What’s the show? Boogiepop and Others, Episode 6.
So how’s this episode? Boogiepop (the anime) continues to impress–against all odds–by being completely batshit insane while simultaneously making complete sense to me.
You’re not exactly selling this to me, you know… And I’m not trying to do so either! By now, you’re either all aboard for the ride or left behind at the station.
Right, so what happens in this episode? I’m oversimplifying slightly but this episode is basically just two concurrent conversations happening at different points in a narrative but still concerning ~vaguely~ the same thing. And it’s compelling as heck while still being a sort of slow-burn series of exchanges. And there’s something admirable in this show’s confidence in being able to deliver an episode like this where action-wise very little happens but still it feels like a lot has transpired.
You’re being vague again… It’s hard not to be in this environment–suicide finds itself as a recurrent theme as Orihata contemplates taking the leap off the school building only to be talked down by Kazuko who has all manner of contemplative and deep psychological things to say about the nature of mankind and the normality in being hated by people and how it’s unreasonable to live a life in which you please everyone. Suffice to say Kazuko is probably my new best girl–I say “probably” because there’s so much going on and so many characters coming and going that that could very well change next week.
Anything else happen? Oh yes. Jin–the guidance counsellor introduced at the start of the ‘VS Imaginator’ arc–has started taking female students into a dark room, getting them to take their shirts off and touching their bare chests. But don’t worry it’s nothing seedy (probably) he’s just getting the ‘flower’ that he sees inside them all to grow so all their fear is removed. Also, after (presumably) her conversation on the roof with Kazuko, Orihata wants her boyfriend Masaki to become a “reaper” like Boogiepop.
I’m confused. Trust me, it makes sense when you watch it. Or maybe it doesn’t, I don’t care, either way I’m just enjoying the heck out of the show!
Previous ‘Boogiepop and Others’ Reviews:
The Evil In Plain Sight – Episode 1 & 2 Review
Puzzling It Out – Episode 3 Review
Seeking Counsel – Episode 4 Review
Terminal Velocity – Episode 5 Review
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Anime QandA 
Looks like I’m not the only one here. The non-chronological narrative isn’t for everyone unfortunately. But I want to know what happens next. I am even planning to get the book too!
Also did you also notice that Boogiepop casually taking over Miyashita in one scene? Funny thing is that Suema didn’t even saw the difference.
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I LOVED that scene, (though mostly because I just love Boogiepop’s voice) but it’s that exact kind of thing that I find so irresistible about this show, its so unconventional but in really subtle and clever ways!
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For me, this is now the best anime of the season. I’d love to be young and handsome and surrounded by willing teenage girl-boobs – and get to touch them too.
But there is something very deep going on here. (I hope.) What exactly is Imaginator? A parallel to Boogiepop? Are they both creations of human weakness? Are the two entities merely expressions of fundamental human needs? Is there some analogy to happenings IRL?
Nagi’s father seemed familiar with Imaginator. And Kazuko through his writings. She did say the painting didn’t like people like her.
You can look at the arc as being very realistic in how life is random and confusing yet makes perfect sense.
If I were that young, I’d be madly in love with Kazuko. As it is, I’d still be in love with her, just depressed that I was way too old for her.
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Yeah, I think this show is a lot smarter than people give it credit for (or are willing to look deeper into) it doesn’t put everything on the surface and rather makes you think about it a bit more than other anime might.
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