Blood Blockade Battlefront

Blood Blockade Battlefront, also known as Kekkai Sensen, is an anime series brought to life by the renowned Studio BONES, and broadcast by FUNimation from 2015 to 2017. This standout series, based on the manga created by Yasuhiro Nightow, is a thrilling mix of adventure, science fiction, supernatural, and comedy genres, designed to captivate and entertain a wide array of audiences.

Set in an alternate version of New York City - now renamed Hellsalem's Lot - where the realms of Earth and the "Beyond" (or netherworld) have collided, the series presents a metropolis filled with a diverse array of supernatural beings, humans, aliens, and creatures of all sorts, co-existing in a mélange of chaos and wonder. This unexpected collision has locked the city under a bubble, protecting (or trapping) its inhabitants from the conventional world, fostering a unique existence brimming with unpredictability and surprise.

The narrative follows Leonardo Watch, a kind-hearted, slightly hapless young photographer, who unexpectedly gains the “All-Seeing Eyes of the Gods”, a powerful gift that grants him various eye-related powers. This ordinary young man, who was merely visiting the city with his sister, becomes the pivotal player in the high-stakes, other-worldly too-ing and fro-ing of Hellsalem's Lot.

Following the incident that gave him his powers, Leonardo becomes intricately entwined with Libra, a secret society comprising an eccentric group of superhumans fighting to maintain peace and justice in the city. These unlikely heroes include a werewolf, a super-strong fighter, a chain-smoking and perpetually stressed leader, and a blood-wielding manipulator. Together, they fight off threats to the city, mastering their abilities and blasting their way through a variety of dark and malevolent forces.

The show boasts a dynamic storyline with each episode featuring unique and action-packed stand-alone tales that collectively unfold to offer a larger narrative arc. With its exceptional blend of horror, intrigue, and comedy, it expertly balances bouts of heavy action with softer, more personal moments. Clever humor and subtle heart-warming undertones provide levity to the darkly chaotic world, making Blood Blockade Battlefront a true cornucopia of emotions.

The animation quality in Blood Blockade Battlefront is stellar, doing justice to both the grand, explosive battles and the intimate, detailed moments. The character designs and meticulously rendered cityscapes enhance the supernatural setting, while the battle scenes explode with color, movement, and energy. Powered by a jazz-inspired soundtrack, the series offers a rich audio dimension that complements and elevates the stunning visuals. Colors, light, shadows, all twirl together in a serene — and at times cacophonous — dance that seems to capture the madness and beauty of this unique, no-holds-barred city.

Character development in the series is artfully done, with each member of the Libra organization being well-fleshed out, undergoing personal journeys & growth. Leonardo Watch, in particular, develops from an overwhelmed newcomer to a determined individual with the resolve to protect his strange new home.

There is a deeper level to Blood Blockade Battlefront, it isn't just a show about a hodgepodge of supernatural beings battling it out. Themes of kindness, courage, resilience, and the importance of camaraderie resonate throughout. It explores the idea of togetherness amidst diversity – a band of misfits, each with their quirks and attributes, bound together by their shared purpose of protecting their chaotic city, while along the way, finding unique moments of joy, camaraderie, and purpose.

In conclusion, Blood Blockade Battlefront is more than just an action-packed science fiction narrative. It's an explosion of inventively chaotic storytelling, thoughtful character arcs, astounding visuals, and unique soundscapes. It's about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, finding strength, laughter, and a sense of belonging in a wildly strange world. With a deft blend of humor, horror, and heart, the series leaves viewers intrigued by the unpredictability of each episode, yet fully invested in the characters and their intertwined destinies. They say New York is a city where anything can happen, but that notion is realized even more exotically in Hellsalem's Lot, the heart of Blood Blockade Battlefront.