Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom

It was pure luck that i came across this anime. With a name as cumbersome and kind of corny as Phantom:Requiem for the Phantom, I'm still surprised that i noticed this anime. While not very popular, this anime had very high ratings so I decided to give it a shot. The first few episodes were intriguing enough to keep me watching. The noir and ethereal theme of the show paired in a way that was totally original. By the time the action picked up in the show, I was completely hooked. Excellent storytelling, plenty of action (but not at the expense of the story), surprising plot twists, and deeply developed characters make me wonder why this anime isn't well-known ( i think it may have to do with the OVAs that were also based on the Phantom of Inferno story. The OVAs followed a different route and were pretty crappy). Despite being a show about assassins and crime, you still feel connected to the story of human tragedy/redemption. I appreciated the references to the movie Leon the Professional. In some ways, I believe Phantom Requiem for the Phantom did things with the story and characters even better than Leon. If only drug-addict Gary Oldman could have been in Phantom. This is easily my 2nd favorite anime ever (after Berserk of course). A must- watch for any anime or crime-noir fan.

A well put conflicting story of two assassins owned by the infamous Inferno: a new blood nobody with the natural instinct to kill, and the other known as Phantom the ghost that takes it's targets by surprise.

The series takes it's setting in a three part time division that are crucial to story and it's understanding.

The organization Inferno holds its reputation for handling targets from numerous gangs as clients, and remains completely neutral. As the lead assassin known as Phantom completes task after task, Phantom comes across a young Japanese man and Inferno abducts him giving him amnesia and a new life as an assassin.

The character development of the two assassins grows as part 1 of the series (episodes 1-10) comes to its climax where just as the viewer is expecting Reiji's motive suddenly goes wrong. Also a civil conflict within Inferno leads to it's characters involved to take note of the two assassins and must take sides.

Seeing the series take involvement with almost every aspect of crooked cops to tense cat and mouse scenes are enjoyable as well as expecting more from it's characters involved. The diverse atmosphere plays a part not only in it's plot but to the beauty of the west-coast crime that Inferno controls. The locations have a good feel to where the illegal work comes and goes as the two assassins do their work for the organization.

It's almost as if the series itself is submitting a message or homage to Hollywood crime movies and shows as the series of events that occur have memorable and thought out moments we can tell came from classic crime thrillers and inspiration from well renown directors and writers. I'd like to think that the writers and director received inspiration when making this anime possible and showing that appreciation in an entertaining series like this.

Overall: has great action sequences along with character development from mostly all fronts. A tragic story leading two lives of trained killers that leads them to "heaven".

Not going to give spoilers. It is a little dark, for warning a child dies in this show. Doesn't have any gore, hardly any blood too, but there is some nudity. Honestly if you have a problem with it, it is easy to skip over it in this show. If I were you I would watch it. It has like three or four seasons. Everything that happens in it is fairly predictable if you watch other things like it. It isn't too slow and it isn't too fast, (but that is just personal preference). I actually have not checked what it is rated but it is most likely TV-MA. Depending on if you are reading this for giving your child permission, I would say obviously it would depend on your standards, there is minimal swearing, but you are big on no nudity I would say don't watch this other wise you should watch it. (I mean if you have done this much research and read all the way to here you might as well watch it). That is all I have to say.

In spite of its affectations, one of the most carefully layered love stories ever. There are producers in Hollywood who would kill for a script this good.

This anime isn't for everyone. There are alot of symbolism and deeper meanings in this anime if you can read into those then enjoy and the ending will reveal itself. Hence psychological anime. ProfessorViral youtube channel survival or salvation will explain alot about this anime there will be spoilers though but you need to understand what you're watching.

The pacing is a bit off here and there but overall ok.

If you dont like sad depressing animes then this isnt for u maybe.

You will find yourself watching anime characters having long conversations immersing u in the story.

Overall a great anime for me.