Blood Blockade Battlefront

**Blood Blockade Battlefront** (血界戦線, *Kekkai Sensen*) is a comedy-drama supernatural urban fantasy action science fiction shonen anime series based on a manga created by Yasuhiro Nightow (who also created the iconic *Trigun* series) and produced by Studio Bones. The first season premiered on April 4 until October 4, 2015, and the second season, titled "Blood Blockade Battlefront and Beyond", premiered on October 7 until December 23, 2017.

## Plot

After a fateful encounter with a supernatural being, Leonardo "Leo" Watch is a young aspiring reporter who becomes a holder of the "All-Seeing Eyes of the Gods" ability and wants to find a solution to grant his sister Michella's ability to walk and regain her eyesight. In order to deal with a series of chaotic mishaps within Hellsalem's Lot (formerly called New York City), he becomes affiliated with Libra, a secret organization that consists of blood-technique users and superhuman beings capable of protecting the Earth's balance with the Alterworld resided by many monsters.

## Why It Balances Between Earth and the Alterworld

1. It is one of the unique series known for its story that takes place in America, specifically (and formerly called) New York City.
	* This series is a general shout-out to modern Western culture and NYC elements that inspired it, including Leo's civilian side resembling that of Spider-Man and Chain's focus anime episode/manga chapter title being similar to *Mission: Impossible* and *Kim Possible* respectively.
2. Awesome animation, courtesy of Studio Bones!
3. Likable characters, featuring Leo, Michella, Sonic, Zapp (occasionally), Klaus, Steven, Chain, White, Black, and so on, especially (to some extent by likability) Femt.
	* Aside from Leo, a few members of Libra get to have their backstories and/or character developments.
4. Excellent selection of voice actors in Japanese and English dubs, especially Daisuke Sakaguchi (JP dub) and Aaron Dismuke (ENG dub) as Leonardo Watch.
	* Some of the Japanese voice actors from this series are easily recognized by fans for voicing their respective characters from *Gintama.*
5. The anime adaptation has significant changes and additions that the manga adaptation doesn't have, and they are very well-executed, featuring the characters of Mary "White" and William "Black" Macbeth.
6. The anime-only King of Despair arc is well-received for giving Leo a proper characterization more improved than the manga adaptation, as well as the impact of his encounter and relationship with the Macbeth twins.
7. Clever and meaningful foreshadowing such as Leo and White watching a movie that is a parody of the 1988 movie *Twins* in episode 5.
8. Unique and beautiful OST by Taisei Iwasaki.
	* White's theme music, titled "White Gloves", is known for its emotional mood and tone that represent the tragic side of her character.
	* Some of the tracks that reflect the American R&B and Hip-Hop genres are very nice and upbeat to listen, especially "BCCGS", "In the City" "It's Magic", and "SLICE AND DICE feat. Bose".
9. Along with *Chainsaw Man* and *Jujutsu Kaisen*, it is one of the anime that are famous for its iconic OP and ED songs.
	* The first OP "Hello, world!" by BUMP OF CHICKEN (the band who later played the second OP for *Spy X Family*) becomes an insert song for the last episode of season 1 with the same title, which is significant for Leo's final stand with the King of Despair.
	* The first ED "Sugar Song and Bitter Step" by Unison Square Garden (also played the OP "fake town baby" for season 2) is greatly praised my many fans for the song itself and the visuals that feature the cast of the series dancing on stage.
10. Like *Bungo Stray Dogs* (another series produced by Studio Bones), it balances between comedy (such as Zapp's weight gain and Leo's desperation for a normal lunch) and drama (such as the Macbeth twins' backstory).

## Bad Qualities

1. Despite that it is played for laughs, Zapp can be unlikable for his generally vulgar personality to the point of receiving numerous complaints from others such as Leo or Chain.
2. Other interesting side characters like Patrick and Neyka didn't have enough screentime and development in the anime (so far).
3. Compared to the first season, the second season slightly lacks charm from the former, as it reduced Femt's role into a minor antagonist who only appeared in the first episode *and* the last.
	* However, the second season offers more interesting character developments and screentime for Chain, Steven, and K.K., and all of the episodes come in full circle with all of Leo's memories in Hellsalem's Lot during his battle against Dr. Gamimotz.

## Trivia

* Prior to the series' serialization in 2009, Yasuhiro Nightow once published a one-shot story in 2008, titled *Kekkai Senso*, or *Barrier War*.
* So far, White and Black are the only characters that are exclusive to the anime.
	+ Both are voiced by Rie Kugimya in the Japanese dub.