Only a few TypeMoon fans remember the series or even
knows Tsukihime since when most folks talk about TypeMoon the Fate series are
the first to come into mind. To them this show never existed and I sort of see why they would think that but lets review it anyways. Also the spoilers flag is up.
Tsukihime follows the story of Shiki Tohno, a second year
high school student of Misaki Town, who suffered a life-threatening injury when
he was young. An injury that gives Shiki was able to see "death
lines", lines which is both a gift and a curse for him. It also gives him
the ability to slay supernatural beings. Because of his "Mystic Eyes of
Death Perception" the Shinso vampire princess Arcuied, Ciel of "the
Buriel Agency" and the mysterious Death Apostles are drawn to him either
as an ally or as enemies.
Tsukihime is a decent series on its own just don't expect
over the top action and anime epic often cheesy oneliners those well known
anime has been doing often these days. This is after all a horror, romance, drama
anime. Don't expect any world breaking power ups and villains that wants world
domination on this one cause this certainly isn't that type of series.
Tsukihime isn't bad mind you in fact it's surprisingly
enjoyable on its own if you don't mind a dialogue at atmosphere driven series. In
fact I suggest watching it as it. Although I'd agree the 12 episode is clearly
not enough to iron out the plot hole and pacing issues this show has that I'd
probably suggest reading the manga after this since it also feel it has a
better ending.
When you start comparing Tsukihime to the visual novels or
even the manga that is where all the issues pops in as the plot differs both in
pacing and story elements. A lot of the action elements of Shiki using his
"Death Eye" ability has been greatly watered down that it lost its
epicness. Also a lot of the fights in the manga was missing.
In the manga the first time Ciel and Akiha met was when Akiha found Ciel snooping around the Tohno mansion. They got into a duel after exchanging pleasantries. Both
Akiha and Ciel nearly killed each other in that scene.
In the anime they go on a group trip where Akiha and Ciel immediately doesn't like each other. Ciel hinted that she feels Akiha isn't human like a dog sniffing a scent and Akiha just walks off insulted and upset. Turning what could have been an awesome encounter into a cheesy harem rivalry. Boo!
In the manga alone it said his death eye has the ability to
kill gods and even dreams. he can even kill spells...and anything he kills with
the death eye remains dead so no reincarnation after it. He simple kills it
from the universe like it never existed before. Sadly this wasn't shown in its
full potential or even explained in the anime that much. Also Arcuied is brutal and relentless when cornered. Something the anime series tones down a lot.
To put it simply a lot of the story was altered, removed and
added that a lot of pure Tsukihime fans like to think that this anime never
existed which I find sad since it was a rather decent anime as itself. Sure the
romance side takes leaps and bounds while the actual plot of hunting
supernatural takes a back seat most of the time as the pacing grind into a
crawl specially during the romantic aspects of the series.
As timeline goes the ending of Tsukihime is where Fate Stay
Night begin. In fact a lot of the things in the Fate series terms like the
"Burial Agency use of "keys" swords and the use of phantasm
ability got started from Tsukihime. One of Type Moons latest series garden of
Sinners is somewhat directly related to Tsukihime specially with its use of
"Mystic Eyes of Death Perception." and is a clear example of what Tsukihime could have been with a bigger budget.
The characters in this series aren't impressive either so
you won't grow any attachment to them until you see them actually kick butt in
an episode or two. The character design in Tsukihime are bland though yet
memorable enough to be included in future Type Moon games and shows like
Carnival Phantasm. The series also spawned a decent fighting game adaptation in
Melty Blood. Act Cadenza developed by Ecole Software for both the PC and the
PS2.
Just check the Melty Blood youtube video below.
The point that this anime series only focuses on about half of what the visual novel is a big disservice to Tsukihime fan. It ignores or gloses over much of the other routes where the story focuses on the demonic past of a certain household in the series that pretty much connects to the main character itself. All we got is a bunch of flashbacks that isn't worth much. And I'm not even getting about Ciels past that was completely omitted save for a single anime line or two.
Maybe someday they will make a true to novel/manga anime adaptation and fans will get the Tsukihime we all want and deserve for a change. I've read the manga and played the game after watching the series and I've grown a fond appreciation of what they tried to do despite its flaws. The manga is leaps and bounds and far more serious.
To sum it up the visual novel has too many routes and a deeper story that it simply cannot cram everything in a 12 episode series without cutting a lot of stuff. Even the character personalities were changed to accommodate this. Certain story arc that would take at least 2 to 3 episodes was changed and condensed to half an episode that is mostly confusing as it is short.
Overall Tsukihime was a horror romance drama series that cut a lot of corners and lost a lot of what could made it great. It certainly has plot and pacing issues. I'd recommend this if you want to get really deep into the franchise but it doesn't pick up the pace until halfway in. Also i'd recommend reading the manga which is a superior version of this storywise. One can only imagine how great Tsukihime would be with a bigger budget.
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