I figured while I was in reviewing mode I'd write one out for one of my all-time favorite series: Boogiepop Phantom.

Boogiepop Phantom is a 12 episode series done by much of the same overall production crew responsible for Serial Experiment Lain and Haibane Renmei. It is based on the popular series of Boogiepop novels by Kouhei Kadono (the first of which, "Boogiepop and Others" is currently available in English here in the states).

A general synopsis is hard to give for this series is hard to write out because of the way in which is presented, but here's the general idea:
****Minor spoilders from the first few episodes****
A beam of light appears in the sky above Tokyo and in the month that follows, the entire city is plagued by strange events. Children start disappearing and developing strange powers and rumors circulate that students are being "taken" by the shinigami named Boogiepop.
****end spoilers****

The series is presented in a highly disjointed manner (which is a trademark of Kadono's writing). The episodes are NOT in chronological order and frequent flashbacks can make events difficult to place. Additionally, almost every episode follows a different character (usually a very minor character, only loosely related to the overall plot). You see through each characters eyes the events that relate directly to them and are challenged to piece together the overall plot in this way.

As you might imagine, it's not an easy viewing. It's not something you can just sit down in front of with a bag of chips and music playing in the background. To enjoy the series you really have to make an effort to keep track of characters and events. If you don't it probably won't make any sense at all.

If you can keep up, it's a fascinatingly dark and psychological series with interesting (albeit crazy) characters who, though seemingly unrelated, are all part of a major event.

My Rating: 10/10