No matter how many vampire love stories are out there, something about the trope makes them addictive for fans of paranormal romance. Series like Vampire Knight, Strike the Blood, and Diabolic Lovers have set the tone for a romantic love story that usually revolves around a human girl and a male vampire. Often, these stories are presented as ultimate fantasies, where the vampire falls head over heels in love with the human and does everything in their power to protect their partner.
It's not often explained how unrealistic it is if the situation was indeed real. Vampires are mostly portrayed as the "dark prince" who despise being a monster, but possesses a heart of gold. Anime series like Devils' Line depict the harsh reality of this kind of romance, and it's undoubtedly one of the most underrated vampire anime.
Devils' Line Depicts Realistic Supernatural Relationship Struggles
Devils' Line takes place in a world where vampires aren't roaming freely but aren't exactly left to themselves either. While many vampire love stories would show them as elusive pretty boys or nobility, they aren't held in such high esteem in this series. Humans fall in love with vampires and live together, but they must be extremely careful all their lives because once they've smelled blood, they transform, and almost never stop.
Devils' Line is realistic about vampires not always being the shadowy knight in shining armor. The protagonist has real struggles to deal with when he has to be close to someone he has feelings for. Anzai falls for Tsukasa, but even he can't control his thirst around her, and Tsukasa can't afford to cut her wrist and simply offer it to Anzai cause she won't survive the onslaught.
Devils' Line Has Blatant Blood Thirst
The way in which a vampire's blood thirst is depicted in Devils' Line is quite accurate. Most series are hypocritical in this regard because, at one point or another they're shown as bloodthirsty monsters, and eventually develop an unrealistic willpower around the one they love.
Devils' Line is the opposite, showing that the vampires struggle the most in the presence of the person they love because their lust and thirst are connected. Their lust can also awaken their thirst, and that's why vampire/human relationships are strictly monitored in Anzai's world. The show truly explains the hardships of a vampire who simply can't start a love story just because they can love. Blood will always be a factor, in fact, the most crucial.
A Romance That Refuses To Romantisize Vampires
Devils' Line isn't about the heroine willingly offering blood to the hero to heal himself or quench his thirst. There's no stopping the frenzy unless the vampire is hit with a tranquilizer and sedated. So, there's no space for over-fantasizing about the vampire/human love story in this show compared to the rest of them.
What's best about Devils' Line is that it paints an honest picture of what it would be like to love a monster who will always be after one's blood. It's always going to end in tragedy unless there's a cure or both of them become vampires. All in all, Devils' Line is definitely one of the better vampire anime out there, which deserves a chance despite its dark theme.
