BTVS: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Dear Readers,

This may be because I am a 90's child, but I have always liked the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Though, it should be noted, I actually preferred the Angel spin-off series. Being a young man growing up, I found the Angel character more relatable. Nonetheless, while watching both series I discovered some wonderful truths about the BTVS universe that I want to share. Before I begin, I should point out the obviousness that the true God of the BTVS universe is indeed the Christian God Jesus Christ.

BTVS Season 7 Episode 2 Spike embracing a cross

If the way crosses and holy water burn vampires didn't make that obvious to you, then I hope you take my word for it.

First up, in the beginning of the series Giles tries to paint a very dark, grim view of the world talking about how before humans, demons ruled the world. These demons were called The Old Ones, and were large monstrous creatures. Very little is mentioned about them in the series, yet we have some insight from the Mayor of Sunnydale's ascension.

BTVS Season 3 Episode 22 Mayor Richard Wilkins transforming

During the highschool graduation the Mayor ascended into a higher form, a "true" or "pure" demon. 

BTVS Season 3 Episode 22 Wilkins as the Olvikan demon

 This transformation turned him into an Olvikan demon that a volcanologist had discovered the remains of under a volcano. Easily mistaking the demon's corpse to be that of an undiscovered dinosaur, the scientist was unaware that he was being used by the Mayor to secured the transformation.

Maloker the Old One who created the first vampires

Now, especially with the comic, other Old Ones have been portrayed as simply enormous monstrous demons. Since the comic book series has been produced by the same director as the television series, I will admit this warrant's more investigation. However, my theory, for now, remains the same.

In Genesis, before talking about the creation of the world it says, "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." (Genesis 1:2)

This was mentioned in my Creation post where I mentioned that this "void" earth was likely made of at least partly by a planet that had been inhabited by dinosaurs. In that post, I also mention the pre-mortal life and how Lucifer and his one-third of the angels of God were cast down to the earth. It seems as though, at least in the BTVS universe that they were cast onto the "dinosaur" world, casting it in darkness.

Lucifer, having become Satan, the first to rebel against God and therefore he and those who followed him lost their first estate (their opportunity to receive bodies of their own). Yet, coming to this world with large creature, what would any angry disembodied spirit do? Posses the bodies for themselves.

However, and this is key in the BTVS universe, when these demons posses bodies they change them. Either genetic or cosmetic, the transformation is clear. Yet, the second half of that verse in Genesis adds depth. "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." God, the one true God, was casting them out, casting them away to make room for His children.

Though, clearly they were not cast out completely by the time humans came to take the earth, else how could Maloker have created the first vampire, or the rest of the demonic generations be formed? As I say this, my mind is concocting another theory as to how it could have still happened.

Possessed snake from the movie Noah

Theory one: most of the Old Ones were banished and cast into their own dimensional worlds becoming the demonic gods of their worlds, however, Satan and a few lingered. When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, Satan possessed a serpent and beguiled Eve. That would be when God cursed Satan beyond eve his followers saying, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." (Genesis 3:15)

I think that it is this cursing that is the key difference between our world and the BTVS world. This would be where God would curse Satan that he could no longer truly possess a body, thus ever to remain incorporeal as The First. Yet in our world, God had enough foresight to take away nearly all of Satan's power. Though he could tempt us, we as beings with our own bodies will always have more power than he does. He may hurt us, but we can banish and destroy him.

Alas, because Adam and Eve partook of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they were cast out of Eden into a world of pain and confusions. This created the perfect breeding ground for the remaining Old Ones to influence and transfigure groups of humans into demons after their likeness.

Theory two: all of the Old ones were banished to their own dimensions, but because The First had not yet possessed a body, he remained. Then, like the first theory, he beguiled Eve and was cursed. Yet he was able to influence humans in the days of wickedness before the flood to worship these false demonic gods. Using their powers, they made portals to their dimensions and interdimensional migration occurred allowing humans to go there, be transformed into the demonic versions and then return and vice versa.

BTVS Season 3 Episode 5 Kulak demon (Note the stegosaurus dinosaur traits)

For both theories, I would say the reason for the distinction and enmity or dislike between demons and vampires is that the demons were people that the Old Ones corrupted.

However, Maloker took it a step further and would banish the human spirit by killing them and replace it with one of his own follower spirits. Again we see a change in their bodies, the "bumpy" forehead and sharp teeth, however because the bodies are actually those of humans, they are able to revert back.

Angel Season 1 Episode 9 Lucas the Bracken demon

For vampires, it is more of human body, demonic face. Yet for the Bracken demons their human appearance is more of a camouflage.

Turok-Han

Though I think that the first vampires were like the current BTVS vampires, where does that place the uber vamps or Turok-Han?

The Master

There are clear similarities between the uber vamps and The Master vampire. However, The Master maintained his high thinking, while the Turok-Han are primal beasts. Giles said of them, "As Neanderthals are to human beings, the Turok-Han are to vampires. They're primordial, ferociously powerful killing machine, as single-minded as animals. They are the vampires that vampires fear."

Most of us would take that statement to say that vampires came from these Turok-Han, which could be true. Yet, I would purpose an alternate theory. With my ideas about neanderthals and how the relate to humans, being another race of humans rather than a separate species that we somehow emerged from, I think that the Turok-Han are the vampires that vampires fear because they are what becomes of a vampire that has been starved of blood for millennia. This could place them anciently as the first vampires that Maloker created in his dimension without a fresh source of blood their minds degenerated into the simple need to feed. The demonic influence in their bodies over the longer period of time makes them more bat-like just like Maloker, and how being ancient made The Master more bat-like as well. However, unlike the Turok-Han, The Master was able to feed continually in the BTVS world and thus retain his sanity. To reiterate, vampires fear the Turok-Han because that is what they will become when all that makes them sentient, or human is taken away by starvation.

This would also explain why the Turok-Han have so much more immunity to vampire traits. The "modern" vampire is susceptible to holy water and crosses because they are yet human bodies and atoning power of Christ's sacrifice on the cross and in the garden of Gethsemane tries to purify the evil from their bodies, as the atonement is there to free us from sin if we use it. Yet, being around so long and having that demonic spirit slowly change their bodies over time, the human flesh becomes less human, preventing the atonement of Christ to work as well as it did or could.

Angel as a demon in Pylea

Alas, it is important to note that when Angel went to a hell dimension called Pylea, he found that with the nature of the dimension, it made his human side human while his demonic side demon. As they explained that the demonic form he took was what the demon inside of him actually looks like. The reptilian nature hints that it is likely that Maloker does not have any actual demons of his own. The demons that posses the bodies are likely the spirit of other fallen demons that Maloker either gives a second chance to, or are only able to escape their hell dimensions by entering a human host and become a vampire.

Sadly, this about sums up my theory about the history of the nature of demons and vampires in the BTVS universe, however, there are yet points to mention.

As I brought up briefly with the second theory of the humans using the demon's powers to make portals for the dimensional migration, it should be noted what witch craft in the BTVS universe is.

Amy casting a love spell

Whether it is Amy praying to the goddess Diana.

Willow calling upon Osiris to raise Buffy back from the dead. 

Or Willow praying to Osiris, they are calling upon the powers of the demonic demi-gods. Their powers are not their own, only lent to them by demons seeking to corrupt them.

Charmed power of three Celtic knot. 

I should point out that this is also different from the witchcraft in Charmed, which is more spiritual and cosmic in nature. Much like the power Giles used to bind Dark Willow, it comes from the world itself, or even from a righteous higher plane. Like with Charmed, the power of three is a clear reference to the trinity and the power of God, which is why the Elder and White Lighters or heavenly beings were charged to watch over and help them.

BTVS Season 7 Episode 22 White Willow

This is why White Willow was created when Willow activated the potential slayers and released the power. Though the words of her prayer cannot be really heard with her muttering, it is not too far of a leap to say that she might have been praying to the one true God, or at very least performing His will.

The Shadow Men infusing the shadow spirit or "heart" of a demon into Buffy or the First Slayer

Though witchcraft appears to be generally evil in the BTVS universe, it was interesting how the Shadow Men tried to use that power to help humanity. By infusing the first demon's spirit into the First Slayer, they created a warrior to combat the evil, though they limited it to one warrior so that they and their followers the Watchers, could maintain a hold of the situation.

Thus we see the graphic battle over good and evil that would take place in a world where fallen angels or demons would be permitted to have a bit more influence over the bodies their possess. In our own lives, the devil's influence over may be lessened, but it is also subtler too. I testify that Satan is real, but so is Christ and His infinite mercy. There is real evil in this world and it is created by the absence of God and His influence.

Lastly, when Buffy died by jumping into Glory's portal, she said that she felt like she went to heaven. She described that place, "Wherever I was, I was happy. At peace. I knew that everyone I cared about was all right. I knew it. Time didn't mean anything, nothing had form, but I was still me, you know? And I was warm and I was loved and I was finished. Complete. I don't understand about theology or dimensions, or any of it really. But I think I was in heaven." (BTVS 6:3)

Tucson Temple

Though the notion of nothing had form made it seem more like the was in the spirit world, the paradise of spirit world, I had an interesting experience where I found myself participating in a form of the true method of prayer. It was the Hosanna shout (Doctrine and Covenants 109:79) of the Tucson temple dedication. The mingling of voice all in one accord made me feel like I was simply one of many, yet I was still myself. I think that is what Buffy was trying to describe, at least in part, billions upon billions of the children of God all shouting His praise, uniting themselves and their will to God. I think that was a taste of what pre-mortal life was like, living for an eternity as spirits with our Father in Heaven and then, when we will return to Him, praising Him again for the plan of salvation is complete. I never quite understood that before, the repeating of words simultaneously often seemed a bit like cultish chanting which I had dismissed with the notion that cults and even Satan himself had to get it from somewhere, even a pollution of true doctrine and practice.

As strange as it is to say, I don't think that I would have the appreciation or as ripe of an experience as I had with the Hosanna shout and prayers in the temple without having watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer and had that realization from pondering upon her words. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's true church on the earth today. I am thankful to be a member of it, and I am thankful that I live in a world where the only corruption Satan and his angels can reap upon our bodies are those temptations that we choose to give in to.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Hellraiser, Evil Dead

Dear Readers,

This is a much darker post because I will be taking quite a bit about the demonic realm and my understanding of it. Yet, I hope that an increased understanding can be gained from this. Because of this darker nature and some of the pictures and subject matter, I am putting up a WARNING for MATURE CONTENT! My subject today are the demoniacs from Hellraiser and Evil Dead.


Hellraiser Puzzle Box Image Link

First up is Hellraiser. Now, for those who are unfamiliar with this movie franchise, Clive Barker created a very intriguing new world. The premise is that there are puzzle boxes created that when opened, summon Cenobites or demon possessed bodies to drag the summoner to "hell".

storypick.com hell Image Link

I put "hell" in parenthesis because hell needs to be defined. So, hell to most Christians is an eternal everlasting pit of fire that awaits non believers after this life. However, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we compare hell to two different things. First, the state of unbelievers after death. this is a first judgment in which a spirit is either received into paradise or spirit prison (hell). Most Christians settle this as heaven or hell. However, spirit prison is more like purgatory for spirits. The real, ever lasting, hell would be what Mormons call Outer Darkness. This is where the Devil and his angels will dwell for eternity with those select few who become Sons of Perdition by denying and fighting against Christ while having a full perfect knowledge of who He is. Thus, denying the Holy Ghost place in their hearts.

Admittedly, in the LDS Church, there is one more place or state of being that could be considered hell. This would be the Telestial Kingdom, though it is technically still part of the Kingdom of Heaven, this is where the murderers and adulterers go. I talk more about this in my Bleach Blog about the kingdoms.


Hellraiser Labyrinth Image Link

So, what is hell in Hellraiser? It is a separate dimension, like the hell dimensions form the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. This dimension is called, The Labyrinth. It is basically a giant maze filled with corridors of the damned.

Cenobites Image Link

The rulers, and the eventual evolution of these damned souls, are the Cenobites under the direction of the Leviathan. I define Cenobites as demon possessed humans because, in Hellraiser 3: Hell on Earth, the Cenobite Pinhead begins to have his former human self, or his human spirit, Captain Elliot Spencer try to help stop the demon possessing his body from creating hell on earth. Clearly there are two separate entities inhabiting each body, a demon and the host spirit who was "worthy" of hell.

Another classic line of these Cenobites is wanting to "experience" other's flesh. Because demons never have and never will have bodies of their own, they experience sins, pleasures, and pains through us. This is further verified with the demoniac named Legion from Mark 5. He "... always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones." (Mark 5:5). They enjoy the pain we feel because they can never experience pain for themselves, the same with pleasure. However, like an addict, they are never satisfied with their own flesh, and want to torture others as well, again to "experience" their flesh.

It is for this cause that when the puzzle box is opened, the Cenobites come forth from the Labyrinth to drag the sinner to their world. I also find it of note worth importance to mention that the one who gives the sinner the box always tells them that the box was always theirs. Though, I do not think that in the moment our choices are set in stone, God does know the end from the beginning and does indeed know who among His children will be saved. Does that mean that He is exempt from having to offer each and every one of us the opportunity to choose Him? No. Indeed, they only reason any of His children would not return to His presence is if they reject Him and their Savior Jesus Christ even after having every possible opportunity. Simply put, they have to prove what God already knows.


Dr. Manhattan from the movie Watchmen Image Link

A second way of thinking of this, or explaining it would be with Dr. Manhattan from the DC movie Watchmen. he simultaneously sees his life from beginning to end. This made it difficult for Laurie Jupiter aka Silk Spectre II, his girlfriend, to understand him. Even though he knows everything that will happen to him, including Laurie's admitting that she cheated on him with Nite Owl II, it is not real until that very moment. A way to compare this would be if you know you are going to get fired at work, yet the full impact of your emotions and feelings to not strike quite as potent until your boss tells you that you are fired. It is truly amazing how much weight of emotion there is in a moment, as opposed to simply ideal or knowledge in the mind.

It is this way that these sinners own the puzzle box, though their life was always meant to cross with the box, it takes receiving the box to solidify that choice and feel the full impact of their life long actions. Another curious point to make is that the box "wants" to be opened and that it is the "desire" that calls the Cenobites. Now, this is simply my speculation, but wouldn't it be interesting if the box houses the demonic spirit that is wanting to possess the sinner's body? Thus the box would want to be opened. Also, the sinner's desire to "experience" new highs of pain and pleasure.

Hellraiser Leviathan Image Link

Anyway, the Leviathan's place in all of this is yet a mystery, as far as I am aware. My own suspicions is that it is the vessel or cage for Lucifer himself. I find it interesting that in the LDS version of the scriptures, the heading for Job 41 says that the Lord is describing His powers as similar to the Leviathan's. However, when I was simply reading this chapter on my own, I saw the possible correlation with the Leviathan and Satan. Read it for yourselves and see the comparisons from your own perspective. As for me, Job 41:34 said it simply "... he is a king over all the children of pride." This brings me to a quick point I would like to make, money is not the root of all evil. That saying or cliché is false. Pride is the root of all evil and is the source of all sin. For more information on pride, you could check out my Pride Post.

Frank raising from the dead Image Link

There is one last element of Clive Barker's Hellraiser world I would like to comment on before I wrap it up. A major aspect of the sinners being damned is if living blood falls upon the place or object they were dragged to this hell, that blood acts as a source of life to raise them again in the "real" world. This aspect made for a very intriguing scene when Frank came back from hell. I must admit, it was pretty awesome and gruesome. Alas, though the sinner is now in the "real" world of Hellraiser, they need more blood to become stronger. Thus, the sinner coaxes others to commit murder to give them blood. However, no matter how rejuvenated the damned person becomes, they cannot regrow their skin. Thus, they kill and claim the skin of the one helping them. "...and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell." (Alma 30:60).

Now that I have covered the Hellraiser world, I would like to declare what the Labyrinth is. For simplicity, it is a hell dimension. However, in a drawn comparison with true reality, it would be outer darkness. This is where the Devil and his angels abound and after the final battle following the millennium, those Sons of Perdition who now have resurrected bodies will be cast into this never ending darkness to be tabernacles or vesicles for Satan and his angels forever. Never dying in their perpetual agony which they have chosen for themselves. "...for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world." (Alma 34:34).

Well, after rambling on about Hellraiser, I would like to quickly talk about Evil Dead.

Deadite Ed Getley from Evil Dead 2 Image Link

In Evil Dead the Cenobites from Hellraiser are now Deadites. Again, they are demon possessed human bodies, yet, as with Evil Dead 2, Ash exhibited how he still had his own spirit. Indeed that evil spirit which possessed him continued to play a part in his life, unrelentingly striving to retake its former house (Ash's body).

Ash's possessed hand from Evil Dead 2 Image Link

Deadites cannot be killed by normal means, indeed the only way, seemingly, to stop them is by dismembering and or burning their bodies. Like Dracula's line from Hotel Transylvania about getting staked in the heart, "Well, who wouldn't that kill?".

Possessed hand from Idle Hands Image Link

However, even the dismembered body parts can act on their own. Much like the hand from Idle Hands, these limbs act like they have a mind of their own. Like a demonic version of Thing from The Adams Family.

Patrick Swayze moving a penny in Ghost  Image Link

Alas, in my own hypothesis on how our spirits interact with our bodies, through brain tissue or at least the central nerve cluster in the brain, this would be impossible. However, as far as I know, spirits can interact with object in the physical world, though this requires much energy. Like the emotional energy used in the movie Ghost. With this kind of spiritual physical interaction, it could indeed be possible for a spirit, even a demonic spirit, to interact with and use a dismembered hand.

Now, with all of the time-traveling, alternate timelines and inter-dimensional stuff, including Ash's mechanical hand, I am leaving that to the reader to figure out, or I might use it in a post about Back to the Future... I am not sure yet.

Anyway, I hope that you have enjoyed this blog post, whether or not you have seen the movies mentioned. Feel free to leave a comment below. Luckily we know that good will defeat evil, God will win, but like Dr. Manhattan, maybe this knowledge does not feel real until Christ actually comes again. Yet, I assure you, Christ will come again. I know this to be true.

Love,
Jacobugoth

Claymore

Dear Readers,

Today I wanted to talk a little bit about the anime Claymore. This anime reminds me a bit of Tokko in a few ways. First with the Yoma and then with the Claymore themselves. I would like to point out that I will only be talking about the anime and what is on claymore.wikia because I have not read the manga.

Yoma Image Link

So, what are Yoma? The anime and wikia is very vague, they are just creatures that eat human flesh that are able to transform and appear as human, that they can take control of someone's mind. I would endeavor to define Yoma as humans possessed with a demon, like the Phantoms from Tokko. Indeed, they have similar appearance and appetite for human flesh, not to mention the powers they have.

Clare a Claymore Image Link

So, what is a Claymore? A Claymore, or a silver eyed witch, is an individual, almost always female, but not necessarily, who has Yoma tissue infused into their body. Like the Simbiotes from Tokko, the evil spirit lurking inside of them awakens their body to immense power. This power changes the coloring of their eyes, into silver, and also gives them longevity, vitality, healing, and a decreased appetite.

Yoki Aura

Now, both Claymore and Yoma posses what I will call a "brand" or special subgroup of energy called yoki. As I have defined reishi and chakra from Bleach and Naruto respectively as spiritual energy and a combination of spiritual and physical energy, I am slightly torn between defining yoki as a type of reishi or chakra. I do lean towards defining it as a type of chakra created from the habitation of the demonic spirit in a human body, physically changing the body. This would be congruent with the types of chakra in Naruto, like the tailed beast chakra being red while human chakra is blue.

Claymore Stigma Image Link

This would also allow for a comparison between the sealing of a tailed beast inside of a human within a different dimension to simply taking flesh of the beast and fusing it within that human's body. Thus allowing that individual to not only use or borrow the beast's chakra, but to make it themselves with their own body. In effect, creating the hybrid of the creature and a human, or Yoma and human into a Claymore.

Yoki stages Image Link

By releasing their yoki, a Claymore gains more physical strength and speed, but at the cost, probably due to the demonic nature of this brand of chakra. If too much of the yoki is released, a Claymore will transform into a very powerful Yoma called an awakened being. This verge of becoming an awakened being is compared to sexual arousal. It is so much harder to stop these kinds of emotions the longer they are allowed to progress. Because of this, male Claymore became awakened beings much more often than females.

Awakened Beings Image Link

An awakened being is very similar to, say, Naruto in his Kyuubi form before he could control it. A raging creature hell bent on destruction. However, after time passes, their former consciousness can begin to take hold again, and they return to a near human stage. Alas, they still have the incredible craving for human flesh. It is also important to note that they become like their inner creature, again like Naruto transforming in the Kyuubi.

Well, now that we have these terms defined, lets talk about some of these powers and how they work.

Irene's Quick Sword Image Link

First up is Irene's Quick Sword. Irene pumps so much of her Yoki into her arm that it awakens. Thus, her arm goes out of control with speed while the rest of her body is used to maintain her physical, mental and spiritual strength over the arm to keep from completely awakening and taking her over. This speed allows her arm, and by extension her sword, to move so quickly that it is not seen and the very wind from the blade is able to strike and destroy from a distance.

Miria's Phantom Mirage

Next up is Miria's Phantom Mirage. Much like Irene's Quick Sword technique, Miria uses her Yoki to increase her speed to the point that by jumping between three or so locations she rests long enough for her body to be seen at each location. Thus creating three versions of her that can each strike an attack and each have an attack pass through them. To counter, one would have to attack all three at once. I would easily compare this technique to the Pokemon attack Double Team.

Ophelia's Rippling Sword Image Link

Third is Ophelia's Rippling Sword. Again, very similar to Irene's Quick Sword, Ophelia moves her arm or arms back and forth like a vibration. This is at such an intense frequency that the blade claymore blade bends and weaves like rubber or water. Meaning, if someone tries to block the blade, the tip not blocked can bend around the blocking sword and still strike the opponent.

Adam and the Earthquake Machine from Mythbusters Episode 60 Image Link

This is all under the premise that an object can vibrate at a frequency that will effect it at a molecular level. Tesla's Oscillator is a prime realistic example of this. Supposedly, his device found the frequency of the ground and caused an earthquake in New York. I am aware that Mythbusters, in episode 60 "Earthquake Machine", created a similar device and it failed to bring down a bridge they tested it on. However, with my knowledge of frequencies, and acknowledging that they the did find the frequency of the metal bridge, that only serves to vibrate the bridge, which it did, but by slowly increasing the frequency is what would need to occur to vibrate the bridge enough to pull the bonds apart. Thus, in my opinion, the Mythbusters did not perform that experiment properly.

Jean's Drill Sword Image Link

Fourth is Jean's Drill Sword. Now, because of a Claymore's regeneration abilities, Jean is able to twist her arm around multiple times. Because of the rubber like elastic properties of skin, muscles and tendons, this causes a spinning strike with the sword. The blade spins like a drill and is thus able to penetrate deeper in a single strike. Of course it is extremely painful and takes time to recover the arm afterwords, but a Claymore is no worse for the wear afterwords.

Rachel uses at technique called Strong Sword in which, like a flicking finger, she drags the blade through the ground creating tension that is then suddenly released when the sword breaks free from the earth.

Sixth, Raftela uses Sensory Control much like a specialized genjutsu from Naruto to create paralysis and cause hallucinations in the mind of her opponent. Another reason why yoki is more of a demonic form of chakra.

That about sums up what I wanted to talk about Claymore, what they are, how they are, how they are able to do what they do. If you have any questions or remarks, I would love to hear them. I hope that you enjoyed this post.

love,
Jacobugoth

Tokko

Dear Readers,

WARNING: 

Content may not be suitable for younger readers, parental discretion advised. 

Image Link

Today I wanted to talk a little about the first "anime" I ever watched. One of my favorite channels was always the Scifi channel. At one point, they began having something called "Ani-Mondays", during which they would have animes on Monday nights. Now, I have watched other "cartoons", for in my mind that is what they were, before like Yu-Gi-Oh, Avatar the Last Airbender, Pokemon, Digimon, etc. However, the anime Tokko was the first anime that I watched realizing that it was indeed anime. Oddly, I really enjoyed it.

Millennium Puzzle from Yu-Gi-Oh Image Link

Tokko Puzzle Box of Dirge

Hellraiser Lemarchand Puzzle Box crafted by Destro2k on Deviantart

The premise of this anime is that some alchemists forged a puzzle box, similar to the Millennium Puzzle from Yu-Gi-Oh, that would grant the user control over demons, though the anime calls them phantoms. This ability, coupled with the square shape, similar to that of the puzzle boxes from Hellraiser, leads me to think that there is a justifiable comparison to be made between discovering and putting together truth and a equivalent resistance or persistence from the Adversary.

Anyway, much like the puzzle box in Hellraiser, it ended up making a portal to hell allowing the phantoms to enter our world and posses human bodies. However, there is another aspect, a phantom possesses someone locking a piece of the box inside of them. Thus, the point is to kill all of the phantoms to collect the puzzle pieces for the purpose of sealing the spirits back inside the box. The plot has holes, I admit, but I have found the concept quite fascinating.

Image Link

Now, when a phantom enters a body, it is usually through some kind of physical and psychological trauma, and the inhabitation of the phantom changes the person into a carnivorous monster. This state could easily be compared to a demoniac from the Holy Bible, a Deadite from Evil Dead, a Cenobite from Hellraiser, or some other demon possessed being.

Ranmaru Shindo and his inner Phantom Image Link

However, when an individual is first infected or possessed, they can fight for control. Does the phantom "eat you"? or do you "eat" the phantom. Essentially it is a fight for control over one's self for dominance of the body. This is much like fighting inner demons. If an individual is successful in "eating" their phantom, they maintain control of their body and gain powers from the phantom. These individuals are called symbiotes, which I would compare to Jaffa from Stargate who have snake like larva living in their guts.

Sakura Rokujou's Sword

These powers I could easily compare to a zampakuto from Bleach, which you could read more about on my blog post on the subject here. Similar to how a zampakuto is pulled out of one's spirit body, a Tokko sword, or knife, is manifested through blood.

Ranmaru's Sword Power

These swords have unique powers, much like a shikai or bankai from Bleach, which I go into more here.

When swung, these blades create waves much like Ichigo's Getsuga from Bleach which could be compared to a release of reishi or spirit matter. Though, since it is in a physical body, it could either be seen through spiritual eyes, or be more along the lines of chakra from Naruto which you could read about here. In either case, the same principle remains of inner power being released along the blade as it is waved.

There are even seals or spells that are used, like the defensive spell that appears while blocking.

Alas, similar to how the body is changed to allow the manifestation of the blade, there are other changes to the body, like increased healing. In this case, the wounds steam and burn as the energy is used to seal and mend the wounds.

Sakura's tattoo

Indeed, the greatest, or at least the most visually noticeable change is in a tattoo that forms.

Though, the tattoo does not reflect the phantom itself. As with Sakura's tattoo, it is in the shape of a Chinese dragon.

However, her phantom is a female version off Ranmaru's. By this difference, I could easily say that the tattoo is more a representation of the powers that individual gained. Almost like the tattoo represents the zampakuto which is now physically awakened while the phantom remains as a separate being.

Anyway, as one last point I would like to make, for those individuals who are "eaten" by their phantoms, they do exercise control over lesser phantom spirits, creating physical forms for them to spread and infect others. This holds true when one realizes that there are greater and lesser evil spirits (Matthew 12:45, Luke 11:26 ).

This is quite apparent in the first episode where a phantom created an army of ghouls who were being controlled by phantom parasites. One last criticism to go with this, I don't understand why the cops did not realize that they needed to shoot the little parasite faces after shooting the host bodies several times failed.

I hope that you have enjoyed my take on this anime. I do recommend it, however, I advise watching it censured. There are some scenes containing nudity, luckily for me, the Scifi channel, now Syfy, was very good at censuring those scenes. Feel free to leave any comments you may have!

Love,
Jacobugoth