What it's about: the story of 'Boogiepop Phantom' revolves around an urban legend of a creature called, you guessed it, Boogiepop Phantom. Boogiepop Phantom is supposedly able to make people disappear. It appeared shortly after a huge column of light appeared in the sky and temporarily screwed up all the technology of the surrounding area. (It is also important to know that five years before this point in the series there was a string of brutal murders of high-school girls by a killer who was never caught.)
Animation: Boogiepop Phantom's animation is frequently compared to that of Serial Experiment Lain. However, they aren't really similar.
The animation is mostly in dreamlike sepia-hued tones. The muted colors we see are usually pretty drab, but because this fits the mood of the series it's not really something to be lamented. The linework stands out as something very thin and sharp. There are few soft designs in the entire series, however, once you see something with a soft design it will consistently appear that way. This helps the animation because at least you can't complain about it's form-shifting issues.
I personally feel that the animation matches the series itself, hence, I won't complain, though I will say that it could stand to be improved upon.
The lip-synch completely blows. Characters barely move their mouths at crucial times, which can kill an important statement because you're so busy trying to figure out how someone can sound so sad/happy/angry with only a mild twitching of the lips. This part could really, REALLY use some help.
Sound: The opening theme is a dreamlike love/like song that doesn't actually match the plot. It's not very enjoyable and after the sixth time though feels very dry, horribly repetitive, and really nerve grating. You can easily skip through this sequence without feeling deprived.
The rest of the sound is unexpectedly okay. The voices seem carefully chosen to match their characters, which helps you get know the inconsistent cast for the brief time they're on the screen. The music for suspenseful/action-filled/tragic scenes is well picked and plays noticeably, but in a good, 'I-like-this-song-I-wonder-what-it's-called' way, as opposed the the annoying opening theme. The sounds match everything. The synch failures are more the animation's slow, dreamlike motions then sound problems.
The ending theme is totally unremarkable and I've already forgotten it, so I have no comments there.
Story: This has to be one of the most inconsistent confusing mindwarps I've ever seen. WHY DOES THIS ONLY MAKE THE SERIES BETTER!?!?!
The story of Boogiepop Phantom is broken up in a disordered yet somehow still tactful way. The time sequence is never consistent. One episode might be set three weeks after the one before it and then the next might be the week it first started out on. Time progresses slowly but surely, in a way that makes sure to cover all the important bases.
A lot is left up to personal interpretation. Not every single question will be answered, but if you follow what you've learned you can make some pretty good judgments for yourself.
The plot is mind boggling. It's an epic tale that is told from the eyes of many narrators who vary from episode to episode. Each person is different from the last and sees the world with their own views, which they explain to us while telling their part of the story. The characters from different episodes often interact with one another, giving us some consistency into the mix of chaos.
It all starts with a girl shy, germophobic girl who loved a boy now known for his disappearance the same night as a huge column of light appeared in the sky. Everyone says the boy, Saotome, must have been taken away by Boogiepop Phantom. In her depressed and halfhearted 'investigation' into the matter (which is more accidental then intentional.) we are introduced to a powerful being temporarily dubbed 'Saotome', although it's immediately implied that he isn't the Saotome the girl was looking for.
Throughout this show, Boogiepop Phantom is shown in many different way. Sometimes she seems cruel, yet other times she seems like an almost maternal protector of others. When asked in the second episode if she going to kill that episode's protagonist, she replied, 'No. I'm just going to take you there.' This statement isn't shed light on until the end of the series. I won't go into what we learn, because that would spoil the series.
Boogiepop Phantom and the girl obsessed her, Nagi Kirima, are the most often-seen characters. Nagi Kirima's goal is to stop damage to humans by unearthly creatures, namely Boogiepop Phantom and 'Manticore.' Throughout the show we learn more about Nagi and what drives her to do what she does despite the dangers to her own life. This progresses the series onward, even though it's done in flashbacks. (Would someone please explain to me how this works?)
Characters: The characters in this series were supposed to portray actual human thoughts and feelings. It's rare that you don't have to be empathic to fully understand a show, but it's true of Boogiepop Phantom.
The exception:
Boogiepop Phantom herself is an enigmatic character who's goal is as mysterious as her times of appearance. We don't see her every single episode, but her presence always seems to dwell nearby. We eventually learn what Boogiepop wants to do, but she still remains completely foreign to us. She's not a detestable or poorly-constructed character though; She's just not possible to fully comprehend.
Nagi Kirima is more human. She's a young woman who has a cold and snappish attitude. However, this only comes from her complete dedication to her work persecuting things that don't belong in our world. She has need for more alliances then friendships, but she does manage to make and keep a friend in her age group throughout the entire show. Even with her knowledge of the strange occurrences around which the series is based, Nagi Kirima does not actually comprehend the separate desires of Boogiepop Phantom or the more malicious beings of no understandable origins. She fights them regardless because she truly believes them to be 'enemies of this world.' Her honest desire is to protect the human race, making her a likable and nurturing character despite her flaws. She has human quirks and even makes mistakes, giving us a 'hero' we can identify with (for the most part.).
The other lesser-viewed characters bring their own personalities to the table. They all have human tendencies - they do things they know they shouldn't, they try and help others, they lash out. They have that absolutely wonderful humanity about them that makes you really feel like you can UNDERSTAND the series despite the complications the entire plot presents/IS. Each one has a different idea of life, and each one sheds light on a certain mystery. They're all like pieces to a large puzzle that, once assembled, will show a true masterpiece.
Value: The value of the series is contingent on your ability to figure out what's happening. This isn't a necessarily a given factor. However, you can take away some interesting new perspectives on things you formerly dismissed as 'boring' or 'too complicated.'
What Boogiepop Phantom questions is basically reality itself. How do we get here? Why do we die? Why do we do certain things? It shows us scenes that don't so much give us the answers as much as they give us the tools to come to our own conclusions. You will walk away thinking, I will guarantee you that.
Enjoyment: Again, this is contingent on your ability to figure out what's happening. It's not much fun to just sit and watch the pictures. In fact, I'd do that to fall asleep. Boogiepop Phantom wasn't made for mindless entertainment; it's a psychological and deeply profound show that you absolutely SHOULD NOT commit to unless you want something you can get involved in. There are better things to watch if you like bright, flashing colors and simple plot and dialogue.
If you meet the 'interested' criteria then you really, really need to watch this. It will effect you (positively) in a deep and fascinating way.
It will take a while for the shock of the first viewing to wear off. You won't go back to it soon, but eventually the curiosity and important questions you've yet to answer will bring you back. It might be a few years, but you'll come back.
