-the prowess of Kinoko Nasu.
I can't help but admire the craft and writing behind the original novel version of Kara no Kyoukai. I finished the first chapter earlier today, and I started chapter 2 not too long ago.
Even though this is a traditional novel and not a visual novel (despite a few images by Takashi Takeuchi), it has Type-Moon's signature all over it. Three characters are trying to make sense of a series of suicides that have been occurring. These people are Ryougi, Touko, and Mikiya. Ryougi is a young woman . . . who talks and behaves like a man. I like her! Mikiya, true to his appearance, is kind of like Shiki from the later Tsukihime; seemingly ordinary guy with a sarcastic streak. Touko is smart but cynical, kind of like . . . her sister. The first chapter only features one other characters besides these three, but they are fascinating. It's written in first-person narrative, so you really get to hear their thoughts. However, time keeps jumping back and forth, like a Tarantino movie. Not only that, the person narrating will change without warning. It can be confusing, but it adds to the intrigue.
After reading what I have read, I have to wonder; why does Nasu even need Takeuchi and background artists? He is very descriptive with words when he needs to be. The city looks just like Misaki city (noticing the Type-Moon signatures, yet?), and details that some authors (like myself) might overlook aren't overlooked here. Okay, getting back to my question, yeah, I know Nasu and Takeuchi are best friends, and I know Takeuchi has slipped in a few ideas throughout the years, but if I had Nasu's descriptive ability (minus the sex scenes), I wouldn't need artists. When Kara no Kyoukai was professionally published, it did sell well, after all. I guess the artwork must be for merchandise. Ah, commerce.
But now, we must confront Nasu's biggest flaw (outside of mollusks); his tendency to draw out scenes with a shit-ton of exposition. There is some of that here; all of the characters speak philosophically at least once at one point. BUT! It's handled rather well from what I've seen so far. It never gets out of hand like Nasu did for Fate/Stay Night. And also, you wanna know why Ryougi's my favorite character so far? Check this out; there's a part where she interrupts a discussion between Touko and Mikiya, and says:
"Well, cut it down to a phrase, will you? When you and Mikiya talk, it's like a goddamn thesis committee."
I laughed so much! A shame Nasu didn't take his own character's advice later on. (And even despite that, I still love the UBW and HF routes of FSN.)
There's also action in KnK. It's not like the action scenes in Fate, which were epic in scale. The action scene in the first chapter is more like the fight scenes in Tsukihime; low-key, with a greater focus on the psychology of the characters, and standing up against the unknown. I know I've only seen trailers for the anime version of KnK, but I got a feeling things may get more drastic later on.
Some people like the novel version of KnK more, while others like the anime more. I would actually like to experience both versions, (although it looks like I'll have to pirate the anime version also if I want to see it. Joy.) but I'm good with the novel for now. It hasn't lost my interest yet.
Oh, and I do know about Azaka. (Well no shit! She's in my latest Nasuverse fanfic!) Once she gets properly introduced, I'll see if I like her as well as the others. I can say right now that I'm looking forward to seeing her; she is kind of cute.
What else would you expect from me?
