Witchblade (ウィッチブレイド) is a Japanese anime television series loosely based on the American comic book of the same name. It was directed by Yoshimitsu Ōhashi, with Yasuko Kobayashi handling series scripts, Makoto Uno designing the characters and Masa Takumi composing the music. The series was broadcast for 24 episodes on CBC and TBS from April to September 2006. A packaged version of the series in eight DVD volumes was released, followed by a DVD box version released in 2008. The series sets up an entirely new storyline with all new characters, but in the same continuity as the original comic books.

Story

The series follows Masane Amaha, a kindhearted, well-intentioned woman who is clumsy and awkward around the house. Having lost her memory during the Great Quake which ravaged Tokyo, Masane was found uninjured at the quake's ground zero with a baby in her arms. Six years later she returns to Tokyo with the child, whom she believes is her daughter, intending to live a peaceful life. Masane becomes entangled in a power struggle between a large corporation and a government agency, and discovers that a mysterious bracelet on her right wrist is the legendary Witchblade.

Characters

Main characters

Antagonists

Minor characters

Release

Produced by Gonzo and directed by Yoshimitsu Ohashi, Witchblade was broadcast from April 6 to September 21, 2006, on CBC and TBS. From episodes 1–13 and 24, the first opening theme song is "XTC" by Psychic Lover. From episodes 14–23 the second opening theme is "Dear Bob", by Koologi. From episodes 1–12, the first ending theme is "Ashita no Te" (あしたの手) by Mamiko Noto. From episodes 13–23, the second ending theme is "Kutsuhimo" (靴ひも) by Asami Yamamoto. For episode 24, the ending theme is "Kodō -Get Closer-" (鼓動 -get closer-) by Psychic Lover. In North America, the series was licensed by Funimation (later Crunchyroll, LLC). They release the series on six DVD sets from September 25, 2007, to April 29, 2008. A Blu-ray box set was released on November 3, 2009. In the United Kingdom, the series was licensed by MVM Films, with six DVD sets released from February 4 to December 15, 2008. A Collector's Blu-ray edition was released on March 13, 2023. In the United States, the series was broadcast on the cable network IFC from January 4 to June 13, 2008. In South Africa, the series was broadcast on Animax. Crunchyroll added the series to their catalog in February 2018, streaming it in its original Japanese language with English subtitles. Following the announcement that Funimation would be unified under the Crunchyroll brand, the English dubbed episodes were added to the platform in February 2023.

Episodes