“Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu” is a must-own for fans of the “Monogatari” series! Recommended!
Image courtesy of © NISIOISIN, ANIPLEX, SHAFT. All Rights Reserved.
TITLE: Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu
FILM YEAR: 2016
DURATION: 63 Minutes
BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition, Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround and DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, Subtitles: English
COMPANY: Aniplex
RATED: 16+
Release Date: December 27, 2016
Chief Director: Akiyuki Shimbo
Directed by Tatsuya Oishi
Storyboard by Tatsuya Oishi
Music by Satoru Kousaki
Originally Created by NisiOisin
Character Design by Akio Watanabe, Hideyuki Morioka
Art Director: Hisaharu Iijima
Anime Production: SHAFT
Featuring the following voice talent:
Hiroshi Kamiya as Koyomi Araragi
Maaya Sakamoto as Shinobu Oshino
Yui Horie as Tsubasa Hanekawa
Takahiro Sakurai as Meme Oshino
PART 1: TEKKETSU STORY
One day, Koyomi Araragi encounters the horrifying vampire, Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade A.K.A. the “King of Apparitions.” He saves the fatally wounded Kiss-shot by offering his blood at the expense of his own life as a human. Now Koyomi has to face the vampire hunters to retrieve Kiss-shot’s limbs which were taken by these hunters…
THE ORIGIN STORY OF MONOGATARI SERIES!
This highly anticipated film has brought together an all-star creative team including Director Tatsuya Oishi (Series Director of BAKEMONOGATARI), Character Designer Akio Watanabe (Monogatari Series), Chief Director Akiyuki Shimbou (Madoka Magica, Monogatari Series, NISEKOI) and Studio SHAFT (Madoka Magica, Monogatari Series, NISEKOI).
In 2005, a light novel titled “Bakemonogatari” was written by Nisio Isin and featured the illustrations by Vofan.
For Isin, he is known for his “Zaregoto” novel series (2002-2005) which led to series such as “Ningen” and “Sekai”published by Kodansha. By 2006, Isin would begin working on the “Bakemonogatari” series which is based on short stories published in “Mephisto Magazine”.
The first story featured a first volume with three stories “Hitagi Crab”, “Mayoi Snail”, “Suruguta Monkey” and a second volume with two “Nadeko Snake” and “Tsubasa Cat”.
“Bakemonogatari” focused on a third year high school student named Koyomi Araragi. A perverted teenager with a loli complex who doesn’t do well in school. One day, Koyomi was attacked by a vampire named Shinobu Oshino, a 500-year-old vampire who once was a vicious, beautiful vampire but now has the appearance of an eight-year old girl.
Koyomi turned into a vampire but thanks to Meme Oshino (an expert in the apparitions field), he was able to become human again but still has several side effects including seeing in the dark, his eyes turning red when incredibly angry, amazing healing power and strength.
While his parents are away, Koyomi helps raise his two young sisters, Karen (the middle child who is taller than Koyomi and likes to take part in martial arts and outdoor activities) and his little sister Tsukihi, who is the opposite of Karen and rather do indoor activities but also prefers wearing a yukata (Japanese traditional outfit).
With this new power of Koyomi, in “Bakemonogatari”, he had to help characters with apparitions.
A prequel to “Bakemonogatari” titled “Koyomi Vamp” which focused on Shinobu Oshino and her role as a vampire before attacking Koyomi and a separate volume known as “Kizumonogatari” was published in Pandora Magazine in 2008.
In 2009, “Bakemonogatari” was adapted into an anime series.
The sequel to “Bakemonogatari” titled “Nisemonogatari” which was released in 2008 and adapted to an anime series in 2012.
In 2014, a five episode arc was released titled “Hanamonogatari” which is about the character Suruga Kanbaru.
And in October through November 2015, the Owarimonogatari novels anime adaptation aired on Japanese television.
In 2016, a three-part film series was planned and the series would be known as “Kizumonogatari”. And the films would serve as a prequel to “Bakemonogatari” and “Nekomonogatari Kuro” and features an adaptation of the Koyomi Vamp arc.
The first film known as “Tekketsu” would feature Naoetsu Private High School loner Koyomi Araragi and how he would meet Tsubasa Hanekawa for the very first time.
But how he encountered the vampire Kiss-shot-Acerola-orin Heart-under-blade and how he was turned into a vampire and how he badly wants to be a human again.
And now “Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu” has been released in the U.S. on Blu-ray courtesy of Aniplex!
VIDEO:
“Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu” is presented in 1080p High Definition and the overall animation for the film is much different compared to the TV series. The film uses a lot of pinkish colors with an emphasis on brown, red and white. Also, a heavy use of 3D CGI backgrounds and real-life photos versus the abstract, 2D backgrounds as shown in the TV series.
But as one can expect from a film, bigger budget, vibrant colors and a different style, it’s no doubt refreshing visual look especially for some of the primary characters that we have seen in the “Monogatari” TV series.
“Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu” looks fantastic on Blu-ray.
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu” is presented in uncompressed Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 with English subtitles. Dialogue is crisp and clear and being a film, while the TV series is front-channel driven, the film makes great use of music and also sound effects ala ambiance through the surround channels. Satoru Kosaki’s musical soundtrack is also crystal clear!
It’s important to emphasize that there are no English dubs with this Blu-ray set.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu” comes the following special features:
- PV – Japanese Promotional Video
- CM – Japanese Commercials
EXTRAS:
“Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu” comes with a 47-minute, 29-track original soundtrack featuring music from Satoru Kousaki, slip case package illustrated by Akio Watanabe, a 40-page deluxe booklet and a six pinup postcard set.
As a faithful watcher and reviewer of the “Monogatari” anime series, watching “Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu” was refreshing, captivating and quite enjoyable to watch.
We get to see how Koyomi Araragi first met Tsubasa Hanekawa and his first encounter with the vampire Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade and also how he met oddity specialist Meme Oshino.
While the first film is straightforward, as it was a big part of “Bakamonogatari”, the film puts us into perspective of how Koyomi Araragi was when he met Tsubasa (the film’s delivery of fan service and comedy) and how it quickly transitions to something more violent, bloody with the introduction of Kiss-Shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade and how Koyomi and her came into contact and why Koyomi turned into a vampire. And how far Koyomi would go to turn human.
The first film is putting that whole arc into a visual perspective but of course, providing us the initial story for the sequel.
And with this being a film, there is a visual style that was refreshing to see and how it differs from the TV series. From character design, animation, the use of colors and 3D CG, the film looks great on HD!
It is important to note that “Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu” is violent and bloody, so you don’t want to show this animated film to young children.
As for the lossless soundtrack, also a major difference is you get a DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack in Japanese 5.1 and 2.0. No English dub was included for this Blu-ray release.
And while special features are the usual CM and PV’s, you also get the original soundtrack on CD and also a 40-page booklet and a six postcard set.
Because this is the beginning of Koyomi’s storyline, once can easily jump into this film and watch and see how Koyomi met key people in the anime series and then watch the anime series from it “Bakamonogatari” up to “Owarimonogatari”. The visual style is a bit different from the film, as one can expect from a bigger budget film vs. a TV series. But because the series is always creative, vibrant and unique, the film exhibits creativity, different uses of color and a different presentation that fans will probably enjoy, especially for its refreshing visual presentation and its use of pinks, red and whites.
Overall, “Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu” is a must-own for fans of the “Monogatari” series! Recommended!
