The Japanese trailer for the new Blade series debuted this week. Based on the American comic book character (with some additional inspiration from the Hollywood adaptations), Blade is an anime series about a vampire hunter.
Blade is actually considered a “vampire immune human” due to the rare circumstance of his mother having been bitten by a vampire while she was giving birth.
He was later bitten by a test tube vampire which gave him the strength of a vampire, without their weaknesses.
However, in the films, Blade does still crave blood.
Blade’s name is derived from his obvious talent with knives and swords, which he swings around and tosses at monsters with great flourish.
The character originally appeared in Marvel Comics vampire series, staring Dracula, in the 70’s. He returned years later to help Spider-Man out with a vampire problem, and has since been absorbed into the greater Marvel Universe, with S.H.I.E.L.D. even designing and supplying many of his weapons.
Blade is part of the Marvel anime series, which also includes the Wolverine and Ironman animes. No word about whether this series will feature any other popular marvel characters, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see at least Nick Fury make an appearance.
Marvel studios is working with Mad House productions and Superhero Anime Partners, so we likely won’t have to wait too long for an official subtitled release (unofficial subtitled versions will, of course, hit the Internet within days of each episode, but those are of questionable legality – and sometimes questionable quality).
A dubbed release may come later depending on success of the series, but that would be years away if precedent tells.
The first episode of Blade premiers on July 1st.
