"Blood+" (2005) TV series 2005-2006

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Director:

Junichi Fujisaku

Seasons:

1

Genre:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Drama | Horror

Plot:

A young girl named Saya combats vicious, shape-shifting demons in Okinawa, 2005.

Plot Keywords:

Creature | Vampire | Secret Organization | Katana Sword | Blood Drinking

US TV Schedule:

Sun. Nov. 15	4:00 AM	TOON
Sun. Nov. 22	4:00 AM	TOON

Cast

Kari Wahlgren	...	Saya Otonashi (50 episodes, 2005-2006)
Ben Diskin	...	Kai (50 episodes, 2005-2006)
Crispin Freeman	...	Haji (50 episodes, 2005-2006)
Olivia Hack	...	Mao, Irene (50 episodes, 2005-2006)
Dave Wittenberg	...	Solomon / ... (25 episodes, 2005-2006)
Steve Blum	...	Collins / ... (22 episodes, 2006)

(more)

Series Directed by
Michael Hack		(50 episodes, 2005-2006)
Akiko Honda		(6 episodes, 2005-2006)
Naomichi Yamato		(3 episodes, 2005-2006)
Kiyoko Sayama		(2 episodes, 2005-2006)
Naoyasu Hanyu		(2 episodes, 2006)
Shigeyasu Yamauchi		(2 episodes, 2006)
Junichi Fujisaku		(1 episode, 2006)

Series Writing credits
Joe D'Ambrosia		(50 episodes, 2005-2006)
Junichi Fujisaku		(50 episodes, 2005-2006)
Tom Teves		(50 episodes, 2005-2006)
Shotaro Suga		(12 episodes, 2005-2006)
Shigeru Morita		(10 episodes, 2005-2006)
Reiko Yoshida		(8 episodes, 2005-2006)
Kurasumi Sunayama		(8 episodes, 2006)
Yoshiki Sakurai		(3 episodes, 2005-2006)
Michiko Yokote		(3 episodes, 2006)

Series Produced by
Phil S. Crain	....	producer (50 episodes, 2005-2006)
Mamoru Oshii	....	co-planner (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Mark Mancina		(50 episodes, 2005-2006)

Series Cinematography by
Hiroshi Tanaka		(unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Shigeru Morikawa	....	director: opening animation (13 episodes, 2005-2006)
Naoyoshi Shiotani	....	director: opening animation (13 episodes, 2006)
Jun Matsumoto	....	director: closing animation (12 episodes, 2006)
Kazuto Nakazawa	....	director: opening animation (12 episodes, 2006)

Series Art Department
Naoyoshi Shiotani	....	storyboard artist: opening animation (13 episodes, 2006)
Hitomu Kumoi	....	storyboard artist (4 episodes, 2006)
Kiyoko Sayama	....	storyboard artist (3 episodes, 2005-2006)
Naoyasu Hanyu	....	storyboard artist (3 episodes, 2006)
Tadahito Matsubayashi	....	storyboard artist (3 episodes, 2006)
Naomichi Yamato	....	storyboard artist (3 episodes, 2006)
Takashi Sano	....	storyboard artist (2 episodes, 2005-2006)
Akiko Honda	....	storyboard artist (2 episodes, 2006)
Nanako Shimazaki	....	storyboard artist (2 episodes, 2006)
Shigeyasu Yamauchi	....	storyboard artist (2 episodes, 2006)
Akiharu Ishii	....	director of concept design (unknown episodes)
Kazushige Kanehira	....	art design assistant: Kusanagi (unknown episodes)
Yumiko Katayama	....	color designer (unknown episodes)
Iho Narita	....	art design: Kusanagi (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
David W. Barr	....	adr recording engineer (50 episodes, 2005-2006)
Yoshikazu Iwanami	....	sound director (unknown episodes)
Daisuke Jinbo	....	sound effects (unknown episodes)
Akiko Noguchi	....	audio production assistant (unknown episodes)
Hanae Takagi	....	foley artist (unknown episodes)
Emi Takanashi	....	foley artist (unknown episodes)
Fumiaki Tanaka	....	assistant sound recordist (unknown episodes)
Minoru Yamada	....	sound producer (unknown episodes)
Satoshi Yano	....	sound recording engineer (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Masahiro Murakami	....	special effects: opening animation (11 episodes, 2006)

Series Animation Department
Yoshimitsu Yamashita	....	key animator: opening animation / key animator (14 episodes, 2005-2006)
Akiharu Ishii	....	chief animation director (unknown episodes)
Kenji Teraoka	....	mechanical designer (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Michael Hack	....	casting: English version (50 episodes, 2005-2006)

Series Music Department
Chuck Choi	....	music post-production supervisor (unknown episodes)
Nobuo Furukawa	....	musician: cello (unknown episodes)
Steve Kempster	....	score mixer (unknown episodes)
Kory Kruckenberg	....	scoring engineer (unknown episodes)
Robert Puff	....	music preparation (unknown episodes)
David Sabee	....	orchestra contractor (unknown episodes)
Hans Zimmer	....	music producer (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Noriyuki Jinguji	....	title designer (unknown episodes)
Atsushi Matsumoto	....	chief unit director (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Aniplex (executive production)
• Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS) (executive production)
• Production I.G.
• Studiopolis

Distributors

• AXN (2008) (Bulgaria) (TV)
• AXN (2008) (Czech Republic) (TV)
• AXN (2008) (Poland) (TV)
• AXN (2008) (Romania) (TV)
• AXN (2008) (Slovakia) (TV)
• Adult Swim (2006) (USA) (TV)
• Animax Korea (2006) (South Korea) (TV)
• Animax (2006) (Japan) (TV)
• Cartoon Network (2006) (USA) (TV)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD) (volumes 1-3)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2009) (USA) (DVD) (volume 4)
• Sony Pictures Television (2007) (USA) (TV)
• Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) (2005-2006) (Japan) (TV)

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Certification:

South Korea:18 | USA:TV-MA | Singapore:NC-16 | Argentina:18 | Australia:MA | USA:TV-14 (some episodes)

Company:

Aniplex

Trivia:

"Chevalier" is the French word for "knight".

Quotes:

Julia: Kai's a nice boy, isn't he?
David: In the battlefield, the nice guys always die first. I don't want to see it happen.
Julia: You sure have changed.
David: Changed?
Julia: Until recently, you were like an iron robot.
David: And now?
Julia: Now you're like an android or a cyborg.
David: I'm growing weaker by the day.
Julia: Really? I like you better this way.
David: In this business, weakness is a shortcoming.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in Anime: Drawing a Revolution (2007) (TV)

Blood+ Part One Review

High production values and ample servings of blood-splattering violence won't completely counteract the cliché story progression for the seasoned anime-watcher, though fans of darker action horror series, vampires, or shape-shifting monsters will easily find something to appreciate. Blood+ carries on the style of the original movie and can readily be enjoyed by those seeking the visceral aspect of anime, but those familiar with the genre will undoubtedly be able to discern the plentiful recycling of several of its brethren.

Blood+ follows the horrific exploits of unwitting vampire exterminator and amnesiac Saya as she struggles to recover her past and escape her future. A mysterious organization has been experimenting with Chiropterans (vicious, mutating, blood-sucking monstrosities) and several have been unleashed upon the city. Saya is the only one capable of bringing death to the vile creatures and must assume her purpose as killer and savior. With the aid of her family (one older brother and one younger), her protector (a quiet, violin-toting assassin adept in carnage), and The Red Shield (the forces determined to eradicate Chiropterans once and for all), Saya must continually confront the demonic creations while drawing ever closer to the secrets of her past and the identities of those determined to destroy her.

While the seamless blend of computer and hand drawn animation is truly breathtaking at times, the avid anime viewer knows characters and story come first. Especially with a longer series such as this, every individual introduced must retain their intrigue and demand the viewer's attention. The characters in Blood+ accomplish this feat more often than not, though sadly the most disappointing progression lies within main protagonist Saya. She never seems capable of mustering the courage required to slay the beastly Chiropterans (except when her blood rage takes over - and then she's not consciously kicking ass), and her unwillingness to fight becomes downright excruciating at times. Her potential is realized too slowly and we're left trying to root for others with more impressive skills. Luckily, the supporting characters range from "badass" to "freakin' awesome" which helps to balance out any lull in Saya's development. Most notable are David and Haji, two stern, commanding warriors each with completely different origins but a common goal.

As with many anime series, the packaging is aesthetically pleasing, and the Blood+ Part One Box Set is no exception. 25 episodes on 6 discs are housed in a sturdy black box and packaged with an exclusive T-shirt and Manga Sampler Comic Book. With anime sets typically being slim on bonus features, Blood+ doesn't break the mold, but does provide a comprehensive set of five extensive interviews with the various creators of the show. Since this is only Series One, let's hope subsequent sets match in both appearance and substance.

Despite many elements feeling borrowed from other anime productions, Blood+ retains enough unique scenarios and a plethora of characters and twisting subplots to keep the series from slowing down. Utilizing the intricacies of Saya's amnesia to allow the audience to discover reasons and motives at about the same pace as the protagonists results in a constant state of anxious attentiveness or annoying chagrin. The majority of the time the former outweighs the latter, and combined with brilliant cliffhanger episode endings, each succeeding disc becomes infinitely more appealing than the last. Blood+ parallels the violence of Elfen Lied, the mystery of Noir, and the action of Gungrave, and also remarkably includes elements of horror, adventure, comedy, and romance. And this is just Part One.

- Joel Massie