In Kizumonogatari -Koyomi Vamp- What’s Next After “Alls Fair in Love and War?” It Doesn’t Look LIke Hate.

Anyone who hasn’t seen Kizumonogatari, read the Monogatari book series or seen the Bakemonogatari anime, that’s okay! Neither of them really follow the order of the other, and tegarding the former, all three films have been compiled into one huge introduction of this franchise. After watching this neo-gothic wonder known as Kizumonogatari -Koyomi Vamp- (傷物語 こよみヴァンプ), I feel inclinced to get caught up!

Here, Koyomi Araragi (Hiroshi Kamiya) is in a heap of trouble. After meeting Tsubasa Hanekawa (Yui Horie), he loses his humanity! At first, I thought he would lose his virginity because the defining moments offers some classic fanservice along with pop culture references; but the first conversation they have is about the ghosts and vampires said to lurk nearby. I knew that sets up the fact he would become a druge! In layman terms, he’s a vampire’s servent. But when he tells his creator, Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade (Maaya Sakamoto), he doesn’t want to remain a vampire, finding a way out will be difficult.

This world may well be similar to Sazan Eyes, a manga series from the 90s that I still adore today. This story also features a young male who “accidentally” becomes an immortal. And he’s more than just a servant of the sanjiyan. These immortals from Tibet can vary in personality, and what I remember from this IP is echoed here. In this film series, Araragi is offered a chance to save (but I see it as to satisfy) a vampire who lived far too long for her liking and has the split personality syndrome too. In her human form, Shinobu Oshino is very young and cute instead of a scornful headmistress.

But when she wants to be an adult, that viciousness turns her into Claudia from Interview with a Vampire. If I were those three monster hunters who hunted her down, I’d keep an eye behind my back since she wants her power back! To hear Sakamoto play this older version is rather frightening, and when she can vary the personality like a cigarette lighter, I’d say voice actress Megumi Hayashibara has a challenger! This “Master” is rotten to the core and, unlike other known kings of the court, namely Dracula or Lucian LeCroix (Forever Knight), this blond vixen wants more respect from her pedigree.

Although she promises to restore Araragi, I figure there’s a catch. But for that other girl that he has a liking to, she better look out! I know enough about threesomes where somebody will get the shaft. I’m not being literal since staking someone in the heart will instantly end the greater evil in any vampire story.

And true to the genre, the reason I’m connecting this to Sazan Eyes is because of an equally enigmatic person who can put Benares to shame; Meme Oshino (Takahiro Sakurai) is a mysterious benefactor whom I’m still trying to understand. Although he reminds me of Spike from Cowboy Bebop, he’s nothing like, and the magic he can fire off looks even more powerful than Kiss-Shot’s! I’m sure he has a larger role in the books and after watching this film for the second time, I’m inclined to watch the series to see just how important he is to the franchise, rather than how certain relationships continue.

As this film is most likely an adaptation of book three, to really figure this tale out means simply remembering Kiss-Shot is Shinobu’s adult form. I like to see more of her, as she’s too cute as a chibi version for her own good. I suspect that in the books (available on Amazon USA) or the series on Crunchyroll, this version is not meant to often come out and play! As for where it all fits chronologically, blogger edomonogatari published this excellent guide.

4 Stars out of 5

Kizumonogatari -Koyomi Vamp- Trailer