Black Blood Brothers

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Black Blood Brothers

ブラック・ブラッド・ブラザーズ (Black Blood Brothers)
Genre	Shōnen, Fantasy, Comedy, Supernatural
Light novel
Authored by	Kouhei Azano
Artist	Yuuya Kusaka
Publisher	Fujimi Shobou
Publish date	July 25, 2004
No. of volumes	8
TV anime
Directed by	Hiroaki Yoshikawa
Studio	Group TAC, Studio Live
Network	KIDS STATION, Tokyo MX TV
Original run	September 8, 2006 – November 24, 2006
No. of episodes	12

Black Blood Brothers (ブラック・ブラッド・ブラザーズ, Black Blood Brothers^?) is light novel series written by Kōhei Azano and illustrated by Yuuya Kusaka. In 2006, Studio Live and Group TAC produced an anime based on the series. It is directed by Hiroaki Yoshikawa.

1 Plot
- 1.1 Kowloon Shock
2 Main Characters
3 Minor Characters
4 Source Blood
5 Glossary
6 Episode List
7 Theme Songs
8 External links

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

During a War called the Hong Kong Crusade, an Old Blood vampire, Jirou Mochizuki, aka the Silver Blade, fought and defeated most of the Kowloon Children. Ten years later, Jirou heads to Japan with his little brother, Kotarou, in hopes of reaching The Special Zone, a thriving secret city where vampires live. They soon realize that a plan to infiltrate The Special Zone is being hatched by the Kowloon Children survivors. As they travel to The Special Zone, Jirou encounters enemies from the past and new threats that may endanger the safety of the Special Zone. The abduction of Kotarou, by one of the Kowloon Children, thrusts him even further into the battle.

[edit] Kowloon Shock

In 1997, a vampire who would later be known as the Kowloon King emerged in Hong Kong and began spreading his lineage to others. The Kowloon Children, as his bloodline came to be known, differed from other bloodlines in that all humans bitten by a Kowloon Child would become Kowloon Children themselves, even without a kiss or other infusion of that bloodline's blood. Any existing vampire also bitten by a Kowloon Child would become one of the Kowloon Children. The ensuing chaos made the existence of vampires, which until then had been living in secret, known to the entire world. The conflict culminated in the Hong Kong Crusade, a final battle in which humans and vampires worked together to exterminate the Kowloon Children. After the crusade, the Special Zone, a city for vampires to live, was established on the sea outside of Yokohama, Japan. After the war, it was announced that all vampires had been killed, and most humans were kept ignorant of the existence of the Special Zone. Jirou Mochizuki, who became known as the Silver Blade, is a hero of the Crusade who defeated the Kowloon King, although he lost his lover and was betrayed by a close friend in the process.

[edit] Main Characters

Jirou Mochizuki

Jirou Mochizuki (望月ジロー Mochizuki Jirō) - (Seiyū - Takahiro Sakurai)

An old blood vampire that sided with the humans to fight against the Kowloon children during the Kowloon Shock. Jirou was transformed into a vampire in 19th Century London. He used to be a lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Navy until he was severely injured in a fight protecting Alice. Besides being an Old Blood, he also comes from a very special bloodline: the blood of the Sage. He wields a long katana which has a blade made of silver. During the war, after defeating most of the Kowloon children, he became known as the Silver Blade. He is weak against sunlight and water. He is shown being burned to the bones from staying into the ocean too long and releasing smoke under the sunlight, even though he was carrying an umbrella. He has a little brother, Kotarou, who is the only other vampire who shares his bloodline. He is considered to be the chosen Guardian. As the chosen guardian, he is devoted to returning the sage's blood, which resides within him, into her reborn body, Kotarou. He reveals to Mimiko that once Kotarou fully matures and he gives back the sage's blood, he will no longer be around.

Kotarou Mochizuki

Kotarou Mochizuki (望月コタロウ Mochizuki Kotarō) - (Seiyū - Omi Minami)

Younger brother of Jirou Mochizuki, he does not seem to exhibit powers of a vampire, such as the "Hide Hand." Although, he seems to have an extremely high pain tolerancy: as he is thrown into the ground and walls without injury in almost every episode. As commented by Mimiko Katsuragi, he does not appear to be the brother of Jirou since he is not hurt by sunlight nor water, unlike Jirou. Another fact is that they look totally different from each other: Jirou is tall, has black hair and brown eyes, while his brother is short, has blond hair, and blue eyes. Kotarou stated that they are brothers because they are the last two remaining vampires of their special bloodline. They both carry goggles around their necks. He has the same speech pattern and bears a striking resemblance to Jirou's former lover, Alice. Later, it is revealed that Kotarou Mochizuki is actually the reincarnation of Alice. He has no vampiric powers because he still have not recovered the sage's memories.

Mimiko Katsuragi

Mimiko Katsuragi (葛城ミミコ Katsuragi Mimiko) - (Seiyū - Ryoko Nagata )

Human compromiser who is sent out to mediate the relationship between humans and vampires. She was an orphan that was raised by the Order Coffin Company, which she now works in. Although considered taboo by the Company, she allowed Jirou to suck a bit of her blood when he was feeling weak. She hasn't admitted it, but she clearly shows signs of having feelings for Jirou. In the end, she ends up living and working with both Kotarou and Jirou. Mimiko and Alice have similar ideals.

Cassa

Cassandra Jill Warlock (カサンドラ・ジル・ウォーロック) - (Seiyū - Miyuki Sawashiro)

A vampire that was once friends with Jirou and Alice, however she betrayed them and killed Alice. She used a chained cross to fight Jirou during one of the battles in the Kowloon Shock. It is later revealed that she is the Lord of the Warlock family and is a reincarnation of Morgan the Witch. She was also the first to be bitten by the founder of the Kowloon Children bloodline and was branded a traitor. During a brief conversation with Jirou, she claims that her happiest moments were with Alice and Jirou.

[edit] Minor Characters

Left: Sei during the Kowloon Shock; Right: The current Sei.

Sei - (Seiyū - Reiko Takagi)

Sei bears the title of Dragon King of the East, or "Ryuuou", and is often called "Ryuu-dono" as an honorific. He also bears the titles: prosecutor of the east and young emissary. He controls the night of Hong Kong and the Special Zone, protecting Red Blood and Black Blood. He's a direct descendant of a chaotic bloodline. Sei also created the barrier and implemented the restrictions that protects the Special Zone. His eyes are the "switch" for opening and closing the barrier. When he opens his eyes, the barrier opens, and vice-versa. He could turn into an enormous golden dragon made of pure energy. Before the start of the story, Sei's appearance looked that of a person in his low twenties. Sometime in the past 10 years, he was reborn as a young child. Even though he was reborn into such a cute state (as Jirou puts it), Sei is serious and is one of the most powerful vampires in the story, which makes him highly respected. He could easily make a vampire uneasy with his powerful aura. He also has an older sister called the Dark Princess of the North.

Zelman Clock

Zelman Clock - (Seiyū - Jun Fukuyama)

An Old Blood called Red-eye Zelman, the bearer of the God's flame and a legend of the Dark Ages. Zelman has many titles including the ancient dark hunter, the follower of the Fire God, the red-eyed murderer, and the prince with blood-colored eyes. He comes from a glorious bloodline linking to the great warrior, Asura. He has a power called Eye Ignite, which enables him to create and control fire. Zelman is an arrogant vampire who only takes part in things that interest him. He is one of the rulers of the Special Zone.

From L to R: Johan Tsang, Chan, and Kelly Wong

Kelly Wong - (Seiyū - Mami Kosuge)

A vampire that tries to enter the Special Zone. She and a group of vampires tried to enter the Special Zone in hope of a better life. However she is the only one in the group to successfully enter the Special Zone in the end.

Chan - (Seiyū - Ayumi Tsuji)

A vampire girl that was born from the blood of Kelly Wong. Chan's mother begged Kelly to give Chan some of her blood so Chan could live because at the time Chan was very ill. Later Chan was bitten by a Kowloon child and controlled by Johan Tsang. In the end, Chan was killed by Kelly in order to stop her from being under Johan's control.

Johan Tsang - (Seiyū - Kyousei Tsukui)

A Kowloon child that hid his identity while staying with Kelly Wong's group. He later took control of most of the group members by sucking their blood and making them obey his command. He is killed by Jirou Mochizuki before he had a chance to enter the Special Zone.

[edit] Source Blood

Alice Eve

Alice Eve (アリス・イヴ)

An old blood vampire, whose bloodline was of the highest rank. She was considered the Mother of Darkness and the founder of her bloodline. During the 19th century, she fell in love with Jirou and turned him into a vampire when he was on the verge of death. She was killed during the Kowloon Shock by the hands of her best friend, Cassandra.

Adam Wong (アダム・王)

Better known as the King of Kowloon, and known as "father" to the Kowloon Children, Adam is the Source Blood of the youngest bloodline of black bloods, the Kowloon Children. He is responsible for the Kowloon Shock and the Hong Kong Crusade. During the crusade he was defeated by Jirou Mochizuki, but presumably immortal, his ashes are sealed in Eleventh Yard and are highly sought after by his children.

Philoctetes (ピクロテテス)

[edit] Glossary

Old Blood : Refers to vampires who have lived at least 100 years or more. Their abilities are far greater than any regular vampire.

Black Blood : Refers to vampires.

Red Blood : Refers to humans

Special Zone : A city that is protected by a barrier that prevents vampires from entering, unless invited. Humans and weaker vampires are oblivious of the barrier. The leaders of the city are a group of vampires and humans. Both races coexist within the city. The fact that the Zone is a hotspot for vampires is a secret from the rest of the world. The Special Zone was built to be the successor for the city of Hong Kong. Requirements for inviting vampires into the Special Zone:

Must be a human living in the Zone, who knows that they are inviting a vampire.
The inviter must also believe that the Zone is the right place for them.

Kowloon Child : A vampire whose lineage was founded by the Nine Dragon Kings. They attack both humans and vampires spreading their bloodline to anyone they attack. They are hated even by other vampires. Unlike most vampires who need to share their blood with a human to create a vampire, Kowloon Children only need to suck the blood of the victim. Those victims will in turn attack and suck the blood of others. Also, those that have their blood sucked by the Kowloon Children will be under the control of the vampire that started the chain of vampires. In later episodes, it seems that if a vampire sucks the blood of a kowloon Child, they also get infected.

Order Coffin Company : An organization which is supposed to mediate between vampires and humans. The president of the company was the one that started the Special Zone.

Suppression Team : A team, within the organization, which prevents vampires, by force, from illegally entering the Special Zone. They also annihilate vampires who cause disturbances within the Special Zone.

Compromiser : An agent, within the organization, who settles disputes between vampires and humans without violence. They get in trouble often so they're sometimes accompanied by a guard called the Door Closer.

Hide Hand : An ability that grants vampires the power to manipulate objects (eg: moving objects, levitating, breaking people's bones, etc.). It can also create an invisible barrier that can stop bullets. Only vampires with certain bloodlines have this ability. Most Kowloon Children (if they are direct descendants) are known to have this ability.

Eye Raid : An ability that grants a vampire to control a person's mind through eye contact. They can search through their memories, induce hypnosis, and control their actions. This ability can work on multiple targets at once.

Eye Ignite: A form of vampiric pyrokinesis. Zelman Clock appears to be the only one who can use this power.

[edit] Episode List

Black Blood Brothers has a total of 12 episodes, with the first episode airing on September 8, 2006, and the last on November 24, 2006.

Title	Original airdate	Ep. #

"Black Blood Brothers" "Kuroki chi no kyoudai" (黒き血の兄弟)	September 08, 2006	01
Ten years after the Kowloon Shock, Jirou Mochizuki and his little brother, Kotarou, return to Japan so they can go to the Special Zone.
"Compromiser" "Conpuromaizaa" (調停員(コンプロマイザー))	September 15, 2006	02
As the siblings travel to the Special Zone, they come across two groups: one that wants them to join them, and one that wants to detroy them.
"Kowloon Child" "Kuuron chailudo" (九龍の血統(クーロンチャイルド))	September 22, 2006	03
A spy within Kelly Wong's group surfaces, causing problems for everyone.
"Old Blood" "Oorudo buraddo" (古血(オールド・ブラッド))	September 29, 2006	04
Jirou engages in a battle to save his little brother.
"Special Zone" "Tokku" (経済特別解放区(トック))	October 06, 2006	05
After being invited into the Special Zone, Jirou realizes that he won't be getting some peace and quiet so easily.
"Coven" "Coven" (夜会(カヴン))	October 13, 2006	06
Jirou encounters a foe who might have ties with enemies from his past.
"Silver Blade" "Gintou" (銀刀)	October 20, 2006	07
Jirou settles a score with an enemy who endangered Mimiko's life.
"Guardian" "Goeimono" (護衛者)	October 27, 2006	08
Enemies from the past start to take action.
"Eleventh Yard" "Irebun yaado" (第十一地区（イレブン・ヤード）)	November 3, 2006	09
Mimiko and Kelly try to look for Jirou, but Mimiko soon realizes that there may be an enemy closer to her than she thinks.
"Order Coffin Company" (オーダー・コフィン・カンパニー)	November 10, 2006	10
Mimiko faces off against one of Jirou's past enemies and an unlikely ally comes to her rescue.
"The Sea" (海)	November 17, 2006	11
As the Special Zone plunges into disaster, its protectors start to show their true powers.
"For The Eternity of Our Bloodline, I Devote Everything of This Blood"	November 24, 2006	12
As each battle comes to a close, Jirou learns the secret of the Eleventh Yard.