A good, solid review.
Blood+ tv Review
Saya Otonashi is an ordinary high school student, but that soon changes when a chiropteran, a bat-like animal created by the main antagonist, Diva, attacks Saya. Saya then reunites with her chevalier, Hagi, and begins to fight again. Though she can fight again, she must recover her memories. Now she goes out on her journey, along with the Red Shield (an organization that is working alongside Saya), her family, and Hagi to recover her memories, and kill her sister (Diva) to rid the world of the chiropterans.
By: simplex33
Story & Characters
Blood+, the TV series rewards viewers who have the patience to wait for its story to develop. The plot seems mildly scattered to begin with, but builds up steadily and gradually and by the date of this review (roughly 25 episodes aired out of a possible 50) Blood+ boasts one of the more solid stories of the recently aired shows.
Two of Blood+'s main appeals is how the story and its characters travel throughout the real world, beginning in Okinawa, to Vietnam, to Russia, and France. This attempt at realistic settings helps in drawing the viewer into the story; I have personally visited Okinawa a few times, and can say the show does a good job in the local portrait.
The other, and primary appeal of the show is in its large cast of core characters, all of whom have appealing designs and dynamic characters that evolve throughout the story. Thus, even while the central plot/conflict may seem dim at some points, the cast manages to hold up the level of interest. The dynamic between the male and female lead, Haji and Saya, are particularly enjoyable to watch. They are simultaneously master/servant, a princess and her protector, teacher/pupil, friends, and life-long companions.
Overall Rating at half-way through the series: B/B+ (Good, Very Good)
Note: Fairly high amount of graphic violence.
Rating:
Art
Coming from directors who headed/worked on the likes of Gad Guard, Cowboy Bebop, and Ghost in the Shell, Blood+'s visuals is definitely one of its strong points. Character designs are unique and appealing, and animation during action sequences can be top notch. As mentioned before the story travels throughout the world, and for the most part the local landscape is portrayed in high detail and vivid colors.
Putting aside critique-speak for a moment: The girls are pretty, the guys are hot, the action is slick.
Rating:
Sound
As a long series (26 episodes+), Blood+ will go through at least 6 ED and OP themes, 4 of which have aired, all 4 of which are excellent, including performances by Mika Nakashima and Hyde. In the BGM/OST department, the audio, though not as outstanding as that heard in the opening and ending sequences, nontheless are solid and enhance the show's atmosphere. Noteworthy especially is the haunting solo sung by the mysterious female voice that is heard throughout the show, as in it lies one of the central keys to the story.
Conclusion: I've got the songs from Blood+ on replay on my IPOD for the last two days... speaking of which that's the amount of time it took me to watch 25 episodes.
Rating:
Presentation
Blood+ succeeds in building viewer interest from the outset, in its references to real-world history and present issues (American in Vietnam and the Marine forces based in Okinawa) to its beautifuly rendered graphics. Numerous small details make the show fun to watch: For example, the weapons-of-choice for the portagonists are 1)A katana 2)A cello case, yes... a cello case 3)A .50 Caliber monster revolver that makes Vash's gun look puny and. We have a heroine who eats a quarter of her own weight every meal (happily, this does not affect her figure whatsoever), a guardian who I've taken to calling YoYo Ma because he plays a mean Cello on a whimsy, a odd but loving family, and a number of villains who look too nice to be sincerely evil.
It comes as no surprise the tremendous number of fansites dedicated to Blood+, choke full of parodies, fics, and other fanwork, as there is simply something for everyone in this show: Pretty girls, hot guys, big guns, slick action, romance...
All in all, though Blood+ will not blow viewers away at the outset, it consistently builds up to become a solid, appealing show that should prove enjoyable to many. I'd recommend it.
Rating:
Final Verdict
8.1667 (good)
Reviewed by cal-reflector, Apr 06, 2006
Comments
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crsg Apr 06, 2006
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soweird Apr 08, 2006
good review. liked it. but even thought it could have scored a 9..
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bobveil Apr 11, 2006
nice
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Reirika Apr 12, 2006
yeah, overall i think it could scored a 9 'coz it's a great anime, i love blood also
merged: 04-13-2006 ~ 05:25am
yeah, overall i think it could scored a 9 'coz it's a great anime, i love blood also -
Dflowen Apr 13, 2006
I love BLOOD+ It's a excellent anime show. And watch Blood of the last vampire its good too.
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Oyazi Apr 24, 2006
great review. but i agree with Reirika & soweird... in my opinion it scored more (9)
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cal-reflector Apr 30, 2006
In response to those whom opined that Blood+ should've scored higher. It is still in progress, and I've made it a rule to review anime strictly in order to differentiate effectively between shows of all different types; thus, 8+/10 is quite high on my slide-ruler, and there are less than 10 animes out of more than 100 I've seen that I'd give better than 9.
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narutoramen0 Jul 13, 2006
Blood+ is the best man! The story is so interesting that I always ask myself why Blood+ episodes aren't aired everyday>.< So much suspence! d(^.^)b
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xmonox Jul 18, 2006
I was looking forward to this show for some time and i have to say a'm a little disappointed in it. Gone is the unique quality of animation and character deisgn replaced by the bland stardard of tv anime. the story has radically changed to, though you do have to introduce new chars. to an expanding franchise, i think it's just an excuse to keep her in a school uniform and what's with the blood killing the creatures?
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Rhyme097 Sep 14, 2006
I love BLOOD+ all characters that lead story and i like the plot of this anime ... really enjoy. Thanks for reviewing
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xkyox Sep 15, 2006
Blood+ is one of my fav anime too :) Been researching on it before it is officially launched...and it never disappoint me!
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blizzarche Dec 19, 2006
yerh blood + is a pretty decent anime...agree on ur comment how it dragged @ da start..i almost gave up watchin it till i saw Solomon HAHAHAHA... neways good review
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Reki84 May 01, 2007
A very solid review of the show. I couldn't said it better myself. The only thing that I disagree on is the part about Haji's character. Of all the characters in the show, I find his personality lacking significance. I feel like he's the least dynamic character presented thus far. Actually, most of the time I'm supporting Diva and her Chevaliers. I find them more fascinating than the two protagonists. I do agree with you on the setting. You don't see that many anime that takes place outside of Japan. Also, does this show have the same character designer as Ouran High School Host Club? Many of the characters in Blood+ resemble characters in Host Club. Solomon looks almost like Tamaki's twin.
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ealpha-scorpio Jun 12, 2007
I couldn't agree with you more on Music and presentation. This anime lays among one of my all time favorites. In fact I find the plot much different to what've watched about vampires so far. The plot is sad though, if you look deeper into characters' specially Saya and Dive, they suffer most and they paind others most (Diva specially) among all characters. I could not bring myself to chose whose fault is it? (Though I very much dispise Diva's character.)
To Reki84: About Haji's character. I agree that he's the least dynamic. But you cannot expect him to change either. I never did. His world is frozen in time with no future and past. He even protects Saya Solo. Haji's character comapre to Saya's fits better as vampire! Lols* A human would turn that way after living so long in such atmosphere.
I don't know how to put it! Solomon, Amshel and Phantom seem more lively, but more heartless than Haji. Haji is annoyingly calm but in the other hand very rational unlike other chevaliers. Otherwise he wouldn't break away from Red Shield in first place back in Vietnam. He was upset because of Saya's sudden outrage and uncontrollable attack. Would Solomon, Amshel or any other protectors of Diva blame her or get upset for her brutal killings?! Never! While this is very normal for Saya or Diva to kill naturally, Haji of all people did care.
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RavenTheDarkAngel Aug 09, 2007
Haji's character not dynamic? Are you kidding me? I found him to be one of the most second only to Saya. If you've seen the whole show you might know what I'm talking about more. But just because Haji is a stoic, calm character that's pretty much a wall doesn't mean he has no dynamics. WHY he is this way is what makes him so intresting.
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TifaStrife17 Apr 04, 2009
I fell in love since episode1!
(but...i mean, Haji is really the only reason I HAD to stick with it.) One of my favorite series, and i would definatly reccomend it.
the only thing i hated and punched pillows over was Riku. poor boy. the fact that he looks, acts and is the same overall age of MY little bro made me bawl my eyes out for everything that happened to him. plus, it gave me more reasons to HATE Diva to the core.
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Alcyndore Aug 25, 2009
One of my favs: great graphic, very interesting story, amazing characters (especially Haji and Saya, but I must say I liked the secondary characters a lot). They are all complex, in fact it seems that the writers have tried to give certain space and a good amount of time to depicting locations, daily life, normal reactions, not only good battle scenes.
The music is also great: I love Diva's song just as much as I hate Diva herself. The only thing I don't like is the amount of graphic violence. Many characters die and it is hard for the viewer to say good-bye to the characters s/he has grown fond of, but I think at a certain point it is too much. It has great potential, but sometimes it becomes too much, it is too violent (Riku's death was absolutely horrible and what it implied was even more violent...it was excessive for me because he was just a child and what Diva did...I don't like that and I don't even want to mention it. When Diva died I kind of cheered). Sometimes the anime becomes a bit grotesque: like the battle between Haji and Amshel, for example.
Besides that, Haji is a VERY dynamic character: it grows throughout the series and it becomes complex, it suggests a lot and he is very expressive even though he may not seem so at a first sight. In fact, he seems mysterious at first but he wins our sympathy and he becomes more human and more likable with every episode. The relationship shared by him and Saya is an ideal of total devotion.
What I actually adored in Blood+ were those 'pieces of daily life' in Okinawa, the visit at the beach, the beauty of the sun rays, Saya getting her hair cut by Kai. Those were truly art...
All in all, Blood+ is a great anime to watch, it really does have a soul of its own.
P.S: The movie Blood the Last Vampire was nothing like it, watching it is a total waste of time, in my opinion. -
rukasu04 Mute Member Feb 08, 2010
Nice review
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yothsothgoth Aug 03, 2010
Good review.
You could've been more thorough, but still good. -
LendMeYourVoice Oct 02, 2010
"In the BGM/OST department, the audio, though not as outstanding as that heard in the opening and ending sequences, nontheless are solid and enhance the show's atmosphere"
^^ Is this serious? Blood+ has one of the most beautiful soundtracks I've ever heard. If anything, the opening/ending sequences tarnish the great work Mark Mancina (et al.) did on the OST.
Apart from that, it's a decent review. Blood+ is one of the best animes out there, it has enough action to keep less patient viewers interested and a beautiful story fraught with tragedy... just the way I like it =]
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angelxxuan Banned Member May 23, 2012
sadly, this anime lost a lot for me on the second run, on the first it was alright, but the second one there was something missing. I still didn't know what was coming but it was still a let down. the artwork was outstanding but the plot was slightly lacking in places and the time jumps were back and forth too much. but nice review though.
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back07 Jun 27, 2012
nice Blood+ review, thanks for sharing
:D
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