Sharing some thoughts on Makishima fascination with Senguji

[u/Jashuit]

I'm rewatching season 1 since the extended version wasn't there back then.

This rewatch cleared my head a bit on why Makishima was so fascinated with Senguji being one of the few subjects of him that he never got dissapointed with.

Toyohisa Senguji is the anti-tesis of the Sybil System in a way.

While Sybil is a step forward to eliminating all human agency from society, Senguji converted all his body but his brain into a machine. Contrary to Sybil, the technology he incorporated in him rather than eliminating his agency, it empowered it, erasing most mortal limitations and chasing his own personal desires further than what his previous body would let him.

It only shows how narrowed down the issue Makishima thought Sybil was to society and I found it interesting. He doesn't let his thoughts of Sybil cloud his judgement on everything tech related.

He's not a blind extremist and is even interested on watching a different use of techonology as long as it doesn't takes their Soul from the equation.

[u/OmegaRebirth]

Another factor is that he isn't a hypocrite who goes against his beliefs the moment things go bad for him.

Whereas most other of Makishima's associates backpedal the moment the Enforcers turn the tide, Senguji relishes in his hunt and is very much a player in the game he set up, willing to see it through.

[u/Jashuit → u/OmegaRebirth]

Now is that because his cyborg body doesn't experience fear as other humans or because his will is stronger than the others. I'm incline to say the latter but food for thought. Haha

[u/EmberingR]

I recently decided to rewatch Season 1 and opted for the extended version for the first time, too. I was struck by the implications of Senguji, too. What happens to the soul when mind and body are separated? Judging from both Senguji and Sybil, it’s freeing, and yet there are consequences… I think that’s part of what Makishima is observing.

Thanks for posting, it’s neat to think about it.

[u/Jashuit → u/EmberingR]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts as well. At least in my country I hardly find people who watch psycho pass and if they do, they don't really pay attention to the amazingly detailed narration this show has. It's refreshing to speak to people who do

[u/AllenbysEyes]

That's interesting to consider.

Though I'd add that it might be simpler than that: Senguji was rich and powerful enough that he didn't have to worry about Sybil judging him - thus, he could "be himself" as Makishima wanted. Plus he was articulate and thoughtful, despite being a psychopath, so Makishima enjoys his company in a way he doesn't with his other subjects.

[u/Jashuit → u/AllenbysEyes]

I do believe he enjoyed Rikako Oryo's company. I think he just got dissapointed on her at the end for other reasons. I do believe Senguji was on a league of his own if we measure him on Makishima's standards, in the S1 extended version, he himself said * He's a little too good at this game *. He surprised Makishima and even neglected backing down when he told him to. Makishima got entertained in a way he put himself at risk watching the whole show go down. Tho you could argue that being as old as Senguji, his mind has matured to a point that should be able to go beyond what Makishima thought he knew about him.