Boogiepop Phantom
Publisher
ADV
Director
Takashi Watanabe
Production
Madhouse, Project Boogiepop, TV Tokyo
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
12 episodes
Year
2000
Boogiepop Phantom: Evolution Four
By John Huxley
27th Apr 04  From the very first episode it was clear that Boogiepop Phantom was a series that wouldn't make a lick of sense until you'd seen it in its entirety. Moreover, this is a series that you'll never be able to fully appreciate until you've had the chance to view each and every episode. For those of you who can remember everything from the previous three volumes (and you'd best remember everything if you've any hope of comprehending these last three episodes) then you'll recall that Boogiepop Phantom is a kind of ghost story set in and around a city under the influence of some unearthly force, one that gifts those who need it most a wonderful yet tainted power. The Boogiepop Phantom, known only through rumour and heresay, is thought to be death in all but name - a collector of souls that wanders the streets in search of those she deems unfit for life. While each episode can be enjoyed as a standalone piece, there is a overarching storyline that connects each individual episode to one another, creating a labyrinth of interweaving stories, scenes and characters that would take a lifetime to chart. At first this method of storytelling is confusing, introducing you to characters and events that won't be fully explained for another four or five episodes yet, leaving you bewildered at the seeming irrelevance of it all. Persevere, however, and you will be rewarded with the self-satisfaction of having endured, and fully comprehended, one the most complex and intricate narratives anime has to offer. Despite the atmospheric presentation, the story on offer here isn't one that sets out to frighten, excite or thrill the viewer - it is in fact a relatively gentle, thoughtful piece that grabs your attention with careful plotting and intriguing, macabre scenarios. These can range from heartwarming to heartbreaking, but none should fail to entertain. Sure, you'll wince at some of the more grotesque moments, although they're too few and far between to really satisfy horror fans. This is an animation with emphasis firmly on storytelling. Unfortunately the labyrinth structure of the narrative affords many of the characters very little screen time, often giving them no more than a few lines of dialogue to introduce themselves and their predicament before we move on to the next set of characters and the next story. There are a few characters that are featured more prominently than others, however, so we do get the chance to familiarise ourselves with the goodguys and the badguys (although the distinction between the two is often blurred) with time. In keeping with the tone of the series, the characterisation is noticeably more realistic than your typical cliche-ridden anime. Even the slightly unhinged, eccentric characters are rendered with a level of believability not normally associated with anime, and both the Japanese and English language dubs do the excellent script a good deal of justice. If Memento and Timecode were celebrated for taking film to uncharted territory, then Boogiepop Phantom must be applauded for taking anime (and animation in general) in a new direction. And like those two live action films, it's not wholly successful, but it is well worth your attention. A must-own title if you're interested in animation.
R2 DVD Notes
Features: English 5.1 Dolby Surround audio, Japanese 2.0 audio, director's commentary, English subtitles, original art work, producer & character notes, evolution 1-6 promotion
Release information: UK release date: 15th December 2003, ADV
Notes: The Right Stuf commentary returns for one last outing and is welcome as ever. Their chatty ramblings are interspersed with useful tidbits about the story and characters, so it's worth watching through at least once with this audio option turned on. This time around, however, the commentary is joined by a small essay on Boogiepop Phantom, written by its American director. It's an insightful piece which should help even the most attentive of us understand the show a little better. It my be a fairly lightweight package, but it's got it where it counts.
-- John Huxley 27th Apr 04
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