“Blood+” is a fifty-episode anime series with a timeline that spans from 2005 to the year of 2007. It’s a series with a horror and supernatural feel of things. The main character is a young girl named Saya Otonashi with a mysterious past. For numerous reasons, Saya cannot remember anything. However, Saya and her foster brothers are dragged into an adventure that takes them throughout the entire world.
It’s revealed that Saya isn’t human at all. She was living a normal life until getting attacked by vampiric demons known as the “Chiropterans.” Then it turns out that Saya is a special operative for this secret group called Red Shield. The reason being is that Saya’s the only person who can actually kill these Chiropterans. It is unknown why her blood is the one thing that can kill these demonic beasts.
As her adoptive father George is kidnapped and transformed, Saya’s life is very much shattered. She along with her foster brothers Kai and Riku travel around the world with other Red Shield operatives trying to find out the origins of these beasts, who’s creating them, and why they’re being creating them in the first place. The closer they get to the truth, the bloodier it becomes. More and more casualties pile up as a result of Saya and the others getting to close to the truth.
It eventually ends up with Saya remember her twin sister Diva who is more diabolical. This adventure also brings Saya to remember who she really is. It turns out that she is almost two-hundred years old and had stopped aging since the age of sixteen. Despite Saya’s origins, she looks like an ordinary human teenager. But, she’s only able to wander around for a few years before going into thirty-year hibernation.
The adventure isn’t just a race to stop Diva’s diabolical plans but a race against time. She only has a limited time to stop Diva and the organization supporting her before falling asleep. She has all sorts of abilities such as rapid regeneration. But it comes as a drawback as Saya needs to drink blood and receive blood transfusions regularly to remain healthy.
In combat, Saya’s weapon is a special katana that she injects her blood into. This is the most instrumental part of fighting the Chiropterans. Whenever these beasts take in Saya’s blood, they crystallize and shatter apart.
She is assisted by her “Chevalier” or knight named Haji. He isn’t human but he does look like one. His monstrous looking right hand is concealed by bandages. He was turned into a Chevalier by Saya to save his life. Haji is very much Saya’s bodyguard. In a fight, Haji van very well hold more than his own.
He carries a large cello case with him at all times. Throughout the series, Haji tends to carry the cello with him. The large cello case tends to be used as an offensive and defensive weapon.
They are accompanied by Kai Miyagusuku who tends to be brotherly to Saya and Riku who acts as Saya’s younger brother. Kai is in love with Saya but is revealed while this is a love that can never be.
The group is assisted by Akihiro Okamura who is a reporter and has valuable journalism connections that Red Shield does not have, Mao Jahana a classmate of Kai and daughter of a Yakuza boss, David a high ranking agent of Red Shield who is fully aware of the situation, and Lewis who is always by David’s side.
It proves to be an interesting adventure in racing against Diva and racing against time. But it proves difficult as they are dragged into a darker and more sinister conspiracy. Keep in mind that the series has no direct relation at all with “Blood: The Last Vampire.” Still, if you enjoy vampire themed anime, this is one you should definitely watch.
There is a diversity of antagonists with their own individual connections that make them incredibly powerful and influential. It’s a perfect mix of supernatural, science fiction, and the political. Currently there are talks about a possible second season being created.