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Clocking in at under an hour, this anime feature is a perfect example of how a simple story is elevated to something more with perfect direction. Hiroyuki Kitakubo creates a gripping horror thriller through tense pacing and iconic imagery. BLOOD doesn’t take the vampire myth in a vastly new direction, but it uses our knowledge of the legend to keep us captivated in this world.

It’s 1966 and Saya (Youki Kudoh, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA) is the last of the original vampire. The secret U.S. government organization called Red Shield has contracted her to rid the world of chiropterans, bat-like bloodsuckers that pose as humans to turns others. Her handler is an agent named David, who respects Saya as humanities only hope. A new chiropteran is rumored to be on a U.S. military base in Japan, so Saya goes undercover as a student. It’s Halloween and the school is hosting a dance for the students to get their minds off recent deaths. Sharon (Rebecca Forstadt), a young student at the school, looks at Saya with suspicion, while the school’s kind nurse Caroline (Saemi Nakamura, TV’s HEROES) will find herself trapped in the middle of this bloody mystery.

Production I.G used the production as a testing ground for its animators on new digital animation technology. As an experiment, it’s one that succeeds very well. The production value is good and each frame shows more than just an effort to try out new toys. The look and feel of the animation is always in service of the story. Dark lighting and patient timing allow dread to build, and the calculated revelation of details only adds to the anticipation. The story efficiently establishes its iconic characters. Saya is mysterious and a deadly, cold warrior. Nurse Caroline is caring, but vulnerable. They work as a perfect odd couple to put in the way of a creature bent on blood letting.

This experiment has spawned a popular franchise, including new manga, TV series, live-action adaptations and videogames. Vampire stories and kickass female superheroes are commonplace, and they are popular. However, when the quality of this original film is what has created the devoted fanbase. This production reaffirms that Asian filmmakers know action choreography. In not spelling everything out, there is a mysterious aura that surrounds the film. Saya is a fascinating character because she seems conflicted, and the film hints at a wealth of complications in a very unexpected closing moment. I was left wanting more is a complaint you will read online. But I believe in this case it’s more of a compliment. This story was complete; it’s the characters that are so compelling that we want to go on more adventures with them.

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