Boogiepop Phantom is a multi-layered horror that analyzes the human psyche, and how past experiences and traumas can effect it. It has a unique piecemeal narrative as it follows a different character, or different group of characters, every episode. It is fascinating to see the pieces of the story come together, the way certain events effect different people, and how the characters effect one another, often inadvertently. It also allows the viewer to see events from a different perspective, giving different context for every character concerned. Added to that is the show's supernatural elements, which are used to great effect to highlight the issues these characters have. A lot of what you see is more than its face-value.
Given how the show switches characters every episode, they are developed extremely well. They are all believable personalities, and every one of their stories is thematically relevant, having nary a wasted moment. You see glimpses of their past, as well as central events in the story, and how they shape the characters' actions, philosophies etc.; attributes which ultimately lead them to whatever fate they face.
The art and sound do a great job of supporting the morbid atmosphere. The sepia-tone color scheme is fitting and gives the show an uneasy feel; the character designs aren't incredible but help the show feel grounded in reality despite the supernatural elements. The animation certainly isn't top notch, and there are quite a few still frames, but it's forgivable; it is not like a show like this really calls for amazing animation. The sound design is where the show really shines. Weird ambient, deranged music pieces, and distorted voices really add to the tension. Despite its limited animation, the city still feels alive and lurking with danger because of the superb sound.
Note that Boogiepop Phantom is part of a bigger franchise, and there are things that are only vaguely explained. However, by no means is it incomplete, the story it tells comes to a definite end with an understated conclusion that solidifies the shows important themes. From what I understand, even though it includes events from the first and fourth novels, Boogiepop Phantom is an original work made specifically for anime (though I have not read all the novels, and with the poor sales in the U.S. I likely will never get the chance). So that means, unlike other anime adaptations which take away or cover only a small portion of the story, Boogiepop Phantom actually adds more to the franchise and at the same time keeps in the spirit of the original work. |