Zankyou no Terror: Resonance

In an alternate version of the present, Tokyo has been decimated by a shocking terrorist attack, and the only hint to the identity of the culprit is a bizarre video uploaded to the internet. The police, baffled by this cryptic clue, are powerless to stop the paranoia spreading across the population.

While the world searches for a criminal mastermind to blame for this tragedy, two mysterious children—children who shouldn’t even exist—masterfully carry out their heinous plan. Cursed to walk through this world with the names Nine and Twelve, the two combine to form “Sphinx,” a clandestine entity determine to wake the people from their slumber—and pull the trigger on this world.
(Source: myanimelist.net)

This story has an extremely rare premise, possibly only rivaled by Eden of the East. How common is the story told from the point of view of the ‘bad guy(s)’, especially the ones who’s plans including terrorist bombings in a metropolitan city centre? We are always treated to stories told from the point of view of the detective or the-person-out-to-save-the-world, and it gets boring after a while. Having said that, we know that the protagonists of Zankyou no Terror are not truly bad guys but are merely misunderstood heroes. Through their acts of terrorism, which notably, do not seek to cause harm to human lives but merely causes disruptions in communications and transport, they seek to send a message to the world and bringing a truth to light, by choosing a method of theatrical showcase that puts them in the spotlight. While it is arguable whether this is the only method to grab the world’s attention, it is undoubtedly a very effective one. AND it adds impact to the story, which is what makes it so unique in the first place.

Of worthy mention is the way the OST set the atmosphere and mood of the show. With its vast range of timbres employed, ranging from instrumental to voiced pieces, the OST literally sends chills up my spine.

I didn’t really feel that much throughout the whole series, but when I reached the end, the finale made me…cry. It was a really well done closure, and made atmospheric by the OST and the white feathers. But it was the only point in time which made me absolutely enthralled. Other parts in the series made me interested enough, and the OST delivers quite steadily throughout.

But I loved the ending; the fact that every character symbolises something, and Nine and Twelve’s noble ambitions, motivations. How the characters were foils to each other; how Lisa provided Twelve the human warmth he always craved; how Nine was unable to continue holding on to his life after Twelve was shot (though his death looked convenient), how Shibazaki was the relentless detective believing that truth and justice should reign above all.

I don’t know; I didn’t have the best experience throughout this anime, but somehow..i can’t just give it a mediocre grade. This anime deserves more than that, even if I did not really enjoy it to the maximum. This is one of those shows where I would say the ending is the one that makes the whole difference.