Blood: The Last Vampire 430740 221260261 2008-06-23T19:22:44Z Eternum123 5817215 {{introrewrite|date=March 2008}} {{Infobox animanga/Header | name = Blood: The Last Vampire | image = [[Image:Blood-The Last Vampire - DVD Front Cover.jpg|230px]] | caption = DVD cover of the Region 1 release of ''Blood: The Last Vampire'' | ja_name = ブラッド ザ ラスト ヴァンパイア | ja_name_trans = Buraddo Za Rasuto Vanpaia | genre = [[Action film|Action]], [[Horror film|Horror]] }} {{Infobox animanga/Movie | director = [[Hiroyuki Kitakubo]] | producer = [[Ryuji Mitsumoto]]<br />[[Yukio Nagasaki]] | writer = [[Kenji Kamiyama]] | music = [[Yoshihiro Ike]] | studio = [[Production I.G]]<br />[[Aniplex]] | licensor = [[Manga Entertainment]] | released = [[November 18]], [[2000]] | runtime = 48 minutes }} {{Infobox animanga/Manga | title = Blood the Last Vampire 2002 | author = [[Benkyo Tamaoki]] | publisher = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Kadokawa Shoten]] | publisher_en = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Viz Media]] | publisher_other = | demographic = [[Shōnen]] | magazine = [[Monthly Ace Next]] | published = April 2001 }} {{Infobox animanga/Novel | light = yes | title = Blood: The Last Vampire: 闇を誘う血 | author = [[Junichi Fujisaku]] | publisher = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Kadokawa]] | publisher_other = | published = January 2001 }} {{Infobox animanga/Novel | light = yes | title = Blood: The Last Vampire: Night of the Beasts | author = [[Mamoru Oshii]] | publisher = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Kadokawa]] | publisher_en = {{flagicon|USA}} [[DH Press|Dark Horse Press]] | publisher_other = | published = July 2002 }} {{Infobox animanga/Novel | light = yes | title = Blood: The Last Vampire: 上海哀儚 | author = [[Junichi Fujisaku]] | publisher = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Kadokawa]] | publisher_other = | published = December 2005 }} {{Infobox animanga/Game | title = | developer = [[Production I.G]]<br />[[Sugar and Rockets]] (PS2)<br />[[Sony Computer Entertainment|Sony Computer Entertainment Japan]] (PSP) | publisher = [[Sony Computer Entertainment|Sony Computer Entertainment Japan]] | genre = [[Horror game|Horror]], [[Adventure game|Adventure]] | ratings = [[CERO]] 12 | platforms = [[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation Portable]] | released = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[December 21]], [[2000]]<br /> {{flagicon|Japan}} [[January 26]], [[2006]] (PSP) }} {{Infobox animanga/Other | title = Related | content = [[Blood+]] }} {{Infobox animanga/Footer}} {{nihongo|'''''Blood: The Last Vampire'''''|ブラッド ザ ラスト ヴァンパイア|Buraddo Za Rasuto Vanpaia}} is an [[anime]] [[film]] produced by [[Production I.G]] and [[Aniplex]] and directed by [[Hiroyuki Kitakubo]]. The film premiered in theaters in [[Japan]] on [[November 18]], [[2000]]. A single-volume [[manga]] sequel, ''Blood: The Last Vampire 2000'' written by [[Benkyo Tamaoki]], was published in Japan in 2001 by [[Kadokawa Shoten]], and in English by [[Viz Media]] in November 2002 with the title slightly modified to ''Blood: The Last Vampire 2002''. Three [[Japanese language|Japanese]] [[light novel]] adaptations have also been released for the series, along with a video game. It also spawned a fifty-episode anime series, ''[[Blood+]]'', which is an alternate universe story. == Plot == {{Expand-section|date=May 2008}} The story is set in the American [[Yokota Air Base]] located in post-WWII [[Japan]], a few months before the beginning of the [[Vietnam War]]. Its main protagonist is a girl named Saya, who hunts [[Hematophagy|hematophagous]] [[bat]]-like creatures called chiropterans for a secret organization known as the Red Shield. ==Characters== * '''{{nihongo|Saya|小夜|Saya}}''' hunts chiropterans using a [[katana]]. It is implied that she is the last remaining vampire and called "the only remaining original". Saya has no weakness to sunlight, although it is unknown if she has any of the other [[Vampire literature#Traits of vampires in fiction|vulnerabilities]] often attributed to vampires. She does, however, become distressed when she encounters religious paraphernalia. Saya displays superhuman senses and strength, as well as cunning, resourcefulness, and skill. The manga series suggests she was a [[Dhampir|human-vampire hybrid]]. Her age is unknown, but a picture of her with nine other people is shown in the movie with the date [[1892]] and the word "vampire" attached to it. Though she holds most humans in disregard, she seems to have some sort of respect for David. Voiced by [[Youki Kudoh]]. *'''David''' is a man working for the U.S. government. He relays the missions to Saya and helps her at various points in the movie. Voiced by [[Joe Romersa]]. *{{nihongo|'''Red Shield'''|赤い盾}}, the US government organization that Saya and David worked for. *'''Chiroptera''', meaning "hand wing" and translated as {{eigo|翼手|yokushu}} in Japanese, are [[Hematophagy|hematophagous]] [[bat]]-like creatures. They are extremely long-lived individuals that are comparable to humans in intelligence. Their natural appearance is much like a large, monstrous, long-limbed [[bat]]. Chiroptera live by feeding on human [[blood]]. They possess extraordinary speed, strength, and supernatural healing abilities and can heal almost instantly from any non-lethal wound. The only way to easily kill them is if Saya attacks them with her sword. ==Production== {{Expand-section|date=May 2008}} ==Media== ===Manga=== Using a concept from [[Mamoru Oshii]], Production I.G had [[Benkyo Tamaoki]] write a sequel to ''Blood: The Last Vampire'' to complete the story.<ref name="BtLV ANN Interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2000-08-01 |title=Interview: Production I.G. |first=Christopher |last=Macdonald |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=2000-08-01 |accessdate=2008-04-10 }}</ref> It brings Saya to the year 2002, with a new generation of handlers and continuing her quest to destroy Chiropteran.<ref name="VizBLTV" /> Appropriately named {{nihongo|''Blood: The Last Vampire 2000''|ブラッド ザ・ラストヴァンパイア2000|Buraddo Za Rasuto Vanpaia2000}}, the single volume title was published in Japan by [[Kadokawa Shoten]] in April 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.production-ig.co.jp/contents/goods/04_/04_0770_/index.html |publisher=[[Production I.G]] |title=Blood: The Last Vampire books |accessdate=2008-04-10 }}</ref> It was licensed and released, in [[English (language)|English]], in [[North America]] by [[Viz Media]] under the title ''Blood: The Last Vampire 2002''.<ref name="VizBLTV">{{cite web |url=http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=34 |title=Blood: The Last Vampire |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |accessdate=2008-04-10 }}</ref> {{Graphic novel list/header | Width = 70% }} {{Graphic novel list | VolumeNumber = 1 | OriginalRelDate = [[May 1]], [[2001]] | OriginalISBN = 4-04-713404-X | LicensedRelDate = [[November 5]], [[2002]] | LicensedISBN = 978-1-56931-779-2 | ChapterList = | VolumeExtras = '''Cover characters''':<br /> * Saya | Summary = David has retired and Saya has a new handler. In order to investigate a lead on a Chiropteran, David's replacement enrolls her in Jinkōsen Shūritsu Valley High School under the name of "Saya Otonashi". While fighting a chiropteran, Saya breaks her sword again. David sends her a replacement saying it is the last thing he will be able to do for her as he is reaching the end of his life. Saya learns that chiropterans once co-existed with humans, but the humans began experimenting on them in the 19th century to try to gain immortality. However, the experiments failed and the chiropterans were left with an increased killing instinct, greater combat abilities, and without their former regard for human lives. In an attempt to stop these new breed of chiropterans, the scientists developed two anti-chiropteran weapons. The first, a prototype, was named Maya. She still needed to drink blood like other chiropterans and could transform. The second, Saya, did not need to drink blood and had no transformation abilities so she was considered the perfected weapon. The two girls look identical, having been created from the last living original chiropteran. Maya, who seeks out Saya, wants Saya to eat her so they can then become one pure-blood chiropteran. Later, the Red Shield is unable to find Maya's body, but it is not shown if Saya did eat her. Saya kills her handler and walks off into the night. }} {{Graphic novel list/footer}} ===Light novels=== A [[trilogy]] of [[light novels]] have been created in relation to ''Blood: the Last Vampire'' and published by [[Kadokawa]]. Published in [[Japan]] in October 2000, {{nihongo|''Blood: The Last Vampire: Night of the Beasts''|ブラッド・ザ・ラストバンパイヤ 獣たちの夜|Kemonotachi no Yoru}} was written by [[Mamoru Oshii]]. It was published in [[English (language)|English]] in [[North America]] by [[DH Press]] on [[November 23]], [[2005]].<ref name="novels">{{cite web |url=http://www.production-ig.co.jp/contents/goods/04_/04_0770_/index.html |title=Blood the Last Vampire manga and novel releases |publisher=[[Production I.G]] |language=Japanese |accessdate=2008-05-07 }}</ref> The second novel, {{nihongo|''Blood: The Last Vampire: The Blood Which Invites the Darkness''|ブラッド・ザ・ラストバンパイヤ 闇を誘う血|Yami o Izanau Chi}} was written by [[Junichi Fujisaku]], who also directed the related ''[[Blood+]]'' anime series. This was published in January 2001.<ref name="novels" /> <ref name="IGRecognition2">{{cite web | url=http://www.productionig.com/contents/works_sp/20_/s03_/index.html | title=Blood+ Staff and Cast | publisher=Production I.G | accessdate=2007-12-16}}</ref> The third novel, also written by Fujisaku, is {{nihongo|''Blood: The Last Vampire: A Tragic Dream in Shanghai''|ブラッド・ザ・ラストバンパイヤ 上海哀儚|Shanhai Aibyō}} and was published in July 2001.<ref name="novels" /> ===Video games=== [[Image:Blood the Last Vampire Vol 1.jpg|150px|thumb|Cover of ''Blood: the Last Vampire (Joukan/Volume 1)'']] In 2000, Production I.G and [[Sony Computer Entertainment|Sony Computer Entertainment Japan]] co-produced a two-volume ''Blood: The Last Vampire'' video game. The game features a musical score by [[Yuki Kajiura]] with [[Youki Kudoh]] reprising her role as the voice of Saya, and over two hours of theater quality animation. It is a [[graphical adventure]] that brings Saya and her hunt for Chiropterans to Tokyo in 2000. There she meets a seventeen year old boy who begins wondering about Saya and the history of "Blood". Both volumes of the game were released to the [[PlayStation 2]] in [[Japan]] on [[December 21]], [[2000]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.productionig.com/contents/works_sp/28_/index.html |title=Blood: The Last Vampire (Game Edition) |publisher=[[Production I.G]] |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref><ref name="IGNPreview">{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/135/135483p1.html |title=Blood: The Last Vampire: Obscure, unsual, and never coming to the states, but perhaps of interest to Production I.G. fans |author=IGN Staff |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=2000-10-13 |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref> In 2006, Production I.G and Sony re-released the game. Both volumes were combined into a single game for the [[PlayStation Portable]] (PSP). The game was called {{nihongo|''Yarudora Series Vol. 5: Blood: The Last Vampire''|やるドラ ポータブル Blood the Last Vampire}} and was released in Japan on [[January 26]], [[2006]]. The combined game included new cover art and additional features, including a strategy flow chart, a [[CG artwork|digital art]] gallery, and some exclusive movies.<ref name="IGNPSP">{{cite web |url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/673/673514p1.html |title=Sony Brings Blood to PSP: PS2 adventure title going portable with promise of single-handed play. |first=Anoop |last=Gantayat |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=2005-12-05 |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref><ref name="PSPSite">{{cite web |url=http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/yarudora_blood/ |title=やるドラ ポータブルシリーズ ~Blood the Last Vampire |language={{ja icon}} |publisher=Sony Computer Entertainment Japan |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref> ===Anime series=== {{main|Blood+}} In 2005, Sony and Production I.G announced the creation of ''[[Blood+]]'', a fifty-episode [[anime]] [[television series]]. Held to be an [[Parallel universe (fiction)|alternate universe]] telling of ''Blood: The Last Vampire'', it has only minor connections and similarities to the film and many differences. ''Blood+'' premiered in [[Japan]] on [[October 08]], [[2005]] on [[MBS]]/[[Tokyo Broadcasting System|TBS]] and aired until [[September 23]], [[2006]].<ref name="ANNUnvieled">{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-05-11/production-i.g-unveils-blood+ | title=Production I.G Unveils Blood+ | publisher=Anime News Network |date=2005-05-11 | accessdate=2007-12-16}}</ref><ref name="ANNRatings">{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-02-05/japans-tbs-confirms-animes-move-from-saturday-6-p.m | title=Japan's TBS Confirms Anime's Move from Saturday, 6 p.m. | publisher=Anime News Network |date=2008-02-05 | accessdate=2008-02-05}}</ref> The series was directed by [[Junichi Fujisaku]] and features original character designs by Chizu Hashii. Through Sony's international division, ''Blood+'' was licensed for distribution in multiple regions.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=8241 | title=Blood+ Licensed | publisher=Anime News Network |date=2006-01-23 | accessdate=2007-06-08}}</ref> In the [[United States]], the series was broadcast as part of [[Cartoon Network]]'s [[Adult Swim]] from [[March 11]], [[2007]] until [[March 23]], [[2008]]. Like ''Blood: The Last Vampire'', ''Blood+'' has resulted in the creation of multiple manga series, light novel series, and video games. === Live action film === In May 2006, [[Bill Kong]], producer of ''[[Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon]]'' and ''Here'', announced that he was producing a live-action film adaptation of ''Blood: The Last Vampire,'' directed by [[Ronny Yu]], and primarily filmed in [[English (language)|English]] rather than [[Japanese language|Japanese]].<ref name="LAAnnounce">{{cite web |url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/8704.html |title='Blood: The Last Vampire' Live Action |publisher=ICv2 |date=2006-05-19 |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref> The film's setting is shifted slightly from the anime to 1948 at a United States Army camp in [[Tokyo]], shortly after the conclusion of [[World War II]] during the [[Occupied Japan|American occupation of Japan]].<ref name="CoolMovie">{{cite web |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/30049 |title=Ronny Yu and Quint discuss FEARLESS, Jet Li's retirement and BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE!! |publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]] |date=2006-09-14 |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref> Saya will be a 400-year-old [[Dhampir|half human-half vampire]] who hunts vampires which are also her only source for food. Normally a loner, Saya forms a friendship with a young girl while preparing to battle Onigen, the highest ranking of the vampires.<ref name="Beyond1">{{cite web |url=http://www.beyondhollywood.com/more-blood-the-last-vampire-images/ |title=More Blood: The Last Vampire Images |publisher=BeyondHollywood.com |date=2008-01-22 |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref> Kong and Yu were planning on financing the project themselves without the support of Production I.G.<ref name="CoolMovie" /> However, in November 2006, Production I.G officially consented to the film. Through [[Manga Entertainment]], [[French Pathe]] will act as the film's production company.<ref name="AnnMovie" /> While Yu has been kept on as the film's producer, [[Chris Nahon]] is taking over as the film's director.<ref name="AnnMovie2">{{cite web |url=http://www.filmsactu.com/news-cine-blood-the-last-vampire-photo-exclusive-161.htm |title=Blood : The Last Vampire : photo exclusive! |first=Caroline |last=Leroy | publisher=Mixicom |work=FilmsActu.com |language=French |date=2007-10-15 |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-10-16/1st-live-action-blood-the-last-vampire-production-still-posted |title=1st Live-Action Blood: The Last Vampire Still Posted |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=2007-10-16 |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref> [[Korean]] actress [[Jun Ji-Hyun]], who changed her name to Gianna Jun for the release, will portray Saya.<ref name="Beyond2">{{cite web |url=http://www.beyondhollywood.com/jun-ji-hyun-changes-name-to-gianna-jun-for-blood-the-last-vampire/ |title=Jun Ji-hyun Changes Name to Gianna Jun for Blood: The Last Vampire |publisher=BeyondHollywood.com |date=2007-05-22 |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref> Rather than being paid a straight license, Production I.G will receive a percentage of all revenues generated by the film. Originally slated to be released worldwide in spring 2008,<ref name="AnnMovie">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-11-03/live-action-blood-the-last-vampire |title=Live Action Blood: The Last Vampire |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |date=2006-11-03 |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref> the film is now scheduled for release in June 2009.<ref name="AnnMovie3">{{cite web |url=http://www.pathedistribution.com/accueil/filmavenir.php?IDFilm=1711 |title=Pathe Distribution - Blood, The Last Vampire |publisher=[[Pathe Distribution]] |accessdate=2008-06-04 |language=[[French language|French]] }}</ref> ==Reception== The film has been praised for its blend of [[2D computer graphics|2D]] and [[3D computer graphics|3D]] elements, with [[Academy Award]] winning director [[James Cameron]] stating: "Digital imaging has entered a new era. The world will come to consider this work as the standard of top quality in digital animation."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,46312,00.html |title=Marketing First for Last Vampire |first=Michael |last=Stroud |publisher=[[Wired News]] |date=2001-08-27 |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref> It received the Grand Prize for animation at the 2000 [[Japan Media Arts Festival]]. In the first week of it's North American release, more than 70,000 DVDs and 30,000 VHS copies of ''Blood: The Last Vampire'' had been sold.<ref name="ICv2 Streaming" /> Within the first month after it's release, it became [[Manga Entertainment]]'s top selling title in the company's history. The film also appeared on both the ''Video Business, Billboard, Video Store Magazine'' and ''Entertainment Weekly'' lists of top DVD sales. The company attributes this success to their use of two unconventional marketing methods: a limited theatrical release before the DVD release to market the title and offering the entire film for free on the day the DVD was released through a streaming video broadcast on Sputnik7.com where it was downloaded by more than 61,000 viewers.<ref name="ICv2 Streaming">{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/678.html |title=Streaming Blood Yields Sales |date=2001-09-04 |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref><ref name="ICv2 Success">{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/835.html |title=Blood: The Last Vampire Sets Manga Record |publisher=ICv2 |date=2001-10-30 |accessdate=2008-03-14 }}</ref> {{quote|We are very excited to bring a film like Blood to America and present the newest digital film technology to all entertainment platforms. Its success has proven to be a landmark time in the history of Manga Entertainment.|Marvin Gleicher, President of [[Manga Entertainment]]|ICv2<ref name="ICv2 Success" />}} According to [[Electronic Gaming Monthly]], ''Blood: The Last Vampire'' was one influence behind the "striking visuals" of the video game ''[[Crackdown]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Crackdown: Cracking the case |first=Greg |last=Ford |journal=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff-Davis]] |year=2007 |month=April |volume= |issue=214 |pages=p. 41 }}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|2}} == External links == {{Portalpar|Anime and manga|Wikipe-tan face.png}} * [http://www.production-ig.co.jp/contents/works_sp/0770_/index.html Official Production I.G ''Blood: The Last Vampire'' website] {{ja icon}} * [http://www.aniplex.co.jp/blood/ Official Aniplex ''Blood: The Last Vampire'' website] {{ja icon}} * [http://www.productionig.com/contents/works_sp/14_/index.html Official Production I.G ''Blood: The Last Vampire'' English website] * [http://www.manga.com/titles/blood_the_last_vampire Official Manga Entertainment ''Blood: The Last Vampire'' website] * {{ann anime|id=7}} * [http://www.viz.com/products/products.php?series_id=34 Official Viz Media ''Blood: The Last Vampire'' manga website] * {{ann manga|id=1614|title=Blood: The Last Vampire, 2002 (manga)}} * {{ann manga|id=4696|title=Blood: The Last Vampire: Night of the Beasts (manga novel)}} {{Production I.G}} [[Category:Aniplex]] [[Category:Anime films]] [[Category:Fantasy anime and manga]] [[Category:Horror anime and manga]] [[Category:Vampires in film and television]] [[Category:Viz Media manga]] [[Category:Production I.G]] [[de:Blood – The Last Vampire]] [[es:Blood: The Last Vampire]] [[fr:Blood: The Last Vampire]] [[nl:Blood: The Last Vampire]] [[ja:BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE]] [[pl:Blood: The Last Vampire]] [[pt:Blood: The Last Vampire]] [[ru:Blood: The Last Vampire]] [[zh:血戰:最後的吸血鬼]]