What is terror? What defines a terrorist? While almost everything in life includes morality of subjective nature, we can all agree that excruciating deeds, resonating through time can be considered synonymous to acts of terror. All of us are familiar with some act of terror that sends shivers down our spine with its inhumane dourness. We choose to empathize and even try to bring justice. But for most of these acts, we can do absolutely nothing. We empathize with the victims of the holocaust, auschwitz, atomic bombings, slavery, and educate the world on morality, humanity and try our best to condemn societies and organisations that would remotely even dare to try for any reason. But what of terrorist acts hidden in the shadows? What of its victims and the non vocal resonance it creates, especially when the perpetrators will never allow it to come to light? If these questions and lines of thought intrigue you, then be glad to know that Terror in Resonance touches these themes with much delicacy and is proper in delivering it.
WARNING: Some of the content below can be considered spoilers for the faint hearted.
Terror in Resonance, just as the title is very simple but carries depth, idiosyncratic to one’s own view of the world. The story is not only elegant but is very impactful taking us with the characters to the ending where the so-called mystery is unveiled. I can understand why many would argue that Terror in Resonance is rather childish and contradictory. And I get their point, but TIR more than those criticisms if we choose to understand the depth of the story from a historical and artistic standpoint. The story is mainly about two victims, Nine and Twelve of the highly confidential ‘Institution’ also known as the Settlement which was involved in trafficking prodigies under the age of five. The Settlement was government funded and was a means to be a truly independent country. Nine and Twelve under the symbolic name, Sphinx,in possession of a prototype atomic bomb, commit acts of terror in the form of riddles, taunting the government with its serial bombings. Detective Shibuzaki, a second generation victim of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima is their only match in solving these riddles, and is given the role to understand what they stood for. Lisa, their so called out of nowhere hostage-acquaintance is given the role to understand what they are, contributes much to the plot, the Sphinx’s course of action but little to sense, despite her interesting backstory.
The Sphinx isn’t just some random terrorist organization that maniacally laughs every time its bombs explode(Aye I am looking at you Kira), in fact it is extremely diligent in making sure there are zero casualties.This isn’t exciting or fascinating as Death Note or Code Geass where dramatism and the supernatural are introduced in the battle of wits between the sides. TIR is a blend of slice of life and mystery and is subtle and rather mellow. Perhaps it could be analogized with the intentions of the main characters themselves. The intention of the Sphinx was to educate and express their pain, not to conquer, create or destroy chaos. TIR ,in my opinion was a form of catharsis of vehement pain and sadness that cannot be given closure to. The atomic bombing and the intervention of the United States throughout the course of the plot is of more significance than you realize. The United States was concerned about an atomic bomb being in the hands of terrorists and chose to intervene with Five, one of the subjects from the Settlement. Though her motivation wasn’t exactly apparent, it was nevertheless coherent, impactful and a key character in driving the story forward. The United States could be considered a terrorist for bombing two cities and traumatizing generations physically and even going as far as involving itself in future Japanese sovereignty, which was the trigger to the Settlement and its redrafting of its constitution to become more independent. As I mentioned earlier the title is open to many interpretations and this is why. Terror in Resonance(to invoke certain feelings), can be seen as the way Nine and Twelve used terrorism as a form of expression. Terror in Resonance can also be seen how almost all parties in the story were terrorists of some form, and how even their past acts of terror were resonating with the present causing other such actions, to some degree.
The animation is beautiful and perfectly harmonious with the soundtrack culminating to an enrapturing ending. The soundtrack, composed by Yoko Kanno is excellent in helping us understand the mood and the feel of a scene, and delivers seriousness and sentimentality at the right intensity and it would be wrong of me if I don't mention her creativity in symbolically naming the soundtracks, correlating the plot, mood and tracks itself. The melancholic opening with its uncanny rhythm is unique and one of a kind, and is very deep when correlated with the story, speaking about dualism.
Though none of the characters lacked common sense , I think that some characters were included just for the story to move forward and had little motivation, even if they had an interesting backstory. The character development was understandingly lacking, which can be attributed to its very little screen time. The many symbolisms including Oedipus, Land of the cold, Von and what not, in the entire story makes it more original and untouched, providing more depth to the characters.I choose to remember Terror in Resonance,to have lived, for its seemingly cold, flawed yet warm and beautiful, plot and screenplay . And I Von you do too.
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