Production
The film was first announced on December 12, 2019, after the release of the final Psycho-Pass 3 episode. The film opened in theaters in Japan, and streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video worldwide.[5] Naoyoshi Shiotani directs the movie with Akira Amano as character designer with Production IG doing the animation.[6] The film was supposed to have opened in Japan on March 27 and screened for two weeks in theaters in Japan.[7] It was marketed as "the final showdown between Shindo and Ignatov."[8] It has a new opening theme song titled "Synthetic Sympathy" by Who-ya Extended,[9] while the ending is "Red Strand" by Cö shu Nie.[10] Who-ya Extended felt honored to be in charge of the theme song for the movie version of which was their second work, following the television anime series. Enjoying the series, they have repeated trial and error aiming for a number that can continue to run with the work. In that way, he thinks that a lightning-like song that pierces the listener's mind, which traps that world view, was born.[11]
Although the emphasis is on the drama part, the director course there is also action. It's not my hobby, but in the end, Psycho-Pass has a part to talk about with a fist Shitoani wonder if Kaji could express the action he wanted to show, as much as he said, "It's a police drama." Shiotani claimed the film took longer than expected to make. The director claimed that he wanted to give the cast variety, including personalities as well height such as the contrast between the small Arata Shindo and other characters like Shinya Kogami. The organization Bifrost was kept in mystery in the television series in order to have them explored more in the film. In regards to actions performed by returning characters from previous series, Shiotani did not want to focus on them too much. In recording of the film. The relationship between Shindo and Ignatov was placed in a complicated form in order to bring a possible fight between the two lead characters in the film. Similar to the previous television series, First Inspector's theme was to explore how mankind has face the system.[12]
Shiotani wanted to make a story about First Inspector as a live-action action in one place with time constraint". Koichi Azusawa, who has committed crimes only by calculation without getting his hands dirty, and the cautery and swords in the isolated island box of the land. He also wanted to show in action that he would dare to attack the Public Safety Bureau building, which is the safest place with the strongest security. The concept of the Sybil System was further expanded and more importantly the relationship between humans and systems. This time the teams are also conscious of illuminating humans who oppose the system. And there is justice that he does not talk about in Shizuka.[13]
Shitoani started thinking that ever since the 2015 Psycho-Pass movie, the staff should try handling new characters for the series which led to the creation of Arata and Kei. He aimed to add more fight scenes inspired by live-action series more prominent within Arata and Kei while also exploring the former's connection with the Sybil System. The director was also pleased with the two protagonist's voice actors, believing they fit well in the story.[14]
First Inspector was released via DVD and Blu-Ray in Japan on July 15, 2020, under Toho Video.[15] Upon its release, writer Tow Ubukata was glad with Production I.G's work,[16] with fellow writer Makoto Fukami thanking him for their cooperation.[17] While Ryo Yoshigami was not able to participate in the script production, he remember being moved when reading the ending of the story. He thought Psycho-Pass 3 would be completed with this work.[18]
Cast
The main cast returned with:
- Yūki Kaji being interested by the mysteries behind the members from Bifrost and the handling of the Sybil System.[19] Shiotani claimed that Kaji's work as Arata Shindo was remarkably good.[20]
- Yūichi Nakamura expressed pressure with his work due to Ignatov possibly betraying his friends. However, he was relieved with the film as he felt Ignatov did not make such change. In regards to his role in the movie, Nakamura stated that before its release, the cast could not watch it due to they only have seen the script and doing recording. However, he looked forward to it.[21]
- Mamoru Miyano expressed pleasure in working in the film, praising the way the narrative was handled.[22] He regarded as his own character as a mystery, believing the audience originally thought he was the actual antagonist.
