Blood+, Vol. 5

Blood+ #5

by Asuka Katsura, Camellia Nieh (Translator)

Chiropterans run wild — and Saya comes into her own as a single-minded killing machine!

Three months after the demolition of Red Shield headquarters, Saya is more intent than ever to rid the globe of all Chiropterans, and she travels to New York City for a bloody showdown with Diva. When Diva sings, her supernatural sounds turn some humans into hellish, bloodthirsty beasts . . . and what better place to start a Chiropteran apocalypse than Carnegie Hall? Desperate to kill these monsters and put a stop to Diva's threat once and for all, Saya's willing to kill her loved ones and herself to achieve this goal, and her rage will not be quenched by Hagi's presence or Kai's pleas—or by a strange declaration of love.

Genres: Manga, Vampires, Horror, Fantasy, Comics, Graphic Novels, Paranormal

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2007

About the author

Japanese name 桂明日香, Katsura Asuka is a manga artist. She has drawn the series Blood+ and Le Portrait de Petite Cosette.

Reviews

[lady h · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall the pacing of this five-volume series is godawful, but perhaps I only think that because I'm comparing it to a 50-episode anime that was allowed plenty of room to breathe, with tons of subplots that allowed for fruitful character growth. It's interesting to see how this manga diverges from the anime; overall, the ending is actually far, far happier, and it elides one particularly sticky subplot involving Riku that I have to say I was very glad to see go; it was probably the worst story choice made in the original anime.

The artwork is still absolutely gorgeous, and I like that the ending leaves things open for a potential continuation.

[Apatricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorei, acabou excelentemente bem

[hotsake (André Troesch) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was decent.

[A Nane · Rating 2 out of 5]

La cagaron.


Vale, le puse la segunda por el cariño que le tengo al anime, pero hasta ahí. Haji me irritó, repito, HAJI ME IRRITÓ , ¿Cuándo había pasado eso?

[Bibliothecat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review for complete series


In this Blood: The Last Vampire spin-off, Saya has no memory of her previously blood-filled life; she is now an ordinary high schooler who bickers with her siblings. But it's not long until her past catches up with her and she is once again fighting against blood-sucking monsters. But having lived as an ordinary human has changed her perception of the world and humans.

Blood+ is yet another work in the Blood universe that I have purely picked up to know more about Saya who I enjoyed in Blood C. It's not a manga I would usually pick as I am no major fan of horror and splatter. In the case of this adaptation, I also wouldn't have picked it up due to the art. There's nothing wrong with the art at all - it's neatly drawn and well proportioned - it just doesn't appeal to me personally. I also don't appreciate Saya's short hairstyle, I always considered her long hair iconic to her.

I felt that Blood+ was more character-driven than the other adaptations I am familiar with. In a way, that's good - I care more for a character-driven plot than lots of gore. That being said, while there was a solid cast of characters with distinct personalities, perhaps 5 volumes was too short to explore them thoroughly. At the same time, I am glad that it wasn't longer as, ultimately, it wasn't my cup of tea.

I would say that this is definitely not a bad manga and probably pretty good if picked up by the intended audience. For me, it was an ok manga that I merely read as a means to an end rather than being genuinely invested in this version of Saya.

[Ailen Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al final me gustó mucho esta serie, menos mal que la seguí y no me quedé con el primer tomo porque me hubiese perdido de una historia re buena. Sacando algunos detalles que siento que se podrían haber desarrollado un poquito más, estuvo muy bien. Un final lleno de acción y tensión. Me gustaron los personajes y su evolución y la trama tiene muy buen ritmo. Saya me encantó como protagonista, y Riku es un sol.
Igual me quedé con ganas de más así que voy a seguir con Adagio.

[Caitlan Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wrapped up so well! I about had a fit seeing who they killed off or possibly even let live. It was a nice way to round off the series and give it such a nice warm feeling at the same time! Now I’m feeling nostalgic and need to rewatch the series asap!

[Eglathren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, frustratingly underwhelming.

[ReadingFrog · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars.

[Nightshade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good ending to the story. We get the final fight in this volume and then everything is rounded off really well.
I have loved reading this series, it was really fun.

[Nayeli Ruiz😀! · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending was kinda different, I remember there being two babies. And I’m still confused, is Hagi alive or not?

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

El anime y el manga no terminan igual. No me lo espera! 😳

[Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

she ain’t no divaaaaa

[VampireNovelFan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chiropterans are starting to take over the world and Saya's finally tapped into her killing nature. The 5 volume series culminates to a final showdown between the twins at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Saya's desperate to end the Chiropteran reign once and for all, risking her life and her friends. Everyone who loves Saya gives it their best to help end this terror.

Be it the manga or the anime, this ending remains really powerful. Staying true to the Japanese norm, the ending is bittersweet. I felt really sorry for both Saya and Diva. They were both capable of being happy normal girls (well, maybe not quite normal, but their humanity could be intact) but greed and selfishness outside of their control lead them on their respective paths.

There are beautiful color illustrations at the beginning of the manga. One in particular makes you think "what if" as it has everybody together (good guys and bad guys) living happily and harmoniously.

I strongly recommend this series. If you don't want to spend time watching the 50 episode anime, then this 5 volume manga hits the main points nicely. There are *huge* plot differences, but I think I prefer how it turned out in the manga anyway.

*Review also posted to Amazon

[Brendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a far as I get in this series so this rating is 4 the whole series.
Loved the series, loved the anime, loved the manga, loved the movie.
just LOVED IT
call me crazy, but this is the kind of drama I like when I'm into fiction! come on ! two twin sisters with her own chevaliers, one looking to save the world from her psycho crazy sister ( only 'cause she doesn't know any better 'cause was treated as a lab rat all her life) while the other one lives like a very normal teen, only to figure out that she goes weak as soon as she doesn't feed properly.
And the whole thing with the chevaliers...ahhhh! Riku, for God sakes! he was
* a kid
* a brother
* an innocent child
He only was turned to chevalier 'cause they didn't have any choice, and then comes the crazy one and, and....!!!! wahhhhhhh!! and then bam! she's pregnant!! THAT IS WRONG IN SO MANY WAYSSSSS!!
And Kai, Solomon, Hadji... Saya.... this seriously takes a lot of drama!!!!

Besides the whole thing of the chiropterans... wow! at least here the vampire don't come from Dracula or some crazy fantastic idea of the moment. They tried to make it more believeable, which is good.
And the whole my "blood is poison for you and your blood is poison for me (even though they're sisters)" wow!
so good!

I think I'll come back later to do this review again. XD

[Maegan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This mangaka is really bad. Just because Diva's sad when she realizes Saya wants to kill her, suddenly Saya doesn't anymore? And she doesn't just question what drove Diva to be the way she is, she becomes actually enraged when Nathan kills her. Riku's character arc was also stupid. I thought what happened to him in the show was pretty bad, but this is so much worse. Diva happily slaughters people and is planning to turn the world into mindless monsters, but he's upset by Saya's proclamation to kill her? I get that maybe he doesn't know how bad she is, but shouldn't he trust Saya more instead of just assuming Diva's good because he had a conversation with her once? But no, I don't actually think the mangaka intended to convey Riku is an idiot. I think we're genuinely supposed to believe Diva's not bad just because of how she grew up. What a joke.



Series rating: 0 stars

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is definitely different than the anime. So if you are like me and saw the anime first and then read all five manga it is a surprise. I would list everything that is different in the story but that would be just about almost every incident in the book. What shocked me the most, and was a bit heartbreaking, is when Hagi died. It was implied that that he is probably alive at the very end when Kai when to go visit Saya while she slept and there was a rose there but that is just an implication. Plus, it is not like Saya would know until she woke up if he really was alive. Which if Hagi IS alive then why isn't he with her where she slept because didn't he promise before that he would never leave her side?
The best way to think of the manga and anime is just like the rest of the Blood series. Same character name but totally different story lines.

[Paola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hace unas horas terminé el anime y quedé en un estado de depresión infinita. No esperaba terminar esto tan pronto pero así fue. El final fue muy similar al del anime y me gustó mucho. Aunque la muerte de Diva es mucho más dramática en la serie, igual me entristeció verla morir de nuevo.

Solomon me gusta pero se podría decir que prefiero al del anime. Me llegué a molestar con Hagi porque siempre estaba con su "si es lo que Saya desea", entiendo que le importen más los deseos de Saya, es su caballero pero, ¿qué acaso él no tiene sus propios deseos? Me emocionó demasiado cuando él la desobedeció por primera vez sólo para decirle que viviera y fuera feliz.

Me encantó este volumen, aunque me gustaría que este manga fuese más largo igual me parece un final perfecto.

[MissAnnThrope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, the conclusion to Blood+, Volume 5 is bittersweet. I'm quite sad this is the end of the series, but Asuka Katsura ended it perfectly. The fight scenes were brutal and bloody, yet mixed in with gut-wrenching emotional moments.

I really loved the battle scenes with Saya and Diva, especially the touching moment at the end. Kai and Hagi soften even my itty bitty black heart.

*Crossing fingers* I hope I hope I hope that there will be another spinoff to this series because I haven't had enough of the characters. Truly awesome manga! Lurve!

[Dylan Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing conclusion to the main "Blood +" series, and I only wish the author/artist would continue it.
The art continues to astound in this volume, and even though this is only a short series of manga, there were some really heartbreaking moments and moments that lifted that, for me.
I really hope the author continues this one day, there is a possibility with how it ended!
I would recommend it to any fan of vampires and more serious manga.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

The manga has a significantly different ending than the anime had, but I won't spoil it for you. I was surprised, but I think I understand why they made the story changes they did. Reading this 5-volume series was interesting, but it's almost an alternate universe version of the same tale with a few plot holes to cram so much material into so short a print run. I still enjoyed reading this, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chilling conclusion. The plan to turn humanity into Chiropterans sends the team to New York City, to stop a fateful debut at Lincoln Center. But will they be in time? Will Saya actually go through with killing her twin and herself? The chilling and heart pounding end will make you both cry and smile.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should have gone on for more volumes!! Such a good series! It ended strong, leaving me craving for more! Diva and Saya's battle at the end was so complex. Diva had her ridiculous moments, but she won me over in the end. Hagi made me want to cry- he is such a good guy! Definitely a series I recommend and will read again!

[Reading_seas0n · Rating 4 out of 5]

Final thoughts: I know there is more stories in this world but my thoughts on these 5 volumes are that it was very fast and I need more. Definitely watching the anime and I wish I had seen the love more between Saya and Hagi!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this and i wanna say the same thing i said for 4. :)

[Beckiezra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice wrap up to the series. I want more but I'm satisfied with how things were left.

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the five volumes I borrowed from a friend but didn't like the series enough to read the novels or the sequel(s).

[Leila Anani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saya faces off against Diva at an opera performance in this final climactic volume. Not bad at all.

[Fugo Feedback · Rating 2 out of 5]

Creo recordar que no me desagradó pero como final me resultó bastante decepcionante.

[Moisés Sosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to watch a movie about this story.
<3