Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase

Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase was created by mangaka Keitarou Arima and serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's seinen manga magazine Comic Gum starting in 1999. The series emerged during a period of rising interest in the gothic lolita aesthetic within Japanese pop culture, blending supernatural horror elements with lighthearted romantic comedy tropes. Arima sought to explore the dynamic between a human photographer and a vampire girl, resulting in a narrative that emphasizes stylistic visual flair and character-driven interactions.

The character design of the protagonist, Hazuki, became particularly iconic for its heavy reliance on frilled, Victorian-inspired clothing, which solidified the series as a significant contributor to the mainstreaming of gothic lolita fashion in the early 2000s. While the manga enjoyed a dedicated following, its reputation was further expanded by the 2004 anime adaptation produced by Shaft and directed by Akiyuki Shinbo. The series is often noted for its distinct, experimental visual direction, which helped define the studio's recognizable aesthetic in the following years.