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I think it is safe to say that Fate is a household name in the anime community. With the Fate franchise being one of the largest media franchises in the world, creator TYPE-MOON’s other series like Garden Of Sinners and fighting game series Melty Blood have also gotten much attention. However, without Tsukihime, Fate may never have come to be. It was the first big success that showcased TYPE-MOON’s writer, Kinoko Nasu's unique way of storytelling and created a precedent for the brand's identity in many of their future projects.

Tsukihime which can be translated as Moon Princess is a Japanese eroge which debuted at Winter Comiket in December 2000. Dazzling audiences with its intricate narrative tapestry, this visual novel quickly transcended its origins. Despite gaining a cult following and having had a significant impact on the visual novel and anime communities, it's not as widely known as other franchises. This is due in large part to it being a doujinshi product, so international access was extremely limited.

An anime adaptation titled Tsukihime, Lunar Legend aired in 2003 but the staff thought it was difficult to include all the elements of the original in the short 12 episodes so changes had to be made. If you have seen the anime, it may still be worth giving the VN a go! Another reason would be that Tsukihime also shares the same universe as the Fate series so there are some crossover elements and references between the two franchises.

The story of Tsukihime revolves around protagonist Shiki Tohno, a seemingly ordinary individual whose life plummets into the supernatural realm after an accident gives him an extraordinary ability—the power to perceive Death lines. This ability allows him to see lines and points on objects, which, when cut, can destroy the object's existence. The central plotline involves Shiki's interactions with several different heroines, each with their own supernatural abilities and backgrounds. The story branches depending on the player's choices, leading to different routes that focus on Shiki's relationships with these heroines. The themes of the visual novel include love, identity, morality, and the complexities of the supernatural world.

Set in the fictional enclave of Misaki, Tsukihime beckons players to immerse themselves in a meticulously etched universe where the veil between reality and the supernatural blurs. As Shiki's odyssey unfolds, he crosses paths with an array of supernatural entities, with vampires assuming a pivotal role. These vampires, each characterized by distinct attributes and origins, exercise profound influence over the trajectory of the narrative, casting Shiki's destiny.

Tsukihime - A Piece of Blue Glass Moon, The Remake Fans Have Been Waiting For

The franchise's allure ascended to new echelons with the advent of an eagerly awaited remake. Originally announced in 2008, this reimagined incarnation promised heightened visuals but also an overhauled storyline. With the overhaul, new characters were added, the setting changed and plot points refined in an effort to create a better story and experience. This also included the removal of sexual content but as a rather dark story it still maintains an adults only rating. The series was not originally intended to be an eroge but sex sells, and that is doubly true when it comes to Comiket.  In order to get their foot in the door, TYPE-MOON founders opted to include more explicit content in the original.

13 years after the announcement of the remake, the first chapter, A Piece of Blue Glass Moon was released on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in 2021. An English version is slated to be released in 2024, so it is not too much longer to wait before an international release. The remake is currently limited to only two routes and focuses on the “Near Side Routes.” The missing story lines will also be remade in the future, but we are currently given the routes featuring the main girls Arcueid and Ciel.

 

Arcueid Brunestud, Not Saber

As customary with all TYPE-MOON creations, it would be impossible to adequately summarize and explain all of the lore, world building and character backgrounds without having an incredibly long article. Sooooo…. this is a quick and very simplified overview of the characters. Arcueid Brunestud is the White Princess of the True Ancestors, a group of pure blood vampires. In the world of Tsukihime, earth had no defense mechanism against humanity and nothing to keep them in check. So, the Crimson Moon came down and offered to help the planet make a race of ultimate beings to rule over humanity, thus resulting in the birth of vampires.

 

Despite her status as a vampire princess, she actually has no desire to harm humans. Her main goal instead is hunting other vampires. Each route has Arc’s character develop differently based on her interactions with Shiki but overall she is chaotic good… mostly… Visually, many of the characters look similar to those you would find in Fate, but don’t be fooled. She may look much like Saber but she is very different in many ways. As the poster girl for Tsukihime, she is considered to be the main heroine, but for this blog post, Ciel takes center stage.

Ciel, The Arrow of The Holy Church

Ciel is an executor from the Church's Burial Agency, an organization that deals with supernatural and occult matters. Ciel specializes in hunting down and eliminating vampires, by using the Seventh Holy Scripture, a weapon granted by the Church. Ciel's character harbors layers of complexity, rooted in her enigmatic past and her role within the broader supernatural fabric of the story. 

Ciel's route is known for being particularly dark and exploring themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between good and evil. Without revealing too many spoilers, Ciel's interactions with Shiki lead to a deep and emotional connection between the two characters. Her route provides insight into her past, her motivations, and the internal struggles she faces as a vampire hunter with a personal connection to the supernatural world. TYPE-MOON has released Ciel’s opening route animation on YouTube if you want a sneak peak at what to expect!

 As for Ciel's actual combat abilities, they encompass exceptional physical and magical prowess. She is able to easily navigate urban landscapes by leaping across rooftops. Her mastery of disguise allows her to blend in any situation necessary, seamlessly going from an average high school student and a fierce Executor under the Church’s command. Ciel's arsenal of equipment and magical abilities are extensive and diverse, enabling her to take on any foe she may face.

Good Smile’s figure of Ciel from the remake is an excellent representation of her and while the name may be a bit long… it's actually a very accurate title. First, one of Ciel’s outfits is a full combat sleeveless uniform and the figure design has nailed the aesthetic. The sword she is holding is the previously mentioned weapon, Seventh Holy Scripture. It is a holy relic and conceptual weapon weaved into scripture a thousand years ago. Ciel is one of the few people able to wield the weapon since it requires an enormous amount of magical energy.

Ciel, has the magical power of a hundred magi and so, she can use the conceptual weapon and change its form into seven different ones, from guns to swords. Each form of the Seventh Holy Scripture is associated with a specific cause of death. The seven are immolation, illness, blood loss, collision, insanity, torture, and conviction. Its form as a blade is associated with blood loss. When changing the form of the weapon into a sword, Ciel uses the incantation "In the name of our Lord, come forth, O' third cause of death." It is a very well done recreation of what we see in the visual novel.

Her fierce, confident piercing gaze makes it clear that nothing will get in her way! The base is nicely modeled and adds height and depth to the figure. It also allows for a more dynamic pose further enhancing the feeling of a calm and confident hunter. You can feel her looking down over a town, searching for her prey in the dead of a night. The details they added for texture on her clothing look realistic and we get a hint of a light breeze thanks to the slight skirt flutter.

She is currently available for pre-order but her release date isn't slated until the end of June 2024. Her release may line up with the English release of the visual novel, so reserving now may help avoid potential stocking issues. 

All of the characters in Tsukihime are multifaceted and their designs change accordingly. To get an idea of Ciel’s other outfits and forms for her weapon, this figure from the Melty Blood fighting game showcases her in her Executor attire and Seventh Holy Scripture: Conviction, a pile bunker. There is also a nice Pop Up Parade figure of her in her schoolgirl outfit!

 

I know not everyone is a fan of visual novels but Tsukihime is more than that. In many ways it has shaped the anime and gaming community and without it, Fate and TYPE-MOON may have never been a thing. I would urge any fan of the Fate series or those who are looking for a darker, more adult themed story to give Tsukihime a shot when it's available in your language of choice.

This was a longer article than usual so if you have made it to the end, I truly thank you for reading. I am always happy to read comments left and would be grateful if you could leave a message and let me know what you think!

I hope you found this interesting and enjoyed reading!

(~˘▾˘)~

Until next time!