Customer Reviews

Dance in the Vampire Bund, Vol. 1

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

These days you can't seem to throw a proverbial stick into the air without it coming down on another book, movie, or game concerning vampires. What's funny about all of that is that I actually used to love vampire movies and stories...now...not so much. The marketplace is so saturated with vampires that I've just gotten sick of them. Not to mention that much of the current content is generally nothing more than on-screen/page brooding and teen angst.

This doesn't apply to Dance in the Vampire Bund. Finally, there is another story about vampires worth reading. The main characters know what and who they are and don't get all bent out of shape about it. No one wishes they could cry about various life (or un-life if you prefer) issues.

So far (and I'm only on book three), it seems like there is a distinct sense of honor, and values amongst the characters. There is also loads of political intrigue (both on the human and vampire sides), and some very smart plot devices.

While the characters are able to act outside the stigma of `what they are', they never forget `who they are'. As an example, the Queen of the vampires is perfectly capable of carrying on a completely civil conversation with anyone...but when it becomes necessary to make ruthless and difficult decisions, she is totally at ease doing so. It's very entertaining and much more lifelike to me.

The artwork is...different. It's not bad by any means, but also not what I'd call beautiful either. And while I wouldn't call it beautiful, I think it does a fabulous job of telling the story. It's different enough that it almost lends the reader its different view of the world it details.

The character development has, thus far, been coming fast and often. I am already interested in both of the main characters in the book, and even one or two of the secondary/background characters.

The story is what really has a hook in me though. The first two books not only introduced characters and spent a little time building them, it actually bothered to introduce the foundation of the manga's story and move it forward a little. All the while it was also able to put a real stopping place at the end of both books. Not that there weren't unresolved issues, but both books resolved some things before the last page turned.

All in all, Dance in the Vampire Bund is a great read and something I hope I can stay excited about for a very long time.

Well, I will have to say that while I love manga, I have never gotten into the vampire stories. Dances has sure got me hooked. This series reads well, the art work is crisp and well done, and the story sucks you in, so to speak. Tamaki develops strong main characters that drives the story well and that seem to grow during the series. I would have to go along with some of the other reviews that there is a bit of a strong lolicon theme running through this series and a bit more fan service than I would like to see (not my cup of tea). Like most fan service, it takes away from good stories and I would call this a good story that is rich with intrigue and the has a very fresh take on vampires.

This is a manga made for a seinen demographic. In other words, if it was not made clear by the other reviews, this is a manga not for kids IMO. They give it a rating of "older teen 16+". I would go as far as as saying that it may not be right for kids in high school, but maybe I am too much a prude.

As an aside, the manga is much better than the anime version in my opinion.

Dance in the Vampire Bund is not one of the most original vampire tale out in the market (hell we've gotten a heck lot of vampire novel glut lately with Twilight and all that) however, Dance in the Vampire Bund rises above all with likeable and memorable characters as well as interesting storylines. It does not glorify vampirism but instead seeks to show the darkest gory aspects of it. Intrigue, politics (human and vampire), sex, violence, mayhem whatever you wish to see in a vampire tale it is here. Many of the stories and characters have tragic past and tragic ending even if their motives and ambition are not exactly black and white but present itself in shades of grey. Intwined within the tale is a budding romance between a "young" vampire queen and her royal bodyguard a werewolf boy which is a huge taboo as vampires and werewolves were thought to be natural enemies (not to mention the social class difference). Mina is the last "true blood" female of her kind since the death of her mother. A "true blood" vampire is a naturally born vampire in that they are not merely "turned" but is born a vampire and controls the whole of the vampire aristocracy (apparently their type of government didn't change much for the past couple hundred years). But vampires have adopted to modern technology and is capable of using modern tools such as computers and weapons (such as guns, rocket bombs and chemical warefare). Of course, not everyone will be happy with their cute lovable lolita vampire queen. There are insurgents and rebels that seek to ursurp her control and throne at every turn. There are also human sympathizers and vampire haters. Then there are the three vampire noble lords who want nothing more than to take control of the young queen thru marriage. This pretty much keeps Mina's protectors busy thwarting one scheme after another and the stakes are often high. Then there are of course the tender moments that might bring a tear into your eyes as Mina seeks to create a paradise in order to protect those who needed it and to keep some of her rampaging subjects under control. It's tough job being a queen.

I read this book about few months ago.
I read this comic book cause it was a story about vampires. I liked its story and main characters.
The author of this draws comic books that have somehow erotic story lines and this book also has that kind of erotic story lines. However, still things are not just dirty or anything. The story just bearing some erotic feelings and that's all. So far, I read until volume 3. Want to read volume 4 soon.

The art is pretty in spots, a bit edgier in the rest. Overall it's really good although it does have a couple of places with spotty translations but that's the problem with manga, some things just don't translate well from Japanese to English or the editors don't find & correct common goofs.

Mina Tepes is the princess of the anceint covenant and ruler of all vampires. Akira is Earth clan werewolf who promised in a dream to be by her side. At his seventeenth birthday he became servent. She has paid off Japans debts and in doign so was able to by land to make a vampire kingdom. There are those who oppose this human and vampire alike. The drawings are nice and there is some semi nude drawings but what the heck ..goes with the territory. Very cute underling romance. ^_^

Akira Kaburagi is a Japanese high school boy and a member of the Earth Clan, or werewolves. One day he is summoned by Mina Tepes, or Vampire Princess who has just arrived in Japan to create a land of vampires in the special district called "The Bund" off the coast of Tokyo. There Akira is assigned a task to remain by her side, in accordance with their old promise made seven years before. Akira and his clan (including his father) must protect Princess from enemy soldiers and assassins that attempt to kill the Princess.

Some part of the manga is very violent and some romantic, even comical. Sometimes the creator Nozomu Tamaki seems trying to find the right tone to settle on in this first volume. (As of 2009/12/26, eight volumes have been published in Japan.) Two main characters are always attractive, but sorry, not other characters. The comic's fast-paced actions are gripping, but Nozomu Tamaki's illustration needs more subtlety, especially the characters' faces. It is above average, I admit, but it is not the best kind of Japanese comics, either (in some panels Princess looks more like a werewolf, which of course she isn't). Fortunately, things get better as the story unfolds.

The best thing in this volume of "Dance in the Vampire" is the heroine Vampire Princess Mina Tepes herself. Like heroines in some of the successful Japanese comic/light novels, she is not just a charming girl; she is also quick-witted, strong-willed and sometimes even whimsical and cruel - after all she is Vampire Princess - and her unpredictable personality perfectly matches that of Akira, her reckless bodyguard and potential love interest.

"Dance in the Vampire" has been serialized in the (aptly titled) monthly magazine "Comic Flapper" since the January issue, 2006. At the time of writing it has not been completed. The animated version will start in January, 2010, in Japan.

I gotta say that no vampire werewolf story can be completely original anymore. But in spite of the fact that this story holds up to that statement. I like it. Princess Mina Tepes is a delightful 17 year old going on 30, in a 9 year old body. She is commanding, demanding, and reckless. Leading the Vampire population into the global spotlight, and into sovereign territory. But Mina is also loving and warm, and mischievous. The kid, if it is fair to call her that, has an adolescent frustration, and a loneliness. In true Kevin Costner form, Akira the new bodyguard and old childhood buddy is here to kick as and deliver romance. But he is just a little stingy with the romance part. Mina gives him a lot of leeway though. If it isn't already an anime, it would be a good one. Maybe one of my favorites.

I have been a fan of Japanese anime and manga for many years. I have all types of manga in my library, ranging from Bleach to Naruto. Now I have discovered a new manga which combines my interest in Japanese manga and vampires.

Dance in the Vampire Bund Vol. 1 is an outstanding new manga. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this manga but I was totally surprise by the storyline and the high quality of the art work. I would recommend this manga to anyone who has an interest in manga and who is over age 18. Dance in the Vampire Bund handles adult subjects and I would not recommend this for anyone under 18 years of age.

Young female vampire. Check. Princess of the vampires. Check. Vampire moves to Japan. Check.
Comes out to the whole planet. OK, that is new.
Princess Mina Tepes, Rules of the Vampires, has paid off the gross national debt of Japan. In return she gets to create a special district just for vampires to live in. After she makes sure that the Earth knows that vampires exist. Most vampire stories END with vampires coming out of the 'coffin' and making a place, a city or region, to call their own. Dance In The Vampire Bund starts OUT with them stepping onto the world stage, which makes it an interesting twist and a great hook.
Vampires are real. Vampires have started a settlement in Japan. Vampires are here to stay. But not EVERYBODY seems happy about this. For the Princess has become a target...and Akira, the main male character, has promised to protect her. Or has he promised more than that?
The hook has me and, as I have Volume Two already, I will likely stay with the series still it does something boring. Warning - for readers 16 years old or older. Blood, nudity and some mature themes. But hey, this is about VAMPIRES!