(L) Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~ (Nitroplus & Bee Train)

[Mentar]

Very interesting episode 4. Almost makes me want to replay the game to recheck a few things.

Spoiler:

I believe they've been redesigning Ein in this episode, but seen in the bigger context, it's a change for the better. And no, I'm not talking about playing the happy student couple, I'm talking about her self-doubts, her reaction to Zwei's Phantom mode, and the fact that she's developing an independent interest in her origin. In the game, at least in MY recollection, that happened, later... in fact, MUCH later. But I like the change, it's giving her some extra depth earlier in the story.

Also, the fact that we're getting internal thoughts of Ein - if I remember correctly, this almost NEVER happened in the game, and definitely not in the earlier parts. Me likes!

The initial non-dialogues ("What is it? - Nothing.") make me feel all nostalgic ^_^; ... but rest assured, this will change.

Shows like these are depending on atmosphere, and this show is OOZING it. Happy camper here.

[Cheesyhoboe]

Originally Posted by Mentar

Very interesting episode 4. Almost makes me want to replay the game to recheck a few things.

Spoiler:

I believe they've been redesigning Ein in this episode, but seen in the bigger context, it's a change for the better. And no, I'm not talking about playing the happy student couple, I'm talking about her self-doubts, her reaction to Zwei's Phantom mode, and the fact that she's developing an independent interest in her origin. In the game, at least in MY recollection, that happened, later... in fact, MUCH later. But I like the change, it's giving her some extra depth earlier in the story.

Also, the fact that we're getting internal thoughts of Ein - if I remember correctly, this almost NEVER happened in the game, and definitely not in the earlier parts. Me likes!

The initial non-dialogues ("What is it? - Nothing.") make me feel all nostalgic ^_^; ... but rest assured, this will change.

Shows like these are depending on atmosphere, and this show is OOZING it. Happy camper here.

no, no, all of this occurred in the game, I just played it last week. It's not an exact reproduction of what happened in the game, but it's extremely close. If you've forgotten:

Spoiler:

After the date assassination scene, she rests her head on the pillow and looks at Reiji, thinking about him and how he managed to become an assassin in 3 months and blah blah blah. She also tells him while he's looking out the window that he scares her. So basically, same thing that happened in this episode, except she's thinking in the bathroom instead of on her bed.

[Mentar]

Originally Posted by Cheesyhoboe

Spoiler:

After the date assassination scene, she rests her head on the pillow and looks at Reiji, thinking about him and how he managed to become an assassin in 3 months and blah blah blah. She also tells him while he's looking out the window that he scares her. So basically, same thing that happened in this episode, except she's thinking in the bathroom instead of on her bed.

Okay, but...

Spoiler for about the game version:

1) as dialogue, not as inner monologue and

2) I still think her thoughts about her origin are new here. Didn't they first occur MUCH later, after THE incident I'm not gonna spoil here? I kinda remember having Zwei try desperately to talk Ein into this, into finding out about her life...

Right?

[Cheesyhoboe]

Originally Posted by Mentar

Very interesting episode 4. Almost makes me want to replay the game to recheck a few things.

Spoiler:

I believe they've been redesigning Ein in this episode, but seen in the bigger context, it's a change for the better. And no, I'm not talking about playing the happy student couple, I'm talking about her self-doubts, her reaction to Zwei's Phantom mode, and the fact that she's developing an independent interest in her origin. In the game, at least in MY recollection, that happened, later... in fact, MUCH later. But I like the change, it's giving her some extra depth earlier in the story.

Also, the fact that we're getting internal thoughts of Ein - if I remember correctly, this almost NEVER happened in the game, and definitely not in the earlier parts. Me likes!

The initial non-dialogues ("What is it? - Nothing.") make me feel all nostalgic ^_^; ... but rest assured, this will change.

Shows like these are depending on atmosphere, and this show is OOZING it. Happy camper here.

Originally Posted by Mentar

Okay, but...

Spoiler for about the game version:

1) as dialogue, not as inner monologue and

2) I still think her thoughts about her origin are new here. Didn't they first occur MUCH later, after THE incident I'm not gonna spoil here? I kinda remember having Zwei try desperately to talk Ein into this, into finding out about her life...

Right?

Spoiler:

No, it was an inner monologue. When she was looking at him while resting on her pillow in the apartment. She had the exact same thoughts in the game that she did in this episode. Your memory's off.

[Mentar]

Welllll, theeeen I stand corrected. Been a few years since I last played it...

*rips the game DVD to a local disk to replay*

[Xander]

Originally Posted by Mentar

Welllll, theeeen I stand corrected. Been a few years since I last played it...

And yet you do seem to have a better memory about its finer details than, say, someone like me. I've only played through the whole thing once though, so that might explain it.

Taking that into account...whether the changes have been for the better will depend on how the later parts are executed, but I can certainly say that all the characters feel right so far and setting up some...foreshadowing early on is a good move.

[Nightwing(T_T)]

I really impress with all the VA now (especially ein)

For a moment I though for sure watching a different anime there (yes eventhough I already know from the game). The transformation of Reiji into becoming more and more like a monster were done really well in fact I think it might be better than in the game (the way he talk about how to kill that guy and his eyes just give me the shiver). The doubt that ein showed and her reaction toward reiji changes were excellent.

Another solid episodes with some changes that were done for the better. Now they only have to keep up with the quality.




PS: Ein fanservice =========> WIN

[izmosmolnar]

Spoiler for ep4:

I really have no idea how I'm supposed to watch that legally though. Funimation most probably never ever going to buy distributing rights in Eastern-Europe, and the DVD release is going to be possibly once the whole series ended (ignoring the timedelay, and huge postage-fee with importing now).
Anyway, I liked episode4. Both Ein, both Reiji seemed more human than previously, and one can foresee the drama happening.
I just don't know where to place that blond lady, she wasn't in the game as far as I remember, and it's not unreasonable to assume she might appear again sometimes later in the anime.

[Mentar]

No, I have to partially uncorrect myself, on the important part my memory was correct. After replaying the relevant scene:

Originally Posted by Cheesyhoboe

Spoiler:

No, it was an inner monologue. When she was looking at him while resting on her pillow in the apartment. She had the exact same thoughts in the game that she did in this episode. Your memory's off.

Spoiler for (stay away if you don't know the game!):

You're correct that we DO get an inner monologue from Ein. However - just as I said before - in the game, Ein does explicitly NOT show any independent interest of hers about her origin, at least not before the big shakeup scene later. Just the opposite: When Zwei was talking to her about his dream, and Ein gave him an impression of hers, she cut off any thoughts about their prior life, since it's irrelevant for her.

I consider this vital because in the game, Zwei's desperate attempts to give Ein something to live for after the shakeup was exactly THAT (the search for her origin), and he FAILED, leading to the fateful conclusion of the first chapter of the game. But now, she's developing an interest in this all by herself?

At least I see this as a very important change, and I wonder how they will adapt the story in the anime to reflect that.

[puretsundere]

Loved episode 4. Enjoyed all the cute interactions between Ein and Zwei.

Loving the voice acting in the series so far. For some reason, I couldn't connect Ein's voice to Takagaki Ayahi until episode 4. Now I feel stupid that I didn't get that until I heard her Noe voice again. Considering I've seen true tears about a dozen times now.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Another terrific episode. It was over before I knew it. More great work from Takagaki Ayahi. Oozing with atmosphere for sure.

[Caliburn9P]

i wonder if something is going to happen between ein and zwei <3
xD

[magnumcyclonex]

Never knew there was a game associated with this anime. Loved episodes 3 and 4. Also loved the fanservice.

At first, I thought the Mall Scene was part of a "dream" Zwei was having, since Ein was not her usual self. Hopefully something develops between them.

[MUAHAHAHAHAHA]

Having spoiled myself thanks to Wikipedia, I can only wish the anime would go towards the direction that I want

[Yu Ominae]

Either I saw things or Ein's cheeks went red.

[Avisch]

Very good episode.

Spoiler for Interesting:

So Scyth Master doesn't mind taking part in missions somewhat, obviously Claudia likes to. But I didn't expect Scythe to to do that.

[Yu Ominae]

Looks like Claudia's gonna get herself involved with Zwei. I swear, they can be such a pairing for a fanfic story.

If I could only find the time to do a oneshot of them.

[Deathkillz]

Caught up to episode 3 so far and colour me surprised...Really...I wasn't expecting much from this series since it is the dreaded Bee Train effect but it is turning out to be a lot more interesting than some of the current series I am following and I think that may largely be thanks to Nitro+ pulling out another great storyline.

So far the dark side of being an assassin for this big underground organisation is being nicely shown and especially the way they go about doing things, yet it is still just the tip of an iceberg. I wonder whether the freedom thing said to Zwei will later make him regain his will and hopefully lead to a happy end with Ein. But then again...this could end up being a rather tragic series.

It's going great so far and I just have to laugh at how much similarities I think Zwei has with Sousuke (from FMP)

[Mentar]

Originally Posted by Yu Ominae

Looks like Claudia's gonna get herself involved with Zwei. I swear, they can be such a pairing for a fanfic story.

Why fanfic? Claudia is a valid choice in the game. In fact, she's the only character with not one, but _two_ "true" endings

[Xander]

Originally Posted by Mentar

Why fanfic? Claudia is a valid choice in the game. In fact, she's the only character with not one, but _two_ "true" endings

I'd say they are also "true" in the sense that...

Spoiler for V/N Claudia End:

...her personality is respected all the way through, which makes both endings rather bittersweet (especially from a shipper's perspective) no matter what you choose to do.