BLOOD+ :Part 1 Boxed Set (2008).
© Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Mania Grade: A-
Title: Blood+ (Part 1, Boxed Set)
Rating: Unrated
Starring: Kari Wahlgren, Ben Diskin, Crispin Freenman
Written By: Joe D'Ambrosia
Directed By: Junichi Fujisaku
Distributor: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Original Year of Release: 2005-2007
Extras: Interviews
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BLOOD+ : Part 1 Boxed Set

Blood+ is a sequel to the 2001 Anime Film, Blood: The Last Vampire.  The series premiered in Japan in 2005 and then in the U.S. as part of the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim group in 2007. The opening prologue is set during the Vietnam War as a young woman goes on a maniacal killing spree, killing monsters as well as innocent civilians and soldier. Now cut ahead to Okinawa in 2005, that young woman, Saya, has been adopted by a former American Soldier, George, who runs a pub in Okinawa. Kai has two brothers, also adopted by George, Kai, the older brother and Riku, the youngest of the children.

Saya has been living with George and her brothers for the past year but has no memory of anything before that. Saya’s peaceful life with her family is changed for ever when a horrific beast attacks her one evening in her high school. A mysterious man intervenes, giving Saya a sword. Saya cuts herself, allowing her blood to flow into grooves on the sword, and with a skill that she didn’t realize she had, slays the beast. The monster is a Chiroptean, giant, bat-like creatures possessing great strength, speed and almost total invulnerability. They live on the blood of humans although they are not vampires in the traditional sense. The only thing that can kill the Chiropteans is Saya’s blood.

It’s difficult summarizing Blood+ because there numerous sub-plots and a large roster of characters. Saya’s mysterious protector is her servant Haji, but she’s also protected by a secret organization called “Red Shield” dedicated to destroying the Chiropteans. In the first few episodes we’ll learn part of Saya’s background and how she came to be adopted by George. Blood+ however, spoon feeds its mysteries. We learn something new about Saya or the other characters in nearly every episode but the show’s pacing is very deliberate. 

The character development is among the very best I’ve ever seen in any Anime. You get to know all of the characters and their personalities and it’s hard not to develop an attachment to them. Saya is not a gung-ho stereotypical heroine. At times she’s so reluctant to fight that it’s frustrating. Even when friends and family are in peril she has difficulty early on coming to grips with what she is and her abilities. And just WHAT is Saya? I’ll not play spoiler and that’s one of the mysteries that takes a while to be fully revealed. Her reluctance to fight however does allow other characters such as Haji and Red Shield’s Mr. David to shine with their own skills.

Blood+ has a different look than traditional Anime. Combining traditional cell animation with CGI, it has a darker and grittier tone but also a fluidity that cell animation lacks. At times it gives the look an almost dream-like quality. The Chiropteans are often cloaked in shadows with just their blood-red eyes visible. This is a bloody, often brutal series that pulls no punches.

You’ll note that I listed the cast with the American voice actors. This is because I watched the English audio as opposed to the Japanese audio. I realize that this is sacrilege to Anime purists but when you’re watching a DVD for the purpose to review it, and take notes, it’s difficult to try and follow sub-titles as well. The American voice actors are all extremely experience and have numerous Anime credits. 

The boxed set includes the first 25 episodes of the series on five discs with the sixth disc featuring bonus material included extensive interviews. The set also includes a Manga sampler booklet and an exclusive Blood+ T-shirt. 

I can’t claim to be an Anime fanatic or expert but Blood+ drew me into its world unlike any other series and it’s one of the best I’ve seen.