Blood: The Last Vampire is the new action thriller based on Japan’s manga series of the same name, which centers on Saya – a stunning 16-year old girl, with a youthful exterior, which hides the tormented soul of a 400-year-old vampire.

Saya was born to a human father and a vampire mother, and has vowed to rid the world of vampires, even though she is one of them. She is sent to an American military base in Tokyo by the government agency she works for to use her samurai skills and superhuman strength to destroy the Onigen, the evil patriarch of all vampires. 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 her greatest power over Onigen may well be her ability to make a human connection.

Producers Bill Kong (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero) and Abel Nahmias (11 Commandments, La Beuze) teamed up with director Chris Nahon (Kiss of the Dragon) to bring this original anime film to live action.

The original anime film was released in 2000 and was just 48 minutes long directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo (Akira). The film went on to earn many awards including: Best Theatrical Feature Film at The World Animation Celebration 2001, Individual Award for director Hiroyuki Kitakubo at The Sixth Animation Kobe 2001 and Public's Prize Best Asia Feature Film at The Montreal Fantasia Film Festival 2000.

Also, within the series there have been several novels and spin-offs. In 2005, Blood the Last Vampire: Night of the Beasts novel by Mamoru Oshii (Ghosts in the Shell 2: Innocence, Sky Crawlers) was released along with a manga sequel, Blood: The Last Vampire 2000 and 2002 written by Benkyo Tamaoki and Viz Media. In addition, there is also a video game to accompany the successful franchise.

The American live-action movie hits theaters this Friday.

—Jessica Delli Santi