Summary
Supernatural animeis a genre all its own, filled with monsters from old lore and laced with a hint of the paranormal. Vampires have become a large part of many storylines, giving rise toboth horror and romance—sometimes even within the same anime.
While vampiric abilities and undead characters have been included in many popular anime series, some stand out more than others.
Rather than running the traditional story of vampires turning humans, or a girl falling in love with a blood-sucking monster (looking at you,Twilight),these anime series go beyond the typical genre to create something one-of-a-kindby exploring vampires in unique, interesting, and sometimes weird ways.
Vampire Knight
Like many anime,Vampire Knightbegan as a 19-volume manga, followed by a sequel calledVampire Knight: Memories Volumes, which is still ongoing. The anime adapted the manga to tell the story of Yuki Cross and the mysterious vampire Kaname Kuran, who saved her as a child.
In the anime, Yuki attends Cross Academy as a Guardian, given the responsibility of maintaining peace between the mortal day class and the immortal night class. Along with her best friend, Zero Kiryu, the two of them learn that not everything is as it seems—and that Kaname is hiding a devastating secret.
Devils' Lineis classified as a dark fantasy and also began as a manga-to-anime adaptation,but it is sorely underrated. The 12-episode anime features an OVA as its finale, telling the story of Yuki Anzai. The unique take on this vampire story is revealed in the peaceful (or so everyone is led to believe) co-habitation of vampires and humans.
Yuki, a member of the Metropolitan Police Department, is part of a unit carrying out the sole mission of ending vampire crimes in the city. However, Yuki’s half-human, half-vampire duality allows him to see beyond his moral duty, and he discovers a plot that could spell trouble for all vampires.
Despite being more than a decade old,Shikiis still a consistent favorite for fans of vampire anime. This series is part-horror, part-mystery, and takes place in the small, remote Japanese town of Sotoba.
While it was previously a quiet little town, the arrival of the Kirishiki family brings devastation and death. When a high-ranking member of the town’s only hospital begins investigating the suspicious homicides, he determines that Shiki—ordemon corpses—are responsible.
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Number of Episodes
5
Vampire in the Gardenpremiered on Netflix in 2022 as an ONA and tells a unique tale of heartbreak, healing, and hope. The anime follows Momo, the human daughter of an army general, when she flees from the safety of her home and runs into Fine, the Queen of the Vampires.
Both humans and vampires are at war, and their alliance is not only frowned upon; it’s forbidden. As they navigate a world that tells them they can’t exist in the same place, their emotional stories begin to shape who they are and what they can accomplish when all else is lost.
The Case Study of Vanitas (2021)
During the flurry and fluster of an incident that happens while traveling, Noe runs into a strange character who just happens to have a book he’s been searching for: The Book of Vanitas. In a world where humans and vampires coexist, Noe’s fated introduction to Vanitas—and his book—unravels a tale that continues to be a fan favorite to this day.
The Case Study of Vanitasis wherethe story of Vanitas truly begins, as it unfolds through 24 episodes of ancient magic and vampire revelations.
Blood+
Perhaps one of the most unique takes on a vampire story,Blood+follows the young life of Saya Otonashi. Rather than becoming a vampire herself, Saya’s story is quite the opposite. She’s an anemic amnesiac, and her blood is the key to defeating blood-sucking Chiropterans.
When she’s bitten by one of these bat-like monsters, it becomes clear that her blood is powerful despite her affliction. As the story builds, Saya learns more about herself, an ancient enemy, and what it takes to become a hero.
Seraph of the Endis an anime adaption of the manga of the same name and ran on for 24 episodes, not including the OVAVampire Shahal. In both the manga and the anime, the world is under the control of vampires.
With only the Japanese Imperial Demon Army left to fight for humanity, the blight of demons who are quickly killing off humans becomes dire. That is until Seraphs—otherwise known as angels—enter the picture. This unique story weaves biblical elements into a war-ravaged world and is still one of its kind in the realm of paranormal anime.
Not many newcomers toJojo’s Bizarre Adventureexpect vampires to play such a huge role in this anime. To this day, it continues to be the most out-of-the-box take on any vampire story and one of the best anime of all time.
WhenDio Brando discovers an ancient maskthat imbues its wearer with vampiric abilities, he becomes apractically unstoppable villain. The anime proceeds from there to reveal some of the most unhinged and simultaneously delightful plotlines ever written, interweaving surrealism, comedy, and action into a story unique to any medium.
Rosario + Vampireis a lighthearted take on the vampire anime genre in the form of a comedic harem series. The story follows a student named Tsukune, who just can’t seem to shake the vampire girls who have attached themselves to him.
As the anime progresses, Tsukune begins to realize that he’s attending a supernatural academy and, rather than shakinghis vampire paramours, they just seem to become more obsessed with him.
