Vampires and Volleys

“An Eclectic October Anime Lineup”

Historically, October has been synonymous with the release of B-grade horror movies. Over the years, films such as Friday the 13th, the Final Chapter, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and the titular Halloween frequently aired or released in October. Anime also has its share of horror releases under its belt. However, some fans may argue that what is perceived as horror is the titular gorefest, often overshadowed by various insertions such as poor pacing, out-of-sync fan service, or comedy, which work against those moments of fright.

Despite these shortcomings, horror anime does exist, and while it is part of this month's blogging menu, I would like to highlight another aspect of the season. As Fall and Halloween are important to Americans and Canadians, another threat lurks: fall sports. American football and basketball hold center stage in October as fans cheer for their favorite team. Anime is no stranger to sports, whether at the high school, college, or professional level.

There are plenty to choose from, be it football (soccer), baseball (yes, it does run in the fall), and anime’s favorite pastime, basketball. Interestingly enough, anime is limited when it comes to American football, with “Eyeshield 21” being the only example I’m aware of.

So this month we wanted to do something a little different. Last year we posted whatever during October with no method, but this time there will be a method to the madness. For October, we’ll be mixing it up a bit. We’ll catch up on some of our favorite anime of various genres and look at a few of what I will call the Creatures of the Night series. Namely vampire anime. We may even throw one in involving a succubus or two. You can also count on us to throw in some action as well as a sports series and something random. Lastly, there are a few new series that are just getting started. You can check out the list below.

Wind Breaker

If you’ve been on our website, you can see we’re already off and running with our first few drops. Wind Breaker was an anime I was super excited about, especially after the drought left by Tokyo Revengers. Wind Breaker is by no means Tokyo Revengers, but it has that same gang-war feel sans the time travel aspect. Also, no one wants to take over the Japan underworld. Wind Breaker, a thrilling 2024 anime by Studio CloverWorks, follows delinquent Haruka Sakura as he joins Furin High School's Bofurin gang. With stunning fight scenes and lovable characters, Haruka learns the true meaning of strength and friendship. Despite minor flaws, Wind Breaker delivers an action-packed, emotionally engaging story that will leave you craving more. A must-watch for fans of the genre.

Call of the Night

With the demise of Funimation and merging into Crunchyroll, fans were left with few options. There are few options if they want to remain legit, that is, and if you’re still wearing the pirate hat, you know how well that's going (I’ll miss you, Aniwave). Attempting to fill the void left by Funimation upstart HiDive, owned by AMC, jumped in the fray. They are paltry in comparison to Crunchyroll, but I regard them as an upstart that, if they continue in the right direction, could be a viable alternative, and they could start by fixing their UI, but I digress.

Nevertheless, this Summer 2022 anime put HIDIVE on the map as it received multiple Crunchyroll and Anime Trending nominations. "Call of the Night" is a captivating anime series that explores the allure of nighttime and vampirism through the eyes of Kou Yamori, a disillusioned middle school student. This visually stunning show, directed by Tomoyuki Itamura, beautifully blends romance, supernatural elements, and character development. With its unique artwork, engaging plot, and stellar voice acting, "Call of the Night" offers a fresh take on vampire stories while delving into themes of love, identity, and the human condition.

I Parry Everything: What Do You Mean I'm the Strongest? I'm Not Even an Adventurer Yet!

Another HIDIVE exclusive is this year's “I Parry Everything: What Do You Mean I'm the Strongest? I'm Not Even an Adventurer Yet!.” "I Parry Everything: What Do You Mean I'm the Strongest? I'm Not Even an Adventurer Yet!" is a 12-episode anime series that aired from July 5 to September 20, 2024. Directed by Dai Fukuyama and written by Shigeru Murakoshi, the series was produced by OLM, Inc. The opening theme, "AMBITION," is performed by Anna Suzuki, while the ending theme, "No Gifted," is sung by Utahime Dream All-Stars.

The anime falls under the fantasy and comedy genres, following Noor, an aspiring adventurer who possesses only one seemingly useless skill: the ability to parry attacks. Despite his perceived weakness, Noor's years of isolated training have unknowingly made him incredibly powerful. The story unfolds in the Kingdom of Clays, which faces a significant conflict, while Noor pursues his dream of becoming an adventurer.

There was a bit of hype surrounding this anime, with most at or almost near a 7/10. Hopefully, we’ll come to the same conclusion, but we’ll see. Right?

Unbreakable Machine-Doll

No, don't let this title fool you, and don't let the fact that there’s ecchi throw you off; either this is a Frankenstein meets magic anime if I've ever seen one with a bit of that old British charm thrown in for good measure. Machine-Doll wa Kizutsukanai (Unbreakable Machine-Doll) is a 12-episode anime series that aired from October 7 to December 23, 2013. Directed by Kinji Yoshimoto and written by Yūko Kakihara.

The anime follows Raishin Akabane, a student puppeteer from Japan who attends the Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machine Arts in England. Alongside his humanoid automaton Yaya, Raishin must defeat one of the top one hundred students to achieve his goal. Unbreakable Machine-Doll falls under the action, fantasy, and harem genres and was produced by studio Lerche. Key production staff include Atsuko Watanabe (character design), Masaru Yokoyama (music composition), and Kazuyoshi Shiomi (director of photography). The series is based on a light novel series written by Reiji Kaitō and illustrated by Ruroo, which was published from 2009 to 2017.

The opening theme, "Anicca," is performed by Hitomi Harada, while the ending theme, "Maware! Setsugetsuka," is sung by Hitomi Harada, Ai Kayano, and Yui Ogura. Machine-Doll wa Kizutsukanai is licensed by Crunchyroll (formerly Funimation) outside of Japan and can be streamed on their platform.

Wistoria: Wand and Sword

Wistoria: Wand and Sword is an anime that I hate that I was too busy this summer to enjoy. Especially seeing how it finished a few days ago, and I had to see the Crunchyroll post on X asking how you liked the last episode. Additionally, and I say this nervously, companies are playing fast and loose of late, with series getting new seasons before the conclusion of the preceding one. I do believe this one is justified, as Wistoria is well-recommended.

Wistoria: Wand and Sword is a 12-episode anime series that aired from July to September 2024. Directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara, who also served as series composer, the anime was produced by studios Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures. Yoshihara is known for his work on Black Clover, bringing his action-packed style to this fantasy series. Set in a world where magic reigns supreme, the story follows Will Serfort, a student at Regarden Magical Academy who can't cast spells. Despite this, Will possesses exceptional swordsmanship skills, which he uses to defy expectations and work towards saving the world.

The anime falls under the fantasy, action, and adventure genres, featuring smooth fighting sequences and high-quality animation that quickly made it a darling of the summer 2024 season. The opening theme, "Fire and Fear," is performed by PENGUIN RESEARCH, while the ending song is by True. Character designs were handled by Sayaka Ono, known for her work on Code Geass, and music was composed by Yuki Hayashi, famous for My Hero Academia.

Not a few of you know this, but I'm a huge baseball fan, and at the time of writing, the Cleveland Guardians, the New York Mets, and the San Diego Padres are currently in playoff contention, and those are the teams that I'm very much cheering on to be the underdogs and do it this year. Now, whether that happens or not remains to be seen; nevertheless, the kid in me can still dream thoughts on my way of being in denial that summer is still here and we haven't completely moved in the fall yet. With that being said, my next selection reaches back a few years.

Major 2nd (Seasons 1 & 2)

Major 2nd is a sports anime series written and illustrated by Takuya Mitsuda, serving as a sequel to the original Major manga series. The anime adaptation, produced by OLM Team Kojima and directed by Ayumu Watanabe, aired from April 2018 to November 2020, spanning two seasons with a total of 50 episodes. The series follows Daigo Shigeno, the son of the original series' protagonist, Goro Shigeno, as he navigates his journey as a baseball player at Fūrin Middle School. Daigo, initially struggling with his perceived failings, finds motivation in his rivalry with Hikaru Satō, the son of his father's MLB teammate.

The opening themes for the series are "Koete Ike" by Kyūso Nekokami and "Dreamcatcher" by Berry Goodman, while the ending themes are "Pride" by Yuu Takahashi and "SAIREN" by Reol. The music is composed by Kōtarō Nakagawa, known for his work on Code Geass and Guilty Crown.

Major 2nd falls under the sports genre, exploring themes of perseverance, teamwork, and personal growth as Daigo and his teammates strive for success in baseball. Fans can watch Major 2nd on Crunchyroll and the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, with the series available in its original Japanese audio with English subtitles.

Blue Lock (Season 1)

Blue Lock is another anime that I believe fans were right about, implying that it was not overrated. It is the type of series that had the same amount of love as series like SK8 the Infinity and Run With The Wind. So it’s not a surprise that with its second season starting strong, the fandom’s social streams might honestly break the internet once again.

Blue Lock is a sports anime series based on the manga written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura. The first season, produced by Eight Bit and directed by Tetsuaki Watanabe (Hitori no Shita: The Outcast), aired from October 9, 2022, to March 26, 2023, spanning 24 episodes. Shunsuke Ishikawa served as assistant director, while Taku Kishimoto (Haikyu!!) oversaw the series' scripts. The opening theme song is "Chaos ga Kiwamaru" by Unison Square Garden, and the ending theme is "Winner" by Shugo Nakamura. Blue Lock falls under the sports and shounen genres.

The story follows Yoichi Isagi, a high school soccer player who receives an invitation to join the Blue Lock project after failing to qualify for the Nationals. The Japan Football Union aims to create the ultimate striker through a rigorous training program designed by the enigmatic Ego Jinpachi.

Blue Lock Season 1 is available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The highly anticipated second season, titled "vs. U-20 Japan," is currently airing on, you guessed it, Crunchyroll.

The Demon Slayer Series

Yeah, why not? We’re doing the Demon Slayer series, beginning with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba season 2—Mugen Train Arc and ending with the recently released Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba season 4—Hashira Training Arc. But that’s not all. I’ll be rewatching and re-reviewing Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba with four eyes instead of two. I wear glasses when I’m not fighting crime.

For those few who are unfamiliar with the series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has taken the anime world by storm, captivating audiences with its gripping storyline, stunning visuals, and unforgettable characters. The series, based on the manga by Koyoharu Gotouge, follows the journey of Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy who becomes a demon slayer after tragedy strikes his family. With his sister Nezuko transformed into a demon, Tanjiro sets out on a quest to find a cure and protect humanity from the threat of demons.

The anime adaptation, produced by Ufotable, has been praised for its exceptional animation quality and direction by Haruo Sotozaki, known for his work on Tales of Zestiria the X and Tales of Symphonia the Animation. The series composition, handled by Akira Matsushima, ensures a cohesive and engaging narrative throughout the seasons. The hauntingly beautiful music, composed by Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina, perfectly complements the series' emotional depth and intense action sequences.

Each story arc in Demon Slayer brings new challenges and revelations for Tanjiro and his companions. The Entertainment District Arc (Season 2) takes them to the vibrant and dangerous streets of Yoshiwara, where they investigate demon activity alongside the flamboyant Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui. In the Swordsmith Village Arc (Season 3), Tanjiro and Nezuko delve into the mysteries surrounding Tanjiro's blade and Nezuko's unique abilities while battling the formidable demons Gyokko and Hantengu. The Mugen Train Arc, originally a record-breaking movie, explores the disappearances on the titular train, with Tanjiro and his friends joining forces with the valiant Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku.

The opening and ending themes of Demon Slayer are as iconic as the series itself, with songs like "Zankyosanka" and "Asa ga Kuru" by Aimer, "Kizuna no Kiseki" by MAN WITH A MISSION, and "LiSA - Akeboshi" by LiSA becoming instant fan favorites. You can feel the emotions and themes of each story arc through these powerful songs, which give the viewing experience more depth.

Vampire Hunter D

Vampire Hunter D is probably the darling of many Boomers and Generation X, as there is a vocal majority that cites it as one of their entryways into anime. With an intriguing dub wasn’t terrible for the time, but it was inconsistent. Vampire Hunter D is set in a post-apocalyptic future where vampires known as Nobles once ruled over humans. The story follows D, a dhampir (half vampire, half human) who works as a vampire hunter. With superhuman abilities and a sentient left hand that provides knowledge and support, D travels a desolate world, taking on jobs to hunt vampires and other supernatural threats.

The original Vampire Hunter D (1985) was directed by Toyoo Ashida, known for his work on Fist of the North Star. It was produced by Ashi Productions. The film doesn't have traditional opening or ending songs but features a haunting score by Tetsuya Komuro.

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000) was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, famous for Ninja Scroll and Wicked City. It was produced by Madhouse Studios. The film's music was composed by Marco D'Ambrosio, creating a gothic atmosphere.

This film follows D as he's hired to rescue Charlotte, a young woman abducted by the vampire Baron Meier Link. D competes with a group of human bounty hunters called the Marcus Brothers to find Charlotte first. As the story unfolds, it's revealed that Charlotte went willingly with Meier out of love. The film culminates in a confrontation at a vampire sanctuary, exploring themes of forbidden love and the blurred lines between monsters and humans.

Unfortunately, neither Vampire Hunter D nor its follow-up Bloodlust are currently available on major streaming platforms. They can be found on DVD or Blu-ray, with Bloodlust occasionally appearing on YouTube. Some fans have reported finding the 1985 film on HIDIVE, which was due to Sentai Filmworks redubbing Vampire Hunter D; however, as of writing, it’s unavailable, so you know what to do, kiddos!

Hellsing Ultimate

When the original Hellsing was released, fans were highly disappointed due to the fact it did not follow the original manga. Even with that flaw, it still has excellent music, decent animation, and a fantastic sub and dub, so it is no wonder it is a fan favorite. Fans wanted more, and they received a larger, darker, and deeper treat in the form of Hellsing Ultimate.

Hellsing Ultimate is a 10-episode OVA series produced by Geneon Entertainment and animated by studios Satelight, Madhouse, and Graphinica. The series was directed by multiple directors across its run, including Tomokazu Tokoro, Hiroyuki Tanaka, and Yasuhiro Matsumura. Yōsuke Kuroda handled the series composition and screenplay. The OVA adapts Kouta Hirano's manga more faithfully than the earlier TV series. It falls under action, horror, and supernatural genres, with themes of vampires, military, and gore. The series features music by Hayato Matsuo.

Hellsing Ultimate focuses on the Hellsing Organization, led by Integra Hellsing, which protects England from supernatural threats. Their trump card is Alucard, an incredibly powerful vampire. The series follows their battles against various enemies, including the vampire-creating organization Millennium and the Catholic Church's Section XIII Iscariot. Hellsing Ultimate is available for streaming on Crunchyroll. It can also be purchased digitally on platforms like Apple TV.

Red Garden

Set in New York, Red Garden follows four high school girls who discover they've died and been resurrected to fight mysterious monsters. They must balance their normal lives with their new supernatural duties. The series is notable for its unique style, incorporating musical elements and focusing on the emotional struggles of the protagonists as they cope with their situations. It explores themes of identity, friendship, and the value of life.

Red Garden is a 22-episode anime series produced by Gonzo and directed by Kou Matsuo, known for his work on Rozen Maiden and Natsuyuki Rendezvous. The series composition was handled by Tomohiro Yamashita, with screenplay contributions from Mari Okada (Anohana, Maquia) and Jukki Hanada. The opening theme, "Jolly Jolly," is performed by JiLL-Decoy association, while the ending themes are "Rock The LM.C" and "OH MY JULIET." by LM.C. The final episode features "Akai Niwa" by Akira Senju as its ending theme. Red Garden falls under the supernatural, mystery, and drama genres.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead

This series offers a fresh take on the zombie apocalypse genre. It follows Akira Tendo, a 24-year-old office worker who sees the zombie outbreak as an opportunity to escape his soul-crushing job. Instead of succumbing to fear, Akira creates a bucket list of 100 things he wants to do before potentially becoming a zombie. The series balances horror elements with comedy and life-affirming themes, exploring the idea of truly living life even in the face of death.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is a 12-episode anime series based on the manga by Haro Aso and Kotaro Takata. The series is directed by Kazuki Kawagoe, known for his work on Beyblade Burst, with Hiroshi Seko (Attack on Titan, Mob Psycho 100) handling the series composition. The anime is produced by BUG FILMS and ENGI. The opening theme song, "Song of the Dead," is performed by Kana-Boon, while the ending theme song has not been announced yet. Zom 100 falls under the comedy, horror, and supernatural genres. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead can be streamed on Crunchyroll

Mysterious Disappearances

This manga and anime series, also known as "Kaii to Otome to Kamikakushi," follows Sumireko Ogawa, a bookstore clerk with aspirations of becoming a novelist. She teams up with her coworker Ren Adashino to investigate supernatural phenomena in their city. The story combines elements of mystery and the supernatural, focusing on various unexplained disappearances and otherworldly occurrences.

Mysterious Disappearances is a 12-episode anime series that aired from April 10 to June 26, 2024. The series is directed by Tomomi Mochizuki, known for his work on Ocean Waves and House of Five Leaves. Mochizuki also handles the series composition and screenplay. The anime is produced by Zero-G Studios. The opening theme, "Hazard Symbol," is performed by Yuyu, while the ending theme, "Shuku Somete Shinzō" (Scarlet-Dyed Heart), is sung by Nonoka Ōbuchi. The series falls under the supernatural, mystery, and drama genres.

Character designs are handled by Takuya Tani, with music composed by Kayo Konishi and Yukio Kondō. The main cast includes Fairouz Ai as Sumireko Ogawa and Daiki Yamashita as Ren Adashino. Mysterious Disappearances can be streamed on Crunchyroll, which licensed the series for worldwide distribution (excluding Japan and China).

The Grimm Variations

The Grimm Variations is a 6-episode Netflix Original anime anthology series that reimagines classic fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm with dark, psychological twists. Each standalone episode is set in a different period and genre, exploring the shadowy side of human nature and desire. The series features adaptations of stories like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, The Town Musicians of Bremen, The Elves and the Shoemaker, and The Pied Piper of Hamelin. However, these are not the whimsical, child-friendly versions. Instead, The Grimm Variations delves into the disturbing origins of these tales, often making the protagonists morally ambiguous or even villainous.

For example, in the Cinderella episode set in early 1900s Japan, Cinderella is portrayed as a manipulative psychopath who sees people as pawns for her own gain. The Little Red Riding Hood story takes place in a dystopian future where both Red and the "wolf" are depraved killers.

While the series is imaginative in its reinterpretations and features stunning visuals from Wit Studio (Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga), some critics felt the episodes were unevenly paced and at times failed to fully explore their intriguing premises. The ambiguous endings also left many viewers with unanswered questions. This again has me wondering if we’ll reach the same conclusions.

This is just a summary of what we'll be covering this month, but it's not a comprehensive list, as I didn't want to ruin the fun. I sincerely hope that you, the reader, will leave comments, likes, and shares. Thank you for your time.

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