The 2019 open-world action RPG Code Vein, developed by Bandai Namco Studios, has built a strong fan base in the years following its release. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, players step into the role of a Revenant, an undead human with unique vampiric abilities and incredible strength. Not all of these vampires are equal, however, as the player character has retained their sanity by carefully imbibing blood to keep themselves from going into a mindless frenzy. Those who have lost all reason are, fittingly, called the Lost, and these cannibals are too far gone to be helped.
Now, players are returning to this dark world, as Code Vein 2 was released on January 29 after a long wait of over six years. The title features a more open world and tougher Soulslike boss battles, along with time-travel mechanics and a completely new cast of vampires to befriend or defeat. It's no surprise, then, that interest in vampire-centric media is ramping up yet again, with many players seeking out some haunting anime series to binge during their time away from the title.
17 Best Vampire Romance Anime, Ranked
Love, blood, and tears, vampire romance anime can do it all. Let's take a look at this theme's best shows, including classics and modern series.
The concept of vampires has fascinated the masses for centuries, and countless anime series have tackled this horrific subject in a multitude of unique ways. Some focus on the dark and terrifying concept of a being who must survive on the blood of the living, while others take a more comedic approach to the idea. Regardless of which you prefer, at least one of the following eight series is sure to scratch that bloodsucking itch.
There are plenty of other incredible vampire series that belong on this list, but we kept to those currently available on Crunchyroll or other popular streaming services.
Black Blood Brothers
Jiro Mochizuki, an Old Blood vampire, once defeated the Kowloon king and many of the Kowloon Children during a war dubbed the Hong Kong Crusade. A decade after this battle, Jiro returns to Hong Kong with his younger brother Kotaro on a mission to reach the Special Zone, an area exclusively populated by vampires. Unfortunately, things don't go smoothly, as the pair quickly discover that this protected neighborhood is in danger thanks to the surviving Kowloon Children. It's up to them to protect the neighborhood and its citizens, and they quickly find help in the form of human negotiator Mimiko Katsuragi.
Black Blood Brothers began as a light novel series in 2004, and the anime adaptation has continued to find success, even with those less interested in vampire series. The 12-episode series is fast-paced and packed with cliffhangers, making it difficult not to binge all at once. While the animation has been criticized by some, the show's characters and fight scenes have earned high praise.
The Case Study of Vanitas
Incorporating steampunk sensibilities into a fleshed-out dark fantasy world, The Case Study of Vanitas saw critical acclaim following its release in 2021, with the series nominated for Best Fantasy at the 6th and 7th Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Set in a fictional version of 19th-century Paris, the show follows Vanitas, who seeks to cure vampires of an illness that causes them to behave like predators against their will, and Noe, a vampire with the ability to read people's memories after drinking their blood. The two pair up to save vampires afflicted by the curse, but as it turns out, things are more complex than they seem, and a mysterious force is prepared to stand in their way.
The Case Study of Vanitas takes a unique approach to vampires, with bits and pieces of their lore spread across each episode, making all 24 episodes a delight to behold. Just like the manga series that inspired it, the anime adaptation continues to be praised for the chemistry between its two main characters and its high-octane action, paired with just a bit of comedy.
Dance in the Vampire Bund
Blending action with psychological horror, Dance in the Vampire Bund imagines a modern world in which vampires and humans need to coexist—something easier said than done. Mina, the ruler of all vampires, has remained in hiding with others of her kind for years. However, this isolation takes its toll, and the blonde-haired princess manages to convince the Japanese government to create a special district for vampire-kind off the coast of Tokyo. After revealing the existence of vampires to the masses, Mina makes it clear that she wants both species to live together in harmony. Extremist vampires and terrified humans don't make this goal easy, though.
Best Vampire Manhwa, Ranked
Vampires make for great adventures across all storytelling mediums, including manhwa, but not all vampire stories need to be about horror and blood...
While the 12-episode anime adaptation is a fun watch, it should be mentioned that it doesn't stay true to the 2009 manga series. Regardless, fans of horror shouldn't pass it up, and longtime fans of the medium won't be let down by Akiyuki Shinbo's directing work—he formerly worked on major hits like Yu Yu Hakusho, March Comes in Like a Lion, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
Mars Red
In the early 1920s, "Code Zero," a new army unit created to handle the growing vampire threat, was created by the Japanese government. Vampires were given a simple choice: either register and receive benefits, such as artificial blood, or face the threat of elimination. Curiously, the members of Code Zero are vampires themselves, but this makes them highly effective at tracking down those who refuse to bend the knee. Each day, the odd group comes upon more and more strange beings, leading them to question what their future could possibly hold.
Adapted from the 2020 manga series of the same name, Mars Red packs tons of action and intrigue into its short run, with its first episode marking a major high point. Its almost theatrical storytelling is incredibly nuanced, and viewers will need to pay attention to each and every detail in order to understand the twists and turns presented throughout. Those looking for something darker and more mature should consider giving this series a try.
Vampire Knight
Inspired by the long-running manga series by Matsuri Hino, the 2008 anime adaptation of Vampire Knight takes place at Cross Academy, which consists of two very different classes: the Day class, which humans attend, and the Night class, which is exclusively for vampires. Unsurprisingly, humans don't know about this secret class, except for Yuki Cross. The girl was rescued from a vampire attack years ago and now attends the school as the headmaster's adopted daughter, doing her best to conceal the school's secret from its human attendees. This isn't easy work, especially when the vampires' intentions remain unclear, and Yuki's past remains shrouded in mystery, even to her.
Vampire Knight is currently streaming on Netflix.
This is an entry for shojo enjoyers, but that doesn't mean that those who lean heavily into shonen series won't find something to love. Romance plays a large part, but there's plenty of action to be had, and each episode uncovers more of the mystery of this bizarre school and its residents. Viewers have often likened Vampire Knigh t to the Twilight series, with some extra melodrama and emotional tension thrown in.
Hellsing Ultimate
The first Hellsing anime series aired in 2001, and while it was a massive hit at the time, it didn't follow the manga as closely as many fans hoped. Between Febbruary 2006 and December 2012, Geneon released Hellsing Ultimate, with each of its lengthy 10 episodes giving viewers the release they had always hoped for. Character relationships were more detailed and true to the original work, and several enemies that weren't included in the 2001 series were given the chance to make their debut on the small screen. All in all, both series are worth watching, though Ultimate provides, well, the ultimate experience.
Hellsing: Strongest Hellsing Members, Ranked
Members of the Hellsing organization all bring something to the table. Here's what they have to offer.
The series follows the titular Hellsing organization, which seeks to find and destroy all supernatural forces of evil, including the undead. Oddly enough, one of its most illustrious members, Alucard, is the original and most powerful bloodsucker known to man. A Nazi group formed during World War 2 is discovered to still be alive and well, and before anything else, it needs to be stopped. Several studios worked on Hellsing Ultimate, including Madhouse, the company currently in charge of fan favorite fantasy series Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.
Servamp
Servamp follows a normal high school student named Mahiro Shirota who, one random day, stumbles upon a black cat. Deciding to take care of the poor critter, he names it Kuro, and goes about his business. When he wakes up the next day, however, he finds out that the black cat isn't a cat at all, but instead one of the seven vampires that represent the Seven Deadly Sins. Fittingly, Kuro represents Sloth, and turns into a cat when exposed to sunlight. The two enter into a contract together, and against his will, Mahiro finds himself in the middle of an unpredictable vampire war.
Often overlooked by those dabbling in the world of vampire anime, Servamp is a solid entry, swapping between incredible action and goofy comedy in a quick 12-episode run. While it rushes some of its content and would have been better off having a second season, it's a relaxed entry on the list that can be binged in a single day.
Trinity Blood
It was hard to avoid Trinity Blood in the mid-2000s, with both the manga series and anime adaptation pulling in a massive fanbase with ease, thanks to its dark fantasy themes and art style, the latter of which was particularly popular with female fans. The series is set 900 years after an apocalyptic war between humans and vampires and follows Abel Nightroad, a vampire who chooses to feed on other vampires. Abel fights on the Vatican's side against the Methuselah, a vampiric force seeking to eliminate humanity.
Blending fantasy, sci-fi, political intrigue, and plenty of action, Trinity Blood has a little something for everyone. The anime series runs for 24 episodes and was produced by Gonzo, the studio behind other popular series of the time period, including Burst Angel, Chrono Crusade, and Basilisk. Sadly, the original author of the Trinity Blood manga, Sunao Yoshida, passed away in 2004, with his close friend Kentaro Yasui stepping up to complete the series. Many still wonder how Yoshida would have wrapped things up.