The 2000 original 48-minute anime film that spawned a single volume manga sequel (Blood: The Last Vampire 2000), an anime series (Blood+) set in an alternative timeline, three light novels, a two-volume video game, and the current eponymous live action film, is an amazing opener for the main character that leaves you wanting more.

The story is set near the American Yokota Air Base in Japan, before the beginning of the Vietnam War. Our heroine is Saya, "the only remaining original", who hunts Chiropteras (demonic bat-like creatures that live off human blood). We are never explicitly told that Saya is a vampire, although it is heavily implied at the end. Plus, she has no weakness to daylight, but an adverse reaction to God. Saya also works with her handler, David and Lewis (the driver/lackey). Team Saya are investigating a sudden influx of suicides near the Air Base and in true horror fashion everything is not as it seems.

In a rare move, this is mainly in English with Japanese subtitles; Japanese is also spoken with English subtitles. It has a certain film-noir quality to it, due to the low light setting. The animation was amazing, as there were scenes that were really realistic. There were times I had to pause and think, was this really made in 2000? The low light made the colors duller, which suited the mood of this film. Also, the short length of the film left nothing wasted, as every scene had a purpose. Most of the action takes place at the High School near the Air Base, during the Halloween school dance. Watch out for the principal's hair; it was...err...rather interesting.

The only real negatives here were it was too short, the story felt incomplete, and the Nurse’s English delivery. It felt more like we landed right in chapter two of the Saya Files. It left many unanswered questions - Who is Saya? What is she? Is Vampire her last name? Who is David? Why is she hunting Chiropteras? Are Chiropteras and Saya different parts of the same country? Blood was originally meant to be a three episode OVA series, but only the second was animated and theatrically released. The Nurse’s English lines felt forced and unnatural, as I am guessing English was not her first language, but it sounded like she was reading from a script.

I only stumbled on this by chance, due to seeing an advert for the current live-action film in the cinema (oddly attached to The Hangover) only to discover the original, during my compulsory Google and Wikipedia search. Fortunately, the related material helps flesh out Saya's story and answers those burning questions. Blood: The Last Vampire is a brilliant introduction to Saya, the Chiroptera Slayer.

Will this appeal to your average anime fan? Hmm...it's got a Japanese girl in a "traditional" school uniform, wielding a katana fighting demonic creatures...dunno.

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