Witchblade (2006)
A Japanese anime reimagining of the legendary Witchblade mythos, blending supernatural action with a deeply emotional mother-daughter story set in post-apocalyptic Japan.
Witchblade - Series Information
- Original Title: ウィッチブレイド
- First Air Year: 2006
- Last Air Year: 2006
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Drama, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action, Adventure
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 5, 2006 (United States - TV-MA), April 5, 2006 (Canada - 18+), April 5, 2006 (Germany - 16), April 5, 2006 (Mexico - B-15)
- Networks: ANIMAX, TBS
- Alternative Titles: 위치 블레이드 (KR), Witchblade (DE), WitchBlade (US), WitchBlade (MX), WitchBlade (ES), WitchBlade (JP)
- Production Companies: GONZO
- Production Countries: Japan
Witchblade - Plot
Masane Amaha and her daughter Rihoko are on the run from a government child welfare agency that wants to take Rihoko away from her mother. They are caught and Rihoko is taken away. Meanwhile, Masane is attacked by an advanced weapon that can disguise itself as a human being. When faced with the danger, a strange light emits from her wrist and she transforms into a powerful being. She becomes involved in a power struggle between powerful organizations, with her at the center of their attention because she holds the greatest power of them all, the legendary Witchblade.
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Witchblade - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Mamiko Noto
- Akemi Kanda
- Masaya Matsukaze
- Mie Sonozaki
- Shizuka Itoh
- Nana Mizuki
- Rikiya Koyama
- Shinji Ogawa
- Akeno Watanabe
- Kenichi Suzumura
Writers
- Yasuko Kobayashi
- Toshiki Inoue
- Kiyoko Yoshimura
Executive Producers
- Koji Kajita
- Marc Silvestri
Witchblade - FAQs
Is Witchblade based on a comic book or manga?
The anime draws from the American comic book Witchblade, created by Marc Silvestri and published by Top Cow Productions. Rather than a direct adaptation, the 2006 anime reimagines the concept with an entirely original story set in a post-apocalyptic Japan, featuring new characters and a fresh narrative built around the mother-daughter relationship at its core.
What is the Witchblade anime about?
Set in a near-future Japan, the series follows Masane Amaha, a young mother on the run from authorities who want to separate her from her daughter Rihoko. When she bonds with the ancient mystical weapon known as the Witchblade, she's thrust into a dangerous conflict between powerful corporations and shadowy organizations all vying to control her extraordinary power.
Where can you stream Witchblade online?
Witchblade is available to stream on Crunchyroll and the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own it, episodes can be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Crunchyroll remains the most accessible option for anime fans looking to watch the full series.
What makes the Witchblade anime different from the comics?
Studio GONZO took significant creative liberties, replacing the original American protagonist Sara Pezzini with Masane Amaha, a Japanese mother whose bond with her daughter drives the entire story. The setting shifts to a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, and the tone leans into emotional family drama alongside the action, giving the anime a distinct identity separate from its source material.
Who voices the main character Masane Amaha?
Masane Amaha is voiced by Mamiko Noto, one of Japan's most celebrated voice actresses known for her warm, expressive performances. Her daughter Rihoko is voiced by Akemi Kanda. The full cast features prominent names in anime voice acting, including Nana Mizuki, Rikiya Koyama, and Mie Sonozaki.
How was Witchblade received by critics and audiences?
The series earned a generally positive reception among anime fans, praised for its emotional depth and the surprisingly moving mother-daughter relationship at its heart. While some viewers noted the fan-service elements as distracting, many appreciated GONZO's willingness to ground the supernatural action in genuine character drama. It remains a fondly remembered title from the mid-2000s anime era.
How many episodes does Witchblade have?
Witchblade ran for a single season of 24 episodes, which aired in 2006 on TBS and ANIMAX in Japan. Each episode runs approximately 24 minutes, making the complete series a manageable watch at around nine to ten hours total. The story is self-contained, with a definitive ending that wraps up the central narrative.
What anime series are similar to Witchblade?
Fans of Witchblade often enjoy Made in Abyss for its emotional intensity and dark world-building, or No Guns Life for its gritty cyberpunk atmosphere and morally complex protagonist. Land of the Lustrous offers a similarly striking visual style with deep thematic resonance, while Tengoku Daimakyo blends post-apocalyptic tension with compelling character relationships.
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