Writer: Joe D’Ambrosia, Tom Teves
Director: Junichi Fujisaku, Michael Hack
Cast: Kari Wahlgren, Ben Diskin, Crispin Freeman, Dave Wittenberg, Olivia Hack, Steven Jay Blum, Quinton Flynn, Liz Sroka, Christopher Nissley
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Sony
Release Date: June 17, 2008

Sony is releasing the hit animation television show, Blood+ in two ways. The first was reviewed by one of Literary Illusions’ other reviewers, Dominick. This was a review of Blood+: Part One, which is a 25 episode set for the first episodes in the series. The second way is in five episode DVDs. The first five episodes were released in Blood+: Volume One. That brings me to my review of Blood+: Volume Two.

I am an avid fan of Japanese cartoon making and anime. I saw most of the episodes for Blood+ on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. This was mostly a refresher’s course in episodes 06-10 of the series, for me. I have to say, that this show isn’t bad. It’s not the best anime I’ve seen, but it certainly has its entertaining moments. The show is engaging and the storylines that are followed keep the audience guessing as to what will happen next, on a continuous basis. What more could you really ask for in a television series?

Release Information:
Based on the movie, Blood: The Last Vampire, Blood+ originally was shown on Japanese the television station, Animax. This show, coincidentally (or not?), is owned by Sony, who distributes the Blood+ DVDs. Blood+ aired from October 8, 2005 until September 23, 2006 on a variety of channels across Japan. The series featured a total of 50 episodes before it ended. Finally, it was brought to the U.S. in March of 2007. The last episode has since been aired and the show is now available in reruns.

Blood+: Volume Two is available from Sony Pictures. It will be released on June 17, 2008. This set contains five episodes and can be bought with or without the first five, which are available in Blood+: Volume One at Amazon for a discounted rate. At Amazon, the Blood+: Volume Two DVD is available for pre-order at a price of $18.99 USD. It can be purchased with Volume One for a little less than $40. This is a deal considering Blood+: Part One is around $80. While you’ll get more for your $80, if you’re on a budget, purchasing these sets in volumes is a better option.

The Blood+: Volume Two Plot
Blood+: Volume Two contains episodes 1.06-1.10. This set starts up where Volume One left off. Saya Otonashi is learning there is something very different about her. She still doesn’t know what, but she does know that she’s the only one capable of killing chiropterans. After her father George has been taken away by a secret military organization following an attack on him by a chiropteran, Saya and her adopted brothers Kai and Riku want only to find their father. Of course, the Red Shield, a mysterious organization that seems to be quite interested in Saya, has other plans.

The episodes in the series that are contained on this DVD and a brief description of each are included.

Episode #1.06 – “My Father’s Hands” – It is believed that George is at the Yanbaru Center, so the Red Shield member, David, Saya and her chevalier (assistant of sorts), Haji, go there to rescue him. Unfortunately, a lot of experimentation has been going on at the Center, so it has become a target for bombing by the U.S. military stationed in Okinawa. Fighting time and bombs the three must find George before it is too late.

Episode #1.07 – “I Must Do It” – Still reeling from the shock at Yanbaru, Saya must find a way to talk to her brothers Riku and Kai about what happened there. At the same time, she knows whoever or whatever she is had an effect on what happened.

Episode #1.08 – “Phantom of the School” – The Red Shield take Saya, Riku and Kai to Vietnam. The boys are separated and left to their own devices on the streets (save for spending money via credit card). Saya is enrolled in a Vietnamese Boarding School where girls have mysteriously disappeared. The Red Shield believes whoever took these girls has something to do with their primary objective.

Episode #1.09 – “Rainbow of Each” – David’s abandonment of the boys has them madly searching Hanoi for Saya. Still at the school, Saya must keep up the hunt for the identity of the Phantom.

Episode #1.10 – “I want to See You” – The Phantom is interested in Saya. He obviously has powers, but if he’s not a chiropteran then what is he?

These are some of the most interesting episodes in the first half of the Blood+ series. Though they don’t give as much information as audience members would like, they certainly keep the suspense going. By watching these episodes, you want to know more!

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
The Blood+: Volume Two DVD has exceptional video quality. Released in a full frame 1.33:1 aspect ratio, this is as good as it gets for the vast majority of television shows. The colors are bright and vibrant. Black tones have a lot of depth. The contrast is sharp. The drawings are excellent. There are very few visible flaws and the animation in orchestrated perfectly.

The audio for Blood+: Volume Two sounds intense. Considering this show was originally filmed with Japanese audio in mind, the English dubbing is flawless. There is a Japanese track as well as an English track. Both are available as Dolby Digital 2.0 Audio. I preferred listening to the English though some will prefer the Japanaese with English subtitles. Subtitles are available in English and French and there is also Closed Captioning for the hearing impaired. I found no need to toggle with the volume. The show sounds great!

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
There are no bonus features.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
If you want the entire Blood+ series you might be better off purchasing Blood+: Part One and saving extra money in the long run. If you’re on a budget, as most people are, Blood+: Volume Two will satiate some of your Blood+ thirst for episodes. Either way, however you purchase the episodes is up to you. The quality is the same and the offerings are similar so overall, it will depend on how much you wish to pay in the long run.

Overall Rating:

Technorati Tags: Blood+, Volume 2, Animation, Sony Pictures, Japanese, Anime, Action, DVD Review