Shingetsutan Tsukihime
Director
Katsushi Sakurabi
Production
J.C.Staff
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
25 min x 12 Episodes
Year
2003
Tsukihime Lunar Legend Volume 1: Life Threads
By otaku_kei
14th Jun 05  Horror has been one of the staple genres of cinema and TV since the medium ever began, and its long running history is evident in the plethora of anime titles that have seen the light. I know this is ancient history, but for everyone who remembers the start of the anime scene in the UK will surely recollect the many horror titles that were hitting shelves back then: Overfiend, Doomed Megalopolis, Vampire Hunter D to name but a few. Tsukihime may continue the horror tradition, but does so in a manner unlike the gore-shock movies of the 80's and 90's. Holding more in common with the new wave of Japanese horror films such as Ringu and Dark Water Tsukihime brings us a tale of a war amongst a vampire nation, and one boy who can see all the lines of life and death within the world. Tokyo is being plagued by a series of mysterious deaths, in which each of the victims is left drained of any blood. This series of mysterious deaths are creating an aura of fear and paranoia even amongst the high school students. Shiki a local high school student is moving back to his family home after having been raised by his Aunt and Uncle. Shiki is uncomfortable in his new home, getting to know his younger sister all over again as well as coming to terms with the fact that he is a brutal murderer. Since childhood Shiki has seen red lines connecting all things, and been cursed with poor health. During one of his 'funny turns', Shiki attacks a young woman and dismembers her body in a frenzied assault. Shiki then has to try to come to terms with the memory of this act, but all of that is thrown into disarray when she catches up to him later and appears to be alive and healthy. This woman, Arcueid Brunested, is not all she appears and Shiki is quickly drawn into a war between vampires as he is used by Arcueid as a human shield. Of course this show has its fair amount of action as all horror shows should, but overpowering everything is the brooding sense of claustrophobia. Even in the large, airy house there is a constant feeling of malevolence that is carried throughout this show, a presence that lurks just outside the camera shot, but that effects everything that takes place in this show. There is also a lot set up in this opening volume that already we want to see answers for in the coming volumes - where does Shiki's power come from? What are Arcueid's true motivations? Just why are the maids and Shiki's sister so bizarre? All questions that need to be resolved. But as with all first volumes this show is only just starting out, this being the introduction to a plot that is sure to be far more expansive then that synopsis above. The history of the vampire nation is sure to be expanded upon, even if only briefly. In many ways the direction this show seems sure to take will focus more on the close character interaction than some drawn out immortal war. It will also be interesting to see what Shiki's curse means for those around him, and how his dual nature as retiring high school student and murderous villain will effect those relationships. So far this show has been very entertaining, and reminded me quite a bit of the manga Lament of the Lamb with a vaguely similar situation with vampires and broken homes. What direction this show will take is still to be determined but I am sure it will be enjoyable for all you horror fans out there. Tsukihime remains another quality release from MVM this summer.
R2 DVD Notes
Features: English Language 2.0; Japanese Language 2.0; English Subtitles; Textless Opening; MVM Trailers
Release information: OUT NOW
Notes: Hmmm bit of a mixed bag here. As to be expected from an MVM/Madman collaboration this release is top quality as far as audio and visual issues are concerned. But when it comes to the extras this release is even shabbier than the usual efforts from MVM. Clearly taking their cues from BEEZ's recent releases we have a paltry choice of extras here - textless opening or MVM trailers. Not much here really, especially when MVM have even been reducing the number of trailers that they put on their discs nowadays. Just klucky that the show is so good then, eh?
-- otaku_kei 14th Jun 05
Shingetsutan Tsukihime Images  
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