Alternative Titles: Lunar Legend Tsukihime, Tsukihime

Episodes: 12

Year: 2003

Status: Complete, Licensed by Ganeon Entertainment

Tsukihime Official Site

Rating: Alright

Tohno Shiki is far from the average high school student. An accident at a young age has left Shiki’s past a complete mystery even to himself. Moreover, Shiki possesses the eyes of a Shinigami – an ability to see the lines of death of anything. Shiki’s routine life takes a turn for the unexpected when he suddenly experiences an urge to kill and using his ability, kills a female vampire. The vampire, Archeid Brunestud, tracks down Shiki’s help on her own mission and find and kill the infamous and deadly Roa. Shiki’s journey thus begins in using his ability and uncovering the secrets of his own past.

Tsukihime opens with an incredibly intriguing plot to keep us hooked onto the series. Questions of Shiki’s past, vampires and all the rest of it are key to the storyline. However, at the same time, Tsukihime also develops the romance aspect of the story which is less well done than the mystery. It provides decent action and a progressive storyline while bringing up the tension and drama of the plot. However, one the main drawbacks of the series is that it left many questions unanswered even towards the end. As far as violence and gore is concerned, Tsukihime contains a lot of blood, violence and death. Overall, if you like vampires, supernatural plots and the like, Tsukihime will be a good watch. Apart from the awkward romantic development, Tsukihime does deliver in a great story.

Year: 2005

Status: Complete

Trinity Blood Official Site (Japanese)

Rating: Awesome

Review: It is the future and the face of earth has been forever changed by one event – the Armageddon. As a result, the world is divided into humans and vampires. On one side, you have the Vatican of Rome who protects the humans against vampires. The other side of the world is ruled under the mysterious Empire where the population consists mostly of vampires and a small minority of humans. Father Abel Nightroad is part of the Special Forces Division of the Vatican and undertakes the responsibility of protecting humans against vampires. But there’s more to him than meets the eye. As tensions grow more violent amongst vampires and humans, there are darker players with their own twisted plot of disrupting the precarious balance between the two species. Will Abel succeed in trying to maintain peace between the two?

Trinity Blood is a cross between Hellsing and Trigun. Abel Nightroad has much of Vash’s character – the carefreeness, the forever broke and hungry, his refusal to kill…and yes, even his glasses. However, do not be misled into thinking this is all there is to Trinity Blood. Despite its close resemblance to two of the most awesome animes we know, Trinity progresses into something darker, mysterious and unique. And whats more, it evolves pretty fast. Amidst the awesome action, Trinity Blood also does a great job in portraying the complexity of diplomacy between the Vatican and the Empire. So it really does go beyond just vampires being killed by silver bullets. And while we’re talking about the good stuff, of noteworthy mention is the soundtrack. Still wondering why you should watch it? If you liked Hellsing or Trigun and anime of the like, you probably shouldn’t even bother reading this review – just head for Trinity Blood! Hands down an awesome anime – so don’t miss it!

Find more awesomeness in:

Hellsing

Trigun

Hagane no Renkinjutsushi (Full Metal Alchemist)

Devil May Cry

Year: 2003

Status: Complete

Subbed by: AnimeXplosion

Hellsing Official Site

Rating: Awesome

Review: The Hellsing organisation is dedicated to fighting off the rampant vampires in present day England. The organisation is under the command of Lady Integra Hellsing who inherited the organisation after her father died. The organisation’s best agent is Alucard – a vampire himself. The story takes an interesting turn when Alucard mortally wounds a police officer in a battle against ghouls and offers her the chance to live on as a vampire or die as a human. Seras Victoria is then recruited into the organisation and faces a lot of trouble coming to terms with her own vampire powers and the lust for blood. The plot thickens when the number of ‘freak’ vampires increase rapidly and it is up to the Hellsing organisation to get to the bottom of this.

Hellsing is most certainly on the gory side of things. The story is itself, however, quite interesting. Alucard’s character in particular makes one often wonder in the early episodes if he really is the good guy. The story only gets more complex with the entrance of Victoria as a new member of the organisation and I found it to be a good watch. It is certainly a solid story with no fillers or moments of humour. Moreover, it is refreshingly different in style from the usual sword-fight anime we see so much of!

Liked Hellsing? Check out:

Trigun

Witch Hunter Robin

Death Note

Trinity Blood

Devil May Cry