Sometimes, I find it quite freeing to know that something is definitely not for me. In a sense, you feel a sense of armour surrounding your criticisms. No one can be an expert in every area. It is inevitable that there are things outside your wheelhouse.

Until about a week ago, I had never heard of Kizumonogatari – a multimodal Japanese anime Franchise. A manga series that was translated into a television series gave way to a set of three, largely obscure, films. Koyomi Vamp is a compilation of those three films, condensing over three hours of footage into just over two. As a result, it’s tough to review Koyomi Vamp without prior knowledge of the other, larger world it exists within. I had a hard time following the film’s quasi-experimental structure; at the same time, I’m fairly confident part of the solution is found within knowing what was axed out. The value of most alternate cuts is found in knowing what’s missing, what’s altered and what’s changed.

Koyomi Vamp follows Koyomi Aragi (voice of Hiroshi Kamiya) a shy student who encounters debonair vampire “Ms. Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade” (voice of Maaya Sakamoto) bleeding and dying. Koyomi offers up his blood so that Kiss-Shot can regenerate. Unfortunately for Koyomi, this now makes him a vampire. In order to return to his human form, Koyomi must fight three vampire hunters for Kiss-Shot’s missing limbs.

Koymoi Vamp is hardcore anime. The one real, universal treat is the film’s fluid sense of motion, compounded by an experimental editing style. I’m able to appreciate that to an extent, but I also felt very alienated throughout the film. It’s not for me. You’ll probably know if Koyomi Vamp is for you.   

Fantasia fest goers can watch Koyomi Vamp on July 27th.