Blood Lad has finally been dubbed and released to Blu-Ray. The good news is it’s perfect for fans of Soul Eater or anime viewers looking to add to their collection. The bad news is it’s entirely short and leaves you wanting more.

Blood Lad is a 2013 Seinen anime series, it is produced by Brain’s Base and licensed by Viz Media. It is currently available by streaming, DVD, and Blu-Ray.

Blood Lad is one of those rare occasions were I actually enjoy comedic anime to a certain point. Not only is it actually funny, but it’s animation is beautiful and the series’ very essence is reminiscent of another one of my favorite anime series in Soul Eater. Unfortunately, for those who prefer to wait for anime adaptions instead of reading the manga, 11 episodes just simply isn’t enough to crave the thirst.

Fuyumi and Staz.

THE GOOD: Blood Lad is an excellent anime series added into a long list of Viz’s most recent and still premiering crop. Genuinely funny, amazingly animated, and nicely written. As previously stated it rivals Funimation’s Soul Eater in similarity, so fans of that series should become instant fans of Blood Lad. Speaking of ironic similarities, English voice actors Bryce Papenbrook and Johnny Yong Bosch (the latter of which from Power Rangers fame), who voice Staz and Braz; the Blood brothers, respectively, previously voiced the Okumura brothers in Blue Exorcist (Ao no Exorcist in Japan).

Staz preparing a Kame-Hame-Ha, yes you read that correctly.

Throughout the series viewers will notice some dangerously close references to other popular anime series including Gundam and Dragon Ball just to name a couple. In fact, in one scene Staz actually begin to use the signature move of Dragon Ball’s Goku, and it gets so close that Fuyumi literally has to yell out to him to resist, which I thought was a joke playing on the copyright, regardless the entire scene was really hilarious. The storyline of Blood Lad reminded me a bit too much of Warm Bodies, not that that’s a bad thing considering how good both our, but you can’t help but notice the likeness of the two.

Staz & Wolf Boy reunite.

The Blu-Ray & DVD contained special features such as the OVA and clean opening and closing themes. There’s also some funny outtakes by the English cast and some art galleries. If you get the limited edition Blu-Ray it comes with a booklet that includes a prequel chapter to the anime.

Fuyumi meets Staz’s brother Braz.

THE BAD: While there isn’t much to dismay in terms of Blood Lad’s quality, the lack of content is the real bummer. There’s only 11 episodes in total (10+ OVA), and the OVA leaves the series on an even bigger cliffhanger than the final episode. For those hoping for a sequel or second season don’t hold your breaths, the studio behind Blood Lad; Brain’s Base isn’t particularly known for creating sequels or continuations to their productions. In fact from what I understand the only series from Brain’s Base to date that’s confirmed to be receiving one is Durarara!!. Which is a real shame honestly, however it’s understandable as Blood Lad’s anime adaption didn’t really sell well enough in Japan to warrant a continuation, though Brain’s Base may surprise us with one by the end of next year depending on how well it does in America.

Young Staz.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Blood Lad is an excellent addition to anime collections, especially those who are fans of Soul Eater.  It’s a funny, well written and animated series with a ton of references to other popular anime.  Sometimes the story felt too close to Warm Bodies, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, the lack of episodes and cliffhanger endings to both the original 10 episodes and OVA is pretty disappointing though, and don’t get your hopes up for a sequel or second season, so now would be a good time to pick up the manga after having seen all 11 episodes. Otaku Dome gives Blood Lad an 84 out of 100.