“Monogatari” is a long running novel series started by NISIOISIN (Nisio Isin) in 2005. It has many different titles for each subsequent part of the story, alwayings ending in the suffix monogatari, meaning story and (or) tale. “Kizumonogatari” (Scar-Story) is the prequal to the entire 29 volume series, written after the first two volumes of “Bakemonogatari” (Monster-Story). Each animated adaptation of the series has been in a weekly episodic format since 2009; “Kizumonogatari” is the exception, being the backstory to the main character.
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“Kizumonogatari I: Tekketsu” (Iron-Blooded), is the start to a series of unfortunate events involving the main character Araragi, and a vampire named Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade (yes that is her entire name). Araragi, after buying something from the book store, hears wailing coming from a subway tunnel while on his walk home; curiously he heads toward these infantile like cries. At the bottom of the station steps he finds a trail of blood that leads to the crying Kiss-Shot, who has had her limbs stolen from her, and with them her immortal power. Terrified, Araragi contemplates running away or hearing out the dying vampires pleading cries. After listening to the pathetic whining of the waning woman, his sympathy had finally followed through and with it his mortality was past as well. Araragi after coming to terms with his becoming of a vampire, talks to the now childlike Kiss-Shot and a new man named Me-me Oshino, whom says he’ll look over the situation but won’t get involved. Kiss-Shot along with Oshino inform Araragi of who has stolen her limbs, and that if she has them returned to her she can return Araragi to being human with her full power.
This first movie really sets the tone for what’s to come after in a way that I would call brilliant. I personally think this movie is a worthwhile watch but to each their own I guess. This movie is a good start to this wonderful piece of fiction, I personally believe that it’s perfect and deserves a 10/10 score.
