Blood: The Last Vampire (OVA)

Reviewed by Von Jared Omo
March 21, 2008

Director: Hiroyuki Kitakubo Studio: Manga Video Genre: Action/Thriller/Horror Age Rating: 15+ Review Rating: 8.5/10

“Blood: The Last Vampire” revolves around the main heroine Saya, the last remaining original vampire. She hunts bat-like, blood-thirsty creatures called Chiroptera for a group called Red Shield and kills these creatures with her Katana. However, in this post WWII setting, the task that lies before Saya is not an easy one as innocent lives hang in the balance.

The voice acting is well done; however, it could have been better, especially for Saya’s character.  The amazing animation stands out and the action sequences are nothing short of spectacular. The 50 minute anime will surely keep viewers on the edge of their seats and leave them wondering when the next chiropteran will strike next. The character designs may be a disappointment to some. Those who are looking to see a cute Japanese school girl kill some monsters may have to lower their standards when watching “Blood: The Last Vampire”. The anime is meant to be dark and gothic and the way Saya is drawn fits the theme of the anime. I felt that the way Saya looks and acts in the OVA gave the film a more realistic feel to it than her character in the anime “Blood +”, which is a spin-off of the OVA. This anime may not be suitable for younger viewers as it contains some adult language as well as some bloody scenes.

 

Despite this anime being a little old (released in 2000), it is still enjoyable to watch, especially if you are looking for a good thriller/action anime. The sequences are, again, filled with action and suspense and are sure to keep the viewers’ eyes glued to the screen. Blood: The Last Vampire is a must see film for all those who are into thriller/action anime, as well as all around anime fans.