It finally happened. After a decade of memes, radio silence, and Type-Moon fans slowly losing their minds, Shiki Tohno is back. Honestly, if you’d told someone in 2015 that we’d actually be playing a high-definition remake of a 2000-era doujin game about vampires and urban decay, they’d have laughed you out of the room. But Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon isn't just a nostalgia trip. It’s a massive, sprawling reimagining that fundamentally changes how this world works.
Kinoko Nasu is a writer who can’t help himself. He doesn't just "remake" things; he rebuilds them from the subatomic level up.
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What is Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon anyway?
At its core, it’s a visual novel. If you aren't familiar with the genre, think of it as an interactive book with a budget larger than most indie movies. You play as Shiki Tohno, a teenager who sees lines. Not just any lines—lines of death. If he cuts them, the thing he’s cutting ceases to exist. It’s a terrifying, visceral power that leaves him physically weak and mentally frayed.
After years away, he returns to his childhood home following his father's death. But things aren't "normal" in Misaki Town. People are disappearing. There are whispers of "vampires," though they aren't the sparkly kind you see in teen dramas. These are Dead Apostles—monstrous, ancient, and deeply alien.
This remake covers the "Near Side" of the moon. This means you’re getting the Arcueid Brunestud and Ciel routes. If you were expecting the maids or the sister's routes, you’ll have to wait for the sequel, The Other Side of Red Garden. Is that frustrating? Kinda. But the sheer density of what is here makes it feel like a full game.
The Arcueid Route: More Than Just a Romance
Arcueid is the face of the franchise for a reason. She’s the White Princess of the True Ancestors, a creature of pure power who somehow ends up being the most charmingly naive person in the story. In the original 2000 game, her route was a relatively straightforward introduction to the supernatural. In Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon, it’s a cinematic powerhouse.
The dynamic between Shiki and Arcueid is the heart of the experience. He kills her. Literally. In the first few hours, he loses control of his "Eyes" and carves her into seventeen pieces. Then, she shows up the next day, totally fine (mostly), and asks him to be her bodyguard. It’s a wild setup.
The writing here leans heavily into the philosophical weight of death. Because Shiki can see how fragile everything is, his time with Arcueid—who represents an eternal, indestructible force—creates this beautiful, tragic friction. You’ve got these two outsiders trying to navigate a city that wants them both gone.
Why the Ciel Route is the Real MVP
If you played the original game, you remember Ciel’s route as being... fine. It was often criticized for being too similar to Arcueid’s path.
That is no longer the case.
Nasu went back to the drawing board and turned the Ciel route into a high-octane, philosophical war. It’s significantly longer than Arcueid’s route in the remake. We’re talking about massive set pieces, the introduction of the "Idea Blood" concept, and a much deeper look at the Holy Church’s Burial Agency.
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Ciel herself is a tragic figure. She’s stuck in a cycle of reincarnation that she never asked for, used as a tool by the Church because she physically cannot stay dead. The remake highlights her guilt and her "normalcy" in a way that feels way more grounded than before. When things go off the rails in the final act—and they really do—it feels earned.
The Visuals: Blue Glass and Blood
Let’s talk about the "Blue Glass Moon" part of the title. The art direction by Takashi Takeuchi has evolved significantly over twenty years. Gone are the chunky sweaters and late-90s aesthetics. The new Misaki Town feels like a real, breathing city.
The production value is staggering for a visual novel.
- Animated backgrounds: Wind blows through curtains. Rain slicks the pavement.
- Action choreography: Instead of just static sprites flashing, we get complex sequences that feel like an anime storyboard come to life.
- The UI: It’s sleek, transparent, and fits the "glass" theme perfectly.
The music by ReoNa and the background tracks by Hideyuki Fukasawa carry a lot of weight. The main theme, "Seimeisen" (Life Line), sets the tone immediately. It’s moody. It’s fast. It’s desperate.
New Faces and the Evolving Lore
One of the biggest shocks for returning fans was the inclusion of entirely new characters like Mario Gallo Bestino and Noel. At first, people were worried they’d be "filler."
They aren't.
Mario brings a political layer to the Church that was missing before. Noel, on the other hand, provides a human perspective on the horror of the Dead Apostles. She’s a teacher who’s way out of her depth, and her descent into trauma is one of the darkest parts of the game.
Then there’s Vlov Arkhangel. He replaces Nrvnqsr Chaos as the primary antagonist of the early game. While some fans missed the "Forest of Beasts" guy, Vlov is a terrifying presence. His ability to flash-freeze entire city blocks makes the stakes feel immediate. He’s not just a monster; he’s a walking natural disaster.
The Controversy: English Localizations and Platforms
For years, Western fans had to rely on fan translations. Type-Moon was notoriously hesitant to bring their flagship titles over. When Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon finally got an official English release in 2024, it was a massive deal.
The localization is solid. It captures Nasu’s notoriously dense prose without making it feel like a textbook. However, the game is currently restricted to PlayStation 4 (playable on PS5) and Nintendo Switch. A PC release via Steam seems like a no-brainer, but as of now, it remains a console exclusive.
This brings up the "censorship" conversation. The original 2000 game was an eroge (adult game). The remake removes the explicit content entirely. Honestly? The story is better for it. The focus is now entirely on the psychological horror and the romance, rather than shoehorned-in adult scenes that even Nasu admitted were mostly there to sell copies back in the day.
How to Play for the Best Experience
Don't rush it. This isn't a game you "beat" in a weekend. Each route takes roughly 20-30 hours depending on your reading speed.
- Play Arcueid’s route first. The game basically forces you to anyway, but it’s the essential foundation.
- Don’t skip the "Teach Me, Ciel-sensei!" segments. When you hit a Bad End (and you will hit many), these segments give you hints and some much-needed comedic relief.
- Use a Flowchart. There are specific choices that lead to subtle scene variations. If you're a completionist, you’ll want to see them all.
- Listen to the sound. Use headphones. The sound design in the fight scenes is incredible, and the voice acting—especially by Ryosuke Kanemoto (Shiki) and Ikumi Hasegawa (Arcueid)—is top-tier.
The Verdict on the Remake
Is it perfect? No. Some of the internal monologues can drag, and if you hate "vague magic systems," the Type-Moon lore might give you a headache. But as a piece of storytelling, Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon is a masterclass. It takes a cult classic and proves that the story was always more than just its memes.
It’s a story about the value of a single day. It’s about why we try to live even when we know it ends. It’s about a boy, a girl, and a moon that looks like it’s made of shattered glass.
Actionable Steps for Newcomers
- Check Availability: Ensure you have a Nintendo Switch or a PlayStation console, as these are the only official platforms for the localized version.
- Clear the Schedule: This is a 50+ hour commitment for both routes. Treat it like a long-form TV series.
- Research the "Tsukihime Project": Keep an eye out for Melty Blood: Type Lumina, the fighting game companion. It features many of these characters and serves as a great entry point if you prefer action over reading.
- Avoid Spoilers: The remake changes significant plot points from the original. Even if you played the 2000 version, go in with a fresh mind to let the new twists land properly.