The Live Action Adaptation of the Hit Anime Comes to Britain this June Source: Pathé, The Associates press release Official Movie Site: Blood The Last Vampire movie (UK, coming soon), Last Blood (Japan) Special Thanks to Farhana Shaikh

A SciFi JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Gianna Jun stars as Saya, a 400 year-old vampire hunter. © 2009 East Wing Holdings Corp. and SAJ.

On the surface, Saya is a stunning 16-year-old, but that youthful exterior hides the tormented soul of a 400-year-old “halfling.” Born to a human father and a vampire mother, she has for centuries been a loner obsessed with using her samurai skills to rid the world of vampires, all the while knowing that she herself can survive only on blood like those she hunts. When she is sent onto an American military base in Tokyo by the clandestine organization she works for, Saya immediately senses that this may be her opportunity to finally destroy Onigen, the evil patriarch of all vampires. Using her superhman strength and her sword, she begins to rid the base of its evil infestation in a series of spectacular and elaborate showdowns. However, it is not until she forms her first human friendship in centuries with the young daughter of the base’s general that Saya learns of her greatest power over Onigen may well be her ability for human connection… One of the most eagerly anticipated live-action adaptations of any anime ever produced, BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE caused a major stir of interest amongst fans when its all-too-brief teaser trailer debuted on the internet last month. Now, Pathé and The Associates exclusively reveal the amazing full theatrical trailer for the horror movie that breathes new life into the groundbreaking anime feature from 2000.

A vampire battles Saya in the original BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE anime. © 2000 Production I.G/ANX · SCEI · IPA

Directed by Chris Nahon (KISS OF THE DRAGON) and featuring stunning action sequences choreographed by legendary action director Corey Yuen (TRANSPORTER 1 and 2; Jet Li’s THE ONE, X-MEN), BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE tells the story of a mysterious girl known as Saya (Gianna Jun), who is employed by a covert US government agency to eradicate a species of vampire-demons that is about to threaten mankind. Half-demon herself, and armed with just a samurai sword and a whole bunch of attitude, Saya kicks vampire ass like nobody you have ever seen before. Forget Blade, forget Buffy, and check out the trailer to witness, in action, the hottest and gutsiest vampire slayer ever to grace the screen. BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE was first introduced in a 48 minute long Japanese animated feature from Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL, KILL BILL VOl. 1, THE SKY CRAWLERS) and Aniplex, a division of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The film was directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo— an animator whose credits include MACROSS, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM, and AKIRA— and featured writing and characters designs by conceptual artist Katsuya Terada (ZEIRAM, HELLBOY, GODZILLA: FINAL WARS, YATTERMAN). Production I.G. animated the film digitally with a process that replicated the look of cel animation. BLOOD was also produced in English rather than Japanese to improve chances of selling the film overseas.

One of the vampires from the animated film. © 2000 Production I.G/ANX · SCEI · IPA

The animated BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE premiered at the FanTasia Film Festival in Montreal on July 29, 2000. It was released theatrically in Japan on November 16, 2000, and in the United States on August 17, 2001. In addition to becoming a best-selling DVD, the film won numerous awards including the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs` Media Arts Festival`s Grand Pize, "best theatrical feature film" at the World Animation Celebration, FanTasia`s "Public`s Prize" for best Asian feature film, the Mainichi Daily News` Ofuji Noburo Award for technical expertise, and Grand Prize for animation at the 2000 Japan Media Arts Festival. The anime was soon followed by the manga sequel Blood: The Last Vampire 2000 (released in the US as Blood: The Last Vampire 2002). In 2005, Production I.G., Aniplex, and Sony Pictures Television International partnered on the animated television spin-off BLOOD+. Running 50 episodes, BLOOD+ premiered in Japan on October 8, 2005 and launched on Cartoon Network`s Adult Swim on March 11, 2007. The series has also been released on Region 1 DVD by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Masiela Lusha plays the role of Sharon in the new film adaptation. © 2009 East Wing Holdings Corp. and SAJ.

Plans for a live action feature film version were first announced in 2006. The movie was created by an international partnership that includes Pathé, the Hong Kong-based EDKO Film, the French production company SAJ, and cooperation and support from Production I.G. Producer Ronny Yu (THE BRIDE WITH WHITE HAIR, FREDDY VS JASON) wrote the screenplay with BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE anime screenwriters Kenji Kamayama (GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX) and Katsuya Terada. The cast features South Korean actress and model Gianna Jun (MY SASSY GIRL) as Saya, Japanese actress Koyuki (the ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET movie series) as Onigen, Liam Cunningham (THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR) as Michael, Masiela Lusha (THE GEORGE LOPEZ SHOW) as Sharon, JJ Feild (K19: THE WIDOWMAKER) as Luke, Colin Salmon (DR WHO) as Powell, and Andrew Pleavin (300) as Frank Nielsen. BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE will be released theatrically in the UK by Pathé on June 12 and in France on June 17. In Japan — where the film will be called LAST BLOOD (Rasuto Buraddo)— Asmik Ace Entertainment will open the picture on May 29. Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights, but have not announced a US release date.

The live action adaptation of the hit anime film BLOOD: THE LAST VAMPIRE will be released theatrically in the UK in June. Photo courtesy of The Associates and Pathé. © 2009 East Wing Holdings Corp. and SAJ.