Fans of the vampire genre are having a great decade. FromNosferatutoRenfield, the 2020s have been full of goodies. And, there is an even better one.Sinners— directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan — has taken the world by storm. Released in mid-April, the movie is off to a strong start at the box office and is predicted to be a huge money-maker for Warner Bros. The period horror film has also gotten a thumb of approval from most critics, and currently ranks among movies with the highest ever scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
Vampire in the Garden
The film’s plot revolves aroundtwin brothers and World War I veterans Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan), who return to the Mississippi Delta after years spent working for Al Capone’s infamous Chicago Outfit. Using stolen money, they start a juke joint. Their cousin Sammie “Preacher Boy” Moore (Miles Cartoon), a gifted blues musician, joins them despite his priest dad’s objections. But Sammie’s marvelous performance attracts an Irish vampire and his minions, resulting in a violent siege. Well, if you loved the movie and you also love anime, Netflix has the perfect show for you.
Like ‘Sinners,’ Music Is a Major Plot Point in ‘Vampire in the Garden’
Events inVampire in the Gardentake place ina dystopian futurewherehumans and vampires are embroiled in an endless war. The remaining humans live in a city surrounded by a wall of light to keep out the blood-sucking creatures.Due to the vampires' sensitive hearing, all forms of music and singing are banned.
First, we meet Momo (voiced by Megumi Han),a young human soldier disillusioned by the animosity between the two species and hoping for better days. Of particular interest is the character Fine (voiced by Yū Kobayashi). She is the Queen of Vampires, but she has vaguely pacifist leanings. Even though the worldview of her counterparts has been unalterably twisted by anti-human ideology,Fine wishes for a peaceful coexistence and a new society where everyone listens to music. When she meets Momo, a friendship blossoms.
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Soon, Momo and Fine join forces andset off on a dangerous journey to locate the mythical “Eden,” a place where humans and vampires live harmoniously and enjoy music together. Predictably, their alliance makes some parties uncomfortable, so new enemies emerge. Still, Momo and Fine soldier on, and the more they search, the more their bond deepens. But is Eden a perfect paradise as advertised? Plenty of surprises await.
Vampire in the Gardenwascollaboratively made by Netflix and Wit Studios— the company known for makingAttack on Titan, Ranking of Kings, Great Pretender, My Deer Friend Nokotan,andThe Ancient Magus' Bride.It’s widely considered one of the best additions to Netflix’s impressive anime catalog that includesAggretsuko, Beastars, Kotaro Lives Alone,andCyberpunk: Edgerunners.
‘Sinners’ and ‘Vampire in the Garden’ Have the Same “Blood Type”
From afar,SinnersandVampire in the Gardenlook like wildly different vampire stories. However, they have plenty in common, making it easy for fans of either to enjoy the other.
For starters,a major character sacrifices themselves for the greater good in each case. Second,vampires are emblems of oppression. In the Ryan Coogler movie, vampires represent cultural appropriation and race-related exploitation. We learn that the key vampire Remmick (Jack O’Connell) intends to use black musical talent for selfish reasons. In the anime, the vampires want to drink as much human blood as possible to ensure their survival. And there’s an even bigger twist later on regarding the kind of exploitation happening at Eden.
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The approach to music is also similar. The protagonists of both productions only want to enjoy the healing power of music, but their desires lead to complications. For the twins and Sammie, their actions attract violent vampires who are unwilling to reason with anyone. For Momo and Fine, the journey to find a place where music is appreciated results in extreme violence, too, and a heated fight for survival. On top of that, the pre-music stories start similarly. The twins leave Chicago, hoping to find a paradise in the Mississippi Delta. Momo and Fine leave their respective homes, hoping to find Eden.
Beyond that, there areromance/friendship arcs that cut through socially rigid barriers. Stack dates Mary, who passes as white, hence is expected by her oppressive society not to date a black man. Despite that, the lovers risk everything to ensure they stay together. This is similar to Momo and Fine’s bond. Logically, the two ought to be fighting like the rest of the humans and vampires, but they team up instead and achieve great things together.
Like Many Other ONA Productions, ‘Vampire in the Garden’ Is Thematically and Visually Rich
Four years after it was released,Vampire in the Gardenremains one of the best ONA (Original Net Anime) available. The Japanese production might have points of reference, but it quickly establishes its identity.High-tech bricolage artistry and mind-contorting absurdity grant it an allure and poetry that is genuinely unique.
Thanks to a bigger streaming budget, the show feels visually superior. Your eyes will hardly stay off the character as they commune with their surroundings and whirl amidst the bucolic beauty of the Japanese countryside. Viewers will especially appreciate the atmospheric backgrounds and unique character designs, coupled with the gothic environmental layout and architecture. Then there is the usual painterly canvas-like background, blended with fluid animation. There is also asymbolic use of color to accentuate the difference between the war-torn areas and the tranquility of Eden. For the controlled zone, the palette is muted gray, and for Eden, there is a color-splashed, dream-like hue.
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The aesthetics are certainly a strong selling point, butthe mind-blowing ingenuity of its plotis what makesVampire in the Gardensuch a transcendent piece of entertainment. It feels like the distillation of everygreat vampire movie ever made, with several gallons of shut-out-from-the-world sci-fi drama poured into the mix.
The story was conceived as an exclusive anime project, not adapted from a manga or book; hence, the creators had all the freedom to create a unique universe and narrative. Without the need to honor any lore, the show feels quick-paced and precise. All the hair-raising journey sequences are handled with terrifying immediacy, maintaining an air of danger behind all the ceaseless movement and exploration.
At only five episodes, there is little time to waste, so no filler moments exist, not even of the tiniest degree. Because the show is short, watching it in its totality in one sitting doesn’t feel like a gluttonous mental binge that threatens to explode your cranium. So ignore your habit of consuming in moderation.
Regarding the themes,Vampire in the Gardengoes far and wide in its exploration. Why fight when we can love each other? By having Momo and Fine pair up,the anime condemns all forms of division and prejudice. The friendship between the two could also be interpreted as a projection of ananti-war message. Viewers are reminded that no matter what society engraves into our minds, anyone can always get along.
Sinnersfanswill love the anime for its rich production elements and for telling an intellectually charged tale. Additionally, they’ll love the voice acting and the fact that it’s a quick binge.
Most importantly, they’ll enjoy the music and the fact that the production, in general, brings an earnest, almost verité vibe to the odyssey of two daring characters. The conflict that engulfs them once they reach their destination is worth being patient for. Surprisingly, the anime doesn’t come with a health warning because it is possible to cheer yourself into a painful throat as you follow the gripping exploits of the main characters as they bounce from one insane scenario to another.
