Anime Review #7: Zankyou no Terror

Zankyou no Terror

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.

English Name: Terror in Resonance
Japanese: 残響のテロル
Episodes: 11
Status: Finished Airing
Airing Date: July 11, 2014 to September 26,2014
Producers: Aniplex, Dentsu, FUNimation Entertainment, Fuji TV, MAPPA
Genres: Psychological, Thriller, Shounen

Read more at: http://myanimelist.net/anime/23283/Zankyou_no_Terror

The Review

Plot: 4/5

• Zankyou no Terror is one of the hottest anime this season. Its plot being about terrorism, it will most likely pique your interest because that's not your usual hot anime.
• Zankyou no Terror starts with two boys invading a nuclear power plant. They steal something and get away with it without any trace. Later on, it is discovered that what they stole was a device that contains plutonium. Half a year later, they transfer schools and Twelve, one of the protagonists, comes across a girl who was being bullied. This girl is named Lisa Mishima. After being introduced to their new class, Twelve, along with Nine, another protagonist, learns that Lisa Mishima is their classmate. One day, while executing a plan of terrorism, Twelve and Nine come across Lisa Mishima, and she learns of their doings. She was given two choices: die or become an accomplice. Of course, who would want to die right? She chose the latter. Later on, it was revealed that Lisa lives with her mom who has a mental disorder. And so, she runs away from home. She stumbles across Twelve on the road, and Twelve gives her a ride to his home. Nine disapproves of Twelve's idea to make Lisa live with them because she will just cause dangers to herself. Twelve manages to pull it off and persuade Nine to make her live with them.
• For the most part, the only loophole I see in this story is the fact that they transferred schools yet there was no episode wherein they were actually in school. You'll just notice that they're always in their apartment, plotting where to put bombs next and making video riddles to make the police disarm the bombs that they're putting. The school was an important place in the story though. Nevertheless, the story didn't fail to make me feel and it just broke my heart and crushed my soul into teeny tiny pieces. (-1)

Art: 5/5

• The art is just plain glorious. The color schemes weren't bright, but they weren't dark either. They give off a neutral feeling, which helps with the feels and it just really suits the main plot and temperature of the story.

Credits to whoever made this gif. Found this on tumblr :)

:(((((((( i ship it :((((((((

Characters: 5/5

• Nine and Twelve started off as two boys who were always by each other's side (and this is still true up until the ending T^T) and they never let anyone else enter. Lisa Mishima comes along and breaks Twelve's wall. Also, because Nine and Twelve were so close, SPOILER you would never dream of either one betraying the other for the sake of someone they just met. 
• Another thing I liked about the characters is that they are not invincible. Unlike most animes, theeir protagonists are almost always invincible. They're already in the hands of death, but a supernatural aid comes to them at a very convenient time, or perhaps they just get away with luck. Zankyou no Terror's characters aren't like that, and I loved this anime for that.
• Next, Five and Lisa may seem to be useless, but they're there to portray a message: the most powerful characters always have their weaknesses.
• Lastly, Shibazaki was a character that has a special place in my heart. Not in that way, as in the way that Twelve stole my heart haha. Shibazaki didn't let anybody boss him around, and he is a man of loyalty to his job. There aren't that much people like him out there.

Sound: 5/5

• The opening song says it all. I am so speechless. Too speechless to function.
• Also, you might want to listen to the following tracks: Trigger by Yuuki Ozaki, Von by Yoko Kanno, and Birden by Arnor Dan.

Overall: 5/5

• Idk man, this is such a masterpiece.

Recommendation/s:

• If I'm going to recommend something, that must mean that that anime has something similar to Zankyou no Terror. But in this case, ZnT is too unique to have something similar to it. It's one of a kind, therefore I can't give you any recommendations as to what to watch next. Enjoy watching ZnT, and prepare a box of tissues with you! :)

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