Phantom: The Animation

Synopsis:

After arriving in L.A., Reiji Azuma (who is later nicknamed Zwei) manages to get himself dropped off in the wrong area of town after a taxi ride since his English isn't so good. While passing by a local club he finds himself in the middle of an assassination taking place but Reiji is able to pinpoint the sniper in an instant and runs for cover. But he's a little slow as the sniper decides to take Reiji on in hand-to-hand combat. Even though Reiji is able to avoid his attacker (the mysterious Ein) quite well, he is ultimately overcome and before he is killed he is given one choice... become an assassin or die. With little choice, Reiji joins this secretive underground guild of assassins.


Reviewer: Endosanity
Number of episodes watched: 3


Review:

Phantom is an anime that has some really good looking animation with a somewhat engaging plot to match. The only problem here is that it's quite short as we've got some great protagonists like Ein and Zwei who are quickly pushed together in one episode then ripped apart in another. This gives you a sense of frustration since you'll be thinking these two work together well but just when things get really interesting the series steps up and lets you know it's time for the credits to roll and changes everything in an instant by ending it.

Phantom is the type of anime that is great to watch but don't let yourself become to attached to anyone as it will strike a chord then end abruptly. Watch it for the story as it's quite good and the gun fights are intense and just take everything at face-value because if you try to search any deeper you're really not going to find anything. If that works for you, then definitely give this a try but don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting more, because the downside... what you just saw is all you're gonna get.

With only 3 episodes I say pop some popcorn, crack open a beer... I mean a can of Coke, and watch the next 90 minutes fly by as it's not a bad little mini-series.

Phantom: The Animation (opening)

Recommendation: |Average|

*Note - This review only applies to the 3 episode OVA that was released in 2004 by Anime Works.