Blood-C

Blood-C

Blood-C Japanese DVD volume 1 cover
Genre Action, Horror, Supernatural, Tragedy, Psychological horror
Anime television series
Directed by Tsutomu Mizushima
Written by Nanase Ohkawa
Music by Naoki Satō
Studio Production I.G
Licensed by

‹See Tfd›

Network MBS, TBS, CBC
Original run July 8, 2011 – September 30, 2011
Episodes 12
Manga
Written by Nanase Ohkawa
Illustrated by Ranmaru Kotone
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
Demographic Shōnen
Magazine Monthly Shōnen Ace
Original run 2011 – 2012
Volumes 4
Anime film
Blood-C: The Last Dark
Directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani
Written by Nanase Ohkawa
Studio Production I.G
Licensed by

‹See Tfd›

Released June 2, 2012
Runtime 110 minutes
Related

Blood: The Last Vampire (2000 anime film)
Blood+ (2005-2006 anime series)
Blood: The Last Vampire (2009 live-action film)

Blood-C (ブラッド-C Buraddo-C) is a 2011 anime/manga series that is produced in collaboration by Studio Production I.G and Nanase Ohkawa of CLAMP.[1] This is Production I.G's second anime series related to the Blood franchise, the first being Blood+, which aired in 2005–2006. Blood-C: The Last Dark (ブラッド-C：ラストダーク Buraddo - C: Rasuto Dāku), which acts as a sequel to the Blood-C series, was released in Japanese theaters on June 2, 2012.

Plot

Saya Kisaragi, a seemingly normal girl who is overly clumsy and kind, attends school during the day just like any other student. However, Saya is really a swordswoman, trained to use the "art of the sword" at night against the Furukimono ("Ancient Ones," or "Elder Bairns" in the English dub), the monsters that menace her peaceful town, with a sword left by her missing mother. Her neighbor and coffee shop owner Fumito Nanahara appears to be a kind person, but little does Saya know, there is more to Fumito than just his friendly demeanor. As Saya fights against the Furukimono, she learns more things about her actual origins, her real mission and the truth behind her classmates as well as Fumito.

Characters

Main Characters

Saya Kisaragi (更衣 小夜 Kisaragi Saya)
Voiced by: Nana Mizuki (Japanese); Alexis Tipton (English)
The main protagonist of the series, Saya, is an upbeat, cheerful, and kind girl who is overly polite, even with her closest friends. Despite being extremely athletic when it comes to sports, she is normally clumsy, always in a rush, and tends to be late to school. Saya trains under her father as a miko and is a very skilled sword fighter. Those outside of her family are oblivious to her duty as a hunter of the Furukimono, monsters that inhabit the town. During her fights with the Furukimono, her eyes sometimes turn into an eerie, almost demonic-like, red. Throughout the series Saya is constantly attacked by the Furukimono and she fights them with the understanding that she is doing what her mother had done before she died. However, as time passes Saya is no longer sure of her duties and even her identity. At one point she realizes that she cannot remember her mother's face, appearance, or even her name. During the end of the series, Saya discovered everything she thought was true was actually false. She was captured some time prior to the start of the series and kept in an experiment conducted by Fumito. The purpose was to see if she would revert to her old self or remained in the false persona she was living in after her memories was erased. After this revelation and failing to stop the Furukimono from killing everyone, Saya pursued Fumito after killing the last Furukimono. She was shot in the head by Fumito and remained in a river bank, recovering from her injuries while accepting everything that happened. Her story continued in the movie when she continue her pursuit to Fumito with the aid of a group called SIRRUT who wanted to take him down.
Fumito Nanahara (七原 文人 Nanahara Fumito)
Voiced by: Kenji Nojima (Japanese); Robert McCollum (English)
Saya's neighbor and the owner of Guimauve, a coffee shop near Saya's home. He is also a friend and junior of Tadayoshi back in their high school years, although he attended it much later than Tadayoshi. Fumito usually serves breakfast for Saya and makes bento lunches for her. He once stated to Saya that she is special to him, and that she is more important to him than anything else. After her battles, he expresses his concern towards Saya by bringing coffee and guimauve to her after her battles. Saya once questioned him about his guimauve asking if they were always pink in color — he mysteriously states it depends what is mixed in them. He is revealed to be the series main antagonist, being the one behind the experiment to see whether Saya would revert to her previous personality. Unlike his persona in the experiment, Fumito demonstrates himself to be a sadistic and remorseless character who allows his defectors to die violent deaths while being obsessed with Saya and her abilities, but still maintaining a teasing and cordial demeanor towards her.

Supporting Characters

Tadayoshi Kisaragi (更衣 唯芳 Kisaragi Tadayoshi)
Voiced by: Keiji Fujiwara (Japanese); Bill Jenkins (English)
Saya's father and the priest at the shrine where he and Saya reside. While Saya is out fighting the Furukimono, he worries about her, though he is not inclined to show it. He cares deeply for Saya and helps with her training, often commenting on her clumsiness. Tadayoshi is actually a hybrid between a Furukimono and human due to the mating between the two species. When he fights Saya at the finale, Saya kills him when she realizes that an over-excessive consumption of her blood has driven him berserk. In his final moments, he confesses that his paternal feelings for her were genuine and he cherished their time together. Saya grieves deeply over his death and recognizes him as her father.
Yūka Amino (網埜 優花 Amino Yūka)
Voiced by: Masumi Asano (Japanese); Martha Harms (English)
A classmate of Saya's that often has lunch with her. She presumably dies when she is killed by a Furukimono. In the penultimate episode, it is revealed she is part of the "main cast" who were given protection from the Furukimono and was more or less informed by what is happening in the town while the "extras" used were expendable. She and Itsuki have followed the rules of the experiment, confronting Kanako and the others when they attempt to defect. However, she proves to be as ruthless as Fumito and shows little value toward human life, doing whatever she needs to do achieve goals. Despite her youthful appearance, she is older than she appears and agreed to participate in Fumito's experiment in order to become the governor of Tokyo. She is the only remaining survivor of the town aside Fumito and the only survivor of the "main cast" in the end.
In the movie, her age is revealed to be 28 years old. She is a member of Seventh Heaven and does secretarial duties for Fumito while pursuing her political goals. At the end of the movie, she eventually became the governor of Tokyo and abolished the Youth Ordinance Bill.
Nene & Nono Motoe (求衛 ねね&のの Motoe Nene & Nono)
Voiced by: Misato Fukuen (Japanese); Lindsay Seidel (English)
Twin sisters who are also Saya's schoolmates and tend to repeat one another. They admire Saya and enjoy playfully teasing her for her naivete. In the penultimate episode, they reveal themselves to be "main cast" actors in the experiment centered around Saya. Unlike their false personae, they are self-centered, cruel and extremely ruthless. It is implied that they have an unscrupulous past and they joined the experiment specifically to have their past records erased. Defecting from the rules of the experiment so that they can leave the town sooner and still reap the rewards for participating, they viciously mock Saya as she is breaking down and express their disgust at Saya's true nature. Both sisters are violently killed by the Cerberus Furukimono in the series' conclusion, but not before one pushed the other in an attempt to escape, implying that not even their sisterly love was genuine.
Itsuki Tomofusa (鞘総 逸樹 Tomofusa Itsuki)
Voiced by: Atsushi Abe (Japanese); Chris Burnett (English)
The class president. He has a crush on Saya, to which she is completely oblivious, despite the evident comments of her friends that emphasize his interest on her. He is the presumably only remaining survivor on the attack of a Furukimono at Saya's school. Though a "main cast" member, he and Yūka do not defect from the experiment's rules and become suspicious of Kanako, Tokizane and Nene & Nono. Unlike most of the main cast, he develops genuine feelings for Saya, even though he knew what she was. In the conclusion, he attempts to shield Saya from being shot by one of Fumito's private soldiers, revealing his true feelings for her as he dies.
In the movie, it is revealed that Itsuki was a member of SIRRUT, who was tasked to infiltrate Fumito's experiment and provided information to the group.
Shinichirō Tokizane (時真 慎一郎 Tokizane Shin'ichirō)
Voiced by: Tatsuhisa Suzuki (Japanese); Scott Freeman (English)
A quiet classmate who harbors a secret interest in Saya. He is usually seen skipping lunch, as he stated once to Saya that he'd rather sleep than eat. Tokizane eventually discovers Saya's secret and confesses his feelings to her, but apparently dies after being killed by a Furukimono. In actuality, he did not die and is one of the "main cast" in the experiment centered around Saya. Tokizane apparently joined the experiment for money and defects to Kanako when she promises a larger sum. In order to force Saya into recovering her memories sooner, he obtains a vial of Furukimono blood that Kanako had Saya drink. Unlike his false persona, he is obnoxious, impatient, cold, and deeply disgusted with Saya's true nature. Tokizane, like the other defectors, are caught by Fumito, Yūka and Itsuki shortly after they attempt to escape with Saya. Like all cast members, it is implied that he is using a pseudonym. He is the first to be killed by the Cerberus Furukimono in the series' conclusion.
Kanako Tsutsutori (筒鳥 香奈子 Tsutsutori Kanako)
Voiced by: Miho Miyagawa (Japanese); Lydia Mackay (English)
Saya's homeroom teacher, an easy-going woman who used to be a folklore researcher. She joined the experiment to study Saya and witness the Shrovetide, the only time when demons are allowed to consume humans, and publish the results, but had grown impatient and angry that Fumito would constantly erase Saya's memories after every battle. As a result, she convinces Tokizane and Nene & Nono to join her and force Saya to recover her memories sooner, but is caught by Fumito. As the other defectors are killed, Fumito reveals he had been aware of Kanako's impending betrayal and had given her a fake talisman that would not protect her. Despite Saya being able to save her from being devoured by the Cerberus Furukimono, Kanako becomes terrified of Saya and flees for her life, but is decapitated by Tadayoshi while seeking sanctuary in his temple.
Dog (犬 Inu)
Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama (Japanese); Todd Haberkorn (English)
An unusual puppy with strange marks on his body who is usually seen near Saya, who finds that it can actually speak and refers to itself as the owner of a shop that realize wishes for those who pay an according price, hinting that he might be Kimihiro Watanuki, a character from the CLAMP manga/anime xxxHolic (also played by Jun Fukuyama and Todd Haberkorn). He claims that the reason for him to get close to Saya is to make a wish of hers come true.
In the movie it is revealed that the Dog was used by Watanuki to communicate with Saya, as he can talk through him. Because of this and the markings it can be suggested the Dog is in fact Watanuki's Kudagitsune. Both Watanuki and the shop make an appearance in the movie.

Movie Characters

Mana Hiiragi (柊 真奈 Hīragi Mana)
Voiced by: Ai Hashimoto (Japanese); Jād Saxton (English)
A 17-year-old high school student and a member of SIRRUT. She joins the organization in order to search for her missing father, who is a reporter. She is a skilled hacker and helped her father provide information on Seventh Heaven for his job. However, after her father's disappearance, she refuses to hack again until the infiltration at Tsuji Private High School. Ever since Saya saved her from the Furukimono at the Tokyo subway, she develops an interest in her and follows her around despite the warnings from her fellow SIRRUT members. At the movie's climax, it is revealed that her father is actually the Furukimono that Saya killed at the beginning of the movie. She never learned the truth after Saya disappeared at the end of the movie.
Kuroto Mogari (殯 蔵人 Mogari Kuroto)
Voiced by: Hiroshi Kamiya (Japanese); Mike McFarland (English)
Representative of Sysnet, a popular IT venture company in Tokyo, and the financial backer of SIRRUT. He is Fumito's cousin and their families are protectors of Shrovetide, the covenant between the humans and the Furukimono. The Mogari clan is responsible for overseeing the covenant while the Nanahara clan protects them. However, when Fumito is in charge, the entire Mogari clan was killed, leaving Kuroto as the only survivor. When Saya arrives at Tokyo, Kuroto requests her help to defeat Fumito. Later, it is revealed that he is actually working with him all along and used SIRRUT as his own means to support Fumito. In the end, he transformed into a gargantuan Furukimono after he betrayed Fumito. He was killed by Saya.
Shun Fujimura (藤村 駿 Fujimura Shun)
Voiced by: Yūki Kaji (Japanese); Josh Grelle (English)
A former classmate of Mana and a member of SIRRUT. He is 18 years old. He is shown to have a crush on Saya, stating how he thinks she is beautiful.
Iori Matsuo (松尾 伊織 Matsuo Iori)
Voiced by: Yūichi Nakamura (Japanese); Justin Cook (English)
A 19-year-old college student and a member of SIRRUT. He does not trust Saya easily. He has a crush on Haruno and at the end of the movie, they got together.
Hiro Tsukiyama (月山 比呂 Tsukiyama Hiro)
Voiced by: Kana Hanazawa (Japanese); Tia Ballard (English)
The youngest member of SIRRUT and a skilled hacker. She is 13 years old.
Haruno Yanagi (矢薙 春乃 Yanagi Haruno)
Voiced by: Yuko Kaida (Japanese); Colleen Clinkenbeard (English)
Kuroto's secretary at Sysnet and the coordinator of SIRRUT. She is 24 years old. Matsuo has a crush on her and at the end of the movie, they got together.
Kutō (九頭 Kutō)
Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe (Japanese); J. Michael Tatum (English)
The head of Tower's task force. His family members served the Nanahara family for generations and were tasked to protect their interests from their opponents. Near the end of the movie, he transforms into a Furukimino but is killed by Saya.

Media

Manga

A manga illustrated by Ranmaru Kotone began serialization in Monthly Shōnen Ace magazine on May 26, 2011.[2] The first volume was released on July 22, 2011,[3] and the series spawned 4 volumes. The manga tells the same story of the TV series and the The Last Dark movie. It is currently published in English by Dark Horse Comics.

Anime

The anime was announced in the May 2011 issue of Shōnen Ace magazine where it would be revealed as a collaboration between Studio Production I.G and the manga creator group CLAMP. CLAMP was in charge of creating the story and original character designs while Production I.G handled the animation. The anime is published by Aniplex and directed by Tsutomu Mizushima with Junichi Fujisaku, who previously worked on Blood: The Last Vampire and Blood+, as creative supervisor. Nanase Ohkawa also supervises the scripts and co-writing them with Fujisaku while Kazuchika Kise is adapting CLAMP's character designs for animation and Naoki Sato is composing the music. The opening theme is "spiral" performed by Dustz,[4] while the ending theme is "Junketsu Paradox" (純潔パラドックス Junketsu Paradokkusu) performed by Nana Mizuki. Aniplex, Dentsu, Dwango, Kadokawa Shoten and MBS were also involved in the production of the series. The anime aired between July 8, 2011 and September 30, 2011 on MBS and TBS and was also simulcast in North America and the United Kingdom on Nico Nico. At Anime Expo 2012, Funimation Entertainment announced that they have licensed the anime series and anime film.[5] Madman Entertainment has licensed the anime series and the film in Australia.[6]

Blood-C: The Last Dark was made after the anime series.[7][8] After the end of the final episode, a teaser of the film announced that it would be released on June 2, 2012.[9] The film would also be funded by the Agency for Cultural Affairs with ¥50 million.[10] Yahoo! Japan's Movies website began streaming the first eight minutes from the movie four days before its premiere in Japan.[11] The movie was also screened in the 2012 Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal from July 19 to August 7[12] and in the 16th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan 2012) in Puchon, Republic of Korea, from July 19 to 29, 2012.[13]

Episode list

Blood-C

No. Title Original airdate
01 "O Ye Winds of Heaven"
"Ama Tsukase" (あまつかせ) 		July 8, 2011[14]
Saya Kisaragi is a cheerful, honest and kind girl, who trains as a miko under her father Tadayoshi Kisaragi, spending her days quietly with her schoolmates. However, those outside her family are oblivious to her secret life as a mysterious swordswoman, who makes use of a sacred sword to slay monsters known as the Elder Bairns who appeared nearby. At night, she faces and eventually defeats a Jizō Elder Bairn. 
02 "It Is for Thy Sake"
"Kimi ga Tame" (きみがため) 		July 15, 2011[15]
Saya is seen hunting down a Bat Elder Bairn at night. The next day, she stops by the coffee shop to see Fumito Nanahara, who offers her to try some pink cubed guimauve, before going to school. During lunch, Itsuki Tomofusa, the class president, does his best to court Saya but without success. However, she shows concern for Shinichirō Tokizane, another classmate who rarely speaks to her, but usually watches her from afar. At night, Saya is tasked to take down a Flower Elder Bairn. 
03 "As for Man"
"Hito wa Isa" (ひとはいさ) 		July 22, 2011[15]
After enjoying breakfast with Tadayoshi at the coffee shop, Saya runs late for chemistry class, having to stay after class to clean up for her homeroom teacher Kanako Tsutsutori. Saya invites a few of her classmates to the coffee shop, where they learn that a baker has gone missing. Come nightfall at an abandoned train station, she finds out that a Train Elder Bairn is responsible for his disappearance. She fails to save his life, but manages to slay the creature, who speaks to Saya about "honoring the covenant" before passing away. 
04 "That Has Made Me Sad"
"Nageke Tote" (なげけとて) 		July 29, 2011[15]
Saya asks Tadayoshi about the meaning behind honoring the covenant mentioned by the Train Elder Bairn, but is dissuaded by him. On the way to lunch, her classmates discuss the disappearance of the baker. Saya falls off a tree after climbing it, but is saved by Tokizane, sharing her food with him showing her gratitude. That night, a Gryphon Elder Bairn and his two minion Elder Bairns devour a group of fishermen, holding one of them captive. While confronting the three, the Gryphon Elder Bairn mentions that the covenant between humans and Elder Bairns, called the Shrovetide, must be honored. 
05 "Meeting in the Way"
"Meguri Ahite" (めぐりあひて) 		August 5, 2011[15]
Saya begins to experience headaches related to visions, so she passes by to see Fumito to drink some coffee to relax. Saya is sent on a mission to kill a powerful Monk Elder Bairn, for which she prevails after a difficult battle. She continues to ponder about the Shrovetide that the Elder Bairns keeping telling her. At school the next day, Nene & Nono Motoe are ecstatic that the gym class will be replaced with a study hall period due to rainy weather. As it is suggested to tell scary stories, Kanako tells a legend about what seems to be about Elder Bairns, leading Saya to experience another severe headache before collapsing. The next day, when Nene visits Saya, both of them are attacked by a Centipede Elder Bairn. 
06 "Dashed by Fierce Winds"
"Kaze o Itami" (かぜをいたみ) 		August 19, 2011[16][17]
Saya quickly searches for her sword but fails to prevent the Centipede Elder Bairn from devouring Nene's head before killing it. After taking a day off to rest, Saya returns the next day only to find that Nono has also been absent from school. Kanako informs the class that the school is closing down due to recent incidents. Saya is interrupted on her way home by a mysterious dog, which she has encountered everyday on the way to school, now revealing its ability to converse with her. Soon after, Nono appears and confronts Saya about Nene's whereabouts. A Shadow Elder Bairn forms from Nono's shadows, attacking and swallowing nearby civilians. Saya kills the Shadow Elder Bairn but is unable to save Nono as she is killed in the process. 
07 "As Pitiless As the Storm"
"Ukarikeru" (うかりける) 		August 26, 2011[17]
As Saya laments not being able to save Nene & Nono, she has trouble remembering as to whom she made a promise to protect everyone. She later encounters the dog from before, approaching her in order to grant a certain wish. The next day, as Tadayoshi tells her to keep her sword on her at all times, she arrives at school to find it empty besides Kanako. On the way back, Saya witnesses a policeman suddenly stabbed right in front of her, faulted by a Samurai Elder Bairn, who casts doubt in her mind over whether to trust what Tadayoshi had told her. As Saya manages to regain her resolve and kill the Samurai Elder Bairn, who tells her to ask Tadayoshi who she really is with his last breath, she is discovered by Tokizane. 
08 "Within the World"
"Yo no Naka yo" (よのなかよ) 		September 2, 2011[17]
Tokizane gets Saya to tell her about the Elder Bairns, offering to be her confidant. As Saya returns home, she finds Tadoyoshi collapsed on the floor, though he passes it off as a dizzy spell. Later, as the dog talks to Saya during her bath, asking her what would happen if she broke the promise she made, she experiences another headache as she recalls something concerning a reward and a punishment. After a few days of no Elder Bairn activity, Saya returns to school. As she walks with Yūka Amino to class, a Spider Elder Bairn soon appears and attacks the students, killing several of them. With no escape available, Saya is forced to unsheathe her sword in front of her friends to fight the Spider Elder Bairn. 
09 "Against My Wish"
"Kokoro ni mo" (こころにも) 		September 9, 2011[17]
Saya struggles to keep the Spider Elder Bairn from killing more students as she becomes tormented with flashbacks. Although she eventually manages to kill the Spider Elder Bairn, most of her classmates, including Yūka, have been killed, but Itsuki is the only classmate who survived. After lamenting to the dog, who poses more questions about her nature, and being visited by Tokizane, Saya comes to the realization that only her class had been called to school that day. As Tokizane's attempt to confess to Saya is put off by the arrival of Tadayoshi, Saya questions why she does not know her mother's name. 
10 "Since 'Tis by Its Breath"
"Fuku Kara ni" (ふくからに) 		September 16, 2011[18]
As Saya wonders why she does not know her mother's name or appearance, she is attacked by a Skeleton Elder Bairn, who kills Tokizane when he returns to check up on her. After killing the Skeleton Elder Bairn, Saya begins to question her identity before passing out. The next day, she is visited by Fumito, who calms her by giving her some coffee and guimauve before going to see Tadayoshi. As Tadoyoshi goes off somewhere, Kanako stops by the coffee shop and asks Saya to see some scrolls in her shrine. Kanako reveals that all the books in the shrine supposedly detailing the Elder Bairns are all blank, as Saya suddenly sees Nene & Nono appear before her. 
11 "Whom Then Are There Now"
"Tare o Kamo" (たれをかも) 		September 23, 2011[18]
Kanako, Nene & Nono and Tokizane reveal themselves to be part of a "main cast", playing roles for the purpose of making Saya remember who she is in order to be rewarded with their own desires. As they force Saya to drink the blood of the Elder Bairns, which she had allegedly been drinking whenever she passed out, they reveal she is linked to the Shrovetide, a period in time when demons are given permission to eat humans. As Saya starts to remember things as a result of drinking the blood, a Cerberus Elder Bairn appears and the group is confronted by Itsuki and Yūka, who question their motives for disobeying the project. 
12 "If Remembering Me"
"Wasurejino" (わすれじの) 		September 30, 2011[18]
Saya finally remembers that she had been captured by Fumito, having her memories altered and putting on a stage for her to feed on Elder Bairns as a test to see if she would change. Tokizane and Nene & Nono are eaten by the Cerberus Elder Bairn for disobeying Fumito's orders. Although Saya manages to save Kanako by killing the Cerberus Elder Bairn, Kanako is instead killed by Tadayoshi, revealed to be a half-bred Elder Bairn that has gone berserk from drinking Saya's blood. After a fierce battle between Saya and Tadayoshi, he reveals his paternal attachment to her before he dies. As Fumito makes his escape with Yūka by car, sending an army of multiplying Bunny Elder Bairns to kill everyone in town, Itsuki sacrifices himself in order to protect Saya, admitting he had fallen for her before passing away. After beating the Bunny Elder Bairns, Saya attacks Fumito before he escapes with Yūka by helicopter, only to be shot in the eye by him. Left alone on the island, Saya tends to her wound and prepares to make her next move. 

Blood-C: The Last Dark

No. Title Original airdate
01 "Blood-C: The Last Dark"
"Buraddo - C: Rasuto Dāku" (ブラッド-C：ラストダーク) 		June 2, 2012
Six months later in Tokyo, a Human Elder Bairn enters a subway train, attacking nearby passengers in sight and capturing a girl named Mana Hiiragi. Saya Kisaragi then chases after the Human Elder Bairn and eventually kills him by impaling his skull with her sword. As Shun Fujimura and Iori Matsuo, members of a group known as SIRRUT, take Saya and Mana with them, they all are pursued by cars. but with outside help from their colleagues Hiro Tsukiyama and Haruno Yanagi, Shun and Iori take a route to evade the cars. Saya receives a message from Kuroto Mogari, who wants to schedule an appointment with her at the SIRRUT headquarters to discuss about the motive to kill Fumito Nanahara, who is aware of the mishap at the subway. Kuroto, aware that Saya is the lone survivor of the massacre of the town at the island, explains that Fumito is the head of Tower, a secret organization which engages in human experimentation, and the leader of Seventh Heaven, a company that oversees the city. The mission of SIRRUT is to overturn Seventh Heaven's Youth Ordinance Bill, a law which enforces curfews for minors and regulates the use of the internet. Despite her usefulness in SIRRUT, Saya states to Kuroto that her main concern is to kill Fumito. The next day, Mana accompanies Saya to a shop owned by Kimihiro Watanuki, so that Saya can purchase a sword there. At night, after learning from Maya of how the Youth Ordinance Bill has influenced society, Saya defeats two watchmen who tried to apprehend her and brings Mana back with her to the SIRRUT headquarters. Later on, Maya tells Shun, Iori and Hiro not to worry since Saya protected her, but the three mention to Mana that it has been four months since her father's disappearance. Kuroto tells Saya that Tower is looking for her specifically and warns her not to take action too soon. It is revealed that Kuroto and Fumito are cousins, in which the latter killed the former's parents six years ago to take control of the Shrovetide. After it is learned that Fumito will be attending a private academy the following day to give a guest lecture during an assembly, Saya and SIRRUT work together to discreetly infiltrate the private academy, but the fire alarm goes off to evacuate the students. As Saya realizes that Fumito faked his appearance on stage, she is suddenly attacked by an Insect Elder Bairn, yet she is able to slice through it while protecting Mana. However, Saya and Mana are stopped by Kutō, the head of Tower's task force unit, and the two are forced to retreat with Shun and Iori back to the SIRRUT headquarters. Mana later explains to Saya about how her father was a newspaper reporter who wanted to uncover the truth behind Seventh Heaven and the secret behind Tower, but her father has gone missing ever since he left to go meet Fumito four months ago. The next day, Mana spends the whole day and night using her hacking skills to successfully locate Tower's main base. The day after, Saya enters Tower's main base alone to take on the task force unit. Kutō uses a talisman with Saya's blood, which causes him to turn into Dog Elder Bairn. After Saya kills it, she escapes into the basement, only to find Fumito there. She sees Kuroto, revealed to be working with Fumito, but becomes paralyzed from a cup of intoxicated coffee that was given to her by Kuroto on the previous night. However, as Kuroto attempts to stab Fumito with Saya's sword, Fumito remains uninjured and injects Saya's blood into Kuroto's eye, which then causes Kuroto to be consumed by a Seed Elder Bairn. Fumito reveals that Maya's father happens to be the Human Elder Bairn that Saya killed at the subway. Saya regains mobility and tries to attack Fumito, but Fumito merges with the Seed Elder Bairn and transforms into a gigantic Elder Bairn. Saya charges inside of it to destroy its heart, reverting Fumito back to normal. Fumito takes Saya's sword and forces it through his chest, admitting defeat while fulfilling his wish to embrace her before withering away. This leaves Saya to say that she is always alone. The following day, Yūka Amino, previously a secretary for Seventh Heaven, is elected the new governor and has abolished the Youth Ordinance Bill. As life returns to normal for SIRRUT, Mana wonders if she will ever see Saya again. 

Reception

The TV series received mixed reviews on its first airing. Theron Martin of Anime News Network expressed that "the sharp use of color, especially involving the school uniforms, almost offsets the irritatingly disproportionate lankiness of CLAMP's character designs, and the opener's visuals are cool," but the viewers "need some substance" and "some elaboration on why Saya's eyes turn red or some hint of a bigger picture" which is "something that fans can sink their teeth into, at least."[19] Zac Bertschy praises the production values and the animations but feels that the staff need "to set up any kind of overarching story."[20] Gia Manry also praises the animation and character designs but feels that "it's too early to tell whether Production I.G and CLAMP will break Saya out of the sort of flawless-princess cage she's in."[21] However, Carl Kimlinger thinks "Tsutomu Mizushima nails CLAMP's peculiar surrealism without half trying, and he takes to brutal horror-action as if to the manner born."[22] Chris Beveridge from The Fandom Post criticized the TV series' ending for its focus on characters being murdered in an extreme way and the lack of closure.[23]

The movie earned US$409,000 in Japan during its opening week [24] and entered the Japanese box office at No. 10.[25] It also won the jury L'Écran Fantastique Prize at the Montreal Fantasia Film Festival for its "horrifying Lovecraftian bestiary, as well as attention to textures and lighting."[26] Bamboo Dong from Anime News Network found the film superior to the TV series for its simple story, visual quaility and audio. While praising its setting, Dong noted that viewers would need to watch the television series first to understand it which she saw as a con.[27] On the other hand, Andy Hanley from UK Anime Network saw the film as inferior to the TV series as it "feels rather lifeless and ultimately turns in a distinctly average viewing experience."[28]

In March 2015, the Chinese Ministry of Culture announced a crackdown on sites hosting overly-violent or sexual anime content, with Blood-C being singled out as an example due to a "particularly bloody" beheading scene that would allegedly cause "extreme discomfort."[29]

References

  1. ↑ "CLAMP, I.G to Collaborate on Blood-C Original Anime". Anime News Network. March 24, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  2. ↑ "New Manga Magazine Newtype Ace to Launch Next Month". Anime News Network. August 6, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  3. ↑ "BLOOD‐C (1)". Kadokawa Shoten. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  4. ↑ "DUSTZ、アニメ「BLOOD-C」のオープニングテーマに大抜擢 | Musicman-NET". 23 May 2011. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  5. ↑ "Funimation Adds Blood-C Film, more Ikki Tousen, Michiko to Hatchin,". Anime News Network. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Madman Entertainment Loads Up On New Anime Acquisitions". Madman Entertainment. 2012-11-12.
  7. ↑ "Blood-C Vampire Anime Film to Be Titled 'The Last Dark'". Anime News Network. November 25, 2011. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  8. ↑ "CLAMP's Blood-C to Be Made as Both TV Series & Film". Anime News Network. April 8, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Blood-C Anime Film Slated for June 2, 2012". Anime News Network. September 9, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Japan Government Helps Fund Budori Gusuko, Blood-C Film". Anime News Network. October 2, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Blood-C: The Last Dark Film's 1st 8 Minutes Streamed - News". Anime News Network. 2012-05-29. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  12. ↑ "Montreal's Fantasia Fest to Screen Blood-C Anime Film - News". Anime News Network. 2012-06-18. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  13. ↑ "Production I.G [WORK LIST[Details]]". Productionig.com. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  14. ↑ "BLOOD-C" (in Japanese). Web Newtype. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "BLOOD-C" (in Japanese). Web Newtype. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  16. ↑ "BLOOD-C air date". NicoNico. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "BLOOD-C" (in Japanese). Web Newtype. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
  18. 1 2 3 "BLOOD-C" (in Japanese). Web Newtype. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Theron Martin - The Summer 2011 Anime Preview Guide". Anime News Network. 2011-07-04. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  20. ↑ "Zac Bertschy - The Summer 2011 Anime Preview Guide". Anime News Network. 2011-07-05. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  21. ↑ "Gia Manry - The Summer 2011 Anime Preview Guide". Anime News Network. 2011-07-05. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  22. ↑ "Carl Kimlinger - The Summer 2011 Anime Preview Guide". Anime News Network. 2011-07-04. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  23. ↑ Beveridge, Chris (September 29, 2011). "Blood-C Episode #12 Anime Review". Fandom Post. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Blood-C Film Earns 32 Million Yen in Opening Weekend - News". Anime News Network. 2012-06-04. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  25. ↑ "News: Japanese Box Office, June 2-3 [2012-06-09]". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  26. ↑ "Blood-C: The Last Dark Wins Jury Award at Fantasia Film Fest - News". Anime News Network. 2012-08-10. Retrieved 2014-04-02.
  27. ↑ "Shelf Life Ace of Bakes". Anime News Network. November 11, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  28. ↑ Hanley, Andy (October 21, 2012). "ANIME REVIEW: Blood-C: The Last Dark (Theatrical screening)". UK Anime Network. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  29. ↑ Kelion, Leo (April 1, 2015). "China cracks down on violent anime online cartoons". BBC News. Retrieved April 15, 2015.

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