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Trinity Blood

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Trinity Blood
180
First volume of Trinity Blood, released in Japan by Kadokawa Shoten on April 27, 2001
GenreAction, Supernatural fiction
Manga
Written bySunao Yoshida, Kentaro Yasui
Illustrated byThores Shibamoto
Published byJapan Kadokawa Shoten
English publisherCanada United States TOKYOPOP
DemographicMale
Original runMarch 2001 – January 2005
Volumes12 (List of volumes)
Manga
Written byKiyo Kūjō
Published byJapan Kadokawa Shoten
English publisherCanada United States TOKYOPOP
MagazineAsuka
DemographicShōjo
Original runMarch 17, 2004 – ongoing
Volumes11
Anime
Directed byTomohiro Hirata
StudioGonzo
Released 28 April 2005 – 6 October 2005

Trinity Blood (トリニティ・ブラッド, Toriniti Buraddo) is a series of Japanese light novels written by Sunao Yoshida with illustrations by Thores Shibamoto and originally serialized in The Sneaker. Set 900 years after an apocalyptic war between humans and vampires, the series focuses on the on-going cold war between the Vatican and the Empire. Fighting on the Vatican's side is Abel Nightroad, a Crusnik which feeds on vampires. A blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and political intrigue, as some in the Vatican and the Empire strive for peace, other factions will do anything to stop it.

Trinity Blood has been adapted into both manga and anime series, with continuity differences between the three versions. After Yoshida's untimely death on July 15, 2004, Kentaro Yasui, his friend and the author of Ragnarok novels, stepped in to complete the remaining novels. Yasui also aided in completing the manga, with illustrations by Kiyo Kūjō.[1] The anime series, spanning 24 episodes, was produced by Gonzo and originally aired on WOWOW network.

Plot

When Earth's population drastically increased, humanity led by the United Nations attempted to colonize Mars. During the colonization, they discovered two alien technologies: the Bacillus and the Crusnik nanomachines. The colonists installed the Bacillus in their bodies which transformed them into Methuselahs. They installed the Crusnik in the bodies of four test tube babies: Seth, Cain, Abel and Lilith whose enhanced bodies were the only ones able to survive the procedure.

Continuing wars on Earth eventually led to "Armageddon", the apocalyptic event that happened 900 years before the start of the story, and the colonists returned to Earth to help with rebuilding, but when the colonists returned to Earth, a war broke out between the Methuselahs and the humans who had remained on earth. Abel, Cain, and Seth took the Methuselah's side—while Lilith supported the Vatican, which guarded humanity. During the war, Cain went insane and killed Lilith. In grief, Abel took her body to the Vatican where she was buried. Abel remained at her side, weeping for her, for 900 years.

At the start of the story, the vampiric Methuselahs, still a major political and military force, continue to wage war on the "Terrans", as they call regular humans. The Roman Catholic Church is a major military power determined to protect humans from the Methuselahs, with its seat of power based in the Vatican. The Methuselahs have their capital of Byzantium, which is surrounded by a field of particles to filter out UV radiation, protecting the Methuselah population.

Both groups use "lost technologies", such as airships, missiles, and computers, to engage in a cold war with one another. A third great power, Albion also plays a role in the war with its superior arsenal of lost technology and weapons and higher level of manufacturing ability versus the Vatican. The independent monarchy of Albion is a primarily human country, however the secret of their expertise in lost technology is found in the Ghetto, an underground city of enslaved Methuselah. It is these Methuselah who operate and manufacture the lost technology, but with the death of the Albion Queen, some of the enslaved vampires begin a rebellion for the freedom of all of the Ghetto residents.

Differences between adaptations

While the novels, manga, and anime series all cover the same basic story and feature many of the same characters, they do have some minor and major differences. Each has its own unique variation on the major story arcs, and in general the novels give the most detail concerning the political elements and background information on the stories. There are a few minor name changes and many details found in the novels are not given in the anime or manga.

Dietrich's character design, as seen in the manga, is younger and more boyish than in the anime

The artwork also differs from all three versions, as the character designs were each created by different artists. There are similarities, however, as Shibamoto is responsible for the novel illustrations, while Kiyo Kūjō based her work in the manga on Shibamoto's original designs.[1] In the anime series, Dietrich von Lohengrin's cold, evil nature is reflected in his appearance, while in the manga he has a softer, bishōnen design that is incongruous with his actual nature. Similarly, Endre is described as looking like a boy of around 10-12 years old,[2] while in the anime he is given an adult appearance.[3] In additions to variants in appearances, there are differences in personalities relationships between the versions, and there are some characters that are unique to each adaptation. Sister Noelle, whose death devastates Abel in the anime series and in the novels, does not exist in the manga series. Alternatively, neither the anime nor manga adaptations mention Tres' two "brothers".

Depending on the adaptation, some events occur at varying points in the story, while other events are unique to a single adaptation. The anime series' introductory-style episodes are based on the novel segments with the same names, but they are told in a different story. For example, in the novels, "From the Empire", the chapter in which Abel meets Asthe is the third chapter, following Flight Night and Witch Hunt,[2] However, in the anime, From the Empire is the eleventh episode, coming after the Star of Sorrow arc and the Silent Noise incident. Conversely, the manga starts right with the Star of Sorrow arc and Abel meeting Esther and Dietrich. The Neumann brothers and their related story elements are found only in the novels. In the novels, it was Abel who interrupted the Cardinal's gathering, rather than Caterina or Leon, and the only people available to investigate the Silent Noise incident in Rome are Abel, Tres, and Leon.[4]

Characters

Main article: List of Trinity Blood characters

Humans

The humans once attempted to colonize Mars after a massive population explosion. While on Mars, they discovered the Bacillus and Crusnik nanomachines. When the Bacillus nanomachines were embedded in humans, they were infected with a virus that changed them into vampires who had to feed on blood to survive. The vampires—who now call themselves Methuselahs—and the humans ended up in a war against each other that resulted in Armageddon. 900 years later the surviving humans are still trying to recover from the war's devastating effects while trying to find ways to co-exist with the Methuselah despite the distrust and hatred still evident on both sides. The Vatican serves as the primary leader for the people in the on-going struggle for peace with the Methuselah, and in dealing with rogue factions from both sides that would like the war to continue. The Methuselah refer to humans as "Terrans", the Short-Lived Race.[5]

Methuselah

The Methuselah, or "Long-Lived Race" are vampire-like creatures that feed on human blood and have supernatural strength.[5] Methuselah have a prolonged lifespan (300 years), superior strength, and enhanced speed. They also have healing and regeneration abilities.[6]

In addition to their athleticism and stamina, Methuselah also possess varying individual powers. Most frequently, this power manifests itself in the form of a blade that comes out of the arms, claws, or even as sharp, prehensile hair. Some Methuselah have displayed an ability to control some elemental powers such as fire and ice. All Methuselah are capable of going into "haste mode" in which they can achieve incredible levels of speed for short durations by stimulating their nervous systems. If used too long, they can become severely fatigued. In the anime adaptation, some Methuselah are shown to have the ability to fly.

Methuselah are created in two ways: from being born from Methuselah parents or from a human being infected with the Bacillus virus that causes the vampire-like conditions. Methuselah must regularly drink human blood because the virus is constantly destroying their red blood cells.[citation needed] Unlike vampires of myth, Trinity Blood's Methuselah can have children and they can eat and enjoy normal food. However, they must avoid sunlight, as it will cause the Bacillus to rapidly devour the Methuselah's body instead of just their red blood cells. Also, silver can cause them serious injury and death.

Crusniks

Cain, Crusnik 01, in his Crusnik form

Crusniks are vampires who feed on the blood of other vampires.[6] They possess immense power and destructive potential and are nearly invincible.[5] Whereas the Methuselahs are either born or infected, the Crusniks are unique beings created as a result of an experiment during the Mars Colonization Project. The four Crusniks, Cain, Seth, Abel, and Lilith, were test tube babies created for the Mars Colonization Project by the UNASF with genetically enhanced bodies. They were infused with the Crusnik nanomachines that were found on Mars as their enhanced bodies were the only ones capable of surviving the procedure. The exact circumstances behind the infusions of Seth, Abel, and Lilith are unknown, while Cain's infusion was done by Seth to save his life after a fatal accident.

Crusniks possess unique attributes that separate them from Methuselahs. For instance, both Abel and Cain sport angelic wings and can fly quite easily. Crusniks can transmute their blood into weapons and often possess psychokinetic powers. Abel can generate powerful bio-electric fields while Cain can use psychokinetic waves to pulverize objects and enemies and to generate barriers. Seth can reduce people and objects to dust using sound waves.

In order to activate his Crusnik powers, Abel usually issues a verbal or mental command to the nanomachines in his body. The exact wording and method of activation varies amongst the novels, the manga, and anime, and between the original Japanese and the English translations. For example, in the anime he says "Nanomachines: Crusnik 02 - __% Activate" while in the manga he silently activates Crusnik mode and receives a confirmation from the nanomachines of "Crusnik 02 Loading. Limitation at __%... Acknowledged".[6] In the anime, neither Cain nor Seth demonstrated a need to do this in order to activate their powers, and there are several times when Abel activates his powers without saying his usual command.

Media

Novels

Main article: List of Trinity Blood light novels

Trinity Blood was first created as two six-volume series of Japanese light novels. The first series is subtitled Rage Against the Moons (RAM), while the second series is subtitled Reborn on the Mars (ROM).[7] Rage Against the Moons focuses on the various cases of the AX members, particularly Father Abel Nightroad, and the growing problems with the Rosencruez order and the early quest for peace between humans and vampires. A few of the stories from Rage Against the Moons are used in the anime series, but they are shown out of order, with some changes to the stories and with Esther often added though she does not appear at all in this first series. Reborn on Mars covers the same time frame as the anime series, starting with Father Nightroad's meeting of Esther Blanchett through her being crowned Queen of Albion.

The novels were first serialized in The Sneaker and published in their completed form by Kadokawa in 2001. In North America, the novels have been licensed for English release by Tokyopop. The first novel was released on April 10, 2007. Tokyopop is releasing both novel series together on a four month release schedule that alternates between the two series.[7]

Manga

Trinity Blood is being adapted into a manga series by Sunao Yoshida with illustratations by Kiyo Kūjō, both of whom based their work on Yoshida's original novels and Shibamoto's original designs.[1] It is currently being serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's shōjo manga magazine Monthly Asuka, and released in collected volumes under the Azuka Comics imprint.[7][8] The first manga volume was released on March 17, 2004. New releases have followed sporadically, with the tenth volume released on February 16, 2008.[8][9] Individual chapters are called "Acts", and the chapter titles are taken from movie titles,[10] except for chapter 22, the title of which comes from "the lyrics of the theme song of a certain pioneering kendo anime".[10]

The series is licensed for release in the US by Tokyopop and it is currently being released on a quarterly schedule.[11] The US English release is translated by Beni Axia Conrad and adapted by Christine Boylan.[12] In Australia, the Tokyopop volumes are being released by Madman Entertainment through an importation agreement with Tokyopop.[citation needed]

No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
01 March 17, 2004978-4-04-924970-5November 7, 2006978-1-59816-674-3
  • 01. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 02. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 03. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 04. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • Postscript
  • Trinity Blood Novel Special Preview
02 July 17, 2004978-4-04-924976-7March 13, 2007978-1-59816-675-0
  • 05. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 06. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 07. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 08. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • The Preview of volume III
  • Postscript
03 January 17, 2005978-4-04-924994-1July 3, 2007978-1-59816-676-7
  • 09. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 10. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 11. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 12. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • Afterword
  • Memoriam to Sunao Yoshida
04 June 17, 2005978-4-04-925003-9November 13, 2007978-1-59816-677-4
  • 13. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 14. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 15. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 16. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • Afterword
05 September 17, 2005978-4-04-925012-1February 13, 2008978-1-4278-0014-5
  • 17. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 18. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 19. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 20. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • Afterword
06 February 2, 2006978-4-04-925021-3May 13, 2008978-1-4278-0015-2
  • 21. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 22. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 23. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 24. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • Afterword
07 July 15, 2006978-4-04-925029-9August 12, 2008978-1-4278-0177-7
  • 25. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 26. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 27. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • 28. error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)
  • Afterword
08 December 16, 2006978-4-04-925038-1November 11, 2008[13]978-1-4278-0692-5
09 May 17, 2007978-4-04-925043-5TBA—
10 February 16, 2008978-4-04-925057-2TBA—

Anime

See also: List of Trinity Blood episodes

The Trinity Blood anime television series premiered on the satellite network WOWOW on April 28, 2005 and ran through October 6, 2005, spanning a total of 24 episodes. Directed by Tomohiro Hirata, it featured character designs by Atsuko Nakajima and music by Takahito Eguchi. The satellite channel Animax also aired the series in English across its networks in Southeast Asia and South Asia, and in Spanish and Portuguese across its networks in Latin America and Brazil respectively.[14][15] The series also aired in Malaysia on ntv7, in Australia on the Australian Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, and in Spain on Buzz Channel.[15]

Funimation, which owns the Region 1 license for the series, gave Trinity Blood a 90 minute US theatrical release to promote the series. The film was made by combining the first four episodes of the series.[16] Named Trinity Blood: Genesis, the movie was released May 5, 2006 in conjunction with Anime Central in Chicago, IL, followed by a limited run in select theaters and at other anime conventions.[16] The series was released on DVD in six volumes with English and Japanese audio and English subtitles. Each volume is available in a regular edition, a limited edition, and as part of the value priced Viridian Collection. They have also released the complete series as a complete series box set.[17]

The Funimation English dub of the series premiered on Canadian television on the Razer network on July 6, 2006[18] and in the United States as part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block on September 9, 2006.[19] These dubbed episodes have also been made available for purchasing through iTunes, with the option to buy individual episodes or the entire series.[20]

Reception

The first volume of the Trinity Blood manga reached the 30th spot on the Top 100 Graphic Novel sales for November 2006.[21] Subsequent volumes have also all appeared in the top 100 spots in March, July, and November 2007.[22][23][24]

The Trinity Blood anime series enjoyed strong television ratings when it originally aired in Japan.[25] Its North American debut was also considered successful.[26] The series is one of four FUNimation properties credited with helping the company achieve a 47.8% sales gain in 2006.[27]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Summoning Armageddon" (Press release). Silver Bullet Comics. 2006-11-01. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
  2. ^ a b Yoshida, Sunao (2007-04-10). Trinity Blood: Rage Against the Moons, Volume 1 - From the Empire. Trinity Blood: Rage Against the Moons. TokyoPOP. ISBN 159816953X.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  3. ^ "From the Empire". Trinity Blood. Episode 11. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |episodelink= ignored (|episode-link= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Yoshida, Sunao (2007-04-10). Trinity Blood: Rage Against the Moons, Volume 2 - Silent Noise. Trinity Blood: Rage Against the Moons. TokyoPOP. ISBN 1598169548.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  5. ^ a b c Yoshida, Sunao (2006-11-07). Trinity Blood, Volume 2. Trinity Blood. TokyoPOP. ISBN 978-1-59816-675-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  6. ^ a b c Yoshida, Sunao (2006-11-07). Trinity Blood, Volume 1. Trinity Blood. TokyoPOP. ISBN 978-1-59816-674-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  7. ^ a b c "Tokyopop to Publish 'Trinity Blood' Novels & More". ICv2 News. 2006-11-01. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  8. ^ a b "Trinity Blood manga and novel release list". Asuka web site. Kadokawa. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  9. ^ "Trinity Blood (manga)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  10. ^ a b Yoshida, Sunao (2008-05-13) [2006-02-02]. Trinity Blood, Volume 6. Trinity Blood. Tokyopop. p. 171. ISBN 978-1-4278-0015-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  11. ^ "Manga Comparison Chart". AnimeOnDVD.com. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  12. ^ "Trinity Blood, Volume 1 manga review". AnimeOnDVD.com. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  13. ^ "TOKYOPOP :: Leading the Manga Revolution for 10 Years and Beyond! :: Trinity Blood volume 8". Tokyopop. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
  14. ^ "Animax Asia Signs New Output Deal with GDH". Anime News Network. 2006-06-21. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  15. ^ a b "Trinity Blood (TV)". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  16. ^ a b "Trinity Blood Film Details". Anime News Network. 2006-04-19. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  17. ^ "Trinity Blood". AnimeOnDVD.com. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  18. ^ "Samurai 7, Basilisk, Trinity Blood on Canada TV". Anime News Network. 2006-07-06. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  19. ^ "Trinity Blood on Cartoon Network in September". Anime News Network. 2006-07-15. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  20. ^ Peter, Cohen (2007-05-15). "Trinity Blood, Galaxy Express anime comes to iTunes". Macworld. Retrieved 2008-01-11.
  21. ^ "Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--November 2006". ICv2. 2006-12-18. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  22. ^ "Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--March 2007". ICv2. 2007-04-16. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  23. ^ "Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--July 2007". ICv2. 2007-08-21. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  24. ^ "Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual--November 2007". ICv2. 2007-12-17. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  25. ^ "Trinity Blood Arrives in America Summer of '06". ICv2. 2005-07-05. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  26. ^ "FUNimation Nabs 'Black Blood Brothers'". ICv2. 2007-05-15. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  27. ^ "FUNimation Posts 47.8% Sales Gain". ICv2. 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
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