Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut

After World War II, two rival powers channel their competition into the space race, setting the stage for an unusual experiment. In the Eastern Republic of Zirnitra, leader Gergiev launches Project Mechtat, a manned flight program meant to claim a historic first. Behind the public program, a secret Nosferatu Project tests vampires as potential crew, and backup astronaut Lev Leps is assigned to train and monitor Irina Luminesk, a vampire who may be humanity's first astronaut. The show follows their training, the politics that shape every decision, and the quietly growing relationship between a human officer and a being treated as both asset and other, all without revealing major plot turns.

Released in 2021 and created by Keisuke Makino, the animated series casts Megumi Hayashibara as Irina and Koki Uchiyama as Lev, among other notable voice actors. It presents a mix of sci-fi, historical atmosphere, and character drama in an anime television format.

The series did not collect major industry awards or high-profile nominations, though it gained attention within anime fandoms and genre-focused outlets. Its strengths were most often cited as voice performances and the unusual premise, rather than mainstream prize recognition.

Irina's core idea, a vampire cosmonaut in a Cold War style race, made the show a frequent topic for online discussion. Fans produced artwork and translations, and commentators compared its tone to quieter, speculative historical dramas. The visual contrast between military bureaucracy and intimate character moments helped it stand out in conversations about genre blending.

Audience and critic response has been mixed to positive, reflected in a 6.71/10 average from 31 votes on one aggregator. Viewers often point to themes of political rivalry, the moral cost of scientific progress, institutional secrecy, isolation, and the unexpected tenderness that develops between Lev and Irina as elements that give the series emotional weight.