In my recent review of Bee Train/FUNimation's Phantom - Requiem for the Phantom Part One DVD, I called it the best anime series I've seen so far. Luckily, Part Two of this dark, compelling series also delivers in a big way, upping the drama and violence as it tells the tale of two teenage killers trying to find their humanity and avoid the ruthless mobsters who made them what they were.
Bee Train, FUNimation Presents Phantom - Requiem for the Phantom Part Two DVD
Reiji Azuma (aka Zwei) is now The Phantom, Inferno's deadliest assassin. But his troubles aren't over: it appears his former teacher/partner Eren (aka Ein) is still alive and firmly in the thrall of the deadly Scythe Master. Also, young Cal Devens is showing an alarming aptitude for the art of assassination, while the cycle of betrayal and counter-betrayal in Inferno carries on. Realizing that he needs to get out of the crime syndicate and save Eren and his soul, Reiji embarks on a daring plan to escape from Inferno.
But one cannot leave organized crime that easily, and Scythe Master is training another assassin team, called the Zahlenschwestern (the "Number Sisters"). What better way to prove their worth than for them to take down Scythe Master's original creations?
One of the most compelling elements of this series is how it hurtles towards tragedy yet keeps the viewer guessing at every turn. It helps that this anime takes the time for you to get to know each character so you're emotionally invested in their various fates, even if you're not supposed to like that personality.
Certainly the ending has been the topic of huge debate among the anime community: the final showdown book-ended with a sudden ant-climactic twist at the end. Here's my thought, without giving too much away in terms of spoilers. As hard as it was to watch, the ending worked very well for me: it made sense for the characters and it was a brutal reminder of the fragility of life.
Requiem - Requiem for the Phantom Part Two DVD Extras
Again, Bee Train and FUNimation added 6 more "picture dramas," essentially motion comics with the original subtitled Japanese dialogue. There are also two sets of textless opening and closing songs.
Phantom - Requiem for the Phantom Part Two DVD Best I've Seen Yet
I've always appreciated that Japanese animators aren't afraid to pursue adult (as opposed to "adult") themes and stories, and Phantom - Requiem for the Phantom is another fine example. This is not an easy watch (especially with its TV-MA rating) but anime fans and even newbies should give this series a shot. It gets a 5/5.
Dominic von Riedemann - Dominic is the Animated Film Feature Writer, and winner of 11 Suite 101 Editors' Choice Awards.
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