activated until a person has fully grown. Hence, children are not yet connected to this central system until they reach a certain age. In the words of Miach Mihie, “Watch Me is put in our bodies at birth and takes away both our freedom to get fat and our freedom to die.”

Many children feel that getting onto WatchMe means losing a part of themselves. After the introduction of WatchMe, suicide by children began to increase. Many don’t want to be part of a false network of emotions. This is where our three protagonists fall in.

Miach Mihie plays a pivotal role in the anime film Harmony. She is a good friend of Tuan Kirie and Cian Reikado, the main characters. Miach is a multifaceted and mysterious character who is bitterly dissatisfied with life and harbors deep resentment toward the authoritarian society in which they are trapped.

Miach, Tuan, and Cian are all teenagers, but Miach is the one who orchestrates their suicide pact. Her objective is to challenge society's accepted norms and values, which place value on health and safety at the expense of individuality and freedom. She thinks that by ending their lives, people can resist the authority of the state and its surveillance systems.

Although Miach's suicide attempt is initially believed to have been successful, her actions and beliefs continue to impact the story profoundly. Her influence on Tuan's life and the investigation into a series of mysterious deaths become driving forces in the narrative.

Although this is a minor spoiler, the three friends committed suicide by starving themselves together. Cian Reikado and Tuan Kirie, on the other hand, made it out alive. However, alive is relative, as this anime moves at a snail's pace, as many other reviews have stated (though I didn't notice). Tuan has evolved into the atypically jaded protagonist, while Cian has become the conformist. I see their characters as coping mechanisms for what happened to them as teenagers, even though they are now adults.

For me, Koji Yamamoto does a decent enough job of scriptwriting that the viewer can grasp the story through both women, though the story is told primarily from Tuan’s point of view. Tuan Kirie is a particularly compelling protagonist. She struggles with her sense of self-identity due to a traumatic event from her past. As the plot unfolds, Tuan's journey of self-discovery becomes intertwined with the story's more prominent themes, and she takes on the role of detective.

Cian was also a part of the suicide pact. She is a quieter character who struggles with her emotions and the consequences of her choices, seeing herself as a traitor. As the story progresses, Cian's role in the events becomes more apparent, revealing her connection to the government's surveillance system and the societal issues they all face. While part of the trio, she is a critical piece that bumps the story. Unfortunately, she serves no additional purpose besides seeing a sanitized Japan through her eyes.

One of Harmony's strengths is its intricate and thought-provoking plot, which keeps you interested until the end. The plot is set in a dystopian future where a unified global government controls all aspects of citizens' lives, including their thoughts and emotions. Tuan Kirie, the protagonist, is a member of this government who rebels against it after witnessing a traumatic event as a teen. Along with her friend Miach Mihie, she sets out to bring about a revolution.

It delves into complicated issues like identity, morality, and the role of government in society. It forces the audience to consider their beliefs and values and the consequences of sacrificing personal freedom for security. In addition to the themes of girls' love and a dystopian future, Harmony looks at a few other things. It also focuses on consciousness, though keeping up with the information presented while watching the subtitles can be challenging. In a way, the discussion of consciousness is a means to provide depth to this anime. This is a dystopian romance story wrapped up in some dystopian philosophy.

The beautifully rendered animation is another major factor that draws viewers in and keeps them invested. From the sweeping cityscapes to the intricate details of the character designs, the animation is stunningly realistic and creatively inventive. Inside sanitized Japan, the anime uses a lot of reds, pinks, and whites to symbolize pure colors; this is similar to the old design of hospitals that used to be green and white. Animation, however, is not perfect. There is the use of traditional animation, art, and CG. Some pan shots move slowly and are unnecessary; however, one of my favorite shots is the restaurant scene when Tuan is having a meal with Cian.

There is a good contrast when Tuan heads out of Japan to the world at large, and the viewer can see the unsanitized world. These scenes occur throughout the anime, and there is a visible improvement in the art and animation.

Beyond the technical aspects, the animation also adds to the story and overall mood of the series. The use of color and camera angles helps to create a sense of unease and tension that perfectly matches the themes of the narrative. Viewers are transported into the story's world and fully immersed in the experience.

The sound design in Harmony was adequate. From the hauntingly beautiful score to the expertly crafted sound effects, every aspect of the sound design adds to the immersive experience of watching the series. The use of sound is particularly effective in creating a sense of tension and unease, working in perfect harmony with the visuals to transport viewers into the story's world. The ending score, "Ghost of a Smile," by EGOIST, is a banger.

Rarely do I watch both the sub and the dub. There is a lot of exposition, and the subtitles can get a little long in the tooth, so I watched both.

There are a few intriguing standouts. I don't think that in all my years of anime, I could have ever expected to hear Monica Rial use the word “p*ssy” in a sentence. She was the English voice of Miach and did a stellar job. I do believe that Reina Ueda still slightly outshines her. Another praise goes to Yoshiko Sakakibara, who voiced Tuan’s superior, Oscar Shtaufenberg. Her Japanese, with a hint of German or Austrian (not sure), was spot on, something I don't hear many native voice actors do.

Harmony is a visually stunning anime about free will, identity, morality, and happiness. The art and detailed animation contrast the sterile and oppressive WatchMe society with the colorful and chaotic outer cultures. The voice acting is excellent and emotionally charged, particularly for the main characters, Tuan and Miach. The haunting and atmospheric soundtrack perfectly complements the film's mood and tone.

Harmony isn't the typical anime that entertains you solely through action or comedy. It is a deep and philosophical anime that challenges viewers to consider their values and choices. It is by no means flawless. It is a work of art that anime fans should recognize and appreciate. Give Harmony a try if you want to watch something different and meaningful. You won't regret it.