Amateur Recommendation Hour: Terror In Resonance

Today’s recommendation is one of the more underrated and under appreciated works in the medium of anime. As time goes by and the medium becomes more homogenized to accommodate larger, broader, audiences with a more diverse range of taste and expectations, I admire this work's ability to be unique and flooded with auteurism. I'd expect nothing less of its creative team. One that comes especially recommended to newcomers of the medium looking for more substance in their art.

Terror In Resonance directed by Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop) is a briskly paced, heart racing, and thought provoking thriller that packs plenty of narrative punch. In an alternate version of present-day Japan, Tokyo has been rattled by a terrorist attack, a rarity in any era of Japan let alone the modern era, and the only hint to the identity of the perpetrator is a bizarre video uploaded to the internet. The police are have been rendered powerless to stop the paranoia spreading across the population by the strange clues left by the alleged culprits. A ragged detective is tasked with uncovering the plot, the means through which it is being carried out, and what the motivation is.

Its ability to use its very short run time very effectively is something I’ve always been impressed by. With a total of 11 episodes under 30 minutes each you'd think it would be unable to effectively develop characters or flesh out backstories in any kind of meaningful or impactful manner while also attempting to keep up a brisk pace and narrative focus. But in many small moments such as internal monologues, little pieces of conversation, and shots that only last a couple of seconds, Watanabe is able to communicate a remarkable amount of information about who these people are, making them more than just cardboard archetypes that push the narrative forward. Personally speaking I really enjoy when importance and context is given in small, understated moments like these, with a show that's on a short leash in terms of time it is the smartest way to add these sorts of details, especially when pacing and narrative is at the forefront, keeping the characters grounded as real people in this manner is no small feat. Whether it be Shibazaki or the kids, momentary facial expressions or through believable choices they might make, regardless of how much they apply to the narrative, it goes a long way in making us care about the events taking place.

The score is also composed by The Goddess Of Music™ and frequent Watanabe collaborator, Yoko Kanno and as those familiar with her work would expect, it’s unique, it's haunting and it’s fantastic, possibly the highlight. The soundscape is just as much of a player in the narrative as the characters and story beats are. Fast-moving, cavernous, and a cavalcade of driving guitars echoing into the atmosphere. Stealthy, electronic synths and percussive beats conveying an undercurrent of subversion, commitment, and conflict. The emotional drive exists beyond direction and dialogue, its personality is reflected in music too.

I believe this show to be about how Japanese youths feel they are unable to have themselves be heard or taken seriously by the old guard establishments/institutions, having to take methods into their own hands by morally questionable means. And Japan’s relationship with the United States and nuclear weapons since WWII. Especially given it's subject matter, it's a sensitive topic handled with care, intellectualistic intent, and deep understated personality. It’s a thematically meaty package that I believe goes beyond even the bite-sized interpretation I've given here. To those who love digging into their narratives beyond the surface, this is an excellent show for you. This is merely my personal analysis of what I've seen. Arguably Watanabe's most smart and cerebrally driven work to date.

If you are a fan of fast-paced serialized action thrillers in the same vein as 24 or Prisoners Of War, packed with a bit more thematic punch, this is an absolute no-brainer to recommend your way. Please don't let the fact that it is not live action keep you away or leave you unable to take it seriously. Anime is as legitimate a medium as any. Watanabe understands that possibly better than anyone.