The game was an enormous success and Type-Moon soon became one of the most important figures in otaku fandom in Japan. This success was quickly followed up with a 2001 sequel, Kagetsu Tohya, as well as a 2003 anime adaptation and a fighting game spin-off series, Melty Blood, developed by French Bread.In 2008, Type-Moon announced a remake of Tsukihime. In 2021, the remake's first installment of two released, called Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon. The remake, which covers the original's "Near Side" path, features significantly overhauled artwork and a widely expanded story.The original Tsukihime was never officially released outside of Japan, but did receive an English fan-translation from Type-Moon fan group Mirror Moon in 2006.StoryTsukihime follows Shiki Tohno, a boy who awakens from an accident to find the world covered in lines which allow him to cut objects apart with ease. The aftermath of the incident distances him from his family, with him only returning to the Tohno household 9 years later.Upon his return, Shiki begins noticing strange occurrences including a string of "vampiric" serial killings, and a mysterious shadowy figure lurking around his home.In the "Near Side of the Moon" path, these occurrences lead him to cross paths with a particular girl in the park, whereupon he is inexplicably drawn to kill her. The next morning, he's intercepted on his way to school by the same girl, Arcueid Brunestud, who informs him that she's a vampire, and demands that he help her fight off a vampire that's looking for her. Depending on the player's choices, Shiki may grow closer to Arcueid, or to Ciel, an unusual classmate.Once either of the "Near Side" routes are completed, the player can optionally enter the "Far Side of the Moon" path, wherein Shiki manages to avoid getting involved with Arcueid and the mysteries around town. Here, the player's choices will see Shiki grow closer to his sister Akiha Tohno or one of the mansion's two maids, Hisui and Kohaku, while learning more about the history of the Tohno family.Each character has two ending paths available, typically referred to as the "good" and "real" endings. Some such endings require the player to have seen a character's other ending before becoming available.TriviaThe title "Tsukihime" can be literally translated from Japanese to "moon princess", referring to Arcueid Brunestud.Another of Shiki's classmates, Satsuki Yumizuka, was originally intended to have a full route. This was eventually scrapped, with her playing a reduced role in the "Far Side" path.
