Kizumonogatari Part 3: Reiketsu

Kizumonogatari Part 3: Reiketsu (2017) is the final installment of the Kizumonogatari film trilogy, based on the light novel by Nisio Isin and produced by Shaft under the direction of Tatsuya Oishi. As the dramatic conclusion to the origin story of Koyomi Araragi, Reiketsu (which translates to "Cold Blood") explores the aftermath of Araragi’s battle with the three vampire hunters and his relationship with the legendary vampire Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade, whom he helped resurrect by reclaiming her severed limbs. The film opens with Araragi returning Kiss-Shot to her full vampiric power—only to learn the true cost of his actions. She is not the noble figure he imagined, but a terrifying, bloodthirsty monster who sees humanity as prey. As Araragi spirals into emotional conflict, he confronts the horrifying reality that he is also now a full vampire. Torn between his lingering humanity and his loyalty to Kiss-Shot, he seeks guidance from Meme Oshino, leading to a violent, tragic showdown where Araragi must make an impossible choice: kill the one who gave him life to regain his own soul. The climax is as brutal as it is emotionally devastating, ultimately leading to Kiss-Shot’s transformation into the now-familiar childlike Shinobu Oshino, setting up the Monogatari series' main timeline. Reiketsu delivers all the signature Monogatari trademarks—hyper-stylized visuals, abstract framing, surreal cuts, and bold shifts in tone. The animation is more cinematic and violent than anything in the TV series, blending raw gore with philosophical introspection and visual poetry. Unlike many anime finales, Reiketsu is not triumphant; it is tragic, reflective, and emotionally heavy. Despite its niche appeal, the Kizumonogatari trilogy was a commercial success in Japan. Reiketsu alone grossed approximately ¥200 million (about $1.8 million USD) during its limited theatrical run. The trilogy as a whole was praised for elevating the Monogatari franchise into auteur-level cinema and offered a stark contrast to the often dialogue-heavy TV format. Critics and fans responded positively to Reiketsu, applauding its emotional depth, mature themes, and visual artistry. It holds a high rating among anime review aggregators, with many considering it the most powerful and complete entry in the Kizumonogatari series. Some even cite the trilogy—particularly Reiketsu—as the peak of Shaft’s visual storytelling and one of the best anime film finales of the 2010s. Though it did not receive major Western awards, the film was widely discussed in anime circles and solidified the Monogatari franchise’s reputation as one of the most artistically ambitious in modern anime. Reiketsu is now seen as the essential keystone to understanding Araragi’s character—his guilt, his choices, and his deeply human weakness.