Terror in Resonance
Terror in Resonance
Terror in Resonance is a Japanese anime series by MAPPA, created and directed by Shinichirō Watanabe with music by Yoko Kanno. It aired on Fuji TV’s Noitamina block from July 10 to September 25, 2014, running 11 episodes. The English release was handled by Funimation, with the first English-dubbed DVD arriving in 2016. The show is also known as Terror in Tokyo.
What it’s about
In an alternate present, two teenage boys go by Nine and Twelve. They survived a secret project that trained orphans to become weapons and have stolen a prototype atomic bomb. Calling themselves “Sphinx,” they upload a video online and threaten to destroy Tokyo unless a cryptic riddle is solved. The pair befriend Lisa, a lonely high school girl, and together they try to expose the dark activities of a mysterious organization called the Athena Project run by Rising Peace Academy.
Key characters
- Nine and Twelve: the two intelligent, conflicted teens who orchestrate the bomb threat.
- Lisa: a compassionate high school girl who becomes involved with Nine and Twelve.
- Shibazaki: a determined detective who pieces together what Sphinx is up to and what the Athena Project hides.
- Haruka: Shibazaki’s daughter, who confirms parts of the mystery.
Story highlights
The plot follows the tense standoff between Nine, Twelve, Lisa, and the authorities as the mystery behind the Athena Project unfolds. After the bomb threat and a dramatic intervention by U.S. forces, the city suffers a blackout and a striking aurora forms in the sky. The story shifts between high-stakes action and quieter moments as the characters confront moral questions about power, violence, and the systems that create both.
Music and style
All music is by Yoko Kanno, with the opening song “Trigger” by Yuuki Ozaki (from Galileo Galilei) and the ending “Dareka, Umi o.” by Aimer. A soundtrack 2, released later, adds more tracks. The show draws influence from Icelandic post-rock, and creator Watanabe has cited Sigur Rós as an inspiration for the mood and imagery.
Reception and impact
Critics praised Terror in Resonance for its direction, visuals, and music, with notes that it offers a thoughtful, sometimes bleak meditation on modern society. It earned a strong fan and critical following and was described as a standout work in anime. It faced a ban in China in 2015 for scenes depicting violence and terrorism.
Awards and recognition
- 2014 Anime Trending Awards: Anime of the Year, Best Original Anime, and Mystery or Psychological Anime of the Year.
- 2016 Japan Expo: Daruma d’or anime (France).
- It was also selected for the Jury Selections at the 18th Japan Media Arts Festival (Animation category) in 2014.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 11:55 (CET).