Watching classic Hollywood movies featuring blood-sucking vampires has always been a thrilling experience since our childhood days. Now that vampires films are well past their peak days, the anime industry is gradually adopting this ‘age-old formula of success.’ It’s no surprise that some vampire anime gained a groundbreaking response from the fans and progressively emerged as a whole new genre.
Like many others, I started exploring vampire anime with Castlevania and was instantly hooked by it. Vampire anime not only brings back the good old nostalgia of classic 90s films but also blends it with the intense storyline, eyegasmic animation, and jaw-dropping action scenes. In case you want to start with vampire anime, we have brought you the top ten list, and each of them is a complete package of entertainment. Just try not to blame me if you don’t feel like going back to the typical shonen genre after completing this list.
10. The Case Study of Vanitas
Didn’t expect such a recent anime to make a place in this list? You won’t be surprised after you complete its first season. Vanitas no Carte or The Case Study of Vanitas is a perfect balance of comedy, thriller, mystery, romance, and every other thing that you expect from a vampire show. Apart from that, the anime gifted us with some of the most beautifully animated scenes we have seen this year. Despite the show’s not so conventional storyline, fans loved it so that that the next season is already under production and is expected to hit anime silver screens by Winter 2022.
The Case Study of Vanitas
The story revolves around the mysterious ‘Book of Vanitas’ created by the Blue Moon Vampire himself to bring extinction upon the entire vampire race. But surprisingly, a human named Vanitas shows up with this book and claims to be a vampire doctor. Is he really trying to save the vampires? Find it out yourself by watching the anime.
9. Vampire Knight
Just like many other schools in Asia, the Cross Academy is divided into day and night shifts. But the only catch here is, the night classes are exclusively for the infamous blood-sucking vampires. Well, I do appreciate the attempt to enable education for vampires too, but does it really solves all the problem? Can these two naturally opposite species ever co-exist peacefully? I don’t think that would be so easy.
Vampire Knight
The arrangements are all well and good, but it seems that the vampires haven’t renounced their murderous mindset towards humans and vice versa. The protagonist, Yuki, is caught up in a situation where one wrong step can lead to something worst than death. Moreover, she wants to know about her past and how she ended up here. Although it’s an anime from 2008, it has everything that the anime audience is searching for today.
8. Strike the Blood
Strike the Blood takes us to a futuristic world where you can see a man-made island just for vampires to rule over. It revolves around Kojo Akatsuki, a normal vampire boy suspected of being the Fourth Progenitor, a powerful vampire that could potentially disrupt the power balance among the world’s three ruling progenitors. The story may sound like that of Avatar: The Last Air Bender series, but these two shows are poles apart in every other aspect.
Strike the Blood
Initially, Kojo was an ordinary high schooler before becoming a vampire and is reluctant to use the powers which he barely controls. His peaceful life turned upside down as he started realizing his significance.
7. Blood Lad
This story revolves around the most powerful vampire named Staz in the Demon World, but unlike other vampires, he doesn’t enjoy drinking human Blood and rather prefers to live like a typical otaku. However, this laid-back story gets interesting when Staz when Fuyumi Yanagi’s ghost starts haunting him at night, thereby making it his top priority to bring.
Blood Lad
Unlike most vampire series that resume the old version of blood-thirsty vampires, Blood Lad is quite unique in showcasing the characters. It poured some cuteness and sense of humor into the characters, making them more acceptable to the new generation.
6. Seraph of the End
You can say that this show was years ahead of its time from the fact that it is set in a world that has been terrorized by a deadly virus. Well, the post-apocalyptic situation is far worse in the anime since the virus killed most of the human population, leaving only children of age 13 or less alive. Meanwhile, the vampires make the most of this chaotic situation to gain control over the world.
Seraph of the End
In this new world ruled by vampires, children are treated as livestock, where they are forced to serve the vampires. One such survivor, Yuichiro Hyakuya, joins a veteran vampire-killing unit and sets out to rid the world of evil vampires.
This show draws attention to the dark side of humanity, where children are often considered incompetent. Apart from its unique outlook, the anime has top-notch fight scenes, overpowered villains, and just enough humor to break the heaviness of the story. Although fans are a bit upset about its abrupt ending, it’s still worth giving a shot.
5. Bakemonogatari
Bakemonogatari follows the life of Koyomi Araragi, a high-schooler who barely survives a vampire attack but somehow manages to retain his sanity. This just keeps getting worse from here. Koyomi gets involved with a gang of girl with strange intentions, ultimately prompting him to resort to supernatural guidance.
A still from Bakemonogatari
The anime highlights real-life issues like bullying in school, teenage depression, family problems, etc., thereby making it stand out from any other generic vampire anime.
4. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
George Joestar, a son of a rich man who was living a very comfortable life until one fateful day when he acquires an adopted brother named Dio, who makes most other villainous vampires look pretty tame. Dio seeks to usurp Joestar and steal the family fortune, but this already malicious plan becomes much more when he uncovers a mysterious stone mask with ancient powers.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Jojo’s Bizzare Adventure is the most ‘anime’ anime that ever exist. In other words, if you are looking for a show that has hype in almost every other scene, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is the show you should go with. I guess you have figured that much out by now, considering that the internet is always flooded with Jojo memes. I could have placed it a bit higher up in the list but didn’t because it isn’t a typical vampire anime and rather consists of too many other elements to focus on.
3. Shiki
Shiki is undoubtedly the creepiest vampire anime on this list, and if you want to watch a vampire anime just for its horror elements, Shiki should be your go-to option any day. It revolves around a small rural town called Sotoba, which becomes the site of a number of grizzly deaths. The mystery intensifies with the arrival of the mysterious Kirishiki family, and it soon becomes apparent that supernatural forces are at work.
Shiki
There’s no doubt that the kirishiki family hides a very dreadfully secret and almost looks like they are living corpses. The anime is filled with spooky music, graphic scenes, and a sense of eerieness throughout, so don’t forget to have someone beside you while you watch it.
2. Hellsing Ultimate
Vampires are scary, true, but possess an array of superpowers that are often not fully utilized. Helling Ultimate is an anime that revolves around an organization dedicated solely to hunting down supernatural creatures with the help of powerful vampires like Alucard, who are ready to fight against their own kind. I am telling from experience that the anime will make you question the concept of good and evil.
Hellsing: Ultimate
From Alucard to the newly turned vampire Seras Victoria, all the characters are extremely well-written and fit perfectly in the story. The series is full of massive plot twists, and you may never know what will or can happen next.
1. Castlevania
As I said in the very beginning, Castlevania is the show that made me fall in love with vampire anime, so seeing its name at the top shouldn’t be much of a surprise. It is based on the classic video game, the story of a vampire hunter named Trevor Belmont and how he saves the human world. He teams up with the magician Sypha Belnades and the extraordinary vampire Alucard and forms the invincible trio whom even Dracula couldn’t beat.
Castlevania
Action fans get ready to be hyped up as Castlevania has some of the most incredible fight scenes in any vampire anime. Who would have thought that a character could look this cool just with a pair of a whip and a shortsword can look this cool? Miraculous artwork, well-choreographed fight scenes, and engaging music make the anime an absolute treat to watch.
Memes of the Day
Her insta @zane.177
B-Trayal 43 Yoruichi
Strawberry Market
Shin Min Ah has won all of us over with her dazzling dimpled smile and her great kdramas. And to be honest, who is complaining? The actress and model has been working hard to make a name in the Korean industry for more than two decades now. And although the heartwarming show Hometown Cha Cha Cha alongside a fellow dimpled male brought her global popularity, Shin Min Ah has been making excellent kdramas for a while now. Furthermore, Shin Min Ah started modeling when she was just a teenager. As a matter of fact, she was the most sought-after and one of the highest-paid models even then. Shin Min Ah has modeled for Elle Korea, Rag & Bone, The New York’s Time, and T Magazine. Shin Min Ah made her acting debut in 2001 through Lee Min Ji in the beautiful melodrama Beautiful Days.
Additionally, she has continued to dominate the industry, whether it be as the sassy and naive nine-tailed fox in My Girlfriend Is A Gumiho or as Ahn Sa Eun, who lives in a soundless world in Sad Movie. As if winning at the professional front was not enough, Shin Min Ah has won the heart of the man of our dreams, Kim Woo Bin. Furthermore, the couple has spent seven beautiful years together and will even be working in a kdrama this year. Although Shin Min Ah has managed to strike a chord with the audiences through all her performances, in this article, we will be listing down the ultimate top 9 Shin Min Ah’s kdramas.
9. A Love To Kill
Coming on number ten on the list of top 9 Shin Min Ah dramas is A Love to Kill. Furthermore, A Love to Kill has a cult following among melodrama lovers. A Love to Kill is a melodrama in its truest form. Staying true to its name, A Love to Kill showcases a love that you would kill to have. On top of that, Shin Min Ah and Rain pull off a chemistry that could kill. This drama was released in 2005 on KBS. Even if you are not a melodrama lover, you will get goosebumps from the intense scenes that the drama consists of. Additionally, A Love to Kill revolves around Kang Bok Gu and Cha Eun Suk. Kang Bok Gu is a K-1 fighter.
A Love to Kill
When his brother jumps off a building after hearing the news of his ex-girlfriend getting engaged, Kang Bok Gu decides to get revenge. This is where we meet our female lead, Cha Eun Suk, who is a popular actress and Kang Bok Gu’s brother’s ex. Thanks to their fighting skills, he becomes Cha Eun Suk, aka Shin Min Ah’s bodyguard. Through his brother’s diary, he learns all the tricks to woo Cha Eun Sak. But his simple plan of getting revenge gets messy when he starts falling for Cha Eun Sak. Their love story is forbidden at so many levels. Cha Eun Sak’s career will be ruined, and society will never accept their relationship. Having a relationship with your brother’s partner is prohibited even if they are broken up or dead. Get your tissues ready if you want to watch this Shin Min Ah kdrama.
You can enjoy this drama on Rakuten Viki.
8. Punch
Punch is one of the most unique kdramas as it is centered around a female athlete. Furthermore, this is one of the best dramas in the sports genre. An interesting point to note is that Punch was Shin Min Ah’s first venture as a main female lead, and she was exceptional in it. Furthermore, this drama revolves around a bubbly high school student named Jang Yu Bin. When she loses her only brother in a boxing match, life becomes even harder for her. So when the opportunity to become a female boxer comes her way, Jang Yu Bin builds the courage to take it up.
Punch
Things get slippery when her trainer, Lee Han Sae, turns out to be the same man who fought her brother to death. Adding to that, the two also start developing feelings for each other. This Lee Hyeon Jik ( Sweet Enemy) directorial will rope you in with its intriguing storyline, loveable characters, and spot-on original soundtrack. This drama started airing in the October of 2003 on SBS. Sadly, this drama is not available to watch on any official on any OTT platforms yet. But this was just the start for Shin Min Ah, who only soared higher.
7. Tomorrow With You
This drama is yet another award-worthy melodrama coming from Shin Min Ah. Furthermore, you will find the storyline of this drama very fresh. It is a well-known fact that the main couple in most of the kdramas ends up together only after ten episodes. However, you will be surprised with Tomorrow With You, where Yoo So Joon and Song Ma Rin get married within three episodes. Let us give you a little backstory. Our handsome and charming male lead, Yoo So Joon, who is played by Lee Je Hoon (Taxi Driver, Move to Heaven, and Signal) is not your ordinary CEO. He has been gifted with the ability to time travel. Additionally, Tomorrow With You gives us an idea about how the world would be if we had time-traveling abilities.
Tomorrow With You cr: Netflix
Thanks to his special abilities, he comes to see his dark future. In order to prove destiny wrong, he decides to marry a cheer photographer named Song Ma Rin. Shin Min Ah plays the bubbly photographer in this drama. Her chemistry with Lee Je Hoon will have you blushing. Although melodramas are usually slow in pace and predictable, this drama maintains the suspense throughout. Furthermore, those series was premiered on tvN in February of 2017. This drama is directed by Yoo Je Won, who has popular kdramas like The Smile Has Left Your Eyes and Hometown Cha Cha Cha under his belt. You can watch this sweet, time travel, romance drama on Netflix.
6. Lucifer
Lucifer
The story is set around the investigation of two murders. The only piece of evidence that connected the two murders was tarot cards. When Detective Kang Oh Soo could not find a single lead no matter how hard he tried. So Detective Kang Oh Soo decides to get assistance from So Hae In, who excelled in psychometry. Furthermore, So Hae In went on to reveal that the killers in both these murders were different. But the motive was related to the death of a young high school student. What Detective Kang Oh Soo did not figure out was that the defense lawyer of the accused was always the same. Furthermore, Lucifer is not just a thriller drama, it makes you question what defines good and evil.
Definitely a must-watch for anyone who enjoys drama surrounding law, actions, and suspense. You can watch this suspense-filled Shin Min Ah kdrama on Rakuten Viki.
5. My Girlfriend Is A Nine-Tailed Fox
My Girlfriend Is A Nine-Tailed Fox
The main cast of My Girlfriend Is A Nine-Tailed Fox comprises Lee Seung Gi (A Korean Odyssey), Shin Min Ah, and Noh Ji Woo (Eating Existence). This mystical kdrama aired from 11th August 2010 to 30th September. In My Girlfriend Is A Nine-Tailed Fox, Dae Woong, a clumsy yet wealthy college student who dreams of becoming a famous actor. While visiting a temple, he unknowingly frees a five-hundred-year-old Gumiho. This is where we meet our naive but charming female gumiho played by Shin Min Ah. She strikes a deal with him to teach her how to act and survive as a human, and she will grant him her fox bead, which will make him fast and strong.
Dae Woong, who is scared because of the legend that gumihos eat out men’s livers and because he desperately wants to be an action movie star, agrees to the deal. What ensues between the two is a fun-filled passionate romance, which you can enjoy on both Netflix and Rakuten Viki .
4. Arang and the Magistrate
This is Shin Min Ah’s first and only historical kdrama as of now. And as you would expect, it is spectacular. Unlike other kdramas that fall in the historical genre, this drama consists of horror and comedy. The amazing combination of these contrasting factors is portrayed magnificently by the cast of this drama. Additionally, the main cast consists of Lee Joon Gi ( Lawless Lawyer and Flower Of Evil), our dimply girl crush Shin Min Ah, Yeon Woo Jin ( Queen For Seven Days and Introverted Boss), Kwon Oh Jung ( Smashing Your Back), Hwang Bo Ra ( Once Upon A Time in Gwangju) and finally Han Jung Soo ( Blade Man). Furthermore, this drama is co-directed by Jeong Dae Yun ( I Am Not A Robot) and Kim Sang Ho ( Man to Man).
Arang and the Magistrate
The screenwriter of the drama is Jun Yoon Jung ( The Bride of Habaek) , who was inspired by the Korean mythology of Arang. The story is set up during the Joseon era of Korea. Arang is the name of a beautiful virgin ghost who was brutally murdered and wants to teach her sinners a lesson. She meets the stiff government officer, Kim Eun Ho, who can see ghosts. The two unlikely couple set out on an adventurous journey to punish those who killed her. This drama was broadcast in the August of 2012 on MBS and consisted of a total of twenty episodes. This is not just one of the best Shin Min Ah kdramas but also the most enjoyable historical kdrama. You can watch it right now on Rakuten Viki.
3. Chief Of Staff
Chief Of Staff cr: Netflix
The series revolves around Jang Tae Joon played by Lee Jung Jae. He is cunning and has a strong desire to win. Although he graduated from the Korean National Police University, he serves as an aide to 4 times lawmaker. With Jang Tae Joon by his side, Lee Seong Min could become the representative of his party. However, Jang Tae Joon wants to be on top of the chain. Furthermore, due to the kdrama’s success, it even managed to have a second season. If you are interested, you could watch the k-series on Netflix .
2. Oh My Venus
Oh My Venus is one of the most well-known kdramas. It is one of those k-series that teach you that beauty from the outside isn’t as important as how beautiful you are from the inside. If you had liked kdrama like True Beauty or My ID Is Gangnam Beauty, this will surely be your cup of tea. Moreover, the k-series consists of talented actors and actresses that include Shin Min Ah, So Ji Sub ( I’m Sorry) , Jung Gyu Woon ( Women Of The Sun ), and Yoo In Young ( Good-Bye, Mr. Black! ). The kdrama also has two directors Lee Na Jung ( Fight For My Way ) and Kim Hyuong Seok ( My Golden Life ).
Oh My Venus cr: Netflix
The story of the kdrama starts when a Hollywood personal trainer, Kim Yeong Ho, meets Kang Joo Eun, an experienced lawyer. Kim Yeong Ho came back to South Korea when he got into a scandal with an actress. There he meets Kang Joo Eun, who says that she wants to retain her past beauty. In her school years, she had been a beauty and had also been nicknamed ‘Daegu’s Venus’. But as she grew older, she lost her form. As Yeong Ho helps her out with her wish, both of them start to like each other. If you are interested in the kdrama you can watch it on Netflix.
1. Hometown Cha Cha Cha
Of course, this list of must-watch Shin Min Ah kdramas wouldn’t be complete without Hometown Cha Cha Cha. This kdrama has seemingly taken over the world right now. The kdrama has been being praised for its amazingly written storyline and characters. The series even had a wonderful set of characters that other than Shin Min Ah consists of Kim Seon Ho ( Start Up) and Lee Sang Yi ( Youth Of May ). One of the reasons why Hometown Cha Cha Cha was so successful may be due to its director. The director Yoo Je Won has a number of amazing kdramas under his wing. He has directed kdramas like The King: Eternal Monarch, Hi Bye, Mama!, Abyss , and more.
Hometown Cha Cha Cha cr: Neflix
The story follows Yoon Hye Jin’s life after she shifted to a seaside village. Yoon Hye Jin had been a great dentist with both beauty and brains. Upon shifting to the seaside village, she starts getting interested in a guy named Hing Du Sik. Hong Du Sik, or Chief Hong as the residents call him, has a knack for helping out his neighbors. He is unemployed but has a great ability to do all sorts of jobs for everyone. The plot of the k-series is very refreshing and realistic that it makes you want more. If you still haven’t seen the kdrama check it out on Netflix .
