Playing Code Vein 2? You Might Want to Binge 8 These Vampire Anime Too

Released in 2019, the action role-playing game Code Vein has gained a dedicated following. Developed by Bandai Namco Studios, the game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where players become Revenants – undead humans with vampire-like powers and enhanced strength. Players control a unique Revenant who has managed to maintain their mind by carefully consuming blood, avoiding the mindless rage that consumes others. Those who succumb to the bloodlust are known as the Lost, and are beyond redemption.

After more than six years of anticipation, Code Vein 2 is finally here, launching on January 29th. The game offers a larger, more open world to explore, challenging boss fights in the Soulslike style, and introduces time-travel elements. It also features an entirely new group of vampires players can team up with or battle. As excitement for the game grows, many are looking for captivating vampire-themed anime to enjoy in their downtime.

I’ve always been totally captivated by vampires, and it’s amazing how many different ways anime has explored them! Some series really lean into the scary, terrifying side of needing blood to survive, while others go for a much lighter, funnier take. Honestly, no matter what kind of vampire story you’re into, I’m pretty confident one of these eight shows will hit the spot.

I noticed there are tons of great vampire shows out there, but we focused on the ones you can actually watch right now on Crunchyroll and other well-known streaming platforms.

Black Blood Brothers

Jiro Mochizuki, a powerful vampire, famously won a war in Hong Kong against the Kowloon king and his followers, known as the Kowloon Children. Ten years later, Jiro returns to Hong Kong with his brother Kotaro, heading for the Special Zone – a neighborhood exclusively for vampires. However, they soon discover the Special Zone is under threat from the remaining Kowloon Children. Jiro and Kotaro must defend the neighborhood and its residents, and they team up with Mimiko Katsuragi, a skilled human negotiator, to do so.

I started watching Black Blood Brothers knowing it began as a series of novels back in 2004, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, even though I don’t usually go for vampire stories. The anime itself is only 12 episodes, but it really pulls you in – it moves quickly and ends each episode with a cliffhanger, so it’s hard to stop watching! I’ve seen some criticism of the animation style, but honestly, the characters are fantastic and the fight scenes are really well done.

The Case Study of Vanitas

Released in 2021, The Case Study of Vanitas is a critically praised anime that blends steampunk elements with a rich dark fantasy setting. It received nominations for Best Fantasy at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in both 2022 and 2023. The story takes place in a fantastical 19th-century Paris and follows Vanitas, who tries to cure a disease that makes vampires act like monsters, and Noe, a vampire who can read memories by drinking blood. Together, they work to save afflicted vampires, but they soon discover a deeper, more complicated mystery and a powerful enemy standing in their way.

The anime The Case Study of Vanitas offers a fresh take on vampires, gradually revealing their history and mythology throughout its 24 episodes, making it consistently engaging. Like the original manga, the anime is celebrated for the strong connection between its lead characters, exciting action sequences, and touches of humor.

Dance in the Vampire Bund

Dance in the Vampire Bund is a thrilling series that combines action with psychological horror. It presents a world where vampires and humans must learn to live together, which proves to be incredibly challenging. For years, Mina, the vampire princess, has kept her kind hidden, but their isolation is damaging. She successfully persuades the Japanese government to establish a special district for vampires near Tokyo, and publicly reveals their existence, hoping for peaceful coexistence. However, extremist vampires and fearful humans stand in the way of her dream.

I really enjoyed the 12-episode anime, it’s a lot of fun! But just a heads-up, it takes some liberties with the original 2009 manga. Still, if you’re a horror fan, you absolutely shouldn’t miss it. And if you’ve been watching anime for a while, you’ll definitely appreciate the direction – Akiyuki Shinbo is a fantastic director who’s worked on some incredible shows like Yu Yu Hakusho, March Comes in Like a Lion, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica!

Mars Red

In the 1920s, Japan faced a rising vampire problem and responded by forming a special unit called “Code Zero.” The government offered vampires a deal: register with the unit and receive artificial blood, or risk being destroyed. Interestingly, Code Zero was staffed by vampires, making them incredibly skilled at finding those who didn’t comply. As this unusual team encountered more and more strange creatures, they began to wonder what the future held for them.

Based on the 2020 manga, Mars Red is a thrilling and captivating series, especially in its first episode. The storytelling is rich and detailed, demanding close attention to fully appreciate its complex plot and surprising twists. If you enjoy darker, more sophisticated anime, this one is worth checking out.

Vampire Knight

Based on the popular manga by Matsuri Hino, the 2008 anime Vampire Knight is set at Cross Academy, a school with a unique setup. Students are divided into two classes: the Day class, for humans, and the Night class, exclusively for vampires. The human students are unaware of the Night class, with the exception of Yuki Cross. Years ago, Yuki was saved from a vampire attack and now lives at the school as the headmaster’s adopted daughter, working to keep the existence of the vampires a secret. This is a difficult task, as Yuki struggles with an unclear threat and a mysterious past she doesn’t fully understand.

Vampire Knight is currently streaming on Netflix.

If you enjoy shojo anime and manga, you’ll likely love this, but fans of shonen will find plenty to enjoy too. While romance is central to the story, there’s also a good amount of action and a growing mystery surrounding the strange school and its students. Many viewers compare it to the Twilight series, but with even more dramatic moments and emotional intensity.

Hellsing Ultimate

The original Hellsing anime came out in 2001 and was very popular, but it didn’t stick closely to the manga source material. Later, from 2006 to 2012, Geneon released Hellsing Ultimate. This version, with its ten extended episodes, gave fans what they were looking for in an adaptation. It featured deeper character development, stayed more faithful to the manga, and introduced enemies that were left out of the 2001 series. Both series are enjoyable, but Ultimate offers a more complete and satisfying experience.

The show centers around the Hellsing organization, dedicated to tracking down and eliminating all kinds of supernatural threats, like vampires and other undead creatures. Ironically, one of their strongest assets is Alucard, who happens to be the very first and most powerful vampire ever known. Meanwhile, a hidden Nazi group from World War II has resurfaced and poses an immediate danger. The series Hellsing Ultimate was created with the help of several animation studios, including Madhouse, the team behind the popular fantasy series Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

Servamp

Servamp centers around Mahiro Shirota, an ordinary high school student, who unexpectedly finds a black cat. He adopts the cat, naming it Kuro, but soon discovers it’s not an ordinary animal. Kuro is actually a vampire, one of seven who embody the Seven Deadly Sins – specifically, the sin of Sloth. He takes the form of a cat when exposed to sunlight. Mahiro and Kuro form a contract, and Mahiro is unwillingly pulled into a chaotic vampire conflict.

Servamp is a surprisingly good vampire anime that often gets missed. It balances exciting action with lighthearted humor in just 12 episodes. Though the story feels a bit rushed and could have benefited from another season, it’s an easy and enjoyable watch – perfect for a day-long binge.

Trinity Blood

In the mid-2000s, Trinity Blood was everywhere, quickly gaining a large following thanks to its dark fantasy story and appealing art style – especially among female fans. The series takes place 900 years after a devastating war between humans and vampires. It centers on Abel Nightroad, a vampire with a unique habit of hunting other vampires. He fights alongside the Vatican against the Methuselah, a powerful group of vampires determined to wipe out humankind.

With a mix of fantasy, science fiction, political twists, and exciting action, Trinity Blood offers something for all viewers. The 24-episode anime was created by Gonzo, a studio known for other popular shows like Burst Angel, Chrono Crusade, and Basilisk. Sadly, the original manga author, Sunao Yoshida, passed away in 2004, and his friend Kentaro Yasui finished the series. Fans often speculate about how Yoshida would have ended the story.

2026-02-03 01:07