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What's After the Movie?
Animated thriller

Blame! (2017): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Blame! (2017) movie poster

Blame! is a 2017 animated thriller directed by Hiroyuki Seshita, starring Sora Amamiya, Johnny Yong Bosch and Ayaka Asai. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2019. IMDb users rate it 5.8/10.

IMDb rating
5.8/10
award nomination
1
Echo Score
66
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Blame! (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Hiroyuki Seshita
Genres
Action , Sci-Fi , Drama , Thriller
Original language
Japanese
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Blame! About?

The premise of Blame! without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a bleak, dystopian future, the remnants of humanity struggle to survive amidst a world overrun by machines. Following a devastating virus outbreak that crippled advanced technology, autonomous systems have turned against their creators. A lone wanderer embarks on a perilous journey through the sprawling, interconnected complexes, seeking the origin of the catastrophic event and a possible solution to save what remains of humankind.

Blame! Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • sex scene
  • sex standing up
  • jealous teenager
  • sexual misconduct accusation
  • teensploitation
  • male teacher female student romance
  • adult actress plays a teenage girl
  • inappropriate outfit
  • man fondles a woman's breasts
  • man teenage girl romance
  • vengeance
  • split personality
+38 more
  • apology
  • envy
  • amateur actress
  • female high school principal
  • mother daughter relationship
  • raised middle finger
  • clapping
  • vaping
  • teenage sex
  • sexual fantasy
  • f rated
  • high school
  • coming of age
  • reference to arthur miller
  • male teacher female student relationship
  • substitute teacher
  • drama teacher
  • kiss
  • persecuted girl
  • cross necklace
  • child abuse
  • cheerleader
  • directed by star
  • troubled teenage girl
  • school play
  • teenage girl wears a nightgown
  • undressing
  • male teacher female student kiss
  • sucking someone's finger
  • webcam girl
  • stripping
  • abusive father
  • man teenage girl relationship
  • woman applies makeup
  • teacher student relationship
  • jealousy
  • pregnancy
  • glass uncorn figurine
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Cast & crew

Blame! Cast

Sora Amamiya leads the cast, with Johnny Yong Bosch and Ayaka Asai. Directed by Hiroyuki Seshita; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Hiroyuki Seshita

More films directed by Hiroyuki Seshita, best-rated first: Godzilla: The Planet Eater, LUPIN THE 3rd vs. CAT’S EYE, Knights of Sidonia: Love Woven in the Stars and Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle.

Full filmography
Ratings

Blame! Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate Blame! 5.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (50).

66 /100

Blame! Echo Score Breakdown

In Blame!, the most notable strength lies in its technical craftsmanship and immersive world-building, though its narrative execution and character engagement prove uneven. Critics celebrated the film’s polished visuals and detailed set design, while several viewers noted strong animation and a compelling techno-action environment. However, many reviews cited repetitive exposition, a predictable plot, and a somewhat detached protagonist as limiting factors. This balance of striking aesthetics and narrative shortcomings defines the film’s net impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, Blame! stands out for its meticulous visual presentation and polished animation. Reviews highlighted the film’s impressive set designs, refined cinematography, and technical attention to detail in action sequences. Some viewers noted occasional inconsistencies in CGI modeling, but the overall rendering quality remains a central asset. The visual craftsmanship establishes a compelling aesthetic foundation.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    In terms of character and emotion, Blame! delivers moderately engaging performances but limited depth. Some reviews praised the concise portrayal of strong figures and quiet intensity of the protagonist, while others found the lead’s muted portrayal and minimal backstory hinder empathy. Supporting relationships received uneven development, leading to mixed emotional resonance. Overall, character interactions provide moments of interest without sustained depth.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, Blame!’s world-building earns consistent praise despite narrative shortcomings. Critics and users noted the expansive setting and intriguing premise, yet several reviews criticized the film’s pacing, repetitive exposition, and predictable plot turns. The dialogue occasionally reiterates information without advancement. As a result, engagement fluctuates between moments of narrative intrigue and episodes of uneven momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the film delivers a powerful audiovisual impact. Viewers praised the soundtrack’s atmospheric depth and the dynamic sound design that underscores action sequences. The visual style, marked by an understated color palette and coherent techno-futuristic motifs, enhances immersion. Occasional audio-visual mismatches and janky effects were noted but remain secondary to the overall sensory strength.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    In terms of rewatch factor, Blame! presents mixed replay value tied to its niche appeal. Some viewers reported enjoyment from revisiting iconic action sequences and appreciating technical details on subsequent viewings, while others found the repetitive exposition and subdued character arcs limited lasting appeal. The film’s striking imagery offers incentives for rewatching, but narrative unevenness may discourage broader repeat engagement.

Plot

Blame! Plot Summary

What happens in Blame! from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Abigail begins her journey in the film with a sense of dread about returning to high school, specifically a place ominously referred to as “MHS.” Her reluctance prompts a meeting with her parents and Ms. Cohen, who insists that Abigail should reintegrate into her daily routine without delay. With a collection of books in her room, notably “Sybil,” it’s clear that Abigail is struggling with her reality.

Full summary

The whole story of Blame!, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Awards

Blame! Awards & Nominations

Blame! earned 1 award nomination, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2019.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Blame! Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Blame!.

Blame Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Blame!?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What notable book does Abigail have on her bedside table that reflects her emotional turmoil?

Cars

Cars in Blame!

8 cars on screen, including the 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera and the Chevrolet Express.

All 8 cars
  • 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera in Blame! 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Important role
  • Chevrolet Express in Blame! Chevrolet Express Background role
  • 2005 Ford Taurus in Blame! 2005 Ford Taurus Background role
  • 2012 Honda CR-V in Blame! 2012 Honda CR-V Background role
Details

Blame! Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “Buramu” and “特工次世代”.

Also known as
  • Buramu
  • 特工次世代
  • BLAME! 剧场版
  • ブラム(2017)
  • 探索者!
  • אשמה!
  • BLAME! 探索者
  • 블레임!
  • Блам!
  • BLAME! ブラム
  • Κατηγορώ
  • เบลม!
+3 more
  • BLAME!‎
  • BLAME! 特工次時代
  • Thế Giới Người Máy Blame

Seen Blame!?

FAQ

Blame! FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards, post-credit scenes and language of Blame!, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Blame!?

Blame! runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Blame! released?

Blame! was released on May 19, 2017.

Who directed Blame!?

Blame! was directed by Hiroyuki Seshita.

More films by Hiroyuki Seshita

Who is in the cast of Blame!?

Blame! stars Sora Amamiya, Johnny Yong Bosch and Ayaka Asai, among 10 credited actors.

How is Blame! rated?

Blame! has 5.8/10 on IMDb, 66% on TMDB, 3.1/5 on Letterboxd and 3.7/5 on Movie Insider.

Was Blame! nominated for any awards?

Blame! received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Blame! have a post-credit scene?

No. Blame! has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Blame! in?

The original language of Blame! is Japanese.

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