Black Bullet

A near future, where humans have been defeated by the viral parasites named Gastrea. They have been exiled into a small territory and live in despair, side-by-side in terror. In this world trapped in darkness— Rentaro, a boy living near Tokyo and member of the "Civil Security"—an organization specializing in fighting against the Gastrea—is used to accomplishing dangerous tasks. His partner is Enju, a precocious young girl. They fight thanks to their peculiar powers until one day, when they receive a special assignment from the government. This top secret mission is to prevent the destruction of Tokyo... Set in a near future, this thrilling heroic-action story... starts now!

Black Bullet (2014) is a Japanese anime action series created as a single season of thirteen episodes and aired on AT-X, produced by Kinema Citrus and Orange. Set in a near future where humanity has been defeated by viral Gastrea parasites and confined to a small territory near Tokyo, the story follows Rentaro Satomi (Yuki Kaji), a boy who serves as a member of the Civil Security organization that hunts the monsters. He works alongside Enju Aihara (Rina Hidaka), a precocious young girl whose peculiar powers make them an effective pair on dangerous assignments. Their routine missions shift when they receive a special government order to prevent the destruction of Tokyo. Each episode is built around combat sorties and pursuit of Gastrea threats, with an emphasis on the emotional toll of living in a world trapped in darkness. The tone is grim and despairing, with heroic action sitting against a backdrop of terror and discrimination. Viewers who enjoy Attack on Titan and Knights of Sidonia will find a similar sense of walled-off human survival and young fighters facing monstrous enemies. The series is a compact, fast-moving action anime with a sad, heavy atmosphere that rewards patient viewers.

Viewers find the animation strong and the premise intriguing, but feel the single season is cramped and rushed, with a bleak foundation that is hard to enjoy.

• Full Metal Panic!shared shonen-style action, young fighters with special powers, monster-fighting stakes
• Attack on Titanshared post-apocalyptic dread, monstrous threat with an orphaned young hero, grim anime action
• Knights of Sidoniashared dystopian walled-off human survival, young soldiers battling creatures, grim tone

Release Date

2014-04-08

Episode runtime

24 min

Rating

6.8 / 10 (239)

What is Black Bullet about?

In a near future where humanity has been pushed into a small exiled territory by viral Gastrea parasites, a young Civil Security operative and his partner take on a top secret mission to save Tokyo.

What is Black Bullet like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Black Bullet as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Black Bullet violent?

Yes. Ember rates the violence in Black Bullet as graphic.

What did critics think of Black Bullet?

Viewers find the animation strong and the premise intriguing, but feel the single season is cramped and rushed, with a bleak foundation that is hard to enjoy.

Which shows are like Black Bullet?

Shows with a similar feel include Full Metal Panic!, Attack on Titan, and Knights of Sidonia.

How long is Black Bullet?

Black Bullet: 1 season, 13 episodes.

Is Black Bullet still running?

No, Black Bullet has ended.