Ever since Bram Stoker’s book 1897 Gothic horror novel Dracula established much of what we consider a modern vampire to be, pop culture’s obsession with vampires has only grown as we have seen with the release of many subsequent films, anime, books, and series all about vampires. Anime as a medium appears to be a particularly frutiful space for the exploration of vampirism, as we’ve seen all varieties from chibi to terryfing, and sometimes in the same series. Today we wanted to examine some of the most iconic, and popular, vampires in anime, from films to OVAs to series.
Hellsing & Hellsing: Ultimate
Probably one of the most iconic modern portrayals of vampires in anime can be found in the series Hellsing written and illustrated by Kouta Hirano. If you have not read the manga, nor watched either anime adaptation, to give you a premise Hellsing follows the titular organization which is an order of the British government tasked with combatting super natural forces, namely vampires and the ghouls they create. Seras Victoria, a young policewoman who is turned to save her from death, is the primary POV character alongside Alucard, one of the most fierce vampire of all, who turned Victoria and thus serves as a master for her as well. Together they with their commander Sir Integra Hellsing, the family’s attendant Walter C. Dornez, and many many nameless soldiers, try to stem the dad of vampirism as it increasingly runs rampant and threatens not only the crown but the world. Hellsing in all its versions is incredibly brutal; however, that over-the-top violence, when paired with strong writing and compelling characters, has given this series a devoted fandom that will live for many years to come.
Vampire Hunter D.
If you have yet heard of Vampire Hunter D, it’s fair to say devotees of the series, and the classic 1985 film, will likely say Vampire Hunter D flew so that Hellsing could soar. In fact, its hard to imagine any of the serious anime series following this film didn’t take some inspiration, as this was one of the first anime that really expanded beyond Stoker’s traditional view of vampirism. To start, Vampire Hunter D follows D, a part-vampire, part-human vampire hunter, in a a post-nuclear holocaust world where he must protect a young woman who’s hired his services.
Shiki
One of the most terrifying series featuring vampires is Shiki, which came out in 2010 and is an adaptation of the Japanese horror novel written by Fuyumi Ono. Shiki examines a rural Japanese town that is home to a series of odd, gruesome deaths. This is just a glimpse of what the show offers, as its best to watch without spoilers, but as you can guess it is fair to say vampires play a significant part of the series. What’s fascinating about this show – and again no spoilers – is that its one of the best portrayals in anime that asks what determines who is more human? As the violence escalates, and it does and intensely so, you will begin having to ask increasingly tough questions that few vampire shows ever ask. This may be one of the reasons why Shiki did not quite make the splash other series have; however, its likely to be revisited years from now as a show that was ahead of its time in its complex portrayal of vampires and life.
Blood: The Last Vampire, Blood+, Blood-C
Blood: The Last Vampire
Blood: The Last Vampire, the movie, debuted in 2000 and with its success it kicked off a franchise that’s included a manga sequel, multiple live-action adaptations, a stage play, an anime film, and two anime series, including one co-created by CLAMP. The movie, and the subsequent adaptations, follows Saya, who is a hunter who takes down Chiropteran, vampire-like creatures. In the film, she fights in the midst of the Vietnam War, as a military base is infiltrated by the creatures. Saya at first may look deceiving, dressed as an ordinary school girl; however, her fighting prowess quickly shows she is a venerable fighter. Though the film only really looks at this one battle, the series Blood+, a remarkable anime, explores Saya’s origins, as well as the broader vampiric world surrounding her. Blood-C likewise goes beyond the film, as it explores Saya’s life in a Lovecraftian world. Though this much ‘Blood: The Last Vampire’ content can seem overwhelming, it also presents the perfect opportunity for fans to enter at nearly any point, all with the promise of an incredible story.
Vampire Knight
Vampires on the page and on the screen can appear vastly different, with some portrayed as cold, killing machines, and others more akin to lust-filled, sex bombs. Vampire Knight brings those two worlds together, as we follow Yuki Cross, a human guardian of a vampire night school, as she alongside her childhood friend Zero Kiryu serve as guardians for a night class of vampires attending Cross Academy. Very quickly stakes are raised as Zero, a vampire hunter, fights to hide the knowledge he’s been turned, and Yuki fights for the school and those she loves, all while becoming entagled in an intense love triangle between Zero and the vampire who saved her as a child Kaname Kuran. Vampire Knight earns the shoujo label honestly, and while its certainly a compelling read as a romance, but as it continues on the series dramatically escalates the tension, which will keep even casual fans of shoujo hooked not just on the romance but the life or death implications therein.
Trinity Blood
Vampire stories are so often by their nature gothic tales; however, few can be considered as gothic as Trinity Blood, which incorporates vampirism, Catholicism, along with incredible gothic music, including most notably the opener Buck Tick’s ‘Dress (bloody trinity mix). Add to that a story that incorporates an alien virus, nanomachines, and a post-apocalyptic world, and you have Trinity Blood in all its glory. Trinity Blood follows Father Abel Nightroad, a vampire who hunts vampires, who works for the Vatican. Father Abel in his role seeks to investigate mysterious murders, while working alongside other hunters, Fathers, and Sisters. Though its a complex tale, and one the anime only scratched the surface of, its become a beloved favorite with devoted fans nearly two decades later.
