"BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE" review: A masterpiece anime that delves deep into the world of vampires

BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

November 18, 2000 - January 1, 0000

■Distribution company

Sony Pictures Entertainment

■ Eirin Number

26611

■Frequencies

90 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Production IG / Original Concept Cooperation: Mamoru Oshii (Oshii Juku)

■ Director

Hiroyuki Kitakubo

■ Production

Production: Production IG
Produced by: SPE, Visual Works, Sony Computer Entertainment, IG PLUS, Information-technology Promotion Agency

■Works

©2000 Production IG/ANX・SCEI・IPA

■ Story

A non-stop action modern horror film depicting the deadly struggle between humans and monsters that continues in the shadows of history.

Autumn 1966. In the midst of the Vietnam War, America is in Japan - Yokota Air Base, U.S. Air Force. Phantom F4 fighter planes scramble to take off from the base in a depressing atmosphere, while a series of suspicious suicides occur in the city.
The last subway train to Asakusa on the Ginza Line. A girl stands in a dreary carriage. Her intense gaze that can even stare at adults and her tightly closed lips speak of her hidden will -- her name is SAYA. She is a savior sent by the "organization" to defeat the vampires "Winged Hands" who have hidden themselves in human society. Dressed in a sailor uniform, SAYA sneaks into the American school on the base armed with a Japanese sword, but...

*From the press kit

■Cast

・Saya/Yuki Kudo ・Health Doctor/Saemi Nakamura ・David/JOE ROMERSA

■ Main staff

・Director: Hiroyuki Kitakubo ・Planning, original story: Production IG
Planning cooperation: Mamoru Oshii (Oshii School: Kenji Kamiyama, Junichi Fujisaki, Shinji Arakawa, Seiichi Tanaka, Arata Iwashina, Mitsuhisa Ishikawa)
・Character design / Katsuya Terada ・Screenplay / Kenji Kamiyama ・Direction, system design / Shinji Takagi ・Chief animation director / Kazuya Kise ・Art director, lighting effects / Yusuke Takeda ・Screen design, effect animation director Hisashi Ezura ・Color design Katsue Inoue ・3D director Tokumitsu Kifune ・Cinematography Miki Sakuma ・Sound director Keiichi Momose ・Music Yoshihiro Ike ・Producers Yukio Nagasaki, Ryuji Sanbon

■ Main Characters

・SAYA
A girl in a sailor uniform infiltrates an American school at Yokota Air Base, arranged by the Organization. With a Japanese sword that can instantly cut through enemies, she pursues a vampire named Winged Hand who is hiding in human society. Why is the girl pursuing Winged Hand? What is the Organization's goal behind the girl? There are countless mysteries surrounding the girl. The answers have yet to be revealed.

・A member of the "organization" that backs up the activities of David Girls. His appearance gives off the scent of someone who has survived fierce battles and information warfare. However, details of his actual background are unknown. He is apparently one of the few people who knows part of the mystery hidden in Sayo.

A member of the Organization who works under the command of Lewis David. He has only recently taken up his duties, so he is not yet used to dealing with Saya.

・School nurse at the American school "YOKOTA HIGH SCHOOL" in the medical base. A devout Christian.

・Vampires Sharp shining eyes, bared fangs, beast-like claws that tear opponents apart... However, vampires are beautiful yet terrifying creatures that usually hide their appearance and form and live in human society. Where do they, also known as "chiropter" and "demon", come from? The answer is shrouded in mystery.

*From the press kit

■ Related works

"BLOOD+"

Review and Recommendation

"BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE" is a theatrical animation produced by Production IG and released in 2000. It is a vampire-themed action horror film. The film is set in 1966 during the Vietnam War and tells the story of a young girl named SAYA who fights against the vampires known as "winged hands" who lurk in human society. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and reviews of this film, as well as its recommended points.

Story and Themes

The story of "BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE" has a deep theme, depicting the battle between humans and monsters unfolding in the shadows of history. Set in Yokota Air Base in Japan in the fall of 1966, in the midst of the Vietnam War, the film depicts a young girl, Sayo, chasing a vampire called "Winged One," as a series of suspicious suicides occur. Sayo is a savior sent by the "organization," dressed in a sailor suit and fighting with a Japanese sword. This setting skillfully combines the tension of the battlefield with the fantasy element of vampires, leaving a strong impression on viewers.

The film also stimulates the viewer's imagination by leaving many mysteries unsolved, such as Sayo's background and the organization's purpose. These mysteries continue to be explored in the later related work "BLOOD+," enhancing the appeal of the entire series. The theme of vampires raises deep philosophical questions about eternal life, human desires, and the boundaries between good and evil. In this respect, "BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE" is not merely an action-horror film, but a work that deals with profound themes.

character

The main character of this work, SAYA, is depicted as a girl with strong will and fighting ability. Her sailor uniform and Japanese sword make a strong visual impression and are the symbol of the work. SAYA's character has a mysterious background and complex emotions such as loyalty to the "organization" and hatred towards vampires, which evokes deep sympathy from the viewer.

In addition, members of the "organization" such as David and Lewis are portrayed as important characters who support Saya's activities. David in particular adds depth to the story as someone who knows part of the mystery of Saya. Other characters such as the school nurse and the vampire also play their own roles and add to the atmosphere of the work as a whole.

Visuals and performance

The visuals of "BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE" are a highlight of Production IG's high level of technical skill. Character designer Katsuya Terada's unique touch brings out the charm of Sayo and other characters. In addition, the attention to detail of animation director Kazuya Kise and art director Yusuke Takeda realistically recreates the worldview of the work.

In terms of direction, director Hiroyuki Kitakubo and screenwriter Kenji Kamiyama teamed up to fuse tense action scenes with deep drama. Saya's battle scenes in particular are depicted with fluid movements and vivid colors, making for a visually striking effect. 3D director Tokumitsu Kifune's use of CG also enhances the quality of the work.

Music and Sound

The music was composed by Yoshihiro Ike, and plays an important role in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. The background music, which heightens the tension in battle scenes, and the melodies that express the sadness of the story, particularly bring out the emotions of the viewer. The sound effects by sound director Keiichi Momose and the performances of the voice actors also enhance the realism of the work. In particular, the voice of Yuuki Kudo, who plays Sayo, skillfully expresses the character's strength and fragility.

Ratings and Recommendations

"BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE" is a work that fuses all elements such as story, characters, visuals, and music at a high level. It is especially recommended for viewers who like action and horror. It is also recommended for those who are interested in the theme of vampires and those who are looking for a deeper theme.

This work is highly polished as a one-off theatrical animation, and it will also arouse interest in the later related work "BLOOD+". "BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE" is filled with the technical skills of Production IG and the passion of its creators, and is definitely worth watching at least once.

Related works and entire series

"BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE" is the beginning of the series that would later lead to the TV series "BLOOD+". In "BLOOD+", Sayo's story goes deeper, and the roots of the vampire and the purpose of the "organization" are revealed. Throughout the series, Sayo's growth and the relationship between humans and monsters are depicted, providing viewers with many moving and surprising experiences.

In addition, there are other works in the series, such as "BLOOD-C" and "BLOOD-C: The Last Dark," each of which depicts the world of vampires from a different perspective. By watching these works together, you can gain a deeper understanding of the appeal of the entire series.

summary

"BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE" is an action horror film that skillfully deals with the theme of vampires, and is a work filled with Production IG's technical skills and the passion of its creators. All elements, including the story, characters, visuals, and music, are fused at a high level, leaving a strong impression on the viewer. It is highly recommended for fans of action horror and those looking for deep themes. It is also recommended for those who want to enjoy the world of vampires throughout the entire series. Please give it a watch.