Review of Texhnolyze
Texhnolyze is, if nothing else, a condemnation on the notion of ‘truth.’ The annals of human history is littered with clairvoyants, religious sects, philosophers, and even scientists who posit that they ‘know’ the answers. The preeminent question to which they attempt to answer is: what is the meaning of life? But if we ourselves are asking the question (a fabrication of the mind), why should we assume the answer even exists?—Beyond our own conceptions. Texhnolyze attempts to take a macroscopic view on the history of mankind and its ill-attempts at answering this impossible conundrum. Religion is man’s earliest, most persistent attempt at reconciling this‘problem.’ But religious ‘truth’ requires unconditional loyalty, without room for scrutinization (at least, from the inside). If such a ‘truth’ demands ‘blind’ devotion, it is no truth at all. Furthermore, the notion of heaven is a flawed contrivance that evaporates ‘human nature’ all together — eliminating all sense of worth. “He who obeys, does not listen to himself.”
The surface ‘utopia’ is the personification of this religious ideal. A world devoid of ‘primitive’ emotions and all traces of ‘life.’ The omission of daily struggles creates a void that cannot be filled with leisurely activities. They resigned themselves to a ‘pragmatic’ death, thus rejecting their own will — and, by default, life itself!
“All the world’s a stage.” — William Shakespeare
We can never be ‘ourselves’ in a society of social norms and rules. To follow one’s heart, one must act according to his own will. Thus, creating a world he can call his ‘own;’ “The will to power.” It is not only necessary, it is essential. Life is underlined by the innate urge to rule one’s own ‘world.’ Kazuho Yoshii, a philosopher of sorts, represents the affirmation of life (Nietzsche’s Übermensch). With the knowledge of humanity’s folly, he seeks to inject Lux with a healthy dose of Dionysian principles. In an effort to ‘wake’ them up and find a leader who will guide humanity to its next evolutionary stage. Thus, Yoshii acts on his urges — a key component missing from the surface world — and implores others to do likewise. The “world is the will to power — and nothing besides!” But is this, itself, an answer, or a ‘cosmic’ inner force that will eventually lead to self-destruction? Given the ending and the eventual demise of our own universe, perhaps it is all “a chasing after the wind.”
The last inkling of hope, as Eriko “Doc” Kamata saw it, was through the unbiased, ‘veracity’ of science. But is science a stepping stone toward meaning, or a distorted reflection of the universe? Despite the limitless possibilities of scientific discovery, it promised no absolute truth or progress to a greater purpose.
“God is dead.” Heaven is Hell. The Übermensch is no savior. Science is not absolute. Therefore, Texhnolyze does not assert answers or perpetuate traditional ‘moral’ dynamics (right versus wrong). It presents the ugly reality of life through an artistic medium, “lest we perish from the truth.”