Are you playing Code Vein 2? You might want to binge 8 these vampire anime too

2019 open world action RPG Code Veindeveloped by Bandai Namco Studios, has built a strong fan base in the years since 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. However, all these vampires are not equal, as the player character has kept his sanity by carefully imbibing blood to prevent himself from going into a mindless frenzy. Those who have lost all reason are aptly called the Lost, and these cannibals are too far gone to be helped.

Now the players return to this dark world, which 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 soul-like boss battles, along with time travel mechanics and a whole new cast of vampires to befriend or defeat. It's no surprise, then, that interest in vampire-centric media is on the rise again, with many gamers looking for some spooky anime series to binge on during their time away from the title.

The concept of vampires has fascinated the masses for centuries, and countless anime series have tackled this horrific subject in a variety of unique ways. Some focus on the dark and terrifying concept of a creature that must survive on the blood of the living, while others take a more comedic approach to the idea. Whichever you prefer, at least one of the following eight series is sure to scratch that blood-sucking itch.

There are tons of other incredible vampire shows that belong on this list, but we stuck to the ones that are 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 called 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 populated exclusively by vampires. Unfortunately, things don't go smoothly, as the pair quickly discover that this protected area is in danger thanks to the surviving Kowloon children. It's up to them to protect the neighborhood and its citizens, and they quickly get 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 gain success, even with those less interested in vampire comics. The 12-episode series is fast-paced and packed with cliffhangers, making it hard not to get hooked right away. While the animation has been criticized by some, the show's characters and fight scenes have been widely praised.

The case study of Vanitas

Incorporating steampunk sensibilities into a finished dark fantasy world, The case study of Vanitas gained critical acclaim following its 2021 launch, with the series nominated for Best Fantasy at the 6th and 7th Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Set in a fictionalized version of 19th century Paris, the show follows Vanitas, who tries to cure vampires of a disease 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 team up to save vampires affected 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 of their lore scattered throughout each episode, making all 24 episodes a joy to watch. Like the manga series that inspired it, the anime adaptation continues to receive praise for the chemistry between its two main characters and its high-octane action, paired with just a little comedy.

Dance in the Vampire Bund

Mix action with psychological horror, Dance in the Vampire Bund imagines a modern world where vampires and humans need to co-exist – something that is easier said than done. Mina, the ruler of all vampires, has been hiding with others of her kind for years. But this isolation takes its toll, and the blonde-haired princess manages to convince the Japanese government to create a special district for vampires 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. However, extremist vampires and terrified humans do not make this goal easy.

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. Either way, fans of horror shouldn't miss out, and longtime fans of the medium won't be disappointed by Akiyuki Shinbo's directorial work—he previously worked on big hits like Yu Yu Hakusho, Mars enters as a lionand Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

March Red

In the early 1920s, “Code Zero”, a new army unit created to deal with 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. Oddly enough, the members of Code Zero are vampires themselves, but this makes them very effective at tracking down those who refuse to bend the knee. Each day the odd group encounters more and more strange creatures, leading them to question what their future might hold.

Adapted from the 2020 manga series of the same name, March Red packs plenty of action and intrigue into the short run, with its first episode marking a major highlight. Its almost theatrical narrative is incredibly nuanced, and viewers must pay attention to every detail to understand the twists presented throughout. Those looking for something darker and more mature should consider trying this range.

Vampire Knight

Inspired by the long-running manga series by Matsuri Hino, the 2008 anime adaptation of Vampire Knight takes place at the Cross Academy, which consists of two very different classes: the Day class, attended by humans, and the Night class, which is exclusive to vampires. Unsurprisingly, people don't know about this secret class, except for Yuki Cross. Saved from a vampire attack years ago, the girl now attends the school as the principal's adopted daughter, doing her best to hide the school's secret from its human attendees. This is no easy job, 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 connoisseurs, but that doesn't mean those who lean heavily towards shonen series won't find something to love. Romance plays a big part, but there's plenty of action to be had, and each episode reveals more of the mystery of this bizarre school and its inhabitants. Viewers have often been similar Vampire Knight to Dusk series, with some added melodrama and emotional tension.

Hellsing Ultimate

The first one Hellsing the anime series aired in 2001, and while it was a huge hit at the time, it didn't follow the manga as closely as many fans had hoped. Between February 2006 and December 2012, Geneon was released Hellsing Ultimatewith 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 not included in the 2001 series were given the chance to make their debut on the small screen. Overall, both series are worth watching Final provides, well, the ultimate experience.

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 famous members, Alucard, is the original and most powerful bloodsucker known to man. A Nazi group formed during World War II is discovered to still be alive and well, and before anything else, it must be stopped. Several studios worked on Hellsing Ultimateincluding Madhouse, the company currently responsible for fantasy comics The Suitor: Beyond Journey's End.

Servamp

Servamp follows a normal high school student named Mahiro Shirota who one random day stumbles upon a black cat. He decides to take care of the poor animal, he names it Kuro and does his job. When he wakes up the next day, however, he finds out that the black cat is not a cat at all, but instead one of the seven vampires who represent the seven deadly sins. Fittingly, Kuro represents Sloth and transforms into a cat when exposed to sunlight. The two make 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 that alternates between incredible action and silly comedy in a fast-paced 12-episode run. While it does rush some of the content and would have been better off with a second season, it's a casual entry on the list that can be filled 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 easily drawing in a huge fan base, thanks to its dark fantasy themes and art style, the latter of which was particularly popular with female fans. Set 900 years after an apocalyptic war between humans and vampires, the series follows Abel Nightroad, a vampire who chooses to feed on other vampires. Abel fights on the side of the Vatican against Methuselah, a vampire force that seeks to eliminate humanity.

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Mixing fantasy, sci-fi, political intrigue and lots of action, Trinity Blood has something for everyone. The anime series runs for 24 episodes and was produced by Gonzo, the studio behind other popular series from that time, including Exploded angel, Chrono Crusadeand Basilisk. Unfortunately, the original author of Trinity Blood manga, Sunao Yoshida, passed away in 2004, and his close friend Kentaro Yasui stepped up to complete the series. Many still wonder how Yoshida would have ended things.