Tsukihime

Type-Moon

Company type	Private
Industry	Video games, Visual novels, Anime, Manga
Founded	2000
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Tsukihime, Kagetsu Tohya, Melty Blood series
Website	https://typemoon.com/

Tsukihime is a Japanese adult visual novel created and released by Type-Moon initially at the Winter Comiket event in December 2000. It was subsequently adapted into a 12-episode anime series titled Lunar Legend Tsukihime by J.C.Staff in 2003, alongside a manga serialization that ran from 2003 until 2010 in Dengeki Daioh, culminating in ten compiled volumes.

Additional related works include the bonus disc Tsukihime Plus-Disc, the fan disc Kagetsu Tohya, and the fighting game franchise Melty Blood. The narrative shares thematic elements with Type-Moon's The Garden of Sinners, featuring subtle interconnections. A remake was announced in 2008; its initial installment, Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon, which presents rewritten story routes, was released in Japan in 2021 and internationally in 2024. The sequel, Tsukihime: The Other Side of Red Garden, was hinted at within the first remake. The companion fighting game, Melty Blood: Type Lumina, launched worldwide in September 2021.

Gameplay

Tsukihime is a visual novel where player decisions shape divergent storylines across five distinct routes divided into two main scenarios: the Near Side of the Moon (featuring Arcueid and Ciel routes) and the Far Side of the Moon (covering Akiha, Hisui, and Kohaku routes). Each heroine’s path offers multiple endings, unlocking an epilogue known as Eclipse after completion. Unfavorable endings trigger a humorous hint segment called Teach Me, Ciel-sensei!

The remake preserves the original gameplay mechanics while incorporating updated features. It is delivered in two parts: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon encompasses the Near Side routes with one Arcueid ending and two for Ciel; The Other Side of Red Garden covers the Far Side heroines plus introduces a new route centered on Satsuki, expanding on narratives from Melty Blood.

Setting

The protagonist, Shiki Tohno, is portrayed as a high school student residing in Misaki (original version) or Soya City (remake), who acquires the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception following a childhood accident. These eyes reveal "death lines" that can annihilate anything traced along them. To suppress this power, Shiki wears glasses crafted by sorceress Aoko Aozaki. After being disowned by his father to live with a branch family, he returns years later upon his father’s passing to reside with his sister Akiha. The plot revolves around supernatural conflicts involving vampire factions—the natural True Ancestors and magecraft-altered Dead Apostles—while delving into hidden family mysteries.

Set within Type-Moon’s interconnected "Nasuverse," the remake takes place after the remastered timeline of Witch on the Holy Night (2022), shifting the setting to the year 2014.

A Piece of Blue Glass Moon

Following his awakening to the Mystic Eyes, Shiki experiences exile but returns seven years later after his father’s death. He confronts vampire serial killers such as Vlov Arkhangel and Michael Roa Valdamjong, who intends to use Shiki as a vessel to attain eternal life.

In Arcueid’s storyline, Shiki partners with vampire princess Arcueid Brunestud to eliminate these dangers. Ciel, an executor affiliated with the Church, reluctantly joins forces with them to confront Roa beneath their school grounds. After their victory, Shiki resumes a normal existence while Arcueid returns to her home.

Ciel’s standard route explores her dual role as both ally and adversary, unveiling her cursed immortality linked to Roa’s former host status. Shiki battles against Roa’s corrupting influence while Noel—a subordinate transformed into a Dead Apostle—seeks vengeance. This route concludes with Shiki overcoming Roa’s infection through Ciel’s sacrifice and subsequently joining the Church.

Ciel’s additional route intensifies the conflict as Arcueid reveals overwhelming power, compelling Shiki to negotiate with Roa’s essence for survival. The narrative ends with Shiki choosing reality over coma-induced illusions and reconciling with Ciel.

The Other Side of Red Garden

Centers on the Far Side heroines Akiha, Hisui, and Kohaku, while introducing a new narrative route for Satsuki Yumizuka that broadens the storylines connected to the fighting game sequel.

Main

The protagonist gifted with Mystic Eyes that allow him to detect death lines; estranged from his family following an injury; uses a switchblade to combat supernatural entities.

A vampire princess belonging to the True Ancestors, immune to conventional vampire vulnerabilities; initially slain by Shiki but later revived to request his assistance.

A senior student and executor affiliated with the Church; cursed with immortality as a former vessel of a Dead Apostle; serves as a complex ally and romantic interest.

Shiki’s sister and head of the family; a half-demon possessing cursed blood that grants pyrokinesis.

One of the cold-tempered twin maids serving the Tohno household and a childhood companion of Shiki.

The more cheerful twin maid, skilled in medical care, concealing a painful history.

Recurring

A sorceress who provides Shiki with glasses that suppress his Mystic Eyes.

Classmate turned Dead Apostle featured in the remake’s Far Side storyline.

NRVNQSR Chaos

Dead Apostle antagonist replaced by Vlov Archangel in the remake version.

Michael Roa Valdamjong

An immortal Dead Apostle villain intent on possessing hosts.

Makihisa Tohno

The deceased father whose past deeds trigger familial conflicts.

Remake exclusives

Introduces new characters like Mio Saiki and Gouto Saiki, who expand the clan’s narrative depth.

Development

Initially based on Kinoko Nasu’s novel concept, Tsukihime transformed into a visual novel emphasizing a distinctive vampire tale that contrasts its originally darker themes. Early trial editions were distributed at Comiket events from 1999 to 2000 prior to the complete release.

Later releases include Tsukihime Plus-Disc (2001), which added short stories and multimedia elements, and the sequel Kagetsu Tohya (2001), which extended the narrative with additional gameplay features.

Development of the remake began in 2012 but was temporarily halted to prioritize Fate/Grand Order, resuming in 2017. Divided into two parts covering Near Side and Far Side storylines, it updates the setting and plot while incorporating voice acting and fresh routes such as Satsuki’s. The first installment launched on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in Japan in 2021, with a global localization planned for June 2024, including Windows platforms.

Video games

Kagetsu Tohya (2001) serves as a sequel employing repeating-day mechanics that unlock new content. The Melty Blood fighting game franchise (commencing in 2002) features characters from Tsukihime, evolving through arcade and console versions and culminating in the rebooted Melty Blood: Type Lumina (2021), which aligns with the remake’s storyline.

Anime

The 2003 anime adaptation produced by J.C.Staff aired for 12 episodes under the title Lunar Legend Tsukihime. It was initially licensed by Geneon North America before Sentai Filmworks took over distribution rights.

Print

The manga adaptation serialized in Dengeki Daioh from 2003 to 2010 primarily follows Arcueid’s route while integrating other story arcs across ten volumes. It has been licensed for English release with partial publication.

Additional print works include Kinoko Nasu’s short story Tsuki no Sango, which was adapted into animated recitals by Ufotable along with serialized manga volumes that further develop the franchise’s lore.

Music

The soundtracks encompass both the original editions and their remakes, featuring compositions by Keita Haga and Hideyuki Fukasawa. For the remake, theme songs performed by Reona were released commercially, accompanied by an extensive eight-disc soundtrack collection.

Reception

Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon achieved sales exceeding 138,000 units across the Switch and PlayStation 4 platforms soon after its launch. It garnered widespread praise for its compelling storytelling, high production standards, and precise localization. On OpenCritic, it stands among the top-rated titles of 2024.

The manga continued to enjoy robust sales with the release of its later volumes. Critics have lauded the anime adaptation for its immersive narrative atmosphere, which is effectively conveyed through its visual artistry and musical composition, despite a deliberately unhurried pacing.

External links

• Official website
• Tsukihime anime; at J.C. Staff