The mystical allure of vampires makes them one of the most popular supernatural creatures in fiction — and not just as antagonists in horror stories. From mystery to comedy to urban and historical fantasy, vampires are ever-present across genres, with their most surprising yet prominent influence present in romance fiction. It’s difficult to resist the temptation of forbidden supernatural love, and no series demonstrates just how captivating the concept of a vampiric love interest is to romance fans as well as The Twilight Saga.
Yet, for being a genre-defining contemporary classic with myriads of fans, the Twilight series is not immune to potent criticism, both for how it depicts its questionable romance and its rather uninspired approach to depicting its mythological heroes. Thankfully, anime features plenty of series with vampires that are far more thrilling and multifaceted than The Twilight Saga’s Cullen family.
10 Call of the Night’s Ambient World Lures in Fans of Supernatural Romance
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Vampires are known dwellers of the night, yet when the hero of Call of the Night, Kou Yamori, decides to combat his insomnia by going on nighttime strolls through Tokyo, the last thing he expected to encounter was a vampire. However, the run-in with the enigmatic Nazuna Nanakusa doesn’t spell doom for Kou. Instead, he sets his eyes on becoming a vampire himself by falling in love with Nazuna.
A stunning anime series renowned for its ambient atmosphere and enchanting urban fantasy flair, Call of the Night doesn’t follow the conventions of supernatural romance. Rather, it uses the classic trope to take the viewers on a decadent adventure through Tokyo’s nightlife, its underlying plot unraveling slowly while the protagonists search for solace in the orbits of one another’s loneliness.
9 Shiki Is a Masterclass of Vampire Horror
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While many of the most prominent series featuring vampires don’t paint them as antagonists, like Twilight, their mythical origins belong to works of horror fiction. A cult-classic of horror anime, Shiki takes place in a rural Japanese village disturbed by a mysterious, lethal epidemic. As the tensions grow and more people succumb to the disease, the disquieted villagers’ investigation turns to the isolated mansion inhabited by vampiric newcomers.
However, the horror of Shiki is not as straightforward as it may seem at first glance. The rising antagonism between humans and vampires reveals the monstrous nature of both sides, and, by the end of the series, the viewers are left wondering if supernatural evil could ever compare to the wickedness of human cruelty.
8 Undead Murder Farce Is a Stylish Mix of Supernatural Fantasy & Classic Murder Mystery
Stream Undead Murder Farce on Crunchyroll
Set in an alternate Victorian-era France, Undead Murder Farce takes quite direct inspiration from the most prominent classics of the mystery genre — from Arthur Conan Doyle to Agatha Christie — yet blends them with enthralling urban fantasy elements that make the series one-of-a-kind. At the heart of this genre-bending tale lie the exploits of two unorthodox detectives, a half-demon Tsugaru Shinuchi and Aya Rindou, the head of an immortal monster specialist searching for her body.
With plenty of paranormal mysteries to solve, the duo runs into all kinds of mythical creatures, including vampires, with the alluring Carmilla being a particularly memorable vampire heroine. While vampires might not be the biggest selling point of Undead Murder Farce, the series is a must-watch for all monster lovers looking for a show with engrossing lore and vibrant supernatural characters.
7 Vampire Knight Is an Iconic Vampire Romance Guilty Pleasure
Stream Vampire Knight on Hulu
Similar to Twilight, anime’s most well-known vampire romance can hardly be called a sophisticated work of art. However, its indulgences hardly make Vampire Knight less entertaining. Following a messy love triangle between Yuki Cross, a Guardians member protecting the peace between humans and vampires at the Cross Academy, and her two vampiric love interests, Zero Kiryu and Kaname Kuran, Vampire Knight is the pinnacle of late-2000s supernatural melodrama in the best tradition of Twilight .
Compared to Twilight, Vampire Knight pays a bit more attention to world-building and character development, and since its debut in 2008, the series has faced a fair share of criticisms for its problematic forbidden romance. Nevertheless, it remains a fan favorite guilty pleasure for an entire generation of shojo fans.
6 The Case Study of Vanitas Explores the Intricacies of a Fascinating Vampire Society
Stream The Case Study of Vanitas on Crunchyroll
A stunning Gothic fantasy taking place in 19th-century Paris, The Case Study of Vanitas follows the adventures of vampire Noé Archiviste and his friend Vanitas, an enigmatic human doctor specializing in restoring vampires’ sanity. While adopting the aesthetic of many classic vampire stories, The Case Study of Vanitas is unorthodoxly creative with its world-building, introducing the audience to an entire vampire society plagued by many secrets.
On the backdrop of an exciting action-adventure series, The Case Study of Vanitas builds up a multifaceted character-driven mystery narrative. Rich with nuance and interconnected plot threads, this riveting vampire anime possesses a surprising depth few other supernatural fantasy series could rival — and its storytelling is likely to get only more ambitious in future seasons.
5 Blood Lad Is a Refreshingly Lighthearted Vampire Fantasy
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Unlike more serious and melodramatic conventional vampire stories, Blood Lad is a gleeful action-adventure that doesn’t strive to make its supernatural heroes ominous or mysterious. The star of the series, a vampire gang leader named Staz, might come off as intimidating at first, yet soon reveals his true nature as a lazy otaku obsessed with human pop culture.
However, when his encounter with a human girl, Fuyumi, leads to her becoming a ghost, the loafing vampire takes responsibility for finding a way to resurrect her, thus kickstarting their supernatural adventures. Whimsical and comedic, Blood Lad is a blast of high-octane action that doesn’t take itself too seriously, its easy-going tone being a welcome change from what fans have come to expect from vampire anime.
4 Vampire Hunter D & Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust Are Considered Timeless for a Reason
Stream Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust on Apple TV
Released in 1985 and based on a series of science fiction novels by Hideyuki Kikuchi, Vampire Hunter D is nothing short of a timeless classic. Following the titular half-vampire D as he travels the post-apocalyptic, monster-infested Earth, the film brims with an enchanting ‘80s aesthetic that has only grown more alluring with age.
By mixing science fiction into a traditional dark fantasy premise, Vampire Hunter D crafts a truly unique world that horrifies the viewers as much as it enthralls them. Arguably, the movie’s 2000 sequel, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, is even more acclaimed than its already masterful predecessor, narrating a new chapter in D’s somber travels with even more style and storytelling grandeur.
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3 Vampire Princess Miyu Follows a Melancholic Vampire Heroine on a Humanity-Saving Mission
Stream Vampire Princess Miyu on Apple TV
Vampire Princess Miyu
An unfairly forgotten ‘90s horror classic, Vampire Princess Miyu leans fully into the haunting desperation of being forever separated from humanity — a theme vampire fiction is perfectly suited to explore. The titular heroine of the anime is a vampire chosen to become a Guardian — a protector of humankind tasked with exterminating monsters known as Shinma.
While following a mostly episodic format, Vampire Princess Miyuis a gradual character study that unveils the many layers of Miyu’s tragic existence. Even the anime’s more hopeful moments are presented through a melancholy lens, and Vampire Princess Miyu’s stunning visuals and atmospheric sound design only add to the somber ambiance of its ambiguous story.
2 The Monogatari Series Is Anime’s Most Unique Take on Vampires
Stream Bakemonogatari on Crunchyroll
After a shocking incident turns him into a vampire during spring break, the protagonist of The Monogatari Series, Araragi Koyomi, finds himself attracting all kinds of supernatural phenomena — from ghosts to curses to other vampires — usually targeting various girls around him. A kind individual at heart, Araragi sets off to help as many of his acquaintances as he can, getting dragged into the bizarre world of Oddities that get more surreal the more people he helps.
Renowned for its witty dialogue, artful direction, and indulgent genre-bending, The Monogatari Series is far from a conventional vampire story — or a conventional anime in general. Yet, while its non-linear plot structure and convoluted wordplay might lead to initial confusion, it remains a must-watch for all fans looking for a truly one-of-a-kind supernatural anime.
1 Hellsing Ultimate Features One of Anime’s Most Iconic Vampire Anti-Heroes
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Unhinged forces of evil, gruesome and gory scenes of slaughter, and an over-the-top plot centered around a Nazi organization striving to create an army of vampires — everything about Hellsing Ultimate is as extreme as it is enrapturing. While not the first attempt to adapt the titular horror manga by Kouta Hirano, the Hellsing Ultimate OVA is considered the series’ best version.
Hellsing Ultimate is addictively entertaining all around. Yet, the best part of the series is its protagonist: Hellsing Organization’s ultimate weapon, the unhinged and overpowered vampire Alucard. Hardly as dreamy as Edward Cullen, Alucard is a monstrous entity of unimaginable power, and watching him dispose of his enemies with maniacal glee never gets dull.
