Blood +

[DB]

Seen all 50 episodes of it.

Based of the movie, Blood, the Last Vampire, we have Saya move into the present and expand on her in ways that really bear little resemblance to the movie. Part of this is because there are no vampires here, just Chiroptera, which are blood feeding creatures that are derived from a common host.

In any case the story details the trails Saya, whose (fresh) blood is the only thing that can kill chiroptera, and the mysterious Diva and the orginazation surrounding her, who is in some way responsible for creating the chiroptera. Saya goes around with a group dedicated to the extiction of the chiroptera and the soruce of them.

I can't really say too much without giving away major plot points. I will say that I liked the series. The artwork is good, the majority of the large cast of characters enjoyable, the music  moves along, and with the exception of a few less important plot points, is an enjoyable plot.

The characters are probably the most important aspect of the tale. both good and bad guys. The 'chevaliers' of Diva each have their own personality, and their own agendas despite largely working together. They come across as individuals rather than bland, faceless antagonists. Likewise the introduction of the less dwelled upon, but still interesting, Sif actually works once you're able to put names and personalities to the faces, and help to keep the series interesting. All the standard characters work as well, and there are some plot twists I didn't see coming here and there.

There are a few bad points, however. First is the series is too long by about five episodes, and there are a few places that drag. Second is a couple of useless plot lines, one involving a reporter that is focused on a lot early, then becomes completely useless by mid-way through the series. Had he been cut, nothing important would have changed. Likewise the would-be girlfriend of one of the secondary characters that travels with him is equally useless.

The second useless plotline involves a good bit of America bashing as for some nonsensical reason, the bad guys 'fool' the US military with a plan that a three year old wouldn't fall for. It's even more nonsensical from the standpoint that the bad guys don't *need* the US for anything. They have  vast resources, more than necessary to carry out their master plan, and in fact pretty much do most everything on their own anyway.

However, in spite of those flaws, the series overall is quite good and definitely enjoyable. I can recommend this for a longer series. I give it a solid 7 out of 10. Cut out the useless characters and US plotline, and it would have gotten an 8.

[Jason_Miao]

The second useless plotline involves a good bit of America bashing as for some nonsensical reason, the bad guys 'fool' the US military with a plan that a three year old wouldn't fall for. It's even more nonsensical from the standpoint that the bad guys don't *need* the US for anything. They have vast resources, more than necessary to carry out their master plan, and in fact pretty much do most everything on their own anyway.

Well, sure.  Didn't you know that in anime, all Americans are either big and stupid, or small and evil?


About the only exception I know about is in Memories #2.  That's one OAV out of however many series I've ever seen.

[Dracos]

Sometimes they wet their pants.

*nods*

Important plot point, needing animation after all.

Dracos