How did you watch Boogiepop Phantom?

[Cookiepop]

I'm curious to know if anyone who has seen Boogiepop Phantom has read any of the novels or manga (specifically the first novel Boogiepop and Others) and if so was your opinion of Boogiepop Phantom changed by reading the novel? Did you find the series much easier to enjoy or understand? What about the length of time it took you to watch the series? Did you watch it over many weeks and find it hard to understand or did you watch it over several days and still find it hard to understand? If there was any part of the series you liked the series the least, which part was it?

The reason I'm asking is that we watched Boogiepop Phantom recently at our anime society (how I was introduced to the series) and it seems that many people either didn't like the series or were impartial to it. No one seemed to understand what was going on either. We watched the 12 episodes over about 15 weeks. I have a theory that the main reason this is is because of the time over which we watched it and the fact that as a sequel many people didn't know key things that help understand the series and as such came away with the impression that it was all confusing for its own sake.

So let me know so that I can either substantiate or disprove my theory and either bring more people at my society over to my way of thinking or resign myself to the fact that most people just don't like the series. :eek:

[EVA fiend]

I haven't picked up the novel or the manga, but I watched the whole series in one sitting (the only way to watch anime like Boogiepop Phantom IMO). It's one of those series that you have to concentrate on to get all the subtle hints & clues of the plot. I found it to be a rather odd show, one that I still haven't quite wrapped my mind around yet (I've only watched it once). Reminded me of Serial Experiments: Lain for some reason. I like this show though, I haven't seen many horror/psychological drama anime & the way the story & the plot was presented was very cleverly implemented. I need to watch it again I think, just to clear up a few questions. :heh:

[SamIam]

hmmm ... oddly enough, while seeing the title, I never felt compelled to watch it, but the descriptions so far has me curious - especially since it is being compared to Serial Experiments Lain - which I found to be thought provoking in the least.

Sam

[Cookiepop]

I do personally believe that Boogiepop Phantom rewards those who pay attention and cries out for repeat viewings, two things which in my opinion only serve to make the series better value for money.

hmmm ... oddly enough, while seeing the title, I never felt compelled to watch it, but the descriptions so far has me curious - especially since it is being compared to Serial Experiments Lain - which I found to be thought provoking in the least.

I've only watched the first four episodes of Lain so I can't really say how alike they ultimately are. They are however both very artistic when it comes to their animation style. Both Lain and Boogiepop Phantom make large use of sound and still frames, in fact even more so in Boogiepop Phantom.

In terms of content, I would describe Boogiepop Phantom as being primarily about psychological issues with philosophy being the secondary genre. The series is mostly about memories and the way they impact upon people.

[dalmain]

I only saw the first 5 episodes and it's very interesting. It also reminds me of Serial Experimental: Lain and to a lesser degree Paranoia Agent. So far I'm enjoying it and the music is really cool.