"MARS RED" review: What is the appeal of this dark fantasy film that depicts the battle between vampires and humans?

Comprehensive review and recommendation of MARS RED

overview

"MARS RED" is a TV anime series that aired from April 6 to June 29, 2021. The original work was written by Fumio Fujisawa, directed by Kohei Hatano, and animated by SIGNAL.MD. The work is a dark fantasy set in the Taisho era in 1923, depicting the coexistence of vampires and humans. It consists of 13 episodes and was broadcast on Yomiuri TV and TOKYO MX.

story

The story of "MARS RED" is set in Tokyo in the year 1923. The existence of vampires is now openly acknowledged, and the government secretly forms a special task force called "Code Zero" to counter the threat of vampires. The story follows Kurahashi Fuuto, the leader of this unit, as he and his comrades confront the problem of vampires. The story delves deeply into each character's past and conflicts as it explores the coexistence of vampires and humans.

character

Kurahashi Futo

The protagonist and leader of Code Zero. Although he has a calm and strategic mind, he has complicated feelings towards vampires. His past and his relationship with vampires are important elements of the story.

Masumi Hayami

A member of Code Zero, he is a young man of vampire descent. His existence, torn between being human and being a vampire, adds depth to the story. His conflict and growth are part of the appeal of the work.

Jiro Shirazu

A member of Code Zero, he has a calm and collected personality. His past and beliefs are revealed during the fight against vampires.

Yoshihisa Kira

A member of Code Zero, he is a cheerful and bright young man. His presence lightens up the atmosphere of the team and adds lightness to the story.

Malice

A vampire girl and a member of Code Zero. Her existence symbolizes the relationship between vampires and humans. The world seen from her perspective provides a new perspective to the story.

Animation and performance

The animation of "MARS RED" makes use of SIGNAL.MD's distinctive style. In particular, the depiction of Taisho-era Tokyo is beautiful and realistically recreates the historical background. In addition, the vampire battle scenes are dynamic and visually impactful. Director Kohei Hatano's direction skillfully portrays the emotions and psychology of the characters, adding depth to the story.

music

Music is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. The opening theme, "Soul of Refrain," is sung by singer Hiroko Moriguchi, and is a powerful song that symbolizes the theme of the story. The ending theme, "Kaze no Hate," is sung by singer Konomi Suzuki, and is a song that gently embraces the emotions of the characters. A wide range of background music is used, from classical music that reflects the atmosphere of the Taisho era to tense music that matches the battle scenes.

Ratings and Recommendations

"MARS RED" combines the fantasy element of vampires with the historical backdrop of Taisho-era Japan. The story explores the coexistence of vampires and humans while depicting the personal struggles and growth of each character. This draws the viewer into not just the action but also the deep human drama.

The quality of the animation is also high, with SIGNAL.MD's beautiful visuals and Kohei Hatano's skillful direction enhancing the appeal of the work. The music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the story, enriching the viewing experience.

The recommended audience is those who like vampires and dark fantasy, those who are interested in historical background, and those who want to enjoy deep human drama. It is also a work that will satisfy those who value the quality of animation and music.

Comparison with related works

"MARS RED" has its own unique appeal compared to other vampire-themed works. For example, "Vampire Hunter D" and "Blood Lad" are also works that depict vampires, but "MARS RED" is unique in that it is set in the specific historical background of Japan in the Taisho era. Also, the fact that it deals with the coexistence of vampires and humans is another thing that sets it apart from other works.

How to watch

"MARS RED" was broadcast on Yomiuri TV and TOKYO MX, but is now available on various video streaming services. It is available on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, d Anime Store, etc., so if you're interested, be sure to check it out.

Conclusion

"MARS RED" is a dark fantasy about the coexistence of vampires and humans, set against the historical backdrop of Taisho-era Japan. It is a fascinating work that draws viewers in with its beautiful animation, skillful direction, and deep human drama. This is a work recommended for those who like vampires and dark fantasy, those who are interested in historical backgrounds, and those who want to enjoy deep human drama. Please watch it and experience its charm.