MARS RED (2021)
A haunting 2021 Japanese anime set in Taisho-era Japan, where a government vampire-hunting unit confronts the supernatural with elegance and dread.
MARS RED - Series Information
- Original Title: マーズレッド
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 24 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: April 6, 2021 (United States - TV-14), April 6, 2021 (Canada - 14+), April 6, 2021 (Australia - M), April 6, 2021 (Brazil - 16), April 6, 2021 (Mexico - B-15)
- Networks: YTV
- Alternative Titles: マーズレッド (JP)
- Production Companies: Signal.MD, YTE, Funimation Global Group, VAP, Pony Canyon Enterprise, D-techno, ADEX
- Production Countries: Japan
MARS RED - Plot
It's 1923, and the mysterious blood source Ascra has unleashed a horde of vampires across Japan. In response, the government spawns Code Zero. With S-rank vampire Defrott and the rookie Kurusu, this kill squad is made for one reason: to hunt the undead!
MARS RED - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of Code Zero come to life:
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MARS RED - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Tasuku Hatanaka
- Junichi Suwabe
- Koichi Yamadera
- Akira Ishida
- Hiroshi Yanaka
- Kenichi Suzumura
- Makoto Furukawa
- Fumiko Orikasa
- Sachi Kokuryu
- Ayahi Takagaki
Writers
- Junichi Fujisaku
Executive Producers
- Takatoshi Chino
- Masaru Horikoshi
- Adam Zehner
- Kenji Ebato
MARS RED - FAQs
Is MARS RED based on a manga or original story?
MARS RED is adapted from a manga of the same name, which itself was based on a stage play script by Bun-O Fujisawa. The story blends Taisho-era historical atmosphere with supernatural horror, giving it a theatrical, melancholic tone that sets it apart from typical vampire anime.
What makes MARS RED different from other vampire anime?
Rather than leaning into action spectacle, MARS RED takes a slower, more poetic approach. Set in 1920s Japan, it explores themes of humanity, loss, and identity through its vampire characters. The Taisho-era aesthetic and theatrical origins give the series an elegiac, literary quality rarely seen in the genre.
Where can you stream MARS RED?
MARS RED is available to stream on Crunchyroll and through the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own the series, episodes can be purchased on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. Availability may vary depending on your region.
Who are the main voice actors in MARS RED?
The series features a strong Japanese voice cast led by Tasuku Hatanaka as rookie vampire hunter Shutaro Kurusu and Junichi Suwabe as the veteran Yoshinobu Maeda. Other notable performances come from Koichi Yamadera, Akira Ishida, and Fumiko Orikasa, all seasoned veterans of the anime industry.
Is MARS RED worth watching for anime fans?
Fans of atmospheric, character-driven anime will find a lot to appreciate here. MARS RED prioritizes mood and emotional depth over flashy action, drawing on its stage play roots to deliver something genuinely distinctive. Those who enjoyed Shiki or The Case Study of Vanitas are likely to connect with its tone.
What is the setting and time period of MARS RED?
MARS RED takes place in Japan in 1923, during the Taisho period — a culturally rich era marked by modernization, Western influence, and social change. The historical backdrop adds texture to the supernatural premise, grounding the vampire conflict in a specific and evocative moment in Japanese history.
How many episodes does MARS RED have?
MARS RED ran for 13 episodes across its single season, which aired in 2021. There are also 5 additional special episodes collected under Season 0. The compact episode count keeps the narrative focused and allows the story to build toward a deliberate, emotionally resonant conclusion.
What anime are similar to MARS RED?
If MARS RED resonated with you, consider exploring The Case Study of Vanitas for its gothic vampire atmosphere, or Shiki for a darker, more horror-focused take. Seraph of the End and Undead Murder Farce also offer compelling supernatural narratives with strong character dynamics worth diving into.
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