Arguably one of the most intriguing things about vampires is how they interact with humans, as a majority of these supernatural-orientated series are focused on vampire-human relations. The latest popular trope is to transform the vampire into a protagonist and human sympathizer, one who has suffered a great heartbreak and is cursed to spend eternity alone and in pain.
Romanticizing vampires is exactly what got Momo into trouble in Vampire in the Garden, as the society she lives in has strict policies against everything supernatural, including all creative arts. Vampires are the only ones allowed to make music, and the rebellious girl is fascinated by the culture she is prohibited from embracing. Finally, Momo breaks free from her authoritarian community and befriends the noble vampire Queen, Fiine. Together, they search for an Eden where humans and vampires can co-exist, in a world that is not defined by segregation.
10 Miyu And Chisato: Vampire Princess Miyu
Much like Fiine, Vampire Princess Miyu is also drawn to humans, seeking companionship rather than blood. The Princess is not afflicted by bloodlust or other typical vampiric weaknesses, however, she still chooses to feed on people. In an act of mercy, Miya only ever draws blood from those crippled by grief, offering them salvation as her 'victims' voluntarily enter a coma-type state of eternal bliss.
Having lost both her parents, Miya inherited the title of Guardian and is now responsible for tracking down the formidable Shimna and exterminating their evil from the world. Due to her ageless visage, Miya goes undercover at Tokiwa School For Girls to keep a watchful eye on her best (human) friend, Chisato Inoue.
9 Koyomi And Shinobu: Bakemonogatari
In Bakemonogatari, Koyomi Araragi has been bitten by a vampire, but fortunately, a vagrant named Meme Oshino reversed the transformation, allowing Koyomi to continue living a (relatively) normal life. Still afflicted by certain vampiric side effects, he finds himself becoming a flame to which all other supernatural entities are drawn, and his average high-school life turns down a chaotic path.
Interestingly enough, Koyomi does not immediately disengage from his assailant, the vampire Shinobu Oshino, but instead forms a strong bond with her. Koyomi finds himself transitioning from being a loner to becoming quite popular, surrounded by friends who need his unique supernatural assistance.
8 Karin And Kenta: Chibi Vampire (aka Karin)
Karin Maaka comes from a long line of vampires who have managed to live among humans by displaying the utmost discretion, which would be easier to implement if Karin wasn't a "reverse vampire." For unknown reasons, Karin has warped anatomy, whereby blood is expelled from her body instead of consumed. In other words, she gives her victims her blood when attempting to consume theirs.
When Karin's emotions are heightened, her abilities are involuntarily initiated, which can cause her to start randomly bleeding. This makes it impossible for Karin to hide her feelings for Kenta Usui, a human boy with whom she is rather smitten, and a complicated vampire-human relationship is unavoidable.
7 Mahiru And Kuro: SERVAMP
Forget about bats, SERVAMP presents fans with vampire cats! Kuro is a vampire who lacks the basic motivation to do, well, anything really, but luckily for him, Mahiru Shirota finds a 'stray cat' one day and ends up taking Kuro home. Mahiru's kind act backfires as his uncomplicated life quickly becomes overwhelmingly dramatic after unknowingly entering into a binding contract with his vampiric pet-turned-master.
This supernatural anime may not be as serious as Vampire in the Garden, however, it is a refreshingly comical take on human and vampire relations. Mahiru and Kuro couldn't be more incompatible, but now they are forced to make things work if they wish to survive.
6 Terrans And Methuselah: Trinity Blood
Trinity Blood's society is set up similarly to Vampire in the Garden, whereby the war between humans and vampires has become so fierce that segregation is now necessary. The New Human Empire and the Vatican Papal State are filled with humans (Terrans) and vampires (Methuselah) alike and are manipulated into constant conflict by the chaos-creators of the Rosenkreuz Orden.
Father Abel Nightroad and Sister Esther Blanchett sacrifice everything as they work with the independent AX unit. Together they attempt to end the violence and one day inspire peace between Terrans and Methuselah in their post-apocalyptic world, creating an Eden of their own.
5 Mina, Yuki And Akira: Dance In The Vampire Bund
Tired of hiding in the shadows, Princess Mina Țepeș unveils the existence of vampires to the world, and like Fiine from Vampire in the Garden, she wants to create an asylum of her own. Mina proposes that, in return for settling all of the government's debts, she would be allowed to create Vampire Bund on an isolated island. However, not everyone is on board with the idea, and strife begins to build between the two species.
Although not focused on ensuring that humans and vampires can co-exist alongside each other, Mina's priority is still essentially peace and she holds no ill intent towards the humans. Mina, her human bestie, Yuki Saegusa, and her werewolf guardian, Akira Kaburagi, stand together to fight for their supernatural sanctuary.
4 Staz And Fuyumi: Blood Lad
This supernatural love story is anything but average, as several species barriers are crossed within a single relationship. Staz Charlie Blood is one of the Demonic Overlords with a strange obsession with all things otaku. Lacking overall direction in......life, Staz longs to immerse himself in the human world and is thrilled when the magnificent (and mortal) Fuyumi Yanagi wanders into his realm.
Unaware of how dangerous her situation is, Fuyumi gets herself killed, and is now trapped in the spirit world as a mere phantom. Having lost his opportunity to formally meet the girl, Staz declares to make it his mission to restore Fuyumi to her former human self and, along with Hydra Bell, they search for a supernatural solution.
3 Yuki, Zero And Kaname: Vampire Knight
In Vampire Knight, humans and vampires attend the same school, the Cross Academy. To ensure peaceful cohabitation and accommodate certain paranormal needs, the students are divided into the Day Class and the Night Class.
The Disciplinary Committee is formed with pupils from both species to ensure that no conflict arises, and to allow a select few in on the supernatural secret. Yuki Cross becomes a Guardian, and naturally, the human girl falls for her dashing vampiric schoolmate, Kaname Kuran. Her childhood friend, Zero Kiryu grows jealous, and the three become entangled in a dangerous game of the heart.
2 Saya And Haji: Blood +
Saya Otonashi has a gap in her memory and the pale complexion of an anemic patient, but otherwise, her life as a high schooler is relatively normal. However, when Saya is suddenly attacked by a strange creature, it becomes apparent that she is no ordinary girl, and with the help of a mysterious savior named Haji, the pair defeat the supernatural monster.
What has been seen cannot be unseen, and Saya must now unravel the mysteries of her past and overcome the confusing sensation of bloodlust in the process (but isn't she human?) Thankfully, Haji joins in on the quest to uncover the truth behind Saya's fantastical origin story, one memory at a time.
1 Trevor, Sypha And Alucard: Castlevania
The world of Castlevania consists of many different supernatural beings, however, vampires remain at the top of the food chain, and virtue is not as easily identified as initially presumed. Fans find themselves empathizing with vampires and hating humans, as their conflict appears to become more and more necessary. An experienced hunter, Trevor Belmont, the naive sorceress, Sypha Belnades, and a heartbroken vampire Prince, Alucard Tepes, form an unlikely team as they seek to end all the destruction.
A strong emphasis is put on relationships in Castlevania, as even those who claim to hate humanity can't help but form close bonds with the 'inferior' species. At the end of the day, if humans had simply treated vampires with the basic respect that all living creatures deserve, none of the death and chaos would have unfolded. It was humanity, after all, that cast the first stone of intolerance.