Vampire anime has been a real craze in recent years among manga fans. It's no longer just about creatures of the night and their quests for blood. The genres are varied, ranging from drama to thriller, from action to romance.
These series weave stories where vampires find themselves confronted with resolutely human emotions and dilemmas. They delicately address universal themes such as love, the quest for power or the search for identity. Prepare yourself to discover stories that go far beyond stereotypes, and that broaden the horizons of the genre. Here are our Top 10 vampire anime.
What are the best vampire anime of all time?
1. Hellsing Ultimate
Hellsing Ultimate is a 10-episode vampire anime adapted from the original manga by Kōta Hirano . The anime follows the Hellsing organization , led by the stoic Sir Integra , in their fight against supernatural creatures. Alucard , the main vampire, leaves no one indifferent with his raw power and unflappable attitude. He fights enemies with an ease that fascinates and terrifies!
Seras Victoria , recruited by Alucard, evolves from a frightened victim to a fearsome warrior , adding an interesting contrast to the narrative. The action is brutal and direct, typical of adult anime, and each episode intensifies the story. The anime notably depicts the confrontation with an SS-Major obsessed with the idea of starting an eternal war with his army of vampires.
Hellsing Ultimate is not just an action OVA. It introduces us to a world where vampires are not romantic , not at all. They are quite terrifying , actually!
2. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure , adapted from the manga by Hirohiko Araki is an animated series produced by David Production. Although it is not a typical vampire anime , this theme is addressed in a unique way in its first part, Phantom Blood . It follows the adventures of Jonathan Joestar , the first Jojo, against Dio Brando , his adopted brother who has become a fearsome vampire . This first confrontation lays the foundations for a series of supernatural adventures.
In Phantom Blood, Dio Brando embodies the traditional vampire, disrupting the social order in the Joestar mansion, a symbol of Victorian aristocracy. Before his transformation into a vampire , Dio already behaves in a way that dominates and harms Jonathan Joestar . The story combines various elements of literary genres, such as drama , adventure , and the supernatural . This fusion creates a narrative that is richer and more complex than that of traditional vampire stories.
Although the following seasons are completely different, they maintain a connection to this first battle , with each season introducing a new JoJo . With its colorful characters and extravagant storylines, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a unique series. Mixing action, adventure, and supernatural elements, the anime has become a staple of the genre.
3. Blood +
Blood+ is a vampire anime that skillfully mixes suspense and action . It is the story of Saya Otonashi , a high school student living in Okinawa who has a quiet little life. But everything changes when she discovers that she is the only one capable of fighting the Chiropterans , monsters that feed on human blood. Armed with her katana and helped by her mysterious ally Haji , Saya embarks on a quest to destroy these creatures and find her forgotten past.
Saya's past is rich and complex, spanning the Vietnam War , where she fought as a relentless warrior. Blood+ depicts a secret war between the Chiropterans, disguised as humans, and the Red Shield organization, determined to stop them.
The anime excels in its depiction of Saya's inner conflicts, torn between her desire for normalcy and her warrior nature . Visually impressive and narratively captivating, "Blood+" revisits the vampire myth with intensity. The anime focuses on survival and identity, far from romantic clichés.
4. Rosario + Vampire
Rosario + Vampire is a light-hearted anime starring Tsukune Aono . Our protagonist is an average teenager who accidentally enrolls in a high school for monsters, Yokai Academy . At the school, he meets Moka Akashiya , a vampire who is attracted to his blood. Although frightened at first, Tsukune stays at the Academy for Moka... unaware that she is hiding a vampire personality that is more powerful than she appears.
The anime offers a comedic and romantic perspective on vampire stories. Tsukune's school life is enriched when he befriends other monsters, such as Kurumu the succubus and Ginei the werewolf . These friendships lead Tsukune into supernatural adventures but more importantly hilarious situations.
Rosario + Vampire is a mix of comedy, romance, and action, all while playing with monster movie tropes . The anime, while light-hearted, provides consistent entertainment and captivates with its unique take on vampire stories in a school setting .
5. Vampire Knight
Vampire Knight takes place in the prestigious Cross Academy , divided into two classes. The Day Class for humans and the Night Class for vampires, unknown to humans. The plot revolves around Yuki Cross , the adopted daughter of the headmaster, who finds herself at the heart of a conflict between humans and vampires . She is protected by Zero Kiryu , a childhood friend who became a vampire despite his hatred for them.
Produced by Studio Deen , this 26-episode series, broadcast between April and December 2008, explores the complex coexistence between the two species. Yuki, torn between her attachment to Kaname Kuran , a pure-blooded vampire, and her loyalty to Zero, gradually discovers the secrets of her past and the dark truths of the Academy.
Vampire Knight blends drama , romance , and the supernatural , presenting a captivating tale about trust, identity, and secrets. The anime captivates with its gothic atmosphere and surprising revelations, offering a unique take on the vampire mythos in an elite school setting .
6. Shiki
Shiki takes a remarkably dark and thoughtful approach to the vampire anime genre. Set in the isolated village of Sotoba, the story begins with a series of mysterious deaths , prompting doctor Toshio Ozaki and young Natsuno Yuuki to investigate. They uncover a terrifying secret related to the Kanemasa family , who have recently moved into a nearby mansion.
Vampires are presented as nocturnal threats unable to enter a home uninvited. This loyalty to vampire myths contrasts with more romantic modern depictions. Visually, Shiki combines rural Japanese landscapes with elements of European horror.
The vampires, identifiable by their distinctive eyes, bring an eerie aspect. The soundtrack and creepy voices create a deep atmosphere. Shiki doesn't just entertain. The anime raises deep moral and ethical questions, examining the fine line between good and evil and the nature of survival. These reflections give the vampire anime genre a uniquely introspective dimension .
7. Trinity Blood
Trinity Blood is a Japanese anime set 900 years after an apocalyptic war between humans and vampires . The story focuses on the cold war between the Vatican and the New Human Empire , a government of vampires called Methuselah . The protagonist, Abel Nightroad , is a Crusnik (a vampire who feeds on other vampires) fighting on the side of the Vatican.
The series mixes science fiction , fantasy , and political intrigue , including the Order of Rosen Kreuz seeking to sabotage peace. Humans attempt to colonize Mars where they discover the Bacillus virus and the Crusnik nanomachines . This leads to the colonists' transformation into Methuselahs and the subsequent war on Earth.
8. Seraph of the end
Seraph of the End is an anime set in a post-apocalyptic world where a man-made virus has wiped out nearly the entire adult population in 2012. The surviving children are enslaved by vampires, who have become the masters of the land. The story follows Yūichirō and Mikaela , two orphans, in their desperate struggle to escape this bloodthirsty tyranny.
Mikaela sacrifices herself, allowing Yūichirō to join the Moon Demon Company , an elite unit of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army , determined to overthrow the vampires. The series begins with a revenge story similar to Attack on Titan , but quickly evolves into a school setting. Despite criticism for its slow pace and plot contrivances , Seraph of the End remains captivating thanks to its characters like Shinoa Hiiragi .
With its unique humor and style, it brings a refreshing dynamic to anime. Seraph of the End offers an original take on vampire stories , blending action, drama, and supernatural elements, while exploring themes of survival and rebellion in a dystopian world .
9. Dance in the Vampire Bund
Dance in the Vampire Bund follows the adventures of Mina Tepes , a vampire princess, and Akira Kaburagi Regendorf , her werewolf guardian. After years of hiding, Mina surprisingly reveals the existence of her species to the world through a live television broadcast.
She announces her ambitious plan to establish a sanctuary in Japan, called the Vampire Bund , where vampires could live in peace. This bold initiative is made possible by her family's wealth, used to pay off Japan's national debt, in exchange for creating this safe haven for her people.
However, Mina's vision for vampire and human coexistence is met with significant opposition. Extremist groups on both sides are not keen on the idea of living together, setting the stage for conflict. The anime immerses us in themes of secrecy and politics in a world where nightmares merge with reality.
10. Blood Lad
Blood Lad is a Japanese anime based on the manga by Yuuki Kodama . The story follows Staz , a powerful vampire and otaku living in the surreal demon world. Staz meets Fuyumi Yanagi , an ordinary Japanese high school girl who accidentally ends up in the demon world via a portal. Shortly after their meeting, Fuyumi is killed by a carnivorous plant and transformed into a ghost . Staz will therefore do everything to try to bring her back to life.
Unlike his vampire ancestors, Staz is not interested in feeding on humans. Instead, he is fascinated by human culture, including manga, anime, and video games. When Fuyumi needs to drink Staz's blood to keep from disappearing, they embark on a quest together to find the Book of Resurrection. They meet Hydra Bell, a treasure hunter, who reveals that her ability to open and close the portal has been stolen and that the book is needed to restore Fuyumi.
This series mixes action and comedy, featuring an unconventional vampire on a rescue mission through a demonic world.
Vampire animes with different but unmissable styles!
Our selection of vampire anime breaks the codes. From Hellsing Ultimate with its unbridled action to Blood+ and its deep dilemmas, they show us that vampires are not just monsters of the night. They live, love and fight, almost like us. These series offer us stories where action and emotions mix, making each character unique.
And who knows, with Vampire Dormitory slated for Spring 2024, maybe we'll soon have a new favorite to add to our list?
