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Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu (2016)

★★½ — Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu (2016)

Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu is the first chapter of a three-part theatrical adaptation of Nisio Isin's 2008 prequel novel to the Monogatari light novel series, a property that had already generated considerable television success through SHAFT's Bakemonogatari anime in 2009. The film had an unusually prolonged development, having been announced as far back as 2011 before finally arriving in Japanese cinemas in January 2016, making it one of the more drawn-out productions in recent anime history. SHAFT co-directed with Tatsuya Oishi (whose visual work on the original Bakemonogatari series was a defining influence on its look) and series stalwart Akiyuki Shinbo sharing duties. At 64 minutes, it functions less as a standalone film and more as an extended opening act, with Parts 2 and 3 following later that same year.

Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu is a visual feast wrapped around a narrative you've seen a dozen times before. Studio Shaft's animation is, without question, brilliant. Fluid, stylised, and packed with their signature visual flourishes: stark colour contrasts, rapid-fire cuts, and that distinctive blend of traditional artistry and digital experimentation. The action sequences are particularly striking, rendered in a way that feels both brutal and balletic. As a pure exercise in animation craft, it's frequently mesmerising. But strip away the gorgeous presentation and you're left with a story steeped in anime cliché. The hapless male protagonist stumbling into a supernatural world, the alluring vampire woman who needs his help, the harem-adjacent dynamic, it's all territory covered extensively in countless other series. The dialogue, while occasionally witty, often leans into well-worn tropes that feel more familiar than fresh. It's a film that prioritises style over substance, and while that style is undeniably impressive, it can't carry the weight of a narrative that rarely surprises. A technically masterful piece of animation that ultimately feels like a beautifully painted path you've walked too many times. Worth watching for the artistry alone, but don't expect the story to match the visuals.

Rating: ★★½ | Year: 2016 | Watched: 2026-03-31

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Where to watch (US)

Rent: Amazon Video
Buy: Amazon Video
Physical: Amazon UK

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