Mars Red (stylized as MARS RED) is a Japanese anime television series produced by Signal.MD. It is based on a stage reading play written by Bun-O Fujisawa. The series aired from April to June 2021.

Plot

In 1923, the Japanese government creates a new unit ("Code Zero") within the army to counter the rising threat of vampires, as well as their artificial blood source. Code Zero offers all vampires the same choice: surrender and receive benefits such as blood and formal registration, or face eradication.

The vampires themselves defy classification, exhibiting a great deal of variation among their ranks and little loyalty towards each other. Though all were once human, most people who are bitten die immediately. Those who become common vamps are simply staggering, mindless predators, while "noble" vampires are far more intelligent and refined (though no less cruel). Still others are able to hold on to their human natures and long for a sense of belonging in an increasingly hostile world.

As the members of Code Zero carry out their mission, they encounter strange vampires, humans, and phenomena that force them to question their own identities and purpose.

Characters

Yoshinobu Maeda (前田義信, Maeda Yoshinobu)
A stern man who has dedicated his life to the military. As Colonel, he leads Code Zero, a small ragtag unit of vampire soldiers.
Shutaro Kurusu (栗栖秀太郎, Kurusu Shutaro)
A member of Code Zero. Kurusu is a sensitive young man who is able to retain to his humanity, despite being an A-rank vampire of considerable strength.
Tokuichi Yamagami (山上徳一, Yamagami Tokuichi)
Another member of Code Zero, designated as an "unranked" vampire with few powers. As a human, he served alongside Maeda and considers him a friend.
Suwa (スワ, Suwa)
A member of Code Zero who specializes in stealth operations. He has white hair and appears young, but has lived for hundreds of years. He covers the lower half of his face with a mask at all times.
Takeuchi (タケウチ, Takeuchi)
Code Zero's scientist and engineer. He is brilliant, eccentric, and cheerful. Takeuchi seldom engages in battle but assists greatly with his inventions and plans.
Sonosuke Nakajima (中島宗之助, Nakajima Sōnosuke)
Maeda's commanding officer, with whom he has a personal connection. His primary goal is to establish a military force composed of undying vampire soldiers.
Defrott (デフロット, Defurotto)
A talented actor who develops a bond with both Misaki and Aoi. His outward appearance is child-like, but he has tremendous presence and maturity.
Aoi Shirase (白瀬葵, Shirase Aoi)
A fearless reporter for the local newspaper, she is fascinated with vampires as well as the performing arts. She has known Kurusu since childhood.
Misaki (岬, Misaki)
An up-and-coming stage actress who performs alongside Defrott. She is engaged to Maeda, but has yet to meet him.
Shinnosuke Tenmaya (天満屋慎之助, Tenmaya Shin'nosukei)
A mysterious, elegant young man who provides safe refuge for vampires.
Rufus Glenn (ルーファス・グレン, Rūfasu Guren)
A foreigner with connections to vampire nobility as well as the military.

Media

Manga

A manga adaptation of the reading play by Kemuri Karakara was run in Monthly Comic Garden from January 4, 2020, to July 5, 2021, and was compiled into three volumes.[1] Seven Seas Entertainment published the manga in North America.[2]

Anime

On February 6, 2020, Yomiuri-TV Enterprise LTD announced their 50th Anniversary project, a new anime television series directed by Kōhei Hatano to be co-produced by Funimation. The series is animated by Signal.MD, with Junichi Fujisaku writing the series' scripts, Yukari Takeuchi adapting the character designs originally by Kemuri Karakara, and Toshiyuki Muranaka composing the series' music. The series aired from April 6 to June 29, 2021, on YTV and other channels.[3][4][5] The opening theme is "Seimei no Aria" (生命のアリア, "Aria of Life") by Wagakki Band while the ending theme is "ON MY OWN" by Hyde.[6][7] The first episode was given a premiere screening on Funimation one week before the Japanese broadcast, in both subtitled and dubbed options.[8] Following Sony's acquisition of Crunchyroll, the series was moved to Crunchyroll.[9]

Mobile game

A free-to-play smartphone adventure game titled Mars Red: Edge of the Nightmare (Kawataredoki no Uta) was announced on February 20, 2021, and released on May 20, 2021, in Japan and worldwide on July 9, 2021. The game was developed by D-techno and franchise creator Bun'O Fujisawa created an original story.[10] The game ended its service on January 31, 2022.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Kemuri Karakara's Mars Red Manga Launches on January 4". Anime News Network. December 5, 2019. Archived June 2, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  2. ^ "Seven Seas Sinks its Teeth into License of MARS RED Manga Series". December 4, 2020. Archived December 4, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  3. ^ Mateo, Alex (February 5, 2021). "Mars Red TV Anime's 2nd Promo Video Reveals April 5 Debut". Anime News Network. Archived June 2, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  4. ^ "MARS RED Vampire Stage Productions Get TV Anime in 2021". Anime News Network. February 6, 2020. Archived June 2, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  5. ^ "Mars Red TV Anime Reveals 2 More Cast Members, April 2021 Debut". Anime News Network. November 1, 2020. Archived May 12, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  6. ^ "Wagakki Band Performs Mars Red Anime's Opening Song". Anime News Network. January 4, 2021. Archived May 10, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  7. ^ "Mars Red Anime's Video Previews Ending Song by HYDE". Anime News Network. March 3, 2021. Archived April 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  8. ^ Friedman, Nicholas (March 24, 2021). "MARS RED Episode 1 Premieres One Week Before Japan on Funimation". Funimation. Archived March 26, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  9. ^ "UPDATE: Funimation Titles Now Available on Crunchyroll (3/16)". Crunchyroll. March 1, 2022. Archived March 22, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  10. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (February 20, 2021). "Mars Red: Kawataredoki no Uta Smartphone Game Announced". Anime News Network. Archived February 20, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  11. ^ "*Service Ended "MARS RED: Edge of the Nightmare" has ended its service on 01/31/2022 (Mon) at 10:00 a.m. (Japan time). We have received so much support from our players. Thank you so much! #MARSRED". Twitter. Archived 2023-09-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-06-07.