Kara no Kyoukai Movie 3: Tsuukaku Zanryuu MAL Review

I first started watching 'Kara no Kyoukai,' after seeing it recommended on a forum here for 'strong female leads,' and I haven't been disappointed once. I adore this series/franchise. 

From the beginning (Part 1), it was clear that the writers of this show had very in-depth knowledge and possibly personal experience from the stories they were portraying. I had never watched a series that fully accurately conveyed how I felt about death (and more importantly, suicide) until now. Satsuriku no tenshi (Angels of Death) came VERY close, but this took it to the next level. I felt so completely understood and validated. If I had watched this series when I was in high school, it probably would've saved me sooner. To know I wasn't alone, I wasn't weird, and that depression was actually something that existed; that it was something that could be - and should be - professionally treated. 

Anyway, despite the late discovery, I'm still incredibly fond of this anime. It just speaks to me on such a deep level. Initially, I wasn't going to write a review about any of them, just because I can see it being a controversial show. But this sequel, Part 3, re-kindled a lot of emotions for me to the point I felt I had to say something about it publicly, lol. 

1) Part 3 should come with a trigger warning. 

I mean, technically, the whole series should come with trigger warnings. But this one covers rape and many, many other instances of physical abuse. 

2) Representation needs to be rewarded

If nothing else is remembered from this movie, I want to praise the studio for giving a poignant and meaningful representation to marginalized and victimized women. Maybe this is a controversial statement to say, but I really do think revenge (and related violence from revenge) can't be easily understood unless someone has suffered deeply enough to sympathize or empathize with the person carrying it out. I'm not going into gory details here, but let's just say this movie was very much balm to my soul. 

3) 1 point away from a masterpiece

It had all the makings of a 10/10. I think the only reasons why I didn't give it a full 10 was that

- I wanted more (selfish, I know).

- Truthfully, they didn't do a good job of explaining the basically-supernatural powers that both Shiki and Asagami have. This part felt like a crack in a closed door that really should be open wider, because we are on Part 3. I wanted to hear more about Asagami's background, family, and of course, the power sealing / unlocked sensitivity etc. it just seemed like a lot of important details told in a confusing way. I am hoping that the other sequels will provide more context into this 'pureblood' thing referenced, but it will be disappointing if it isn't covered. I don't know if maybe it was just a Japanese to English translation thing not conveying the story right, but that was a LOT of details to be missing. 

Aside from all that. 

Highly recommend for those who like the following anime/manga:

- Satsuriku no tenshi (Angels of Death)

- Boku Dake Ga inai Machi

- Anyone else who gets angry at non consensual adult manga/anime...*cough*


The original review on MAL: View here

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