Ep 1. The Last Hope

In the year 2021, humanity is massively threatened by a fatal virus called Gastrea which has wiped out the majority of the population. The virus is transmittable through blood and has apparent response to vaccinations and medical treatments. Gastrea virus turns humans into abnormal beings, thus making them a host for the virus and as well as a danger to the populace. Consequently, common people have no option than to reside within Monoliths; the tower-like structures that have been constructed to protect people from Gastrea virus.

An army of highly skilled warriors, known as Cursed Children, have also been formed to fight against these Gastrea monsters. Cursed Children are young girls who have the virus within them, giving them superhuman abilities to fight against the infected creatures. With the help of Promoter, a skilled fighter, they are trained to protect mankind from the Gastrea threat.

The series begins with Rentaro Satomi, a high school student, who is also a Promoter. Rentaro has a mysterious past and lost his parents to the Gastrea virus. His Partner is a young girl named Enju Aihara, one of the Cursed Children. Rentaro is still in school, and despite his circumstances, he tries to live a normal life and keep his duties as a Promoter a secret from his classmates.

In The Last Hope, Rentaro and Enju are requested to protect a certain Monolith, which is in danger of being attacked by the Gastrea virus. The Monolith is housing some important people due to an impending contact signing that would make it possible for human beings to take back control of Tokyo.

During their mission, the pair find themselves in a mortal battle with a completely new type of monster. This new form of Gastrea is very cunning, and Rentaro and Enju find themselves struggling to keep up with it. Rentaro quickly proves his warrior capabilities and manages to temporarily bring down the creature. They discover to their amazement that they now have a new, powerful ally: a young girl who has also transformed into one of these monsters.

Rentaro’s partner, Enju, is a very intriguing character. Despite her young age, she is always cheerful and lively. She is also very strong, agile, and quick, she loves her Partner Rentaro and trusts him totally. Rentaro is often seen being strict on her to make sure she stays on the right track and remains a moral person.

The episode spends a good amount of time establishing the characters and the storyline without being too dragged out or too vague. The animation is well done, showcasing some impressive action scenes, particularly when Rentaro and Enju are in action mode. Though the episode has a lot of content, the plot is easy to follow and doesn't confuse the viewer.

Overall, The Last Hope sets up the world beautifully and presents the viewers with an intriguing story. With its fascinating premise, an excellent mix of action and drama, Black Bullet looks promising and is definitely worth exploring.