Anime Review: Trinity Blood (English dubbed version)

Trinity Blood, like many anime series, is placed within a setting long after the Apocalypse has occurred. Unfortunately, that isn't the only thing this show has borrowed from other series. The Vatican has risen to a position of power, both politically and in a military sense. Humanity is at war with your run-of-the-mill vampires, called "Methuselahs", who are a formidable foe with a considerable amount of firepower themselves. (Consequently, humanity is called "Terrans" by the vampires.) Airships and missiles from "lost technology" before Armageddon are just a few of the vast assembly of weaponry each side holds against the other in an unending cold war.

The show focuses on a Vatican priest called Abel Nightroad, a gentle, unassuming man bordering on inane. The show's first few episodes firmly establish this image in the audience's mind as he tries to keep from starving (since the Vatican doesn't allocate him any expenses for travel or food.) When trouble threatens him in the form of Methuselahs, Abel reveals his alternate form: a Crusnik, a frightening vampire straight from a painting of Hell who feeds on the blood of other vampires. With the help of a blood-formed scythe and nanomachines enhancing his abilities, he's more than a match for even the strongest Methuselah.

A great deal of Catholic and Biblical symbolism can be found in the series, which is fairly expected considering the entire premise itself is based on the Vatican. The Crusniks in the series all have Biblical names (Abel, Cain, Seth and Lilith) although the reason why they bear such symbolic names is never really described. There are also some historical and cultural references, as well as well-known landmarks and cities being called by different names, i.e. England being called Albion.

The problem with this series is the continuing feeling of de ja vu inherent in every episode, starting with the main character himself. Those who have seen Trigun or Hellsing will immediately draw parallels between Alucard and Vash the Stampede with Abel. Some might even see strains of Vampire Hunter D in there. Trinity Blood tries very hard to stand on its own two feet as far as the storyline and character originality goes, but comparing it to shows like Hellsing, it never quite reaches that goal.

Abel himself is a delightfully complex character chock-full of contradictions, but those conflicts are never actually fleshed out in the series and the poor priest ends up seeming like a Vash-like vampire who just happens to turn into a Methuselah's worst nightmare upon occasion. The Crusnik form's background is never explored in detail, and although we see hints and flashes of Abel's dark past, in the end the audience is left wondering what has happened to cause him to act the way he does.

No complaint can be made about the animation itself. It's definitely top-notch, with richly detailed backgrounds and vibrant colors. Who can honestly say they don't love Cardinal Catherina's luxurious, crimson-toned outfit? The animation helps make the show seem so life-like, which makes its lack of a solid plot and thinly-developed characters all the more tragic. The music is also worthy of a better series, though it can seem a bit stilted in the less intense scenes.

This series is good if you're just starting out with the horror genre, but you may be disappointed if you've already seen Trigun, Hellsing or Vampire Hunter D. Some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children (particularly the Crusnik forms), but older children and adults shouldn't have a problem. Trinity Blood is good to watch once, but don't expect to see characters with deep texture or much originality.