Tsukihime is responsible for many things. In 2000, Type-Moon’s classic visual novel captivated audiences with a story full of occult mysteries, an exciting plot, and dramatic character drama. Like jagged lines splitting from a single core, its success has spread in many different directions: manga and anime adaptations, the production of numerous VN sequels, the birth of the mega-popular Type-Moon Fate franchise and, of course, creating their own Melty Blood fighting game series. It’s no exaggeration to say that Tsukihime is a cornerstone of the industry, which is precisely why the title’s disappearance into relative obscurity is such a surprise.
Despite all the waves it made during and after its release, Tsukihime never received an official Western localization. Moreover, the original Japanese release has long been abandoned, and the task of preserving the game online has fallen to die-hard fans. Suffice it to say, it’s not the fate a game many consider one of the best in its genre deserves. Fortunately, Type-Moon saw fit to correct that problem with a full remake project.
Tsukihime – Piece of the Blue Glass Moon – is a remake of the 2000 original – one that takes a page from Square Enix Final Fantasy VII Remake and adapts some of the source material while intensively expanding, reworking and updating it into something that sparkles as new, yet glows with nostalgic warmth. Now, roughly three years after its 2021 Japanese release, the title has finally reached Western audiences with an official English translation, and we’re happy to confirm that the first part of this new chapter for Tsukihime is pretty much everything fans have long hoped for.
Reflecting his original incarnation, Tsukihime – Piece of the Blue Glass Moon – chronicles the story of Shiki Tohno, a teenager who secretly suffers from a mysterious illness that allows him to see the lines of death that cover the world around him. Shiki’s peaceful life is turned upside down when his estranged family suddenly demands his return. Not long after, a chance encounter with an unusual girl leads him down a dark rabbit hole full of closely guarded family secrets, gruesome existential revelations, and vampires. As, a whole bunch of vampires.
At this point we should note that the Tsukihime – Piece of the Blue Glass Moon – is not very suitable for the faint of heart or the squeamish. Even more so than the original, it pulls no punches when it comes to showing and describing some pretty horrific imagery. Stick with it, though, and you’ll be rewarded with a compelling story that revels in its own gory exploration of grief, heroism, and connection.
This version covers only two of the original game’s five branching narrative routes, known collectively as the “Near Side” part of the story. The first route features the cheerful vampire Arcueid Brunestud as the protagonist opposite Shiki, while the second unlockable route instead places Shiki’s upperclassman Ciel in the deuteragonist role. While the core of each route remains intact, both have been greatly expanded and revised, with Ciel’s route receiving an extremely thorough rework to differentiate it from its Arcueid counterpart. Simply progressing through one of these routes is enough to provide a satisfying narrative experience, but those who want answers to all of the story’s many mysteries should play both. Fans of the other three routes of the original game can also rest easy as they will be adapted Tsukihime – The Other Side of the Red Garden-the upcoming second part of the remake project.
In terms of gameplay, interactivity is limited to certain moments where you have to make a decision to progress the story. Some choices have small narrative effects, such as choosing where to eat lunch at school. However, they can also be a matter of life or death, as choosing certain options can lead Shiki to an untimely (and often fatal) bad end. We’ve found that avoiding these impasse sequences can occasionally feel like a frustrating exercise in trial and error, as many seemingly innocuous options can be blindsided by some unforeseen twist of fate. Additionally, the ever-looming threat of leading Shiki to an unsettling end ensures that every decision carries weight and that you feel a sense of action in the carefully crafted story.
Completing the game also comes with a reward, as each Dead End unlocks a bonus segment called “Teach Me, Miss Ciel!” In these vignettes, Ciel and Neco-Arc (no doubt already known to many as the internet’s favorite anime cat-gremlin) offer humorous meta commentary on the flow of the story and hint at what alternative decisions will help move the plot forward. As often intoxicatingly melancholic as the main game’s tone can be, these segments serve as a welcome lighthearted respite.
Of course, giving information about how to progress through the story only makes up a small part of the game’s length. We spend the rest immersed in the ever-evolving narrative – and thankfully, it’s an interesting read. The prose itself is rich and vivid, thanks to the winning combination of the original script by author Kinoko Nasu and the high-quality localization of Aniplex of America. There’s a great quality to the writing that pairs well with the game’s thematic exploration of desire and acceptance of taboo. Plot-wise, it’s a story with a ton of excellent world-building, but that lore never gets in the way of the heartwarming, character-driven story that serves as the heart of Tsukihime. The cast of characters and their characters are always front and center, and each one is fleshed out and well-developed, even if a few faces don’t have a chance to fully shine through their route yet.
If we had to pinpoint one place where the story of Tsukihime – Piece of the Blue Glass Moon – falters, it’s the pacing. The game is undeniably a slow burn, and almost every scene has plenty of room to breathe. These are generally welcome traits, but there are some points where it can seem like certain sequences drag on too long or character conversations start to go round and round.
Minor issues aside, the raw narrative is more than enough to stand on its own — and that makes the game’s stellar presentation a pretty lavish cherry on top. From tons of gorgeous CG backgrounds and an incredibly beautiful soundtrack to a comprehensive suite of quality-of-life options, the title oozes brilliance. The most welcome addition of all is the introduction of fully voiced Japanese dubbing, imbuing each character with a previously untapped level of vibrancy and depth. All of these elements combine to give Tsukihime – a slice of blue glass moon – a big-budget feel befitting its lofty legacy.
Conclusion
Taking as many creative liberties as are necessary in a reworking of Type-Moon’s first visual novel, Tsukihime – A Piece of Blue Glass Moon – shows respect for the source material that borders on reverence. It feels like every bit of the game has been carefully and lovingly crafted to create the ultimate version of Tsukihime — one where the shocking narrative developments hit harder, the action sequences are even more exciting, and the underlying story of life, death, and love is all the more enthralling. For fans of the original, it’s not only a dream remake, but a triumphant confirmation to the rest of the world that, yes, we really have been missing out on something special all this time.
