"Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen" review: What's the new appeal of the Monogatari series?

"Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen" - A new chapter in the Monogatari series

"Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen" is an anime film that depicts a particularly important episode from the popular novel series "Monogatari Series" by Nisio Isin. It was released on January 8, 2016, and attracted a lot of attention not only from fans of the Monogatari Series, but also from anime fans in general. In this article, we will explain in detail the detailed content of "Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen", the production background, character analysis, and recommended points for viewers.

Overview

Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen is the first episode in the Monogatari series chronologically. It tells the story of how the protagonist Araragi Koyomi meets the vampire Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade and becomes a vampire himself. This is the first of a trilogy, with sequels Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu-hen and Kizumonogatari III: Reiketsu-hen being released.

Public Information

• Media : Theatre
• Original Media : Novel
• Published : January 8, 2016
• Distributor : Toho Film Division
• Duration : 64 minutes
• Episode number : 1
• Original work : "Kizumonogatari" by Nishio Isin (published by Kodansha BOX)
• Director : General Director Akiyuki Shinbo
• Production : Animation production: Shaft, Production: Aniplex, Kodansha, Shaft
• Copyright : ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft

story

Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen depicts the events that occurred during spring break in Araragi Koyomi's third year of high school. One day, Koyomi meets a vampire named Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade in an abandoned building. She has had all her limbs removed by a vampire hunter and is on the verge of death. To save her, Koyomi offers up his blood, which results in him becoming a vampire himself. The episode depicts the process by which Koyomi gains his vampire powers and the conflicts he faces.

Character Analysis

Araragi Calendar

Araragi Koyomi is the protagonist of the Monogatari series, and Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen depicts his beginnings as a vampire. Koyomi has a strong sense of justice and is willing to sacrifice himself to help others. However, gaining his powers as a vampire brings him to new conflicts. Koyomi's character is fascinating as he is torn between his weakness as a human and his strength as a vampire.

Kiss Shot Acerola Orion Heart Under Blade

Kiss-Shot is the most powerful vampire in the Monogatari series, and is depicted in a weakened form in Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen. Though she is noble and beautiful, the loss of her limbs reveals her human fragility. Kiss-Shot's character is portrayed as a representation of strength, weakness, and humanity.

Background

Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen is based on a novel by Nisio Isin, the original author of the Monogatari series. Animation was handled by Shaft, with Akiyuki Shimbo serving as general director. Shimbo is known for his consistent visual style and unique direction in his anime adaptations of the Monogatari series, and these skills are on display in Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen.

This work is produced as a trilogy, with each episode depicting a different theme and perspective. Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen plays an important role in laying the foundation for the entire Monogatari series by depicting Koyomi's beginnings as a vampire.

Vision and Music

The visuals of "Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen" make the most of Shaft's animation style. They are colorful and sometimes abstract, creating a strong visual impact. The character designs also faithfully reproduce the images of the original work while bringing out the unique appeal of the anime.

In terms of music, the background music composed by Satoru Kanzaki adds to the atmosphere of the work. In particular, the music during the meeting with Kiss-Shot and the battle scenes is both tense and beautiful.

Recommended points

Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen is a must-watch for fans of the Monogatari series, as it provides a deeper understanding of the series as a whole by showing Koyomi's beginnings as a vampire, and for anime fans in general, it is a great way to enjoy Shaft's unique animation style and Shinbo's direction.

Furthermore, the film has deep themes, depicting issues of human weakness and strength, and of sacrifice and redemption. It is a work that combines visual beauty with a deep story, making it a film that can be recommended to many viewers.

Related Titles

Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen is part of the Monogatari series and is closely related to the other episodes. In particular, the sequels Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu-hen and Kizumonogatari III: Reiketsu-hen depict Koyomi's growth and struggle as a vampire, and can be understood more deeply by watching them together. In addition, other works in the Monogatari series, such as Bakemonogatari and Nisemonogatari, are also important works that allow us to further explore Koyomi's character and worldview.

summary

Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu-hen is a visually stunning and thematically deep anime film that depicts a key episode in the Monogatari series. It lays the foundation for the entire series by depicting Araragi Koyomi's beginnings as a vampire. Combining Shaft's unique animation style with Director Shinbo's direction, this is a film that is highly recommended not only for fans of the Monogatari series, but for anime fans in general.