Watch Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu-hen

Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu-hen is the second installment of a three-part Japanese animated film trilogy. It is directed by Tatsuya Oishi and produced by Shaft. The movie premiered on August 19, 2016, and stars a talented voice cast that includes Hiroshi Kamiya, Takahiro Sakurai, and Maaya Sakamoto in the lead roles. The film continues the story of Koyomi Araragi, a high school student who has become involved with various supernatural phenomena. The first installment, Kizumonogatari: Tekketsu-hen, introduced the audience to Koyomi as he met the vampire girl Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade. In the second installment, we see Koyomi continue his quest to become human once again by defeating three powerful vampire hunters.

The movie takes place immediately after the events of the previous film. Koyomi has just been turned into a vampire by Kiss-shot, who is now healed and at full power. In exchange for her help, Koyomi has offered to defeat three powerful vampire hunters who are also after her. The movie follows Koyomi as he faces the first of these hunters, named Dramaturgy.

Like the previous film, Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu-hen features visually stunning animation that combines traditional animation techniques with surreal and avant-garde visuals. The film's color palette switches between monochrome scenes, vivid bursts of color, and saturated imagery that creates a distinct sense of atmosphere and mood. The animation and fight choreography are particularly noteworthy in this installment, with some of the battle scenes being both thrilling and brutal.

The movie's score is also impressive, with a mix of rock, jazz, and electronic elements that provide an energetic and dynamic soundtrack. The voice acting is another strong point of the film, with many of the industry's top talents lending their voices to bring the characters to life. In particular, Hiroshi Kamiya's performance as Koyomi is excellent, conveying the character's emotional range and internal struggles in a convincing and nuanced manner.

One aspect that sets Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu-hen apart from other anime films is its use of dialogue. The film is based on a series of light novels by Nisio Isin, known for their dense and sometimes esoteric dialogue. The screenplay for the movie preserves much of this dialogue, resulting in a film that is more talkative than most action-oriented anime. However, the dialogue in the movie is not just there for exposition; it adds depth and complexity to the characters and their relationships, making for a more rewarding viewing experience.

Despite its lengthy dialogue scenes, the film is never boring or tedious. The pacing is deliberate, with the dialogue and action sequences carefully balanced to create tension and anticipation. The movie rewards patient viewers with a rich and complex story that is both engaging and emotionally resonant.

Overall, Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu-hen is a powerful and dynamic film that builds on the strengths of the previous installment. With stunning animation, memorable characters, and a well-crafted story that blends action, horror, and drama, the movie is a must-see for fans of anime and Japanese cinema in general. While it may not be suitable for all viewers, especially those who prefer straightforward narratives, the film is an example of the kind of innovative and boundary-pushing work that makes anime such a unique and exciting medium.

Kizumonogatari II: Nekketsu-hen is a 2016 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.