How to Watch Black Rock Shooter: A Casual Fan’s Guide

So you’ve heard about Black Rock Shooter and want to dive in? Great choice! This franchise started from a single piece of artwork by an artist named huke and somehow snowballed into multiple anime series, games, manga, and even sparked that iconic Hatsune Miku song that got everyone into this whole thing in the first place.

So, with all the different Black★Rock Shooter anime out there, how should you watch them? Don’t worry—we’ve got the guide right here.

All BRS anime in order

Black★Rock Shooter (OVA) – 2010

This is where it all started animation-wise. It’s a 50-minute OVA that focuses on two worlds: the normal human world with a girl named Mato and her friendship drama, and this other mysterious world where Black Rock Shooter fights intense battles.

The OVA nails that dreamy, atmospheric mood that drew people to the original artwork in the first place.

Black★Rock Shooter (TV Series) – 2012

This 8-episode series expands on similar themes but tells its own story. Mato Kuroi starts junior high and becomes friends with Yomi Takanashi, but as they grow apart in their second year, things get complicated in both the real world and that parallel battle dimension.

It has a 6.2 rating on IMDb, which honestly feels a bit harsh since it’s got some genuinely beautiful animation and explores friendship dynamics in a pretty unique way.

Black Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall (2022)

Now this one’s completely different. Set in 2062, it’s about an AI called Artemis that decided to attack humanity, leading to a devastating war that destroyed Earth. It’s more of a sci-fi action series with 12 episodes that aired from April to June 2022.

Here’s the honest truth about Dawn Fall: it’s divisive. The anime has a 5.6 rating on IMDb, and Anime News Network’s review was pretty brutal, calling it “a failure on pretty much every conceivable level.” However, Common Sense Media noted it has “female leads, tons of action, violence,” so if you’re into that kind of thing, you might still enjoy it. Just don’t expect it to feel like the other Black Rock Shooter content.

How to watch Black Rock Shooter

Here’s the deal: pretty much every Black Rock Shooter series stands completely on its own. The 2010 OVA is the original short story introducing the concept, characters, and the surreal “other world” battles.

The 2012 TV anime expands on those ideas but tells a somewhat different story, with more focus on the school-life side of the characters and their emotional connections. The anime references the OVA’s designs and themes, but it’s not a direct continuation, so you can watch the 2012 series without seeing the OVA and still understand what’s going on.

Then, for those who like things in order: start with Black★Rock Shooter (2010 OVA), move on to the 2012 TV series, and finish with Black★Rock Shooter: Dawn Fall (2022).

Note: Dawn Fall can be watched independently as it’s an alternative version with no connection to the previous entries.