Chibi Vampire

What's this? ANOTHER review about a manga staring vampires? What can I say, I just eat this stuff up, and Chibi Vampire by Yuna Kagesaki offers something different for those looking for a story that isn't all about a mopey emo vampire. Chibi Vampire is actually about Karin, a vampire who is cheery, clumsy, silly, and love-struck over a boy named Usui. Karin can also go out during the daylight, eat garlic, and can't suck blood. Yeah, you read that right, Karin is a much different kind of vampire (to the frustration of her family) she actually has too much blood! If she doesn't bite a human and give them some of her blood, she suffers massive nose bleeds.

Karin is the kind of heroine I can fully enjoy reading about. Mainly because she falls into the classic cliche of "beautiful but clutzy" that I find so endearing. Her breasts are the size of beach balls too, perhaps that is what makes it so hard for her to be a stealthy vampire (you try to be stealthy with beach balls strapped to your chest).

She's really not a vampire at all, except for her fangs and needing to bite people. Her family is extremely worried, expesially her overprotective father, and her younger sister. I love Karin's family, they create such a dynamic family unit and also do their best to support Karin despite her weirdness. She has a brother named Ren who fills the "handsome wominizing vampire" sterotype (quite happily, I might add) and he's also tall, dark, and handsome. Her youngest sister is the "cute but dangerous superpowerful vampire that has creepy eyes and likes to sit in dark places" sterotype. Karin and her sister are particularly close because before they come of age they can go out into the daylight just fine, so her young sister is always keeping an eye on Karin with the power of her bats.

Chibi Vampire has a cute big-eyed style of art. It's clean and crisp and usually pretty easy to tell what's going on. The manga has a great sense of humor, milking Karin's clumsiness for all it's worth and coupling it with Usui's awkwardness around women. While it is mostly a comedy manga, there are some great drama scenes involving the boy she falls for, Usui, and the conflict with her family.

There are currently 13 mangas out right now with the 14th (and final) volume releasing September 29, 2009. The over arching storyline is tying up neatly so far and I don't forsee there being any loose ends left (except maybe any the manga-ka leaves purposfully to be able to work a sequal series?).

Chibi Vampire has also spawned an anime series that is called "Karin". I have not personally watched it so I couldn't tell you how good it is...but now you know it's out there, so go check it out!

I recommend Chibi Vampire for people looking for good laughs, heart-pounding drama, and a fasinating storyline. It's something original in the vampire story genre, and I think that needs to be rewarded. So go forth! Go forth and check out Chibi Vampire! LOOK AT THE SIZE OF HER BREASTS!

Chibi Vampire:
Published by: Tokyopop
Price: Was 9.99 for older volumes but 10.99 for newer ones
Volumes: 13 out of 14
Next Volume Release date: September 29, 2009
Finished: Not in U.S.
Rating: 10/10


That's the Logical Assumption

Salazar