Many will be compelled to watch Kara no Kyoukai, also known as Garden of Sinners, as one of Kinoko Nasu’s earliest works on TYPE-MOON.
Set in a parallel universe to other TYPE-MOON series like Tsukihime and Fate/stay night. Both series contain numerous references to Kara no Kyoukai, making it mandatory viewing for a complete understanding of TYPE-MOON.
Furthermore, the anime adaptation was created by studio Ufotable, with music composed by Yuki Kajiura, who later founded the vocal group Kalafina.
With an enthralling story centered on Shiki and Mikiya Kokutou, Kara no Kyoukai combines action, mystery, supernatural, and thriller to provide a complete spectacle.
There are two ways to watch them, as with some anime series: release order and chronological order. For first-time viewers of Kara no Kyoukai, the best order is release order.
Actually, the films are numbered to make it easier to watch, but there are some special films that aren’t, which makes it difficult to decide which one to watch first.
Table of Contents
Kara no Kyoukai Release Order
It is recommended for first-time viewers. Because the films are already numbered, it’s relatively straightforward to follow, if a little confusing owing to the Japanese subtitles.
The following is the release order of Kara no Kyoukai:
1. Kara no Kyoukai 1: Fukan Fuukei
- English title: the Garden of sinners Chapter 1: Thanatos. (Overlooking View)
The first film in the Kara no Kyoukai series centers on investigating a peculiar mystery.
September 1998: Something causes a spate of inexplicable suicides in Shiki’s hometown.
The females’ relationship is unknown, however they all committed suicide by jumping from the Fujou Building, a skyscraper that was set to be demolished.
2. Kara no Kyoukai 2: Satsujin Kousatsu (Part 1)
- English title: the Garden of sinners Chapter 2: …and nothing heart. (Murder Speculation Part A)
Mikiya Kokutou and Shiki Ryougi first met in middle school in the second Kara no Kyoukai film.
Mikiya Kokutou encounters a girl with a strange glance and falls in love with her in March 1995. She saw him again during his high school graduation in April. Shiki Ryougi is the name of the girl.
Meanwhile, the community has been rocked by a mysterious sequence of murders. There is no confirmed link between the victims, and their motivations are unknown.
Mikiya is in for a fantastic surprise, but he doesn’t find out about it until three years later.
3. Kara no Kyoukai 3: Tsuukaku Zanryuu
- English title: the Garden of sinners Chapter 3: ever cry, never life. (Remaining Sense of Pain)
The third film in the Kara no Kyoukai series is about a horrific murder mystery and introduces the character Fujino Asagami.
July 1998: Mikiya assists a girl who is in discomfort in her tummy one night.
Several mutilated remains were discovered throughout the city around this period. The murder victims are dismembered in such a way that it does not appear to be the work of humans.
4. Kara no Kyoukai 4: Garan no Dou
- English title: the Garden of sinners Chapter 4: garan-no-dou. (The Hollow Shrine)
The fourth film of Kara no Kyoukai tells the beginning of Shiki and Mikiya joining Touko Aozaki’s supernatural detective agency.
June 1998: After spending two years in a coma caused by a traffic accident, Shiki Ryougi awakens with amnesia. He is visited by Touko Aozaki, a magician and owner of a studio called Garan no Dou.
Shiki has not only lost the memory of his accident, but also the real feeling that he is still alive. Surprisingly, mysterious creatures start attacking him.
5. Kara no Kyoukai 5: Mujun Rasen
- English title: the Garden of sinners Chapter 5: Paradox Paradigm
November 1998: Shiki meets a boy named Tomoe Enjou, a fugitive who claims to be a murderer.
Shiki allows Tomoe to use his apartment as his hideout, but one day, Tomoe sees his mother whom he believes he killed.
6. Kara no Kyoukai 6: Boukyaku Rokuon
- English title: the Garden of sinners Chapter 6: Fairy Tale. (Oblivion Recording)
January 1999: Witch Azaka Kokutou, Mikiya’s younger sister, has been ordered by her mentor, Touko Aozaki, to investigate a certain incident where fairies stole the memories of students at her school, Reien Academy.
Azaka launches an investigation with the help of Shiki who disguises himself as a student at Reien Academy.
7. Kara no Kyoukai Remix: Gate of the Seventh Heaven
This is essentially a recap of the previous film, but with some fresh material added in.
The first six Kara no Kyoukai movies have provided the source material for this collection of remixes, which includes significant themes and situations from those films.
The films that are one hour long are presented in chronological order, starting with the 2nd film, followed by the 4th, 3rd, 1st, 5th, and 6th films.
It is a combination of primarily previously shot sequences as well as some brand new ones.
8. Kara no Kyoukai 7: Satsujin Kousatsu (Part 2)
- English title: the Garden of sinners Chapter 7: ……not nothing heart. (Murder Speculation Part B)
In February 1999, a series of murders unsettled Shiki Ryougi and Mikiya Kokutou.
These crimes bear a disturbing resemblance to a series of similar murders from 1995, when Shiki and Mikiya first met, and awaken a dark desire for murder that has lay dormant in Shiki’s soul ever since.
As Shiki is under suspicion due to his involvement in a past murder and a suspected resemblance to the killer, he and Mikiya set out to find the real culprit.
Amidst their separate investigations, Mikiya grows concerned about Shiki and rushes to find the person responsible for protecting Shiki from his own impulses.
With a tip he received from his cousin, police investigator Daisuke Akimi, Mikiya sets off towards the center of Mifune City, for Shiki’s safety lies in his determination to prove Shiki’s innocence.
9. Kara no Kyoukai: Epilogue
March 1999: Mikiya Kokutou meets “Shiki Ryougi” again at the same place where he met her for the first time four years ago.
10. Kara no Kyoukai: Mirai Fukuin
Mirai Fukuin, or The Future’s Gospel, is a side story of the Kara no Kyoukai novel series. This film is divided into two parts.
The first story is about two people who have supernatural powers, Shizune Seo and Mitsuru Kamekura, who can see the future.
Shizune is fed up with her boring life and Meruka becomes a professional bomber making use of her supernatural powers. When Shizune met Mikiya and when Meruka met Shiki, their eternal futures began to change.
The second story takes place ten years after the events of Kara no Kyoukai, Ryougi Mana, daughter of Shiki, spends a day with Mitsuru Kamekura.
12. Kara no Kyoukai: Mirai Fukuin – Extra Chorus
Shiki ends up getting a black cat while Mikiya Kokutou is out of town.
Meanwhile, Ririsu Miyasuki, a student at Reien Girls Academy, suffered the loss of his best friend who committed suicide by jumping from the Fujou Building.
When he tries to kill himself, he meets his classmate Asagami Fujino, who has psychokinetic powers.
Kara no Kyoukai Chronological Order
It is strongly advised that if you are watching it for the first time, you watch it in the sequence of release listed above.
If you think the plot is out of date, you should watch the Gate of the Seventh Heaven recap, which typically puts things in perspective for many new viewers.
The real beauty of this immensely intricate series, though, is that you may watch it in chronological sequence for a new viewing experience.
The following is the chronological order of Kara no Kyoukai:
- Kara no Kyoukai 2: Satsujin Kousatsu (Part 1)
- Kara no Kyoukai 4: Garan no Dou
- Kara no Kyoukai 3: Tsuukaku Zanryuu
- Kara no Kyoukai 1: Fukan Fuukei
- Mirai Fukuin – Extra Chorus
- Kara no Kyoukai 5: Mujun Rasen
- Kara no Kyoukai 6: Boukyaku Rokuon
- Kara no Kyoukai 7: Satsujin Kousatsu (Part 2)
- Epilogue
- Mirai Fukuin
If you’re looking to get into this remarkable series, then this post can assist you out.
If you’re looking for anything else to watch to fill the emptiness left by your current favorite anime, I recommend checking out the blog’s guides to other popular series, such as Sword Art Online Watch Order or Bungou Stray Dogs Watch Order.
