“Kizumonogatari”, translated as “Wound Story,” is a trilogy of Japanese anime films helmed by directors Akiyuki Shinbo and Tatsuya Oishi and produced by Shaft. These films serve as an adaptation of the 2008 light novel of the same name, penned by Nisio Isin, and serve as a prequel to the initial installment of the Monogatari series, Bakemonogatari.
The trilogy unfolds as follows: The inaugural installment, Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu (Iron-Blooded), premiered in Japanese cinemas in January 2016, followed by the second film, Kizumonogatari Part 2: Nekketsu (Hot-Blooded), in August 2016. Concluding the saga, the third and final chapter, Kizumonogatari Part 3: Reiketsu (Cold-Blooded), was released in January 2017. Furthermore, a compilation film titled Kizumonogatari: Koyomi Vamp, was introduced to audiences in January 2024, encapsulating the essence of the trilogy.
CHARACTERS
- Koyomi Araragi is voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya.
- Tsubasa Hanekawa’s voice is provided by Yui Horie.
- Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade is portrayed by Maaya Sakamoto.
- Meme Oshino is voiced by Takahiro Sakurai.
- Dramaturgy is voiced by Masashi Ebara.
- Episode’s voice is performed by Miyu Irino.
- Guillotine Cutter’s voice actor is Hōchū Ōtsuka.
STORYLINE
Many of the heroines in the series possess distinctive items that symbolize their spectral afflictions: Hitagi’s stapler, representing the claw of a crab; Mayoi’s backpack, embodying the shell of a snail; Suruga’s arm, mirroring the appendage of a monkey; Nadeko’s hat and jacket, symbolizing the head and skin of a snake; and Karen’s black and yellow tracksuit, reminiscent of the colors of a bee. Despite incorporating elements of fantasy, horror, and action, the narrative primarily delves into the relationships and dialogues among its characters, characterized by Nisio Isin’s trademark wordplay and meta-humor.
The storyline centers on Koyomi Araragi, a third-year high school student who nearly regains his humanity after a brief stint as a vampire during spring break. His life takes a dramatic turn when he catches his classmate, the enigmatic Hitagi Senjōgahara, falling into his arms after a stairway mishap, revealing her inexplicably weightless state. Despite Hitagi’s warnings to stay away, Koyomi offers his assistance and introduces her to Meme Oshino, a peculiar middle-aged man known for reversing Koyomi’s vampirism. Upon resolving Hitagi’s dilemma, she chooses to become Koyomi’s girlfriend. As the story unfolds, Koyomi becomes entangled with other girls afflicted by “oddities,” seeking guidance from Oshino and later from Shinobu, the once-powerful vampire who now appears as a young girl, to confront these supernatural entities taking symbolic animal forms and feeding on human emotion.
