The brain is a microcosm creating its own stories. People then live out these stories.
Boogiepop Phantom is a fascinating show. One packed with horror, conspiracies and the supernatural. At its core however is a
very human story, a story filled with characters that are tangible, strangely relatable and most importantly genuine.
This is a show that revolves around an urban legend, one in which school kids go missing and are brutally murdered by an unknown force,
Boogiepop. Each episode centers on a different set of characters that all occupy the same world and each of these episodes focuses on a different event that somehow revolves around the opening moments that take place within the first 5 minutes of the very first episode. In taking this approach the director shows his confidence in his storytelling as everything entwines to create a truly compelling show. This is a show that is truly riveting in its storytelling as it keeps its lips sealed. You are thrown into the deep end, but if you stick with it, if you are
truly interested in finding out more about the
Boogiepop Phantom, you will be rewarded with an amazing audio/visual experience.
Boogiepop Never Laughs.
The past will often attack the present with the pain of your memories.
Audio is king in
Boogiepop Phantom. Sound is used in order to construct an atmosphere that can only be described as
unsettling and
unnerving but full of life. The show in its presentation can be intimidating as pin drop silent scenes turn into ear deafening distortions at a click of a finger. Its not only exhilarating but exciting. From
drum & bass to
electro-boogie to Wagners
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg. The soundtrack in this show is a feast for the ears. This approach was utilized in
Lain and it works phenomenally here. All of this accumulates together to create an intimate experience, one in which you have to use not just your eyes, but also your ears in order to survive. The story is told through its sound.
You cant run from Boogiepop.
A VHS washed-out visage covers the screen as the show makes use of a muted palette of colors. The show looks sublime and for something that came out in the year 2000, it looks fresh and exciting, which is a funny juxtaposition to the on paper, in theory dull palette. Characters look distinct even though the show doesnt make use of designs that are exaggerated.
ブギーポップは笑わない
Time does not exist. Only the illusion of memories exist.
The show should not be seen as just a bona fide horror romp. This show evokes every emotion imaginable.
My heart sank,
I shed tears,
I smirked,
I was happy and
I was sad. Disgust, anger and confusion, words that accurately describe the full gamut of emotions that I felt during the shows welcomed 12 episode run. I felt emotions that I didnt expect to feel watching Boogiepop Phantom. But its not just the variety but the ferocity displayed in how the show hits you with these emotions. One moment in particular had me with tears and a smile on my face during the majority of the episode only for it to vanish entirely in a matter of seconds as I sat gazing at the screen in shock. Expect to be shocked,
Boogiepop works in mysterious ways.
Pure perfection has no past. That is how you live perfectly.
In the end this is a show that surprised me in ways in which I hadnt contemplated prior to my viewing. It was without doubt an experience that I will never forget.
Boogiepop is a show that looks and like no other, and one that plays like no other. Expect to smile, to cry, to scratch your head in confusion, to understand everything completely and to understand nothing during its 12 episode run. But most importantly,
expect Boogiepop Phantom.
"How can you say you are a phantom?"
10/10
Funniest episode in a while.
