Review: Blood+ (2005)

Blood+ (2005) is a vampire science fiction series. Saya Otonashi is raised by an adoptive family in modern-day Okinawa, Japan. She is anemic, but nonetheless an ordinary 14-year old girl with a loving family. She adores her father and her two adopted brothers (Kai and Riku). One day, she defeats a giant bat-like monster, a Chiropteran, with her own blood. She has no recollection of her past and learns she is the only one who can defeat these creatures. She joins the secret Red Shield organization to exterminate the Chiropterans and rediscover her identity.

Saya was born in 1833. She depends on the blood of others to survive. She travels the world with her family, allies, and faithful chevalier, Haji. However, she has no idea that she has a twin sister, Diva, who has other plans: to create a world of Chiropterans. Diva has her allies (the Cinq Fleches group) and her own five chevaliers who will make sure Saya does not ruin their plans. Saya will undergo a complete transformation throughout the series mentally and physically. She will witness danger, despair and death. Can she fulfill her destiny by saving mankind before it's too late?

I had just recently learned Blood+ was actually based upon a true story in Eastern European folklore. Back in the 1600s, two vampire sisters were separated at birth when their parents were killed by vampire hunters. The uncle separated the twins by placing one sister with another vampire family and leaving behind another sister in the forest. A farmer found the girl and raised her as his own daughter along with his two sons. As they became older, the sisters rediscovered each other. The Diva twin (who was raised by the vampire family) killed the farmer. With superhuman strength, both sisters fought each other until they both died.

Many Japanese anime series have their origins in folklore and urban legends. Please check out the OAV that inspired this series: Blood the Last Vampire. I have already written a review about it. The anime and music albums are available to buy and rent.

• Episodes: 50
• OP Songs: "Aozora no Namida" by Hitomi Takahashi; "Seasons Call" by Hyde; "Colors of the Heart" by UVERworld; "Raion" by Jinn
• ED Songs: "Kataritsugukoto" by Chitose Hajime; "CRY NO MORE" by Mika Nakashima; "This Love" by Angela Aki; "Brand New Map" by K
• Similar Shows: Blood the Last Vampire (2000)

Blood+ Openings 1-4


Blood+ Ending 1: Kataritsugu Koto

Blood+ Ending 2: Cry No More Blood+ Endings 1-4