Ask John: How Much Bible Black is There?

Question:
How many episodes of Bible Black, in total, are there? I watched the ending of episode 4 thinking that it would end, but it said To Be Continued? Are there some episodes I’m missing, or have they not been released yet?

Answer:
In large part due to the fact that it’s one of the best quality adult anime series released in Japan, well, ever, Bible Black seems destined to be, like Urotsukidoji and La Blue Girl, a series that never really ends.

The hentai PC game “Bible Black – La Noche de Walpurgis” was released by Active Soft on July 14, 2000. The popularity of the PC game led to the December 2000 publication of a novel adaptation written by Tasuku Saika, and a four episode anime OAV series. The first anime episode, Bible Black OAV 1: Kuromajutsu no Gakuen (School of Black Magic), was released on July 21, 2001 and followed by Bible Black OAV 2: Kuro no Kishiki (Black Ceremony), released on September 21, 2001, Bible Black OAV 3: Kuro no Ikenie (Black Student), released on November 21, 2001, and Bible Black OAV 4: Kuro no Aibu (Black Caress), released on February 25, 2002.

The Bible Black animation then went back in time with the two episode Bible Black Gaiden (Side Story) prequel series. Bible Black Gaiden 1: Kuro no Kokuin (Black Seal) was released on May 25, 2002, and episode 2, Kuro no Saidan (Black Altar), was released on August 25, 2002.

The original Bible Black OAV series then concluded with Bible Black OAV 5: Kuro no Bansan (Black Dinner), released on December 25, 2002, and Bible Black OAV 6: Kuro no Kourin (Black Advent), released on June 25, 2003. The original Bible Black saga was then condensed into a two hour long “Bible Black Complete” movie released on September 25, 2003. The compiled movie is noteworthy for including two short sex sequences created specifically for the release.

Meanwhile, to capitalize on the new popularity of “DVD Players Games” in Japan, Active Soft, re-released Bible Black OAV 1 as a PC and Playstation 2 compatible interactive DVD game December 21, 2001. The interactive DVD game version of OAV 2 was released on May 24, 2002 in a limited edition version and regular edition. A boxed set of the first two Bible Black DVD games followed on April 11, 2003. And an interactive game version of Bible Black 3 was released on October 10, 2003 in a limited edition that included a mini figure of Saeki Kaori, and a regular edition.

Having already had a prequel, Bible Black got a sequel with the first episode of Shin Bible Black ~La Lanza de Longinus~ OAV 1: Revival, released on April 25, 2004. Following that came Shin Bible Black ~La Lanza de Longinus~ OAV 2: Reunion, released on October 25, 2004, Shin Bible Black ~La Lanza de Longinus~ OAV 3: Rule, released on March 25, 2005, Shin Bible Black ~La Lanza de Longinus~ OAV 4: Recollection, released on October 25, 2005, Shin Bible Black ~La Lanza de Longinus~ OAV 5: Rejection, released on December 25, 2006, and the Shin Bible Black ~La Lanza de Longinus~ Final “Demise of Darkness” Reproduction ~Rebirth~ OVA released on December 25, 2007.

The self-contained side-story anime episode “Bible Black Only ban volume 1 ~Takashiro Hiroko hen – Itou & Suieibu hen – Saeki hen~” was released on July 25, 2005, in between the Japanese releases of Shin (“New”) Bible Black episodes 3 & 4. Bible Black Only ban 2 ~Saeki Hen – Yukiko Hen – Takashiro Hen~ followed on April 25, 2006.

The entire 6 episode original Bible Black series plus the two Bible Black Gaiden episodes were re-released on Japanese DVD in a limited edition Bible Black Complete Box on January 25, 2006. The complete box also included an exclusive new short titled “Bible Black Only: Imari Ryoujoku Genba.” The sequel series was also re-released on June 25, 2008 in a condensed “movie” edition titled “Shin Bible Black: La lanza de Longinus Kanzenban Restored ~Rinne~.”

Article revised on November 11, 2005
Article revised again on February 26, 2009
Article revised again on June 15, 2010