The city of Tokyo is plagued by a vengeful “Sphinx” in “Terror in Resonance,” a Japanese anime series that focuses on former test subjects, Nine and Twelve, and their accomplice Lisa Mishima, who perform terroristic acts to shed light on their disturbing past.  

Nine and Twelve are two of 25 orphans selected by the government for “The Athena Project,” a program that will artificially create Savant syndrome in humans. Savant syndrome is a “rare, but extraordinary, condition in which persons with serious mental disabilities…have some ‘island of genius’ that stands in marked, incongruous contrast to overall handicap.”

Nine and Twelve suffer through multiple tests, resulting in intense headaches and night terrors. The two watch as their friends succumb to the experimentation, dying one by one. After years of abuse, Nine and Twelve finally escape from the Settlement, their holding place, but fail to save their comrade named Five.

The two disappear, but not for long. Eight years later, the two resurface and are hungry for revenge.

Six months after they steal plutonium, an element used to power nuclear power plants, Nine and Twelve, under the aliases Arata Kokonoe and Toji Hisami, enroll at a local high school. Twelve is fun and bubbly and has synesthesia, a disorder in which “one sense is simultaneously perceived as if by one or more additional senses.”

Nine is the complete opposite, sadistic and calculating.

On the way to school, Twelve mentions that he can taste chlorine and rushes off, ignoring Nine’s advice to “act normal.”

The two discover Lisa Mishima, a 16-year-old student, being bullied by classmates near the school pool. Twelve defends Lisa by jumping into the water, causing the bullies to lose interest. Lisa notices how Twelve’s smile is like “the sun on a hot summer’s day.” She then notices Nine looking down at them and says his “eyes are like ice.”

This meeting of the three will change their lives forever.

Meanwhile, a mysterious video is uploaded onto a streaming site by “Sphinx,” a pair of boys wearing blue and yellow masks. The two predict Tokyo’s weather forecast, saying that the city will be enveloped in darkness and “sparks will fly.”

The video catches the attention of Shibasaki Kenjirou, a former investigator who has suspicions but ignores them.

The next day, Lisa’s class goes on a field trip when the electricity shuts off, prompting an evacuation. When everyone leaves the building, Nine and Twelve plant incendiaries inside.

Lisa, who had been hiding in the bathroom, runs down the fire escape and sees Twelve, who is carrying an incendiary. He smiles at Lisa, gives her the device and tells her to hold onto it until prompted to throw it away. He then leaves.

An explosion rocks the ceiling above Lisa and her phone rings. The man on the other end is Nine who gives her two options: to die where she stands or to become an accomplice.

Not wanting to lose her life, Lisa follows Nine’s instructions and blows up a wall using the incendiary. To her surprise, Twelve is waiting for her there and he takes her to Nine, who tells Lisa she can never turn back.

After the bombing, Shibasaki returns to the police force to help track down “Sphinx.”  

As Lisa becomes more involved with Nine and Twelve, she becomes fond of them, especially Twelve. Nine, who is frustrated that another person has been added to his team, often chastises Lisa and has no faith in her abilities.

As an accomplice, Lisa learns new information about Nine and Twelve. They are the masterminds behind “Sphinx,” posting videos and challenging the police with riddles. If the police answer them correctly, they find the location of the next bomb and are able to disarm it.

While Lisa struggles to keep up with the two young men, Shibasaki is trying to understand the reasoning behind Nine and Twelve’s actions.

“Terror in Resonance” is a short, psychological thriller that will leave viewers breathless and emotional. The art style is amazing and the soundtrack is mesmerizing, highlighting the Icelandic language. Since the series is only 11 episodes long, watchers may find it difficult to establish a connection with the characters; moreover, the story starts to lose its spark near the middle of the plot. For this reason, it is suggested that people finish the show in one sitting rather than dragging it out.

The show discusses sensitive subjects, such as terrorism. People who are uncomfortable with said subjects should refrain from viewing.

“Terror in Resonance” is recommended for teens 14 and older due to violence.