The anime is a lot like the novels story wise, although arguably more creepy. Each episode of Boogiepop Phantom focuses on a different character and there perspective on what’s going on in the story. Sometimes it could just be one’s perspective, two, or maybe even three! Well it mostly sticks around two or less. Because of this each episode at first can feel disconnected if you aren’t paying attention, especially during episodes 5 to 8.

However, as the story goes along everything makes sense. We as the audience figure out the major threat as to why all this strays nonsense is happening. Why a girl can see her dead best friend, why everyone is getting strange powers, why they are a danger to the world. It’s all explained in a really well way even if it can still be a tad confusing, but not as confusing as Serial Experiments Lain I would argue. Some of my favorite parts of the story is how each character is explored, but we’ll get to that when I talk about the characters.

The atmosphere really helps with this too. The anime is given a dark colour pallet that makes everything feel odd and unreal. I really enjoy the way the anime is colored looks and sounds because I’ve never seen an anime with such an effective sound design other than maybe Perfect Blue or Shiki, but even the I feel this anime overwhelms it with its spooky sound design. It’s just so odd and creepy even.

The soundtrack I feel was really good too. It really fit the vibe of the show and the odd feeling it gave off. It’s even more interesting since seemingly some of the music was stock music that was changed slightly, but you would never be able to tell with how well it fits the show. As I’m writing this I’m even listening to the soundtrack right now!

Now I love the characters of this show. On the surface they could at first appear bland. They mostly have bland designs that represent them being people. No colorful hair, expressive tones, nothing of the sort. I like that because it makes them feel more real. They all feel like real people and I just love that about them.

There is Boogiepop, well, two Boogiepops. One is the separate identify of Touka Miyashita while the other absorbed with Manticore during her death. None of that may make sense but if you read the first book and watch the anime, you may get it better. Then there is Nagi Kirima and Kazuko Suema from the first book and seemingly other books. There is even Poom Poom who is in a book!

Now for the characters made for the show, my favorite are Manama Kisaragi, Misuzu Arito, Moto Tonomura, Saki Yoshizawa, Yoji Suganuma. Manama is the main villain of the show who does many stuff wrong, but not any fault of her own. She was a sheltered girl due to powers she had, seemingly able to collect memories which took the shape of memories.

After being killed by her grandmother, she is revived due to a flash of light, which was an event that happened in the first book, that causes a part of Echoes life source to absorb into her. I know that sounds confusing but just go with it. Then her grandma passes of old age and she leaves her house, exploring the outside world and just wanting to have friends.

For Moto she is one of the few characters who is hinted to have lived, although still doesn’t get her happy ending. She is still depressed, heart broken her crush is dead, and that’s all we hear from her. Yoji is very similar although he feels more deserved. He ends up getting hooked to a dating sim to the point he confuses the fictional character on said dating sim and his coworker Rie together. It doesn’t help he is also hooked on a drug called Type S. Eventually he has a mental breakdown after his computer seemingly shuts down permanently and his fate is left ambiguous.

Now for my few cons, the story is very hard to understand if you have not read any of the books. You specifically have to read the first and sixth books if you want to understand any of the anime. Or you could watch the live action adaptation of the first book but I don’t recommend that. Because of this if you go in blind expect to be totally confused.

The animation can be very rough at times to a point it can be considered funny. It’s a tad shocking since the studio behind it was Madhouse, which is an anime studio known for being well advanced in the animation side. It’s not the worst animation in the world but it can appear rather janky, which may worsen the experience. And that’s my review! The anime is phenomenal even with its flaws and I heavily recommend it. It’s worth it, trust me.

{Pros}

- The story is really well executed

- Atmosphere is creepy in a unsettling and dreamlike way

- I adore the soundtrack

- The characters are very interesting and well written

{Cons}

- You would have to read the first and sixth book to understand parts of the anime more

- The animation can be very rough at certain points

Personal Rating - 8.4/10

IMDB Rating - 7.2/10

MAL Rating - 7.1/10