The garden of man needs a pruning.
What They Say:
Episode #4: “VS Imaginator 1”
The Review
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Boogiepop continues full speed into the next novel of the franchise, VS Imaginator. This was a storyline split into two novels and told in a slightly more straightforward manner, although the multitude of viewpoints still exists. The character we saw speaking at the end of the previous episode was the Imaginator, calling out Boogiepop for getting involved.
However, Boogiepop’s involvement in this episode is tertiary to the actual happenings. Instead, we’re introduced to another set of new characters, chief among them a guidance counselor Jin Asukai. Asukai has the unique ability to see a person’s heart as a rose, with missing parts representing a missing aspect of that person that has yet to be fulfilled. What happens when someone is whole? We have no idea, but Asukai tries to nudge his students in the direction he thinks they need to go.
Then the Imaginator appears to him in the form of a student who committed suicide. Then in the body of the next door neighbor. Then in a drug-addled former student. After each appearance Asukai, who was reasonably adjusted to his strange ability, grows increasingly frustrated with his inability to enact real changes until the Imaginator shows him how.
Obviously, there is some danger inherent in the Imaginator, but it’s hard to determine what exactly it is at this early point in time. Yes, she apparently causes people to kill themselves but the ability she gives Asukai, or triggers in him, doesn’t seem to have the same result. I expect that this arc will be longer than the previous due to its two-volume length. It seems to be taking things slow, but so did the first episode of the series.
Watching this adaptation of twenty-year-old material reminds me of how dated the series is. There’s a certain level of pretentiousness that used to be very popular in light novel series. It likes to spout off philosophy about the human condition while delving into a mix of sci-fi and the supernatural, but it does so with all the intelligence of a teenager’s mindset. You can see how this series might have influenced The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and other light novels of that time period. It’s not particularly obtuse but likes to think it is, and Boogiepop’s smug reaction to everything spooky isn’t nearly as interesting as wondering what would happen if it’s host became aware of Boogiepop’s presence.
The animation in this episode has recovered from the faltering downstep of the third episode. It’s still a very dark show and there’s a slightly muddy quality to the video that makes it look hazy. Plus, so much of the sketchy stuff goes down at night which always seems to be a challenge for the animators and directors.
In Summary:
Boogiepop moves into its next story arc, presenting a much more linear and straightforward experience for the viewer. The Imaginator is on the prowl, seemingly whispering sweet nothings to those she wishes to manipulate. The mystery is still present, as is the supernatural mischief. This time it appears that the Imaginator is challenging Boogiepop, but so far it hasn’t resulted in much beyond the possibility of suicides. The execution of this series is still a bit questionable, and I wonder if they’re going to even attempt to stitch together these different stories in a cohesive whole. Right now it still feels disjointed, even for a series which bills itself on mystery.
Episode Grade: B
Streamed by: Crunchyroll & Funimation