Kara no Kyoukai

[Kraco]

It sure was longer than the previous ones. Though that was absolutely marvelous. You won't catch me complaining about a Kara no Kyoukai ep being too long. However, longer length also meant they had plenty of opportunities more to make it a bit more complex and confusing and they sure wasted no time to do just that. Nevertheless, by the end it was wrapped up quite nicely, most pieces falling into their places without much force needed.

The temporal tricks employed in this series before were almost overdone in this episode. Although first getting used to them and then watching Touko arrive twice at the building was masterful, I have to say.

One of the best parts of the episode was the very end (before the preview). Even Shiki can be cute sometimes... She even blushed. But Kokutou really should move a little forward. Considering how carnal (in a bloody way) Shiki's traditional joys are, you'd think she could enjoy being touched as well.

Damn Souren Araya was so similar to Kotomine. Type-Moon is a funny company.

Edit: Typo that made little sense.

[Board of Command]

There were quite a few allusions to FSN in this episode. The most prominent one for me was when Enjou Tomoe lost his left arm.

[animus]

I felt all those flashes were overdone. I felt quite nauseous, and really really aggravated.

[Board of Command]

I agree, it was a bit over the top.

[Ryllharu]

The animation seemed a little lower quality in this one, but at twice the length and with that story, I've no right to complain.

While I've seen Rin (from F/SN) and Arcuied (Tsukihime) both equated to cats, I really can't see anyone more catlike than Shiki. It makes her incredibly cute too. She rolls around in bed, rhythmically thumps her feet like a tail, nuzzles pillows, and plays with all of her prey. If she's not messing around with whatever she's about to kill, loving every moment of it, she's playing around with Mikiya. Standoffish, but very possessive when she wants him, just like a real cat.

But the real star in this episode was Touko. Her genius is absolutely proven in this episode. A true master of deception and dolls. The true depth of that mastery only comes to light here. Getting the big one out of the way, there was the fact that Touko defies her own existence as a magus and makes an exact copy of herself. As she said, no better, no worse. She knew she would die, and that either her or her copy (doesn't matter at this point) would come back to kill Alba and pick up the pieces. She even gave Mikiya her cigarettes because Araya would destroy her body and anything on her. I'll admit I was in disbelief that he had killed her, mostly because of the time jumps, but the arrival of the cars on the street were a nice touch to reveal the truth.

But she doesn't even stop there. Going back, she reprimanded Azaka for using her magic out in the open, revealing another huge part of Touko's grand deception. It's Mikiya who follows Touko around and does little odd jobs for her, and so everyone assumes that he is her apprentice. But in both that short scene and the preview, it's obvious that Azaka is her hidden apprentice, and Mikiya is just the doll that Touko's enemies would see in trying to find a weakness. That's pretty cold of her, but I imagine she doesn't really worry too much given what we've seen with Shiki's possessiveness. No one would ever be able to touch Mikiya (as we saw with the first episode where Shiki demanded Asagami Fujino return him).

I liked the connections with both Tsukihime and Fate/Stay Night here though. They mentioned that Touko and the other two went to the magus academy in London, which is mentioned at least once or twice in F/SN. Then they mentioned that Touko's sister, who Type-Moon fans know is Aozaki Aoko from Tsukihime/Melty Blood, stole her inheritance. I'm assuming they meant the Magic Crest that we're more familiar with from Fate/Stay Night. I suppose that might explain why Touko became a doll user instead of an ordinary magus who uses projectile spells or fast-acting barriers.

I loved that Enjou fucked Araya over by leaving the katana in the elevator, so it would travel up and down and aid Shiki is cutting the barrier. Touko mentioned that just having it assembled out in the open would cut the barrier surrounding her workshop.


The number time jumps were a bit over the top, but it fit the theme of the movie well, and they started to converge well towards the end.

[Kraco]

But in both that short scene and the preview, it's obvious that Azaka is her hidden apprentice, and Mikiya is just the doll that Touko's enemies would see in trying to find a weakness. That's pretty cold of her, but I imagine she doesn't really worry too much given what we've seen with Shiki's possessiveness. No one would ever be able to touch Mikiya (as we saw with the first episode where Shiki demanded Asagami Fujino return him).

I don't think it's particularly cold. Considering how much Kokutou knows, he's probably given his blessing to any such conventions already. Plus he's very dedicated anyway. So, working under Touko he knows what he's dealing with. What comes to Touko's personality, she actually gets involved in lots of stuff going on, for a mage.

It was nice to see Kokutou speak pure BS in this ep, though, when he said he doesn't care if Shiki is a girl or a guy. He was totally enamored by Shiki in their earliest history. But I guess he's the kind of guy who uses subtle humour anyway.

[Ryllharu]

I don't think it's particularly cold. Considering how much Kokutou knows, he's probably given his blessing to any such conventions already. Plus he's very dedicated anyway. So, working under Touko he knows what he's dealing with. What comes to Touko's personality, she actually gets involved in lots of stuff going on, for a mage.

It was nice to see Kokutou speak pure BS in this ep, though, when he said he doesn't care if Shiki is a girl or a guy. He was totally enamored by Shiki in their earliest history. But I guess he's the kind of guy who uses subtle humour anyway.

I don't know if it was BS or not. He's known Shiki for a long time, but didn't SHIKI spend more time with Mikiya when they were in high school? Maybe he doesn't truly care because he never really considered them as two different people but rather two sides of the same person. Now that Shiki is faking being masculine to make up for SHIKI's dissapearance, that line has probably blurred even further.

Then again, he said if he could be greedy, he'd rather have the girl Shiki.

It could be he was just trying to piss off Azaka because she was being rude to Shiki.

Also, if his sister is entering the dangerous world that magus live in, maybe it's better to be close by, but keeping most of the attention off of her.

[shinta|hikari]

But even with the "guy" SHIKI personality, her body is still that of a girl. Also, guy or not, Shiki seems to be very fond of Mikiya, maybe even more than the joy she finds in killing. Add these two things and that makes Shiki simply a tomboyish tsundere. It is only right for Mikiya not to give a damn.

[Kraco]

Many sites seem to tell the DVD release date of Chapter 6 is 29th of July. Movie 7 will hit the cinemas in August, according to the same sources.

The end of July is a month or so later than I was expecting (it was in cinemas in December), though maybe it corresponds to past delays, I can't remember/say.

[Ryllharu]

We waited quite a long time between movies in the past (either from fansub delays or dvd release delays), so it's not so bad. I can wait a little while longer for some most excellent Azaka goodness and loads of Shiki-Azaka verbal conflicts.

[shinta|hikari]

...and loads of Shiki-Azaka yuri and verbal conflicts.

Fixed it for you.

[Ryllharu]

At last, our wait for yuri and verbal conflicts is over!

[gg-TakaJun] Kara​ no​ Kyoukai​ - The​ Garden​ of​ Sinners​ - 06​

[shinta|hikari]

Very few yuri scenes, but the ones that were there were great. I wonder how strong Azaka is, to actually pin down a monster like Shiki. While I am sure Shiki is not abnormally strong, she has to be quite confident in her strength being able to move like she does. Speed necessitates physical fitness. While she does not need strength to slice up enemies, muscle power is a must to dash in and flip around like she does.

The punch scene was absolutely hilarious. If there is such a thing as elegant slapstick comedy, that would be it.

Are Azaka and Mikiya blood-related? I may have missed it, since I watched the Chinese subbed one yesterday. From what I know, they are real siblings, but I just want to make sure.

Azaka's fighting style, while showy, is kind of ineffective. She is supposed to be a mage, but uses only close combat techniques. I'm sure it plays into her strength (literally), but some situations call for projectile attacks so Touko better teach her some. Maybe Azaka has yet to master or is not ready to learn such techniques yet. I was really hoping for some cool long range mass destruction flare magic when she got cornered, not a stronger version of her melee attack. If Azaka does not learn something long range, she will never hope to match Shiki, who is a death god at melee.

The next episode is a flashback right? Does that mean that we will never see any physical material advancement on Shiki and Mikiya's romantic relationship? That would be kind of disappointing, since all Mikiya has ever done in the show is woo Shiki, and I would feel sorry for him if he doesn't get any.

[Ryllharu]

The punch scene was absolutely hilarious. If there is such a thing as elegant slapstick comedy, that would be it.

Are Azaka and Mikiya blood-related? I may have missed it, since I watched the Chinese subbed one yesterday. From what I know, they are real siblings, but I just want to make sure.

Azaka's fighting style, while showy, is kind of ineffective. She is supposed to be a mage, but uses only close combat techniques. I'm sure it plays into her strength (literally), but some situations call for projectile attacks so Touko better teach her some. Maybe Azaka has yet to master or is not ready to learn such techniques yet. I was really hoping for some cool long range mass destruction flare magic when she got cornered, not a stronger version of her melee attack.

I loved the engrish "Punchi!" that Shiki all too easily dodged, followed by her dropping Azaka. Azaka was so flustered, and it seems she always expects her brother to be there when she wakes up in that sort of situation. Her reactions are always so over the top when Shiki is involved. I did note that the first time Azaka and Shiki met, it was definitely SHIKI, rather than the current one.

They are blood related. Azaka said she got adopted by her uncle on purpose in order to separate herself from Mikiya so that he wouldn't see her as a sister, but as woman in her own right. Later she reiterated talking to Shiki when she said that she loves taboo sorts of things, referring to the incestual relationship with her brother as a fortunate thing (as opposed to what? Certainly not yuri!).

Azaka's fire is very pretty, a joy to watch. I do think she has ranged attacks, they showed her burning Shiki in effigy at the beginning when Azaka was explaining why she learned magic (7:00 in the gg-TakaJun sub). She was forced into using a lot of defensive magic against the fairies, since she was constantly under the threat of fast attacks from a distance. I think you're right that she plays to her strengths and augments her surprisingly strong physical attacks with her fire.

Azaka could simply light something aflame with a snap of her fingers, or she could punch it first and burn it after a grapple. With her current apprentice level of techniques, I imagine that it makes her current level of skill very devastating.

There are all kinds of magus, and even Araya while primarily a particular-range defensive magus, needed to make physical contact to finish off his foes. It's how he threw Shiki into the wall, and how he finished off the red headed kid as well. While Touko, Aoko, or Tohsaka Rin may be long range, I imagine that they might be in quite a bit of trouble if Azaka is able to close the distance.

Shiki is something entirely different, she is an abberation to them.


I did note that she was assisting a recovering Fujino (the turning girl) at 5:53, who looked blind for some reason now. The dog was well animated too, it looked very lifelike and cute.

[shinta|hikari]

The problem is, Shiki is the one Azaka is trying to rival. Right now, and in the future if she doesn't have any new tactics, she wouldn't even graze Shiki.

[Buffalobiian]

The problem is, Shiki is the one Azaka is trying to rival. Right now, and in the future if she doesn't have any new tactics, she wouldn't even graze Shiki.

One thing to note about her attacks too, is during the training she aimed at still targets, while the fairies were not only small, but fast as hell (except for the big one). As you guys have said, punching first, then igniting most likely enhances her offensive strength, but it also ensures a higher hit ratio with her magic, conserving mana.

Since she prefers to punch her way out of situations (see punchi!), she could just work on close combat to rival Shiki. Shiki did get her skills through training, after all. Azaka's hit, if it lands, could be fatal too.

I was greatly delighted that Azaka resembles Rin so much.

One thing I don't get though, is why God's Word (forgot the guy's name) had to keep repeating his spell on Shiki. Does it only work once or something? I don't get how the last hit struck neither. I'm guessing it was the timing, as Shiki was still blinded afterwards.

[shinta|hikari]

Shiki can't be beaten in close combat, unless the enemy is something like Arcueid. If Azaka comes in and attacks, Shiki's blocks will kill her, or at least chop her arm off. The best way to deal with Shiki would be a deadly projectile attack that comes from multiple directions, preferably with blast radius, something I hoped Azaka would have seeing her training before her fight.

BTW, Azaka's powers remind me of Akiha more than Rin, but we probably have it backward since KnK came first.

EDIT: Fixed the typo block = blocks. I realized it can be a cause for misunderstanding.

[Ryllharu]

Doesn't that assume Shiki's "block" actually strikes the death lines? She has blocked a number of attacks the the movies that didn't cut the lines, merely deflected the attack.

I actually think projectile attacks would work worse on Shiki. She is highly adept at dodging, and she blocks and deflects what might hit her. Sounds a lot like someone else this season with a Type-Moon character design. I would think that close combat is where Azaka would stand the best chance. Shiki isn't as physically strong as Azaka apparently, and in terms of hand to hand combat I would like the give Azaka the benefit of the doubt, but Shiki has been killing for a considerable length of time before she got the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.

If they were both magicians and not a magus and a supernatural-slayer, I think Azaka would have the edge, if only barely.


Akiha and Azaka are definitely referenced to each other.
[some spoilers if you didn't play Tsukihime or a Melty Blood]


Sister: Check.
Bad case of brother complex: Check.
Involved in the moret-than-human world: Check.
Arch-rival in love who is "more special": Check.
Heat based powers: Check.
Two radically different sides to her personality (public and actual): Check.


[end spoilers]

[shinta|hikari]

I qualified my proposal on the ranged attack, I believe. I will repeat it just in case. I said a deadly projectile attack that comes from multiple directions, preferably with blast radius (like a grenade range explosion, just to be clear). If it comes from multiple directions, it would be practically impossible to dodge, and if it explodes, dodging barely doesn't work either. Something like Akiha's ranged fire attack (which just happens without directional source, yes it's cheap) is what I have in mind.

The problem with the Azaka vs. Shiki thing is, they are human. The reason why I referenced Arcueid before is because the only way to beat Shiki close range is if you have inhuman (godlike) speed and power. Azaka will never have either of those, unless she uses some kind of boosting spell (which obviously is not in her repertoire as of yet). Shiki has most likely reached the human limits of skill in close combat, so to beat her, one would need more destructive power (which is impossible due to the nature of Shiki's power) or exceed human limits.

Of course, if you think that Shiki has not yet reached the human limits of close combat ability, then Azaka can just become much better than her (though I doubt she would be able to) at close combat. In this case though, due to Shiki's huge lead and natural talent for killing, if both continue to develop, Azaka will never catch up.

I do agree with you that if they were both magicians, Shiki would lose, but that is because Shiki doesn't have any magic spells, while Azaka has her fire fist. If both were simply human, I will side more with Shiki's experience and instinct over sheer power. It is not a boxing match after all. Shiki has a knife.

While it is true that Shiki will not hit the death lines each time she blocks, that doesn't mean she won't hit them ever. Given enough chances (I personally think 3 should be enough), and in melee combat there will be many given the conditions above (especially with Azaka's straightforward way of attack), Shiki will be able to hit one, and that will end it. That doesn't even count the chance that she will actually land a successful hit on Azaka.

[TheBladeChild]

Ok I must really fail at searching because I cant find the title of the battle theme for Kara no Kyoukai, if it has a name at all. The closest thing I found was on youtube where it was labeled "overlooking view track 13"

Heres the actual song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qpka...BC1D9&index=12

Anyone know its name?