Review: Blood-C (2011)

Blood-C (2011) is a Japanese supernatural anime based on the popular Blood/Saya series in Japan. It takes place in contemporary Japan. and contains 13 episodes. In the plot, Saya seems like a normal girl living with her father in a shrine. During the day, she is a typical high school student who spends time with her friends. At night, however, she is a hunter who is called upon the sword to protect the village from strange human-eating monsters. Despite her promise to protect people, her kindness leads to misfortune as more innocent people continue to die. As a result, she suffers psychological distress and repetitive flashbacks that she cannot remember. As the story continues to unfold, Saya faces her greatest test. Furthermore, she may finally remember what she promised.


Wow, this show really surprised me. The plot was well calculated and the details of Saya's past came forth in a smooth and mind-boggling way. I loved how everything unraveled at the end of the show. The creators (CLAMP also were the art directors for Tsubasa Chronicle and Code Geass) showed clips of the last episode throughout the plot but you don't know what it means until you watch the entire show. This version is closely related to Blood: The Last Vampire. In some ways, it begins after the army base attack and describes Saya's origins. Ironically, everything about her life is part of a sick and twisted game. In the end, Saya demands vengeance for being used and discarded.

This show is NOT for the faint of heart (especially children). It is very graphic and intense action, especially the second half of the show. Although I am used to horror shows, there were moments where the senseless violence, death and blood (scenes were censored) still rattled my nerves. This show is for serious Saya / Blood fans who do not mind gore and the element of surprise. Otherwise, I recommend Blood: The Last Vampire and Blood+ (both of which I have reviews on this blogs). Both shows contain less violence and are more suitable to most PG-rated audiences.

The good news is there will be a movie that continues this storyline called Blood-C: The Last Dark. It will premiere in Japan in June 2012. The film may finally provide fans solutions to the origins of Saya. I hope it is less graphic than the TV series because the imagery can be horrific in a gore sense.


Opening Song: "Spiral" by DUSTZ