As a result of acquiring visible absorption spectra of red blood cells and analyses of the spectra, inventors of the present disclosure have discovered the fact that echinocytes show a characteristic spectrum pattern having an absorption peak in a wavelength region of 450 to 490 nm between Soret and Q bands. Then, the present disclosure provides a blood analysis apparatus having an analysis section for detecting the absorption peak of a visible absorption spectrum acquired for blood. In accordance with this blood analysis apparatus, on the basis of the absorption peak, it is possible to detect echinocytes contained in blood.