(If you want one of those, say which.)
To understand the significance of A Piece of Blue Glass Moon , one must look back to the winter of 2000. The original Tsukihime was a doujin (indie) visual novel that became an overnight phenomenon, establishing writer Kinoko Nasu and artist Takashi Takeuchi as titans of the industry. Its success laid the foundation for the massive Fate franchise, including Fate/stay night and Fate/Grand Order .
The core premise remains faithful to the original. The story follows , a young man who, after a childhood accident that nearly killed him, acquired the "Mystic Eyes of Death Perception." This supernatural ability allows him to see the "lines of death" on any object, living or organic. By tracing these lines with a sharp object, he can effectively kill anything—from a human to an inanimate wall, to even concepts like a building's structural integrity.
The narrative follows Shiki Tohno, a teenager who returns to his prestigious family home after years of absence. Shiki possesses a terrifying gift: the "Mystic Eyes of Death Perception." This ability allows him to see lines of fragility on all living things and objects; if he traces these lines, the target is instantly destroyed.
Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- is technically the first half of the full remake project. It covers the "Near Side of the Moon" routes, focusing on: Tsukihime A piece of blue glass moon
The subtitle itself is poetic: "A piece of blue glass moon" refers to the fragile, beautiful, and artificial nature of the reality the characters inhabit. It suggests something precious that can shatter at any moment—perfectly mirroring the game’s tone.
The Ciel route takes a darker, more twisted look at the same events. In this scenario, Shiki becomes closer to Ciel, the popular upperclassman at his school. However, Ciel is secretly a member of the , a ruthless hit squad of the Church dedicated to destroying heretics like vampires. This route delves into heavy themes of guilt, despair, and redemption , revealing shocking connections between Shiki, Roa, and Ciel's immortal past. It is widely considered one of the most emotionally devastating routes in visual novel history.
The two heroines featured in this volume are reimagined with significant depth.
is no longer just the "vampire waifu." While she retains her playful innocence and charisma, the writing delves much deeper into her existential loneliness. She is a being created for a singular purpose—hunting the Dead Apostles—and her interactions with Shiki highlight the tragedy of a weapon trying to learn how to be human. (If you want one of those, say which
This is the "true" heroine route of the near-side. It is a tragic, star-crossed romance between a human who embodies death and a vampire princess who embodies eternity. The narrative focuses on the mysterious "Roa" and the nature of Arcueid's vampiric impulse. The remake significantly expands this route, adding new lore about the "Millennium Castle Brunestud" and deepening the emotional weight of Shiki’s decision to either kill or protect the monster he loves.
After years of anticipation and development delays, the remake was released in Japan in August 2021 for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, followed by an official English localization in 2024. Far from a simple graphical update, A Piece of Blue Glass Moon is a ground-up reconstruction that expands the lore, updates the setting to the 2010s, and elevates the presentation to cinematic heights. The Plot: A World of Eyes and Hidden Monsters
This is the quintessential Tsukihime experience. It focuses on the impossible romance between a human who sees death and a vampire who cannot die. The route is significantly expanded, adding new lore about the Ancestors, deeper characterization of Arcueid (making her feel less like a typical "genki girl" and more like a tragic, ancient being), and a dramatically reworked final act. The emotional payoff is devastating.
The remake was announced in 2008 (originally as “Tsukihime Remake”) but entered development hell due to Type-Moon’s focus on the Fate franchise. After the success of Fate/Grand Order , resources were finally allocated. The core premise remains faithful to the original
While the original game was a low-budget indie title, this remake is a high-production tour de force. It features voice acting, a sweeping cinematic score, and thousands of unique CGs that bring Misaki Town to life with a level of polish rivaling Type-Moon’s other titan, Fate/stay night .
A breakdown of the power mechanics
If you enjoy visual novels, anime, or are simply looking for a thought-provoking experience, Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon is an excellent choice.
The English translation is superb—handling the complex Nasu-isms (author Kinoko Nasu’s dense, philosophical prose) with grace. One warning: The game uses legacy name orders (Tohno Shiki vs. Shiki Tohno) and retains Japanese honorifics, which purists will appreciate.
The release of Tsukihime -A piece of blue glass moon- marks the triumphant return of a cornerstone of the visual novel genre. Originally released as an indie "doujin" game in 2000 by Type-Moon, Tsukihime fundamentally changed the landscape of Japanese storytelling. Two decades later, this high-definition remake reimagines the legendary tale for a modern audience, blending nostalgic atmosphere with breathtaking contemporary production values. A Legend Reborn