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Plot Synopsis

Blood+ is based off of the 2000 movie Blood: The Last Vampire.

Otonashi Saya 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, Haji, 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 Haji 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

8 (good)

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

9 (very good)

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

8 (good)

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

8 (good)

Final Verdict

8.17 (good)

Reviewed by cal-reflector, 2y 22wk ago