"Kubikiri Cycle" review: What is the appeal of the blue savant and the nonsense user?

"Kubikiri Cycle: Blue Savant and the Zaregoto-ya": A masterpiece OVA that combines the worldview of Nishio Isin and the visual beauty of Akiyuki Shinbo

"Kubikiri Cycle: Blue Savant and the Zaregoto Tsukai" (hereafter "Kubikiri Cycle") is an OVA based on the novel by Nishio Isin, and was released by Aniplex on October 26, 2016. It is made up of eight episodes, each 30 minutes long, and was animated by Shaft under the direction of Akiyuki Shinbo. This work is a fusion of Nishio Isin's unique worldview and Akiyuki Shinbo's beautiful visuals, making it a work worthy of being called a masterpiece.

Background of the original work and anime adaptation

"Kubikiri Cycle" is based on the fourth volume of Nishio Isin's "Zaregoto Series", "Kubikiri Cycle: Blue Savant and the Zaregoto User". The "Zaregoto Series" is a five-volume novel series published by Nishio Isin between 2001 and 2005, and tells the story of the protagonist "Waga" getting caught up in various incidents. "Kubikiri Cycle" is particularly popular among the series, and was made into an anime version as an OVA in 2016.

The original novel is based on the theme of a murder in a closed room, and is characterized by the psychological portrayal of the characters and the clever tricks used. In order to bring out the atmosphere of the original to the fullest, director Akiyuki Shinbo was hired to make the anime. Director Shinbo is known for working on a number of popular works with the studio Shaft, and his unique visual expression further deepens the worldview of "Kubikiri Cycle."

Story and Characters

The setting of "Kubikiri Cycle" is "Blue Savant" island, where geniuses gather. On this island, geniuses live together and conduct research. However, one day, a series of murders suddenly occurs on the island. The protagonist, "I", visits the island at the request of his friend and tries to uncover the truth behind the incidents.

The main characters include the protagonist "I", the "Blue Savant", the leader of the geniuses, and the "Zany Talker", the administrator of the island. "I" has a calm and rational personality, and while he pursues the truth of the incident, he also deepens relationships with the people around him. "Blue Savant" has a genius mind, but is poor at interacting with others, and this gap adds depth to the story. "Zany Talker" is an important character who knows the island's secrets, and his actions and words have a major impact on the development of the story.

Visual expression and performance

Director Akiyuki Shinbo's visual expression really shows its merits in "Kubikiri Cycle." In particular, he skillfully depicts the closed space that reflects the theme of locked room murder, and the psychological portrayal of the characters. Combined with Shaft's distinctive drawing style, it faithfully reproduces the atmosphere of the original work while also establishing its own uniqueness as a film.

Also, don't miss the direction of each episode. As the case progresses, the tone of the images and the camerawork change, drawing the viewer into the world of the story. In particular, the murder scenes and the scenes where the trick is solved are full of tension, which excites the viewer.

Music and voice acting

The music for "Kubikiri Cycle" was composed by Satoru Kanzaki. Satoru Kanzaki is a composer who has worked on the music for many popular anime works, and his music further enhances the atmosphere of the story. In particular, Satoru Kanzaki's music shakes the emotions of the viewer in tense scenes.

The voice actors are also impressive, with Kamiya Hiroshi playing the main character, "Waga." Kamiya Hiroshi perfectly portrays the calm and rational character of "Waga," leaving a strong impression on viewers. Other voice actors who perfectly matched each character were also cast, including Ono Daisuke as "Blue Savant," the leader of the geniuses, and Nakamura Yuichi as "Zarego Tsukai," the administrator of the island.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Kubikiri Cycle" has been highly praised not only by fans of the original work, but also by anime fans. In particular, it has been praised for faithfully recreating the atmosphere of the original work while adding director Akiyuki Shinbo's visual expression, which has brought out even more appeal than the original. In addition, the story development and character portrayal are also superb, and have the power to draw the viewer into the world of the story.

The first reason to recommend this film is that it allows you to fully enjoy Nishio Isin's unique worldview. Fans of the original novel can enjoy the story even more deeply through the film adaptation of "Kubikiri Cycle." Director Akiyuki Shinbo's visual expression and Shaft's drawing style are also not to be missed. The film skillfully depicts the theme of locked room murder, leaving a strong impression on viewers. Furthermore, the music by Satoru Kanzaki and the splendid voice cast also enhance the appeal of the story.

"Kubikiri Cycle" is a work that can be recommended not only to fans of the original work, but also to anime fans. In particular, it is a work that should be watched by those who like mysteries and suspense. If you are interested in locked room murder tricks and character psychological portrayals, please pick up this work. You will surely be drawn in by its charm.

Related works and series

"Kubikiri Cycle" is one of the works in the "Zaregoto Series" and is related to other works by Nisio Isin. The "Zaregoto Series" consists of five volumes, and while each volume is an independent story, they depict the growth of "I" and human relationships throughout the series. In particular, "Kubikiri Cycle" occupies an important position in the series, and you can gain a deeper understanding by reading the other works.

Other series by Nishio Isin include the "Monogatari Series" and "Katanagatari." These works are also attractive for Nishio Isin's unique worldview and character portrayal, and are highly recommended for fans of "Kubikiri Cycle." In particular, the "Monogatari Series" has also been made into an anime and has been highly praised by viewers.

How to watch and purchase information

"Kubikiri Cycle" is an OVA work released by Aniplex. It is available in DVD and Blu-ray packaged versions, and can be purchased from online shops and anime shops. It may also be available on video streaming services, so please check there as well.

The original novel has also been published by Kodansha and can be purchased at bookstores and online shops. By reading all five volumes of the "Zaregoto" series, you can enjoy the story even more deeply.

summary

"Kubikiri Cycle: Blue Savant and the Zaregoto-tsukai" is a masterpiece OVA that combines Nishio Isin's unique worldview with Akiyuki Shinbo's beautiful visuals. While faithfully recreating the atmosphere of the original work, it also has its own uniqueness as a visual work, and has the power to draw the viewer into the world of the story. This is a must-watch work, especially for those who are interested in locked-room murder tricks and the psychological portrayal of characters. You can gain a deeper understanding by enjoying related works and series at the same time. Enjoy Nishio Isin's worldview through "Kubikiri Cycle."