"KURAU Phantom Memory" Review: A masterpiece anime that transcends the boundaries between fantasy and reality

"KURAU Phantom Memory": A story of the future and Linux

"KURAU Phantom Memory" is an anime series that was broadcast on TV Asahi in 2004, and was created and produced by BONES. This anime is a story that is told through the protagonist Klau and the being Linux that resides within her, triggered by an incident that occurred when humanity in the future was trying to advance into space. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of this work, as well as recommended points.

■Overview of the work

"KURAU Phantom Memory" is set in the future, in the year 2100. In this era, humanity has built a city on the moon and is planning to expand further into outer space. However, while Dr. Amami's research team is conducting an atomic collision experiment, an unknown energy called "Linux" suddenly appears and strikes the doctor's daughter, Kurau, disintegrating her body. Kurau then fuses with Linux and is reborn as a Linux human. This incident leads Kurau to become embroiled in various dramas surrounding Linux while working as an agent.

■ Story

In the year 2100, humanity aims to advance into space and is building a city on the moon. However, while Dr. Amagino's research team is conducting an atomic collision experiment, two beams of light suddenly appear and strike the doctor's daughter, Claw, disintegrating her body. Dr. Amagino is shocked, but the beams take on a human form and Claw is resurrected as Linux. Claw, still in the form and voice of her young daughter, says "I'm Linux" and calls the other Linux "the other."

Ten years later, Klau is living his life as an agent. One day, a girl named "Christmas" appears from Klau. Christmas is Klau's "counterpart" Linux, and looks just like Klau at 12 years old. Both Klau and Christmas become embroiled in a drama surrounding Linux.

■Cast

・Crow: Ayako Kawasumi ・Christmas: Misa Kobayashi ・Doug: Tomoyuki Shimura ・Ayaka: Yuko Kaida

■ Main staff

・Original work: BONES
Director: Yasuhiro Irie Series Composition: Aya Yoshinaga Character Design: Tomomi Ozaki Mechanical Design: Masahisa Suzuki Set Design: Shingo Takehan Art Director: Kei Ichimura Color Design: Ritsuko Utagawa Director of Photography: Yoichi Ogami Sound Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi Producers: Masahiko Minami, Maki Horiuchi, Shiro Sasaki, Yoshimi Nakajima, Shrek Hedwig Music: Yukari Katsuki (SENS)
・Opening theme: "Nostalgic Universe (Ocean)" by Akino Arai ・Ending theme: "Moon Light" by Yukari Katsuki (SENS)

■ Main Characters

・Klau The protagonist of this story. Dr. Amane's only daughter. At the age of 12, she witnessed an accident at her father's laboratory, where she was hit by the light of Linux and became a Linux human. She later became an "agent" and became famous in the industry, but she keeps her Linux identity a secret.

・Linux is the "opposite" of Christmas Klau. He looks exactly like Klau at the age of 12. He was born from Klau's body when Klau was 22 years old. Although he does not have any outstanding athletic abilities, he is good at housework and cooking in everyday life.

・He is the father of Amino Sou Crow and a researcher of next-generation energy. He is shocked when his daughter Amino Crow transforms into Linux due to an experimental accident in the year 2100. At first, he is unable to accept Crow who has become Linux and is troubled by it, but gradually he begins to feel affection for her.

Doug is a very tall and capable "agent" (190cm tall). He is married to a child and lives separately from his wife. For some reason, he initially keeps an eye on Klau, but later becomes someone who helps her.

・Ayaka
She is a member of the GPO and is desperate to capture Klau. She has a strong sense of responsibility in her work and hates the evil in the world. She can become emotional towards Klau, who has dangerous powers, but this seems to be related to her past.

■Subtitle

・1st Reaction/To a wider world...
・2nd Reaction/Something Good to Say・3rd Reaction/The Pursuers・4th Reaction/Beyond the Night・5th Reaction/The Lost Child・6th Reaction/Shining Rain・7th Reaction/A New Life・8th Reaction/Another Christmas・9th Reaction/The City Where Angels Disappeared・10th Reaction/Sleeping Beauty・11th Reaction/Voices Calling to Each Other・12th Reaction/Here and Now・13th Reaction/Things to Protect・14th Reaction/Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow・15th Reaction/The Swallowtail Butterfly's Anxiety・16th Reaction/Gravestone on the Hill・17th Reaction/In the Fog・18th Reaction/Visitor・19th Reaction/Each Path・20th Reaction/Open the Window・21st Reaction/The Frozen River・22nd Reaction/Flickering in the Darkness・23rd Reaction/The Last Light・24th Reaction/Before Goodbye

■ Evaluation and impressions

"KURAU Phantom Memory" is a work set in the future, but is centered on human drama. In particular, the story of the relationship between Klau and Christmas, and the unknown entity called Linux, deeply touches the viewer. In addition, the beautiful visuals of BONES and the music of Katsuki Yukari enhance the story, making it a work that is both visually and aurally satisfying.

The story unfolds at different speeds, sometimes filled with tension and sometimes heartwarming. In particular, the action scenes in which Klaus works as an agent are beautifully drawn and captivate the viewers. In addition, the characters' emotions, such as Klaus' relationship with Christmas and Dr. Tenmi's suffering, are carefully portrayed, evoking sympathy from the viewers.

The appeal of the characters is also a major point. Klaus is a character with a strong will, but he also suffers as a Linux, and he leaves a deep impression on the viewer. Christmas is portrayed as Klaus' "opposite" Linux, and although he has a contrasting personality to Klaus, he is still a supportive figure for her. Additionally, the supporting characters such as Professor Amami, Doug, and Ayaka also have their own unique personalities, enriching the story.

■ Recommended points

"KURAU Phantom Memory" is a science fiction anime set in the future, but it is also a work that focuses on human drama. In particular, the story of the relationship between Klau and Christmas and the unknown existence of Linux deeply touches the viewer. In addition, the beautiful visuals of BONES and the music of Yukari Katsuki enhance the story, making it a work that is both visually and aurally satisfying.

The story unfolds at different speeds, sometimes filled with tension and sometimes heartwarming. In particular, the action scenes in which Klaus works as an agent are beautifully drawn and captivate the viewers. In addition, the characters' emotions, such as Klaus' relationship with Christmas and Dr. Tenmi's suffering, are carefully portrayed, evoking sympathy from the viewers.

The appeal of the characters is also a major point. Klaus is a character with a strong will, but he also suffers as a Linux, and he leaves a deep impression on the viewer. Christmas is portrayed as Klaus' "opposite" Linux, and although he has a contrasting personality to Klaus, he is still a supportive figure for her. Additionally, the supporting characters such as Professor Amami, Doug, and Ayaka also have their own unique personalities, enriching the story.

This work is recommended not only for those who like science fiction anime, but also for those who want to enjoy human drama. In particular, the relationship between Crow and Christmas and the story surrounding the unknown entity Linux will deeply move viewers. In addition, the beautiful visuals of BONES and the music by Katsuki Yukari enhance the story, making it a work that is both visually and aurally satisfying.

"KURAU Phantom Memory" is a science fiction anime set in the future, but it is also a work that focuses on human drama. In particular, the story of the relationship between Klau and Christmas and the unknown existence of Linux deeply touches the viewer. In addition, the beautiful visuals of BONES and the music of Yukari Katsuki enhance the story, making it a work that is both visually and aurally satisfying.

The story unfolds at different speeds, sometimes filled with tension and sometimes heartwarming. In particular, the action scenes in which Klaus works as an agent are beautifully drawn and captivate the viewers. In addition, the characters' emotions, such as Klaus' relationship with Christmas and Dr. Tenmi's suffering, are carefully portrayed, evoking sympathy from the viewers.

The appeal of the characters is also a major point. Klaus is a character with a strong will, but he also suffers as a Linux, and he leaves a deep impression on the viewer. Christmas is portrayed as Klaus' "opposite" Linux, and although he has a contrasting personality to Klaus, he is still a supportive figure for her. Additionally, the supporting characters such as Professor Amami, Doug, and Ayaka also have their own unique personalities, enriching the story.

This work is recommended not only for those who like science fiction anime, but also for those who want to enjoy human drama. In particular, the relationship between Crow and Christmas and the story surrounding the unknown entity Linux will deeply move viewers. In addition, the beautiful visuals of BONES and the music by Katsuki Yukari enhance the story, making it a work that is both visually and aurally satisfying.

"KURAU Phantom Memory" is a science fiction anime set in the future, but it is also a work that focuses on human drama. In particular, the story of the relationship between Klau and Christmas and the unknown existence of Linux deeply touches the viewer. In addition, the beautiful visuals of BONES and the music of Yukari Katsuki enhance the story, making it a work that is both visually and aurally satisfying.

The story unfolds at different speeds, sometimes filled with tension and sometimes heartwarming. In particular, the action scenes in which Klaus works as an agent are beautifully drawn and captivate the viewers. In addition, the characters' emotions, such as Klaus' relationship with Christmas and Dr. Tenmi's suffering, are carefully depicted, evoking sympathy from the viewers.

The appeal of the characters is also a major point. Klaus is a character with a strong will, but he also suffers as a Linux, and he leaves a deep impression on the viewer. Christmas is portrayed as Klaus' "opposite" Linux, and although he has a contrasting personality to Klaus, he is still a supportive figure for her. Additionally, the supporting characters such as Professor Amami, Doug, and Ayaka also have their own unique personalities, enriching the story.

This work is recommended not only for those who like science fiction anime, but also for those who want to enjoy human drama. In particular, the relationship between Crow and Christmas and the story surrounding the unknown entity Linux will deeply move viewers. In addition, the beautiful visuals of BONES and the music by Katsuki Yukari enhance the story, making it a work that is both visually and aurally satisfying.