We delve into the dark night, into the mystery that is known as vampires and bring you two intriguing anime, a movie called Blood: The Last Vampire and a series called Shiki.

Blood: The Last Vampire

Production I.G

Blood: The Last Vampire takes place in 1966, just before the Vietnam War begins. The movie opens in a subway, where we meet Saya, a mysterious sword-wielding teenage girl who happens to be a vampire. Saya hunts Chiropterans, demonic creatures that survive by feasting on the blood of humans for a secret (aren't they always) American government organisation called Red Shield .

After she completes her mission on the subway, Saya’s latest assignment takes her to the Yohkoto Air Base, a bustling American military installation busy celebrating Halloween. Posing as a student, Saya infiltrates the base and begins her search for the demonic creatures.

Saya is a dark and mysterious character, hardly ever showing emotion, but is efficient in her vocation as she hunts the creatures across the airbase. She finds an unlikely and accidental sidekick in Mahiko, the airbase school nurse, and together they bring forth an memorable dynamic, where two different people, one a killer and one a nurse are put in the same insane situation

The movie immediately takes viewers into battle with our heroine, Saya hacks through some Chiropterans, and the rest of the film delivers on its action-filled opening, in fact, the fighting sequences in the movie definitely makes this more an Action film than a Horror.

The animation is captivating, as all the movements in fighting scenes are very well worked out, with realistic backdrops and the use of light and shadow expertly carried out with well rounded characters.

The movie is bilingual having Japanese parts with English subtitles as well as English parts, with the voice acting brilliantly executed.

Also check out: If you liked Blood: The Last Vampire and want more, try the two spin-off series named Blood+ and Blood C. There’s also a 2009-released live action film, Blood: The Last Vampire which was directed by Chris Nahon (Kiss of the Dragon).

Shiki

Daume

If Stephen King were Japanese, we’re pretty sure he would have done this as an anime himself. Shiki is based on a horror novel of the same name by Fuyumi Ono. The anime reminds you a little of Stephen King's brilliant vampire novel Salem's Lot, and it’s easy to see why.

Imagine a hot summer in a quiet little village called Sotoba, a quaint 'normal' countryside hamlet. New neighbors move in and a series of mysterious deaths begin to spread throughout the community. The symptoms include the common cold, flu-like traits, tiredness and insect-like bites usually found on the victim’s neck.

Doctor Toshio Ozaki, dean of the clinic in town, at first suspects this disease to be an epidemic, but as his investigation into the deaths continue and the body count rises, he becomes sure that the disease is actually caused by a creature called a Shiki (Corpse Demon), a vampiric being. At the same time a teenager named Natsuno Yuuki also begins to piece together what is happening. It is up to them and a few others to try to save the village and eradicate the Shikis before well... you know...

Shiki is a must see for everyone that loves classic vampire tales and is looking for some originality, (oh you'll love the twists in the tale, we promise) tired of sparkling vampires that stare at women for half a movie. The animation is extremely well done and fluid, the voice actors in the Japanese dub do a brilliant job keeping the suspense alive. The soundtrack is very eerie, setting a nice ambiance until the end.

Watch this anime, we dare you!

Also check out: Hungry for more Vampire anime? Have a look at Rosario to Vampire, Vampire Hunter D as well as Vampire Knight.

About our contributor: Allen Simpson is a blogger and a published poet who has a deep passion for anime. He is also co-owner of AnimeFanatika, a reliable source of information on Anime providing fans with the latest news, reviews and goings on in the industry. Visit their website and become a Fanatik today. Sugoi!