[Law]

Series: Blood+

Release Date: 2005-10-08
Genre: action, drama, horror, mystery, romance, supernatural
Director: Jun'ichi Fujisaku (Script writer GITS SAC series)
Writer: Numerous script and storyboard writers
Art director: Junichi Higashi (Vision of Escaflowne, Excel Saga, Project ARMS, Witchblade, Vandread, RahXephon, Cowboy Bebop)
Creator: Mamoru Oshii (Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade, GITS 1, GITS 2, GITS SAC, Patlabor)
Character Design: Chizu Hashii
Studio: Production IG
Number of Episodes: 50

Overview: (From ANN)
Throughout the passage of time and the shifts in backgrounds, a particular war continues to leave its mark on history, extending its influence into the modern world. There are two major groups involved in the ensuring war. The first group consists of monsters known as Chiropterans who can change their appearances into that of human beings. They are actually immortals who feed on the blood of the living. The second group is an organisation known as the "Red Shield", formed to track down these monsters and exterminate them. Otonashi Saya is a high-school girl who lives a peaceful life with her family. The only problem is, she has no recollections of her life beyond that of the past year. However, her happy life will be destroyed by an event that will lead her to her destined fate.

Personal Opinion
This series has two faces. From one side it brings depth and interesting characters to the greatly neglected world of Blood: the last vampire. On the other side it's stretched out and slow paced. Many fans of the original will dislike the personality change in Saya, as did I. It takes a while before she regains her former self and even then it's not what I had hoped for. Aside from that the story is interesting and shows a lot of things that weren't present in the movie and somehow links those events seemlessly into the series. I've seen the series two times and I'm pretty sure I will watch it a third time eventually. The first season is very slow, but the second season makes up what the first lacks in action and suspense. Too bad it needed a second seaon to do it, but what the hell.
I have enjoyed it immensly. The various characters and their qualms, the background story. The plot. It's nothing groundbreaking, but it's definitely a good mix and execution of what others have done before. It's not your typical vampire flick such as Vampire Hunter D, but if you're into vampires and are hoping to see some superpowers at work in an intricate story then this is for you. Just don't expect to see guns blazing and swords flashing every minute.
Overall:
9/10

Art
I have mixed feelings about the art. Sometimes it looks awesome and sometimes it looks terrible. Profile views for instance are mangled verions of the frontal view. The art in comparison to Blood: the last vampire is less dark and more "cartoony". Far away views will end up in characters having no face or lacking detail altogether. However in general things are decently drawn and it gets the job done.
7/10

Animation
The animation is slick and the action sequences well executed. Although it's not as fine as Blood: the last Vampire it's pretty damn good for a series. It's still Production IG, and they know their stuff.
7/10

Characters
Saya turns out to be a sweet school girl that's into sports and hanging out with friends. Say what? Yes, she's in desparate need of some forced character development. She is however soon exposed to her origins and her predicament. The show is a little slow in allowing Saya to come to terms with her fate, but she's a good character to have as a main character. Haji is basically fanservice for girls, the mysterious pretty silent protector. Corny, but effective. His background story is interesting enough. Diva, the psycho ***** is as entertaining as she is gruesome. She plays her part perfectly. There's a number of side characters each with their own unique personalities. We have our reporter/detective and the girlfriend who chases after her sweetheart. We have the people from Red Shield doing what they do best. And we have the schiff who fight for their own causes. This story however wouldn't be complete without a full set of bad guys and Blood+ delivers. They reign from goody-two-shoe bad to insanely evil. There's something for everyone. Dispite the large castlist, they are all introduced well and are unique enough to be able to keep track off.
Characters do develop, some more than others, but we definitely get to see sides of people we weren't expecting. This allows the characters and the story to become truly alive. In the end you do care about them and you get the feeling that you know them. And that's not half bad.
9/10

Story
I think many people would throw off Blood+ as being boring. The story tells the history of Saya and what came before her, it also tells her future and the reason she is fighting. It answers all the questions you might have had while watching Blood: the last vampire and more. It shows a rich world of characters and events. It might have fitted into 26 episodes instead of 50, but for me it doesn't really damage the series that much. I enjoyed the buildup to the ending as well as the ending. I enjoyed the pieces of the puzzle being given at the oportune moments. It's definetly not a mind bending tale, but it's definitely well written and interesting to keep watching.
For those who dropped Blood+ early on I do have to add that the show becomes more interesting in season 2. Season 1 is left with a cliff hanger. Which is a pretty decent glimpse of what to expect in season 2. Blood+ doesn't let any stone unturned or any question unanswered. Many shows will leave out bits and pieces to aid the pacing, but I'm glad Blood+ didn't.
9/10

Music
The series has 4 different opening tunes. I liked the first three well enough, with Seasons Call by Hyde being my favorite. The fourth opening though is horrible. Raion by Jinn is a strain on the ears. I think the same band did the second part of season 1 of Code Geass. Less terrible, but the singing remains awful. There's also some pretty good and memorable theme music. Mark Mancina did a good job to compose music to fit the scenes to add joy or drama.
9/10

If you liked this you might also like or This series is similar to:
Blood: the last vampire, Witch Hunter Robin, Claymore, Trinity Blood or any other vampire flick.

[Ice]

good storyline. i didnt like the ending too much but it made sense.

[Kisuke13]

love it! It was pretty good but i don't believe the ending was right.

[Replica-Luke fon Fabre]

Originally Posted by Ice

good storyline. i didnt like the ending too much but it made sense.

That's pretty much where I am about it too. it was all good, but I felt really...sad or uncertain at the end. I wish they made a second season. I believe they made a movie, but I never got the chance to see it. ^^; Oh well. Nice review though!

[Law]

The movie was actually made before the Anime. I might do a review on that one too.

[Replica-Luke fon Fabre]

Ah ok. I was told it was after, but when I saw the trailer for it, I was all confused. xD Makes sense now. xD Cool! I'd love to see that.

[Albedo]

I disliked Saya but Hagi kicked ***.

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was I the only one who was happy that Riku died?

[bigherb81]

I was right there with ya buddy whiny little runt got what he deserved. The story line was cool the only thing that pissed me off as with most vampire based animes is certain characters not wanting to feed in order to gain strenghth I mean just do the sh1t and get it over with.

[Albedo]

I kinda like the idea of the whole "don't want to feed" thing but most anime don't portray it properly. They just stick to the whole cliche "hurting people is bad" and "I don't want to be a monster". For god's sake switch it up!

[bigherb81]

I see your point with that, but my whole thing is if your basically dying of starvation and you need to feed then do it. I mean your getting beat on like Rhianna and you don't want to feed to level the playing field a bit? I know it adds to the drama, but so does just being out classed sometimes.