 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT | | | ▪ | ASPECT RATIO: | | 16:9 ANAMORPHIC WIDESCREEN | | | ▪ | AUDIO: | | ENGLISH AND JAPANESE DD 2.0 | | | ▪ | RUNNING TIME: | | 100 MIN | | | ▪ | RATING: | | TV MA | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 05/06/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 05/21//2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
Final battles, the truth behind Alice’s death and who Kotaro really is, and all out war breaks out in the Special Zone in the final climatic volume of Black Blood Brothers. The last episodes hold tremendous action with all kinds of different vampires fighting. There’s Warlock against one of the top Kowloon vampires, Cassandra finally enters the fray with Mimiko possibly as her first victim, and the big Black Blooded nobles in all their power make their move at last. A lot happens in the final episodes, it could almost be overwhelming. But still the show doesn't reveal all its cards all at once. At the start of each episode a little bit more is shown about Jiro and how he met Alice and the truth about their relationship is finally uncovered as is a small part that Cassandra had to play in it. But the show only unveils the secret behind the 11th yard at the very end, answering questions but leaving the possibility wide open for a new season. One thing that was missing in the finale was the full truth behind Cassandra’s part in the affair ten years ago and her part now. It would be nice to know how exactly she became a Kowloon Child and why she betrayed Alice and Jiro and just what her relationship with Alice really was. However, there is even more going on here. The Company (mostly humans) must team up with the noble vampire houses in order to stop an outbreak of Kowloon Children due to a sinister plot by one of their own. It could be what happened in Hong Kong all over again but this time in Japan, unless Jiro is willing to stop running at last and face both his past and his present. It’s a great action series with all kinds of fighting abilities amongst the various vampire types. There’s mystery, chills and suspense. And in the end quite the surprise revelation regarding the 11th Yard. It’s been a fun vampire action series. I would have wished for a couple of more answers, but otherwise wouldn’t change a thing.
EXTRAS:
Bonus features include reverse cover art that showcases the original Japanese cover art, there are also clean opening and closing animation, previews, original Japanese sneak peek, and commentary on all 4 episodes by Japanese cast and crew. Each commentary is hosted by Mikako Takahashi (Hibari) and Kana Ueda (Swan Chan) and each features special guests. Episode nine hosts special guest Kouhei Azano (Creator). Episode ten is with Ryoko Nagata (Mimiko) and Kouhei Azano. Episode eleven and twelve has Kouhei Azano as the special guest joining the voice actresses. And the final episode also has them reading out a special letter from Hiroaki Yoshikawa (Director).
IN SUMMARY:
Answers, action and a huge surprise are in the final volume of Black Blood Brothers. It’s a vampire action anime with bite! |
