Blood+

Blood+ introduces Saya Otonashi, a seemingly ordinary high school girl residing in Okinawa in 2005, living a peaceful, amnesiac existence with her adoptive family, the Miyagusuku brothers, Kai and Riku. Her normalcy is brutally interrupted when she is attacked by a Chiropteran, a highly dangerous, bat-like creature that subsists on human blood and possesses tremendous regenerative capabilities. Saya quickly discovers that she holds the key to defeating these formidable monsters: her own unique blood, which, upon contact, crystallizes and destroys the Chiropterans. This revelation thrusts her into the center of a centuries-old war orchestrated by two opposing organizations: the Red Shield, dedicated to eliminating the Chiropteran threat, and the organization led by her sinister twin sister, Diva. Saya is a Queen, one of two immortal Chiropteran progenitors, and the only one capable of producing the blood necessary to kill her sister and the monstrous lineage Diva created, known as the Schiffs. Guided by her devoted Chevalier, Haji, who also carries the burden of immortality, Saya must traverse the globe, from Vietnam and Russia to France and New York, battling Diva's growing influence and confronting the painful truths of her past, which stretches back to the 19th century. The series expertly blends visceral supernatural action with profound psychological drama, exploring enduring themes of identity, humanity, and the devastating consequences of biological warfare and destiny.

Blood+ is widely recognized for its high production quality and serious dramatic approach to the supernatural horror genre. The animation provided by Production I.G is consistently strong, characterized by fluid action choreography during combat sequences involving Saya’s katana and detailed environmental rendering across the diverse global settings. Character models are well-defined, though the aesthetic retains a distinct mid-2000s style. The voice acting ensemble delivers powerful performances, particularly Aya Endo as Saya Otonashi, who expertly conveys the character’s struggle between her gentle human side and her destructive Chiropteran nature. Pacing is generally deliberate, effectively building tension across the 50-episode run, although some segments during the middle arc occasionally slow down to focus on geopolitical maneuverings. The story structure is ambitious, successfully integrating historical context spanning over a century to give weight to the modern conflict. Thematic depth is a major strength, thoroughly examining concepts of eternal life, the morality of utilizing biological weapons, and the profound meaning of family, whether biological or chosen. The series avoids typical genre pitfalls by prioritizing character development and emotional stakes over gratuitous horror, establishing it as a mature and critically valuable entry in anime history.