Untitled

Series Info
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Composed of 12 episodes, Boogiepop Phantom has often
been compared to Serial Experiments Lain in animation
style and story composition. The series is a psycho-thriller
that follows the individual stories of 12 different characters
and their points of view of how their lives have been
affected by a string of grisly murders that occurred 5 years
prior.
Although each episode can be viewed individually, each
contains small clues to the mysterious circumstances of
the earlier murders. Only when the series is viewed as a
whole can the watcher piece together the greater underlying mystery.
ADVERTISED SYNOPSIS
A scream rips through the night and in that instant the
world changed... or at least, it appeared to. There have
always been forces in the world and voices in the night:
some friendly and other malevolent. They wait, and
watch... each for their own reasons. Sometimes, they
appear and when they do, the world changes...
Everyone knows about Boogiepop: meet her one dark
night and you disappear. People tell each other the stories and laugh: no one believes that she exists in this day
and age. Still, there are some strange things going on just
below the surface. The glass shatters. Time stands still.
There is something in the darkness. Are you safe?
Five years ago, there was a string of grisly murders that
shook the city to its core. Now, in the present, psychic
echoes reverberate...
BACKGROUND
The series was originally broadcast on TV Tokyo every Wednesdays during the first
quarter of 2000 at 1:45 am.
The story is based on the popular and award-winning novels by Kouhei Kadono called
Boogiepop wa Warawanai (Boogiepop Never Laughs). The written series, just like the
animated version, focused on the stories of individual characters that fit together to help
weave together the larger story arc. The show was a marketing success in Japan and
spawned a Live-Action movie.
Dark and brooding in both its theme and stylistic design, the series follows the effects
of many neuroses, such as death and lost love, on the human psyche. Its dark pathways take the causal viewer beyond the norm and into the realm of those darkly disturbing pathways that can and truly do exist.
Boogiepop Phantom (the animated series) is an anime like none other with its unique
avant guard style and character perspective and deep-rooted mysteries that draws
viewers in to uncover the true mystery that is Boogiepop.
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Characters
DETECTIVE KURODA / KISHIDA
A good hearted soul who truly wants to stop evil from flourishing in the world. He
manages to steal the drug the secret society was using to create composite
(evolved) humans only to be killed for it. Later in the series, Kishida comes back to
life as Kuroda. He becomes Nagi's idol.
Appears in Episodes 2, 8, 12
KAZUKO SUEMA
Kazuko is a stereotypical bookworm - she’s weak and has no self confidence, but
she’s brave enough to sometimes stand up to Nagi. Although she was the target of
a serial killer five years ago, the killer was mysteriously stopped before he got to
her. This has made her paranoid and introverted, but she’s smart enough to know
something is going on and that Nagi knows what it is.
Appears in Episodes 3, 5, 12
MAKIKO
Cold and driven, Makiko has control of the drug that the secret society produced to
alter children. Although she’s only a shrink, Makiko manages to inject people with
the drug at the Prefectural hospital. Evil to the core, she experiments on patients
and kids out of curiosity. It is often implied that she is the original serial killer.
Appears in Episodes 2, 5, 6, 9, 12
MANAKA
The reincarnation of Echoes. She has the ability to make magical butterflies composed of light that allow people to glimpse their past / alternate pasts. While she
appears in almost every episode, Manaka rarely says anything, but only giggles,
grunts, or echoes peoples words.
Appears in Episodes 5, 8, 9, 10, 11
MASAMI SAOTOME / MANTICORE
The second Manticore - the Manticore Phantom. Masami was the boyfriend of the
original Manticore, Yurihara. He comes back here as the Manticore Phantom to
haunt the kids of the schools and has an evil cockiness to him.
Appears in Episodes 1, 3, 4, 8, 12
MAYUMI KISARAGI
An amnesiac staying in the Prefectural hospital. Mayumi came down with a fever
when pregnant which caused her to lose her memory. Even though she can
remember what happened before her pregnancy, Mayumi can now only remember
the previous 15 minutes and as a result she constantly writes everything down.
Although she believes she lost her baby in pregnancy, she did actually give birth to
a baby (Manaka).
Appears in Episodes 6, 8, 9, 11, 12
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Characters
MINAKO YURIHARA / BOOGIEPOP
Yurihara was the original Manticore. She is seen mainly through flashbacks
throughout the series. Cold and calculating.
Appears in Episodes 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11
MOTO TONOMURA
An obsessive compulsive girl spotlighted in the first episode. Like she says numerous times in her narrative, she hates herself. She’s withdrawn from family and
friends and constantly wallows in her own melancholy. She has a secret that is eating her soul.
Appears in Episodes 1, 11
NAGI KIRIMA
The defender of justice. Daughter of Seiichi Kirima, an author about the supernatural, she is completely aware of the supernatural events around her. She’s made it
her mission to fight evil and cares about little else. Nagi uses her bad girl rep to hide
the fact she is fighting evil and protecting humanity. After witnessing her father’s
death she has distanced herself from all others. She’s a loner and extremely serious.
Appears in Episodes 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12
OFFICER MORITA / SNAKE EYE
Strong and self-assured, Snake Eye is a composite (evolved) human who has his
own psychic powers. He works for the secret society and has been sent into the city
to find Echoes and hunt down the composite children with psychic powers. To do
this he has possesses the body of officer Morita.
Appears in Episodes 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
OFFICER YAMAMOTO
Morita's partner. A dumb, bumbling cop, Yamamoto doesn't realize his partner has
been possessed and is now an evil killer. He is constantly brainwashed by the possessed Morita to so Snake Eyes can maintain his illusion.
Appears in Episodes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
TOKA MIYASHITA / BOOGIEPOP
Strong and self-confident, Toka is Boogiepop. She is mainly seen as an outgoing
and friendly schoolgirl. She appears as Boogiepop only in Episodes 1, 11 and 12.
Appears in Episodes 1, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12
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Characters
POOM POOM
The Pied Piper. Poom Poom is actually an imaginary friend that Manaka brings to
life. He is a cross between Akane's Poom Poom character and Mamoru's Pied
Piper character. Although he seems cute and innocent, he has an evil streak and
hates adults. His goal is to bring out everyone’s inner child.
Appears in Episodes 5, 7, 9, 10
Minor Characters
AKANE KOJIMA
A happy-go-lucky girl who wants only to write fairy tales. In one of her original compositions,
she creates the fairy boy Poom Poom. Discouraged by her teacher and told to pursue more
realistic studies, Akane unwillingly accepts her fate and burns all her writing. Through her
regret and anger over the matter, Manaka helps breathe life into Poom Poom.
Appears in Episodes 5, 9, 10, 12
ECHOES
Originally a man, Echoes becomes the original genetically engineered human. He is reincarnated as Manaka.
You hear his voice in Episode 11
HISASHI JONOUCHI
A normal kid with medical problems that cause him to be introverted and a little unfriendly.
Hisashi hates the fact his health hinders him from doing the things normal kids do. Ultimately,
this self hatred corrupts his mind when he gains his psychic powers and is driven insane.
Appears in Episodes 1, 2, 8, 9
MAMORU OIKAWA
Sayoko's brother. An extremely spiteful and angry child with violent tendencies. Unkown to
him, Mamoru acts as a channel for his sister’s powers and it leads him to believe he has
superpowers.
Appears in Episodes 5, 7
MEGUMI
The little girl who only appears only briefly. She tells Misuzu about Panuru and teaches
Misuzu how to be happy. Unfortunately, she is later murdered by the serial killer and Misuzu
finds her body.
Appears in Episodes 3, 4
MISUZU ARIFUJI / PANURU
Appearing to be always happy, Misuzu is really very mentally ill. After finding her friend killed
when she was younger, she tries to become her dead friend.
Appears in Episodes 3, 4
MIYO KISARAGI
Mayumi's mother / Manaka's grandmother. A spiteful very old lady. She hates her daughter
and granddaughter and believes that they are the both the devil incarnate.
Appears only in Episode 11
RIE SATO / COMPUTER GAME RIE
Cute, innocent and trusting. She is the cute junior high girl that Yoji falls in love with. In Yoji’s
mind the real Rie and computer game Rie are the same person.
Appears only in Episode 4
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Characters
Minor Characters
SACHIKO WAKASA
The loving mother of Shizue. A typical mom, she loves her daughter and wants the best
for her. After her husband dies, she starts seeing another man secretly, but never tells
Shizue. In the end, she feels she is somehow responsible for her daughter's death.
Appears Only in Episode 6
SAKI YOSHIZAWA
A talented piano player, Saki is pushed by her father to go professional. Saki feels bad
since her parents are sacrificing so much for her and worries that she will not be able to
live up to their expectations. When a new teacher tells her to do something else with her
life, Saki snaps and kills herself.
Appears in Episodes 9, 10 (as a child)
SAYOKO OIKAWA
Mamoru's sister. She loves her brother and does whatever he tells her. Sayoko possesses superpowers but doesn't realize it.
Appears in Episodes 5, 7, 11
SHIZUE WAKASA
A depressed school girl. Shizue hates her mother for seeing another man after her father
dies. She is murdered by the serial killer.
Appears Only in Episode 6
SPOOKY ELECTRIC
Works for the Secret Organization. Often checks up on Morita's progress in hunting down
the kids with psychic powers.
Appears Only in Episode 7
SUNAMI
An unpopular school girl who uses drugs to gain self-confidence. Becomes a dealer, an
addict and a promiscuous woman. She’s killed by the original Manticore, Minako Yurihara.
Appears Only in Episode 4
YASUKO
An outgoing and fun loving flirt of a girl. She loves to be the center of attention.
Appears in Episodes 1, 11
YOJI SUGANUMA
Yoji is the stereotypical computer geek. His real life revolves around his computer world
and he merely gets by in the real world. Controlled by his overbearing father, Yoji turns to
drugs which cause him to believe the computer world and reality are the same. He
becomes obsessed with Rie (both the computer girl and the real girl). Eventually he is driven insane.
Appears in Episodes 3, 4
YOKO SASAOKA
A stereo typical brainiac, Yoko is trusting and vulnerable. She doesn’t have many friends,
but becomes friends with Misuzu. When she listens to Misuzu, she ends up getting killed.
Appears in Episodes 2, 3
YOSHIKI TABATA
A nerdy kid with no self-confidence who was beat up regularly in junior high. Part of a rich
family, Yoshiki’s only friends in high school are those that use him for money. Later, Yoshiki
gains the power to read minds and discovers the truth. He is recruited by Poom Poom to
help gather other kids to Paisley Park.
Appears in Episodes 9, 10 (as a child)
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Episodes
EPISODE 1: PORTRAITS FROM MEMORY
A light pierces the sky and the world tears forward. Within the city Death is stalking once again. When
Saotome, an ex-boyfriend of one of Moto's friends, mysteriously disappears, the whispers of Boogiepop
begin to circulate. Like any teenager, Moto doesn't give the rumors much thought…until one night when
she catches a glimpse of Saotome's ghost. With her heart full of conflict, Moto is determined to find him
once again and confess her true feelings for him. But is it really him? Did Boogiepop really kill him?
EPISODE 2: PORTRAITS IN DARKNESS
Jonouchi is cursed with visions: he sees the evil and pain within the hearts of others. Powerless to stop
them, he's crushed by the burden and pushed beyond his limits. Now his existence has a single purpose:
help others by removing their pain. But is his mission really working? After all, how complete is a life without the pain of regret, loss, and fear that can bind people together?
EPISODE 3: LIFE CAN BE SO NICE
Panuru they called her, but that's not really her name. Misuzu lives a terrible lie ... and a lie that conveniently serves something quite malevolent. Her life changed some years ago in many ways: some subtle
and others less so. By adopting an alien philosophy, her world changed.
EPISODE 4: MY FAIR LADY
Yoji Suganuma's life is falling apart. Continually pushed to succeed by his overbearing father, he's retreated to the safety of his room and the comfort of his simulated girlfriend. When he's offered a drug that will
'change his life,' Yoji doesn't hesitate. Only now he can't seem to distinguish between the new girl Rie at
work and his computer girlfriend. As line between reality and fiction blurs with Yoji's growing addiction, he’s
more determined than ever to make Rie over into his perfect ‘fair lady’.
EPISODE 5: INTERLUDE
Rumors. The stories continue to grow but what is the fact and fiction behind what really happened five
years ago? Could one police officer already know the truth? Meanwhile, Suema is certain that Nagi Kirima
knows something about those terrible events, but Nagi refuses to reveal anything. Her quest to uncover
Nagi's secret leads Suema back to the Perfectural Hospital and a very mysterious girl.
EPISODE 6: MOTHER'S DAY
Strained by death of her father, the relationship between Shizue Wakasa and her mother was never the
same after Shizue sees her mother with another man. But when Shizue is murdered by a serial killer, their
relationship is left permanently unresolved. Now, five years later, the memories of Shizue return to haunt
her once again when she discovers her diary.
EPISODE 7: UNTIL URE IN MY ARMS AGAIN
Mamaro was never like other guys. Violent and merciless, he shows little love even to those in his family.
His life has been spent looking for life's redundant parts - society included. Now Mamaro is about to discover he has less in common with other humans than he thought...
EPISODE 8: SHE'S SO UNUSUAL
Single minded, Nagi Kirima goes through life with only one purpose: root out and destroy the evil that lurks
in the darkness. A lonely life, but one her father would have approved of, as his jealously guarded theories
form the basis for her work. But her pursuits have left little time for a personal life. Up to now it hasn't been
a problem...
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Episodes
EPISODE 9: YOU'LL NEVER BE YOUNG TWICE
Saki is a gifted pianist. Popular and talented, she is being manipulated to become something that she never
will be. Her parents want only the best for her and are sacrificing everything for their goal. When a new
teacher enters Saki’s life, her faith in herself is shattered. Is she really worth all of their sacrafices? Torn
and confused, she’s unsure what to do. In the park late at night, though, there is rumored to be someone
who brings a resolution to life's little problems ...
EPISODE 10: POOM POOM
Poom Poom. Magical Poom Poom who holds a balloon and travels the sky to the wonderous worlds. And,
in the world of Poom Poom everything is perfect, there are no grown ups and only powerful children who
live without pain...
EPISODE 11: UNDER THE GRAVITY'S RAINBOW
Manaka knew nothing of the world. Trapped in the house by her grandmother, life became more and more
impossible ... and one day, it ended. She knew that Death wasn't something to be feared ... that there were
things beyond. And, although she couldn't possibly know what it meant, she also came to know what
Echoes was...and is.
EPISODE 12: A REQUIEM
A year after the Rainbow disappeared, life returned to normal. Time unwinds itself and the darkness
retreats. It does not, however, vanish. Some people understand that strange events unraveled. For other
the quests continue, but the veil has been lifted and sunlight has returned...Maybe.
Cast & Crew
JAPANESE CAST:
MUSIC:
Boogiepop Phantom: Mayumi Asano
Echoes: Taiki Matsuno
Hisashi Jonouchi: Shizuma Hodoshima
Makiko Kisugi: Miki Itou
Manaka Kisaragi: Sanae Kobayashi
Masami Saotome: Jun Fukuyama
Minako Yurihara: Masami Asano
Miyashita: Kaori Shimizu
Moto Tonomura: Mamiko Noto
Nagi Kirima: Yu Asakawa
Officer Morita: Hisao Egama
Poom Poom: Rakuto Tochihara
Rie Takai: Kozue Yoshizumi
Shimpei Kurota: Wasei Chikada
Yasuko Suzuki: Yuki Watanabe
Opening theme: "Yuudachi"
Shikao Suga (Kitty Enterprise)
Lyrics/Music/Arrangment: Shikao Suga
Ending theme: "Mirai Seiki Club"
Kyouko (Polydor)
Lyrics: Kyouko
Music: Kyouko & Kazuyoshi Baba
Arrangment: Mirai Seiki Project
Background Music:
Art of Club Music for B.P.
(Media Works)
JAPANESE CREW:
Original Novel: Kouhei Kadono
Director:Takashi Watanabe
Associate Director: Kenji Yasuda
Series Concept: Sadayuki Murai
Character Concepts: Kouji Ogata
Character Design: Shigeyuki Suga
Art Supervisor: Hiroshi Kato
Art Director: Yuka Hirama & Izumi Hoki
Music Director Yota Tsuruoka
Photography Director: Takashi Azuhata
Animation Production: Mad House
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