"Tsukuyomi MOON PHASE" Review: A fusion of vampire charm and comedy

The appeal and reviews of Tsukuyomi Moon Phase

Tsukuyo Moon Phase is a TV anime series that aired from 2004 to 2005. It was originally a manga by Keitaro Arima and serialized in Wani Books' monthly Comic Gum magazine. The anime aired on TV Tokyo every Monday from 1:30am to 3:00am, with 25 of the 26 episodes broadcast on TV and the final episode included on a packaged DVD. Animation was produced by Shaft, production was handled by Victor Entertainment, and the general director was Akiyuki Shinbo.

story

The story of "Tsukiyomi: Moon Phase" begins when Morioka Kohei, a photographer who only takes spirit photos, meets a vampire girl named Hazuki in an old castle in Germany. Hazuki is imprisoned in the castle, but she plans to escape by sucking Kohei's blood and becoming his "shimobe". However, the effect is not seen on Kohei, and by chance Kohei destroys the castle's sealing device, allowing Hazuki to escape. Hazuki travels to Japan in search of her long-lost mother, and ends up staying at Kohei's house, where she is forced to live. Kohei, who also lost his mother at a young age, sees himself in Hazuki and helps her search for her mother as her guardian. Eventually, a vampire girl named Elfriede and a daywalker vampire named Count Kinkel appear and try to take Hazuki back to the castle. The story draws you in as you wonder where her mother is and what the fate of Hazuki and Kohei will be.

cast

The main cast includes Chiwa Saito as Hazuki, Hiroshi Kamiya as Kohei Morioka, Takahiro Sakurai as Seiji Mido, and Yumi Kakazu as Elfriede. Other voice actors who play unique characters include Masami Yamazaki as Heidi, Michiko Neya as Hiromi Anzai, and Mugihito as Ryuhei Mido.

Main Staff

The main staff includes Keitaro Arima, the original author, Akiyuki Shinbo, the general director, Toshimasa Suzuki, the assistant director, Masayoshi Sekijima, the series composer, Masahiro Aizawa, the character designer and general animation director, and others. In addition, professionals from various fields such as Nobuyuki Takeuchi, the visual director, Tatsuya Oishi, the setting collaborator, and Satoru Kuwahara, the art director, are also involved in the production. Daisaku Kume is in charge of the music, and Toshiki Kameyama is the sound director.

Main Characters

Hazuki is the daughter of an original vampire, and is a vampire who inherited his high abilities. Having grown up away from society, she can be strong-willed and selfish, but deep down she is a lonely person. She was separated from her mother when she was living alone and imprisoned in an old castle in Germany, where she met Kohei and returned to Japan to search for her mother. She was given the name "Hazuki" while living alone with her mother, and other vampires call her by her childhood name, "Luna."

Morioka Kohei was born into a family of psychics, but has zero spiritual sense and is a photographer who only takes spirit photos. He has a kind and good-natured personality, but he also has a strong core. When he went to Germany for an interview, he met Hazuki, who sucked his blood and made him her "servant." However, he is able to interact with Hazuki on an equal footing because he is immune to the curse of vampires even when they suck his blood ("Vampire's Lover"). In fact, he has high psychic powers, but because of how high his powers are, they were sealed away at a young age.

Mido Seiji is Kohei's cousin and a psychic. He supports Kohei together with Ryuhei. He is calm and has a calm judgment. Anzai Hiromi is a friend of Kohei's from his school days and works at a publishing company. She is a young but capable woman who is very caring. She introduces jobs to Kohei, who is a budding photographer, and supports Hazuki in her daily life.

Elfriede is a vampire girl who came to bring Hazuki back, and is Count Kinkel's minion, but escapes the curse of his control by drinking Kohei's blood. After defeating Count Kinkel, she stays at Kohei's house and later becomes a good friend to Hazuki. She is actually Count Kinkel's biological son, and her special skill is summoning little devils. Count Kinkel is a 900-year-old vampire who came to Japan in pursuit of Hazuki, and can manipulate the refraction of light to disappear and create illusions. She also has the ability of a "daywalker," which allows her to be active during the day.

Heidi (Haijiro) is a familiar who protects Hazuki as the alter ego of Hazuki's mother. Originally a cat-type spirit belonging to Kohei's mother, Heidi was taken over by Hazuki and became human-type. She has an active and loyal personality. Midou Hikaru is the daughter of the head of the Midou family and is Kaoru's twin sister. She was set to marry Hazuki's son at a young age, and she is very conscious of this relationship. She does not approve of the relationship between Hazuki and Kaoru's fiancé Kohei, and always fights with Hazuki whenever they meet. She has extraordinary physical abilities, such as using martial arts that are wrapped in spiritual light.

Mido Kaoru is the daughter of the head of the Mido family and is the twin sister of Hikaru. She is engaged to Kohei by arrangement, but is worried about Hazuki's presence and seems to be uneasy inside. She is shy and has a quiet personality, but has the ability to control spirits and demons. Mido Ryuhei is Kohei's grandfather (his mother's father), a kindly old man who runs an antique shop, but he is also an onmyouji with psychic powers who can control spirits. He can tell at a glance that Hazuki is not human, but he welcomes her into his home and watches over her warmly together with Kohei.

subtitle

The subtitles of each episode are often reflective of Hazuki's adorable personality, entertaining viewers. For example, CHAPTER 1 "Big brother, be my servant♥", CHAPTER 2 "Become my master♥", CHAPTER 3 "Big brother, live with me♥", and other subtitles give a glimpse of Hazuki's spoiled side. Also, CHAPTER 13 "Big brother, let's all defeat the Count♥" and CHAPTER 25 "Big brother, it seems this is the final episode♥ Please stay my servant forever♥♥♥" depict the relationship between Hazuki and Kohei deepening as the story progresses.

Related Titles

There is also a version of "Tsukuyomi Moon Phase" that was not broadcast on TV. This is the final episode, episode 26, "Big Brother, Swaying, Sparkling, Donburako, What is this?", which was included in the packaged DVD version and was not broadcast on TV. You can enjoy the whole work, including this episode.

Theme songs and music

The opening themes are "Neko Mimi Mode" and "Tsuku Yomi Mode" composed by Dimitri From Paris, and sung by Saito Chiwa, who plays Hazuki. The ending themes are "Pressentiment triste" and "Sad Premonition" written, composed, and arranged by Hashimoto Yukari, "Nami no Toriko ni Naru Yoru" written by Saeki Kenzou and composed and arranged by Kikuchi Naruyoshi, and "Just for my love" written by Ito Rieko, composed by Kitagawa Shori, and arranged by Sakurai Yasushi. In addition, "Nami no Toriko ni Naru Yoru" is used as an insert song and sung by Ogawa Noriko. These songs are important elements that liven up the atmosphere of the work.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase" skillfully incorporates the fantasy element of vampires while depicting human relationships and familial love. The relationship between Hazuki and Kohei and the theme of Hazuki's search for her mother deeply touch viewers. In addition, the story woven by the unique characters is full of entertainment, with laughter and tears.

Don't miss the unique animation style of Shaft, the animation studio, or the direction of director Akiyuki Shinbo. In particular, Hazuki's adorable expressions and movements are visually enjoyable. Music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work, and talented artists such as Dimitri From Paris, Yukari Hashimoto, and Naruyoshi Kikuchi are involved.

This work is recommended not only for those who like vampire and fantasy anime, but also for those who like human drama and family love. In particular, the relationship between Hazuki and Kohei and the story of Hazuki's growth resonate with many viewers. In addition, the unique characters and Shaft's unique drawing style are also part of the appeal. Please give it a watch.