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On the occassion of Blood +’s American DVD release, APA speaks to the voice actors and behind-the-scenes talent about translating the action/horror anime series for English-speaking audiences.
Back in 2000, animation studios I.G. Productions and Aniplex released Blood: The Last Vampire, an eye catching 48 minute action-horror anime film that fused traditional 2D animation with 3D effects. Although the film was well received internationally for its striking visuals and stellar action scenes, some critics panned the film for its lack of story development. To address this, Production I.G. announced the release of the anime TV series, Blood + in 2005. Although both share the same basic premise and protagonist, the TV series is not connected to the movie plot-wise; it’s regarded as more fleshed out, spiritual successor.
The protagonist of Blood + is Saya, a seemingly ordinary high school girl afflicted with amnesia. Her peaceful life is turned upside down when she is attacked by a Chiropteran, a blood sucking monster that preys on the innocent, and learns she’s the only one able to stop them. Their only weakness is Saya’s blood, which causes the Chiropterans’ flesh to crystallize upon contact. Armed with her a signature katana, Saya battles the Chiropterans alongside her mysterious servant Hagi, her surrogate brother Kai, and members of Red Shield, a group dedicated to eradicating the Chiropteran. As she fights increasingly desperate battles against the Chiropterans and other adversarial factions, she begins to unlock the dark secrets behind her troubled past.
To promote this month’s release of the Blood + DVDs in America, the US Blood + production staff held a panel at WonderCon last month in San Francisco. I had an opportunity to interview the American voice casting director Michael Hack; two of the American story editors, Tom Teves and Joe D’Ambrosia; and voice actors David Wittenburg and Ben Diskin.

asiaarts.ucla.edu