Blood+

So far, only 5 episodes of the new show "Blood+" have been released, I've seen up to episode 4 and I must say that this is one incredible show! With a design that merges CGI and Hand drawn animation so seamlessly and a storyline that is more exciting than Buffy and more addictive than anything else I've ever seen (Except maybe Naruto) this is one immense show that is a definite tribute to the film.

Originally, back in 2001, the creators of Ghost In The Shell decided to create a 6-episode OVA series about a vampiress who kills vampires. The first episode was made, being one of the first to blend CGI and hand animation so brilliant, and also becoming an instant success over here in the western world. However, the cost of the first episode was too much, and there wasn't enough money to support the 45 minute episodes, so the show was cancelled after the first ep. The first episode was then re-released onto DVD, simply entitled as "Blood: The Last Vampire" and took itself as a 45 minute film.

But, with the success of DVD sales for the film, the company started up on the project again, this time creating a 52 episode series entitled "Blood+" which was created to give a bit more background to the series and also to add more characters and more story, allowing the original story to be developed even further than the original 6 episode plan could have done. The show is still just beginning, but it is already incredible, within the first 2 minutes of the first episode I was hooked. This show also does that evil technique of ending each episode with a cliff-hanger (Much like Naruto) and as each cliff-hanger is sooo exciting, you watch the next episode the following week to find out what happens.

This show is still finding its ground, but thanks to the roaring success of the Film, the gorgeous action, interesting and believable characters (ignoring the fact 1 of them is a vampire...) and an attractive story, this TV show should become one of the great anime-classics such as Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Naruto, Rurouni Kenshin. I have a whole year until this show is completed, and I will watch as a devoted fan. I hope you all do too as this show is just INCREDIBLE!

I've seen a lot of anime in my day. I have to say this is one of my favorites. I've just recently finished the whole series. From beginning to end its all drawn beautiful and the music is amazing. I won't get into detail about any plot seeing as others have. But the character development in this series is exceptional. It really does make you start to care for the characters. I have only felt that way with two other animes(fma, Rurouni kenshin).

Top notch show, great plot whole way through the series. Also biggest thing unlike other shows nowadays, there are no filler episodes! Well done on an amazing series.

I'm finding that there seem to be quite a few more negative reviews than positive. I don't really see what's so "nearly awful" about this series. Granted, I haven't quite reached the end of the series yet, but I quite like it. It's got great style. The art is beautiful. I found the story rather compelling. On top of it all, the action is nearly addictive without being too over the top. I think it's a wonderful series. I do, however kind of wish that there was a bit more visual continuity between Blood: TLV and the series. Saya didn't look at all like she did in the movie. I also felt that the series could have used a few of the darker touches found in the movie. But all in all I feel that both are stylistically winning. I'm eager to finish the series.

Saya is a mysterious girl that doesn't know her past . As she regains her memory, Saya discovers most of her "life", not true. Can't wait to see episode 3! New to anime? I recommend the 2001 release, "Blood: The Last Vampire". Its shows what the best of anime is all about, and you meet Saya (vampire anti heroine) for the first time. She's a warrior like Kill Bill , ala "Bladette". It's still not clear what the relationship is between Saya, and the U.S. Miltarys' Black Ops Squad. I want to see the origins of this character , that seems to be where they're going. So far so good. The biggest surprise of all was the music production. Academy Award Winner, Hans Zimmer (Gladiator)! There are brilliant performances by a cellist that provides amazing musical depth to one of the main characters in this series. This one is a winner!

NOTE: I have seen the whole 50-episode series already, but not to worry, this is a NO-SPOILER review.

I used to watch a fair amount of anime, but over the past few years, my interest in it had been gradually waning, partly because of the decreasing number of good shows being produced, and partly because of lack of time due to my heavy workload.

However, this trend was reversed when I had the good fortune of coming across Blood+. I had never heard of it before, but the premise seemed interesting enough, though not particularly original or unique. I decided to give it a shot, expecting at least a decent and entertaining show but not much more than that.

But what I got was much, much more I had dared to hoped for. What starts out as a fairly conventional storyline gradually unravels, revealing a vastly more complex and intricate narrative tapestry. Its deliberate pacing may be misconstrued by some as being "slow", but as the story progresses, all the puzzle pieces that are uncovered early on start to fall into place, and things that once seemed insignificant or nonsensical begin to make sense.

As for the technical merits of this show, other people have already discussed its superb animation and hauntingly evocative soundtrack, so I won't go into too much detail on them. Suffice it to say that they complement the mood of the series exceptionally well.

However, what really won me over was the exceptional character development displayed here. Without giving too much away, I can say that these characters actually felt like real, living, breathing people and not just 2-D images on the TV screen. They change and evolve as time goes by, and after a particular event occurs, don't be surprised if you find yourself regarding certain characters in a totally different light.

To make a long story short, Blood+ is one of only a handful of shows that transcends the boundaries of its genre, and one of the best amines I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. In fact, it practically single-handedly revived my passion for anime and spurred me on to seek many other great shows, which I probably would not have bothered to watch otherwise. And that is probably the greatest compliment one can pay to any medium of entertainment.