Vampires can be found in pretty much all media, going from classic books and movies to, of course, anime. The latter of which presents some truly novel interpretations of vampirism.
As you can imagine, however, not every series featuring them is sure to deliver. But don’t worry, as the ones that do are enough to make you fall in love with the concept even more. Here are the 10 best vampire anime of all time.
10. Night Warriors: Darkstalkers’ Revenge
- Where to watch online: Not officially available for streaming in the US.
Let’s be honest, the ’90s were the golden era for Capcom anime. Night Warriors: Darkstalkers’ Revenge is a four-part OVA series that covers the events of the second game of the Darkstalkers franchise. Although not without flaws, the series offers superb animations and a more sober retelling of the game’s plot. Night Warriors: Darkstalkers’ Revenge was produced by Madhouse. Among their best works, we also have the anime adaptations of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Hunter x Hunter (2011).
9. Call of the Night
- Where to watch online: Prime Video
Call of the Night follows the story of the student Kou Yamori and the vampire Nazuna Nanakusa, as they grow closer in the hopes of turning the former into a vampire, a feat only only possible after he’s fallen in love with her. The series succeeds in mixing standard shonen and slice-of-life elements, and a pairing that brings an exciting but, deep down, bittersweet feel very few can match. Call of the Night is an adaptation of the manga series of the same name by Kotoyama.
8. Blood Blockade Battlefront
- Where to watch online: Crunchyroll
Based on the manga series by Trigun‘s Yasuhiro Nightow, Blood Blockade Battlefront follows the members of Libra, a secret organization whose mission is to protect the balance between Earth and the beyond. Apart from its cast, the series sets itself apart through a mix of explosive sequences and moments capable of making you laugh and cry in equal measure. You can also find a great protagonist in Leonardo Watch, whose character development is among anime’s best.
7. Blood: The Last Vampire (2000)
- Where to watch online: Not officially available for streaming in the US.
The movie that kickstarted the Blood franchise, Blood: The Last Vampire follows the vampire and chiropteran hunter Saya during one of her missions. In it, she must pose as a high school student to identify and eliminate any creatures lying in wait by an air base. Although featuring a short runtime of around 40 minutes, Blood: The Last Vampire tells a heart-racing tale, all while exploring each of its characters and keeping your eyes glued to the screen.
6. The Case Study of Vanitas
- Where to watch online: Crunchyroll / Hulu
The Case Study of Vanitas is an adaptation of the manga of the same name by Pandora Hearts‘ Jun Mochizuki. The anime follows the story of a young vampire named Noé, whose life changes completely after a meeting with the human Vanitas, the latter of which is on a mission to save vampires through the use of a fabled book. The anime features the intricate storyline and cast we all expect of Mochizuki. Another huge plus lies in the relationship between our two leads, which is the core of the series and feels just like that of Holmes and Watson.
5. Shiki
- Where to watch online: Crunchyroll
The ideal pick for all looking for a healthy dose of vampiric horror, Shiki takes place in a small town that has been plagued by mysterious deaths and inexplicable occurrences. We then follow the town’s hospital director Toshio Ozaki and high school freshman Natsuno Koide as they uncover the terrifying truth behind it. The anime is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Fuyumi Ono, and succeeds in bringing its anxiety-inducing feel to the screen.
4. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (Phantom Blood to Stardust Crusaders)
- Where to watch online: Crunchyroll / Netflix
In fourth, we have the adaptations of the first three parts of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood, Battle Tendency, and Stardust Crusaders. The parts are direct sequels of one another and follow three generations of the Joestar line as they face off against the supernatural. Phantom Blood and Stardust Crusaders also feature the same antagonist, in the vampire Dio Brando. Jojo’s brings a fresh take on vampirism by pairing it with its iconic over-the-top style.
3. Monogatari Series
- Where to watch online: Crunchyroll
An adaptation of the novel series by Nisio Isin, the Monogatari series currently spans multiple anime and three highly acclaimed movies. In it, we are presented with a visceral world through the eyes of Koyomi Araragi as he becomes entangled in a series of supernatural encounters. Featuring a loyal retelling of its source material, the series became a staple of quality given its jaw-dropping action scenes, woven together by a powerful story.
2. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
- Where to watch online: Prime Video
A sequel to the 1985 movie, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust adapts the third novel in the Vampire Hunter series. In it, we follow the legendary dhampir and vampire hunter D on a mission to recover a noble’s daughter, who was supposedly kidnapped by a vampire. Although the first movie in the series is also a classic, I decided to go with Bloodlust, given how well it portrays the unforgiving world of the series. The movie also pairs its excellence in narrative with some of the most beautiful animations I have ever seen.
For those wondering, Bloodlust’s story is heavily self-contained, so feel free to watch it even if you haven’t seen Vampire Hunter D.
1. Hellsing Ultimate
- Where to watch online: Crunchyroll / Netflix / Hulu / Prime Video
Honestly, where else could Hellsing Ultimate be? The OVA series is the ultimate adaptation of Kohta Hirano’s masterpiece and follows its story from beginning to end, all while staying as loyal as possible to the manga. In it, we follow the members of the Hellsing Organisation — the true vampire Alucard, its leader Integra Hellsing, and Alucard’s recently turned minion Seras— in their mission to exterminate all supernatural threats.
The series pairs the above with jaw-dropping action scenes and an unmistakable gothic style. The result? An all-timer vampire anime.
