Sibyl System

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Lore & Background

The Sibyl System influences a futuristic Japan, continually monitoring the mental states of every passing citizen. It uses Psycho-Pass scanning via electromagnetic waves or similar unspecified technology to generate a Psycho-Pass, which includes a numeric Crime Coefficient index and a color-coded Hue. When an individual's Crime Coefficient exceeds the threshold of 100, they are pursued by the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Department. The system also controls the Dominator weapons used by Inspectors and Enforcers, which can only fire when approved by Sibyl. A major revelation occurs when Shogo Makishima, a prolific criminal mastermind, is discovered to be Criminally Asymptomatic – a person persistently assessed by the Sibyl System as having a low crime coefficient despite all actions and attitudes, thus protecting him from Dominator harm. Makishima is later invited by Joshu Kasei, the cyborg avatar of Sibyl, to join their ranks, but he refuses and flees. The Sibyl System authorizes lethal force against Makishima, and Akane Tsunemori chooses to shoot him. After Kogami kills Makishima, Akane is ordered to apprehend Kogami, not kill him, and she refuses to shoot him, instead bargaining for his safety.

In Their Own Story

The Dominator hummed softly in Akane's grip as she approached the suspect. The scanner above her visor flickered green, then shifted to a warning amber. A synthesized voice echoed directly into her auditory implant, confirming the target's status without hesitation. In this city of glass and steel, there were no secrets left for the mind to hide, only numbers waiting to be processed by the silent judge in the sky.

Reader's Guide

The Sibyl System operates by scanning the psychological traits of Japanese citizens using a 'cymatic scan.' The resulting Psycho-Pass includes a numeric Crime Coefficient index, revealing criminality potential, and a color-coded Hue. When an individual's Crime Coefficient exceeds the accepted threshold of 100, they are pursued, apprehended, and either arrested or killed by field officers. Law enforcement is divided into Inspectors, who research and evaluate crime scenes, and Enforcers, who are latent criminals charged with protecting the Inspectors and carrying out their instructions. Both are equipped with Dominators, hand-held weapons whose integrated scanners provide the target's immediate Psycho-Pass; the weapon can only fire when approved by the Sibyl System and triggered by its owner. Inspectors have jurisdiction to fire their Dominators on the Enforcers should they pose a danger to the public or the Inspectors themselves. The system's greatest vulnerability is exposed by Criminally Asymptomatic individuals like Shogo Makishima, who are persistently assessed as having a low crime coefficient despite all actions and attitudes, thus protecting them from Dominator harm.

Did You Know?

• The Sibyl System uses Psycho-Pass scanning via electromagnetic waves or similar unspecified technology to continually monitor the psychological traits of Japanese citizens.
• When a citizen's Crime Coefficient exceeds 100, they are pursued and apprehended by the Public Safety Bureau; Dominators only switch to Lethal Eliminator mode when the coefficient exceeds a higher threshold (typically 30
• The Dominator weapon can only fire when approved by the Sibyl System and triggered by its owner.
• Shogo Makishima is Criminally Asymptomatic, meaning the Sibyl System persistently assesses him as having a low crime coefficient despite all actions and attitudes.
• Joshu Kasei is the cyborg avatar of Sibyl, who invited Makishima to join their ranks.

Origins and Creative Vision

Psycho-Pass originated from Production I.G.'s interest in making a successor to Mamoru Oshii's achievements. Chief director Katsuyuki Motohiro aimed to explore psychological themes in society's youth using dystopian storylines. Multiple books and movies influenced Psycho-Pass, the most notable being the 1982 American science fiction film Blade Runner. The series was co-directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani and Katsuyuki Motohiro, written by Gen Urobuchi, with character designs by Akira Amano and featuring music by Yugo Kanno. It aired on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block between October 2012 and March 2013.

The Sibyl System and World Mechanics

The Sibyl System is a powerful biomechatronic computer network which continually monitors the psychological traits of Japanese citizens using a 'cymatic scan.' The resulting psychometric assessment is called a Psycho-Pass, which includes a numeric Crime Coefficient index, revealing the citizen's criminality potential, and a color-coded Hue, alerting law enforcement to other data, as well as the improvement (clearing) or decline (clouding) of said Psycho-Pass. When a targeted individual's Crime Coefficient index exceeds the accepted threshold (100), they are pursued, apprehended, and either arrested or killed by the field officers of the Crime Investigation Department of the Ministry of Welfare's Public Safety Bureau. Elite officers known as Inspectors research and evaluate crime scenes, including all personnel involved, with the assistance of Enforcers. Enforcers are latent criminals charged with protecting the Inspectors, adding their expertise and carrying out Inspectors' instructions. Both are equipped with personally activated hand-held weapons called 'Dominators' whose integrated scanners provide the target's immediate Psycho-Pass. The gun-like weapon can only fire when approved by the Sibyl System and triggered by its owner. Inspectors and Enforcers work as a team, though Inspectors have jurisdiction to fire their Dominators on the Enforcers should they pose a danger to the public or the Inspectors themselves.

Narrative Arc of Akane Tsunemori

Psycho-Pass is seen through the eyes of Akane Tsunemori, a rookie Inspector within Unit One (aka Division One) of the Ministry of Welfare Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Department. Shinya Kogami is an Enforcer under her watch during her first mission. When she judges him a threat to an apprehended criminal's life, she uses her Dominator to prevent him from decomposing the criminal. Initially ashamed of her action, Kogami thanks her for preventing what could be perceived as murder, an opinion which influences Tsunemori to stay on the force. The unit uncovers the crimes of Shogo Makishima, a prolific criminal mastermind who is Criminally Asymptomatic – a person persistently assessed by the Sibyl System as having a low crime coefficient despite all actions and attitudes, thus protecting him from Dominator harm. The Sibyl System orders Tsunemori to capture Makishima and execute Kogami, but she agrees only on the condition that they withdraw the execution order for Kogami. In the epilogue, Tsunemori becomes the new leader as she welcomes Inspector Mika Shimotsuki.

Franchise Expansion and Critical Reception

The first season of the anime garnered critical acclaim in both Japan and the West, with critics praising the characters' roles and interactions set within the dystopian environment. The animation has also been praised despite issues in latter episodes which required fixing in the DVD volumes of the series. A second season aired between October and December 2014, with a feature film titled Psycho-Pass: The Movie released in January 2015. In 2019, Psycho-Pass: Sinners of the System premiered between January and March. A third season aired between October and December 2019, with a sequel film, Psycho-Pass 3: First Inspector, released in March 2020. A new anime film titled Psycho-Pass Providence was released in May 2023. The series was licensed by Funimation in North America. Several manga and novels, including an adaptation and prequels to the original story, have been published. An episodic video game adaptation called Chimi Chara Psycho-Pass was developed by Nitroplus staffers in collaboration with Production I.G.

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