Kara no Kyōkai

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Kara no Kyōkai
Kyoukai01.jpg
Cover of the first Kara no Kyōkai novel.
空の境界
Genre Action, romance, supernatural, thriller
Light novel
Written by Kinoko Nasu
Illustrated by Takashi Takeuchi
Published by Type-Moon (original creator)
Kodansha (commercial publisher)
Original run October 1998 – August 1999
Volumes 3
Anime film
Overlooking View
Directed by Ei Aoki
Music by Yuki Kajiura
Studio ufotable
Licensed by Canada United States Aniplex of America
Released December 1, 2007
Runtime 48 minutes
Anime film
A Study in Murder (Part 1)
Directed by Takuya Nonaka
Music by Yuki Kajiura
Studio ufotable
Licensed by Canada United States Aniplex of America
Released December 29, 2007
Runtime 58 minutes
Anime film
Remaining Sense of Pain
Directed by Mitsuru Obunai
Music by Yuki Kajiura
Studio ufotable
Licensed by Canada United States Aniplex of America
Released January 26, 2008
Runtime 56 minutes
Anime film
The Hollow Shrine
Directed by Shinichi Takiguchi
Music by Yuki Kajiura
Studio ufotable
Licensed by Canada United States Aniplex of America
Released May 24, 2008
Runtime 50 minutes
Anime film
Paradox Spiral
Directed by Takayuki Hirao
Music by Yuki Kajiura
Studio ufotable
Licensed by Canada United States Aniplex of America
Released August 16, 2008
Runtime 115 minutes
Anime film
Oblivion Recorder
Directed by Takahiro Miura
Music by Yuki Kajiura
Studio ufotable
Licensed by Canada United States Aniplex of America
Released December 20, 2008
Runtime 59 minutes
Anime film
Gate of Seventh Heaven
Directed by Various directors
Music by Yuki Kajiura
Studio ufotable
Licensed by Canada United States Aniplex of America
Released March 14, 2009
Runtime 61 minutes
Anime film
A Study in Murder (part 2)
Directed by Shinsuke Takizawa
Music by Yuki Kajiura
Studio ufotable
Licensed by Canada United States Aniplex of America
Released August 8, 2009
Runtime 121 minutes
Original video animation
Directed by Shinsuke Takizawa
Music by Yuki Kajiura
Studio ufotable
Licensed by Canada United States Aniplex of America
Released February 2, 2011
Runtime 35 minutes
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Kara no Kyōkai (空の境界?, lit. Boundary of Emptiness) is a Japanese novel series, authored by Kinoko Nasu and illustrated by Takashi Takeuchi. It is also known under the nickname Rakkyo (らっきょ?). Its subtitle is The Garden of Sinners.

Contents

History [edit]

Kara no Kyōkai originated in October 1998 as a series of five chapters released online on Nasu and Takeuchi's dōjin-based website, Takebōki (竹箒?), with its final two chapters being released at Comiket 56 in August 1999. Nasu and Takeuchi later formed Type-Moon, and in 2001, featured a portion of the book in their 2001 Tsukihime fandisk, Tsukihime PLUS-DISC, which saw Kara no Kyōkai gain significant popularity, leading it to be released as a dōjinshi publication at Comiket 61 on December 30, 2001.

On September 2002, a drama CD based on the series was released, and on August 6, 2004, noted publisher Kodansha released the series as a commercial publication, which enjoyed immense popularity, with 5000 limited-edition versions of the novel being sold almost immediately upon release. Both editions of Kara no Kyōkai altogether sold more than 500,000 copies.[1] In 2009, Del Rey Manga announced printing of the Kara no Kyōkai novel. This was confirmed in the first volume of Del Rey's Faust release.[2] But Del Ray became defunct before it could happen. The series is regarded as being set in a world parallel to that of another Type-Moon series, Tsukihime, with the protagonist of the series, Shiki Ryōgi, possessing similar abilities as Tsukihime's protagonist, Shiki Tohno, and another Tsukihime character, Aoko Aozaki's sister, Tōko Aozaki (who was briefly mentioned in Tsukihime), also being featured.

The series was adapted into an anime movie series, divided into seven chapters, which were animated by the studio ufotable.[3] The first chapter, titled Overlooking View (俯瞰風景 Fukan Fūkei?), premiered across Japanese theaters on December 1, 2007, with the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters, A Study in Murder (Part 1) (殺人考察(前) Satsujin Kōsatsu (Zen)?), Remaining Sense of Pain (痛覚残留 Tsūkaku Zanryū?), The Hollow Shrine (伽藍の洞 Garan no Dō?), Paradox Spiral (矛盾螺旋 Mujun Rasen?), Oblivion Recorder (忘却録音 Bōkyaku Rokuon?), A Study in Murder (Part 2) (殺人考察(後) Satsujin Kōsatsu (Go)?) being released soon after on December 29, 2007, followed by January 26, 2008, May 24, 2008, August 16, 2008, December 20, 2008, and August 8, 2009 respectively. A compilation movie of the first six films with some new footage was released on March 14, 2009, in preparation for the release of the final seventh movie. In connection with the movie's release, the novels were once again reprinted, as three volumes with new illustrations.[4]

An American premiere of the 5th chapter was held on May 22, 2009 at the Anime Boston convention.[5]

The series was shipped on Blu-ray with a new chapter, Gekijō-ban Kara no Kyoukai Shūshō: Kara no Kyoukai, in English and Japanese subtitles with a retail price of 52,500 yen (about US$620).[6] A DVD of the said chapter was released on February 2, 2011.[6] Aniplex of America released the imported Blu-ray box set on February 8, 2011.[7][8] The box was immediately sold out and has not been reissued since.[9] However, the individual movies are available for rental on the PlayStation Network. A new limited edition DVD boxset was released in late 2012.[10]

Plot [edit]

Setting and Themes [edit]

Kara no Kyōkai is set in an alternate universe to Tsukihime and Fate/stay night, with many of its characters becoming prototypes to characters in Type-Moon's later works. In particular, Mikiya Kokutō has been described as the prototype[citation needed] for Shiki Tohno, the hero of Tsukihime, who possesses the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception that were first introduced as a characteristic of Kara no Kyōkai's protagonist, Shiki Ryōgi. Other characters have made appearances in other works by Type-Moon. Mikiya Kokutō's employer, Tōko Aozaki, is implied to be the puppet maker in the third Fate/stay night scenario, Heaven's Feel, and she is mentioned as the creator of Shiki Tohno's glasses in Tsukihime, where her younger sister, Aoko, appears. Aoko is also the heroine of Mahōtsukai no Yoru.

As one of Kinoko Nasu's earliest works, it also introduces some of the most fundamental concepts in the universe of Type-Moon's works, including souls, Akasha, Counter Force, Magic and Magecraft, and Origin.

Story [edit]

Main article: List of Kara no Kyōkai films

Mikiya Kokutō becomes intrigued by the mysterious series of violent deaths occurring in his town and Shiki Ryōgi, a beautiful but unsociable girl. As he tries to become closer to Shiki, he realizes that Shiki is connected to the mysterious deaths and that the supernatural forces involved with both could kill him. It is revealed that in Shiki's family, certain members of her family possess two distinct personalities, both aware and conscious of one another, but possessing different qualities. The dual consciousness, and Shiki's upbringing as a demon hunter, has caused her to reject other human beings.

However, upon meeting Mikiya, she gradually finds happiness through their relationship and a schism develops between her two personalities. As a result, she winds up in a traffic accident and is left in a coma for two years. When she awakens, she finds herself unable to connect her past memories to her current identity. Reunited with Mikiya, now employed as an investigator for Tōko Aozaki, Shiki assists Tōko's detective agency, Garan no Dou, whenever combat is required, while struggling to come to terms with her identity.

Main Characters [edit]

Main article: List of Kara no Kyōkai characters

Kara no Kyōkai follows the story of Shiki Ryōgi, a teenage girl who possesses the "Mystic Eyes of Death Perception", a supernatural ability that allows the user to see the inherent mortality of everything (both living and non-living) in the form of lines and a single point (which is the "origin" of the object). Trained as a demon hunter, Shiki originally possessed two distinct personalities, a male personality SHIKI (織), and the original female personality Shiki (式), until a traffic accident kills her male personality and leaves Shiki comatose for two years.

When she awakens, she is reunited with Mikiya Kokutō, a friend who had fallen in love with her and promised to attend college with her. Mikiya, whose hopes of attending college with Shiki had been crushed when she fell into her coma, dropped out of college and began working as an investigator for a puppet-maker and powerful sorceress, Tōko Aozaki. To remain close to Mikiya, his sister Azaka also joins Tōko's detective agency, Garan no Dou. With Mikiya, Shiki works for Tōko to investigate paranormal events and resolve them with force if necessary.

Media [edit]

Novels [edit]

Main article: List of Kara no Kyōkai novels

Chapter listing [edit]

  • Chapter 1 – Overlooking View (俯瞰風景 Fukan Fūkei?) Thanatos.
  • Chapter 2 – A Study in Murder (Part 1) (殺人考察(前) Satsujin Kōsatsu (Zen)?) …and nothing heart.
  • Chapter 3 – Remaining Sense of Pain (痛覚残留 Tsūkaku Zanryū?) ever cry, never life.
  • Chapter 4 – The Hollow Shrine (伽藍の洞 Garan no Dō?) garan-no-dou.
  • Intermission (境界式 Kyōkai Shiki?)
  • Chapter 5 – Paradox Spiral (矛盾螺旋 Mujun Rasen?) Paradox Paradigm.
  • Chapter 6 – Oblivion Recorder (忘却録音 Bōkyaku Rokuon?) Fairy Tale.
  • Intermission (境界式 Kyōkai Shiki?)
  • Chapter 7 – A Study in Murder (Part 2) (殺人考察(後) Satsujin Kōsatsu (Go)?) …not nothing heart.
  • Boundary of Emptiness (空の境界 Kara no Kyōkai?)
  • Gospel in the Future (未来福音 Mirai Fukuin?) recalled out summer

Animated films [edit]

Releases:

  • May 21, 2008 (Japan DVD 1: 俯瞰風景 - Thanatos) (Fukan Fukei)
  • June 25, 2008 (Japan DVD 2: 殺人考察(前) - ...and nothing heart) (Satsujin Kosatsu)
  • July 23, 2008 (Japan DVD 3: 痛覚残留 - ever cry, never life) (Tuskan Zanryu)
  • December 17, 2008 (Japan DVD 4: 伽藍の洞 - garan-no-dou)
  • January 28, 2009 (Japan DVD 5: 矛盾螺旋 - Paradox Paradigm) (Mujun Rasen)
  • July 29, 2009 (Japan DVD 6: 忘却録音 - Fairy Tale)
  • December 9, 2009 (Japan DVD 7: 殺人考察(後) - ...not nothing heart)
  • Upcoming film based on Kara no Kyoukai: Mirai Fukuin[11]

Theme songs [edit]

Each of the theme songs to the series are performed by Kalafina, a project formed by Yuki Kajiura.
  • Overlooking View (俯瞰風景 Fukan Fūkei?)
  • Murder Speculation (Part 1) (殺人考察(前) Satsujin Kōsatsu (Zen)?)
    • "Kimi ga Hikari ni Kaete Iku" (君が光に変えて行く Kimi ga Hikari ni Kaete Iku?)
  • Remaining Sense of Pain (痛覚残留 Tsūkaku Zanryū?)
    • "Kizuato" (傷跡?)
  • The Hollow Shrine (伽藍の洞 Garan no Dō?)
    • "Aria"
  • Paradox Spiral (矛盾螺旋 Mujun Rasen?)
    • "Sprinter"
  • Oblivion Recorder (忘却録音 Bōkyaku Rokuon?)
    • "Fairytale"
  • Murder Speculation (Part 2) (殺人考察(後) Satsujin Kōsatsu (Go)?)
    • "Seventh Heaven"

Manga [edit]

  • "Kara no Kyōkai the Garden of sinners", Sphere Tenku (September 15, 2010 -, Japanese online magazine "Saizensen")

Chronological timeline [edit]

1995 (Movie 2)
March
  • Mikiya meets Shiki for the first time on a snowy night.
April
  • Shiki enters high school and gets acquainted with Mikiya.
September
  • Murders begin to occur in the city. The most likely suspect is Shiki, but Mikiya thinks otherwise.
1996
February
  • Shiki is involved in a traffic accident and spends two years in hospital in a coma.
1998
March
  • Mikiya enters a university after graduating from high school.
May
  • Mikiya sees one of Tōko's dolls at an exhibition.
  • Mikiya meets Tōko.
  • Mikiya quits attending the university halfway through.
June (Movie 4)
Shiki awakens. After getting discharged, Shiki agrees to work for Tōko.
July (Movie 3)
Shiki confronts a murderer that can bend anything with her mind who suffers from constant pain.
August
  • recalled out summer – Gospel in the Future (未来福音 Mirai Fukuin?) Möbius ring
September (Movie 1)
  • Suicides begin to occur at an abandoned building.
October–November (Movie 5)
  • A boy runs away from home, after having killed someone. While he is getting beaten by former classmates, Shiki helps him get away and he asks her for a place to hide.
1999
January (Movie 6)
  • A mage resides in a girl's academy, using faeries to create havoc. Shiki infiltrates with the help of Mikiya's sister, Azaka.
February (Movie 7)
  • The murders from four years ago resume, and Shiki finally confronts what she had to do with the killings prior to her coma.
2008
  • recalled out summer – Gospel in the Future -The Beginning (未来福音・序 Mirai Fukuin Jo?) Möbius link

References [edit]

  1. ^ Watanabe, Kei (November 30, 2007). "Kara no Kyōkai: The Anime Movie Versions of the Popular Dōjin Novel, Presenting to the Public from the First of the Month" (in Japanese). Mainichi Shimbun. Retrieved 2008-01-26. 
  2. ^ "Faust 1 by Faust Editors". Del Rey Manga. Retrieved 2008-09-25. 
  3. ^ "Kara no Kyokai Film in the Works". Anime News Network. 2007-01-08. Retrieved 2008-08-05. 
  4. ^ "Akibaos article on the new novels" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2007-12-27. 
  5. ^ "5th Garden of Sinners' U.S. Premiere at Anime Boston". Anime News Network. 2009-02-26. Retrieved 2009-02-26. 
  6. ^ a b "Kara no Kyoukai Gets New Final Chapter on BD with Subs". Anime News Network. 2010-08-26. 
  7. ^ "Aniplex USA Adds Kara no Kyoukai - the Garden of Sinners". Anime News Network. 2010-12-13. Retrieved 2010-12-19. 
  8. ^ "Aniplex USA official website". Aniplex USA. 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2011-05-15. 
  9. ^ "Ufotable Diary". Ufotable. 2011-02-06. Retrieved 2011-05-15. 
  10. ^ http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2012/05/26/aniplex-panel-announcement-round-up
  11. ^ "Kara no Kyoukai: Mirai Fukuin Epilogue Gets Anime Film". Anime News Network. 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2012-07-08. 

External links [edit]

Type-Moon works
Tsukihime series
Fate series
Other
People
Related
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