Cons: Can be difficult to follow, a bit grimdark, and the artwork can get sort of dull.
Bottom line: This series might not be for everyone but I loved it. If you like philosophical and episodic based shows I highly recommend it.
My experiences with Boogiepop:
I love Boogiepop. I loved this show, I love the novels (til they were discontinued stateside), I love the live action movie. And yet when I show it to other people, like my sister or my boyfriend....the reactions are sort of mixed (at best). I'm trying to be as unbiased as possible in this review, so as such even though for me its a (rare) 10/10, I made it a 8/10 for this review. I love it but its undeniably flawed.
The ideas:
Boogiepop Phantom is very much a "philosophical" sort of series. It explores -ideas- moreso than characters or a solid plot. I thought it was very deep and the ideas were very interesting when I was a teenager, but I can't deny the story gets sort of dark at times. There are some downright gruesome endings and I can sympathize with people who don't like that kind of stuff. While I loved it as a teen, as I get older and start encountering real world problems, I no longer enjoy it in my entertainment.
The format:
Its also episodic, and the cast changes from episode to episode with very few characters shared between them. Sometimes none are shared between them. The episodes are told out of order and in a very disjointed fashion. This is a HUGE plus for me because I think it keeps things fresh, but for other people it can be confusing not having a real sense of connection between the episodes and no characters to latch onto.
While its often compared to Serial Experiments Lain, the format and the way it explores human themes reminds me MUCH more of Paranoia Agent and I think it can be enjoyed in a similar way. While it takes a while, the stories DO come together by the end, I promise. Mostly.
The world:
Its an urban setting with fantastical elements. The artwork and colors are very subdued, and while this is intentional and adds to the atmosphere it can get tiresome to look at. The music and sound effects are beautiful and haunting. The supernatural elements are very very cool. I love urban fantasy and said fantastical elements are utilized in very different ways in every episode.
While its not for everyone, I think you will know if Boogiepop Phantom is your thing.
