Customer Reviews

Vampire's Portrait Volume 1 (Yaoi)

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

 

 

I'm not really a big fan of vampire stories (the only manga/anime with this theme that I've read/watched so far were Trinity Blood and Vampire Knight), but I picked this one up because I liked the cover artwork.

The story is set in Paris and its suburbs and starts when Sein, a moody, relatively well-off vampire, hires Lou, a young street artist, to draw his portrait. Lou accepts the generous offer, but matters get a little more complicated when he discovers that not only does his patron not have a reflection and therefore no longer knows what he looks like, but also has a much darker side and looks to match.

The artwork inside was just as nice as the cover, particularly in several perspectives drawn from more difficult angles. Action scenes are also well done. If there is one thing I might wish for, that would be larger noses in profile. But I'm a perfectionist and the noses are a minor detail.

However, I get the feeling that the story would have been better if it had had a slower pace. Lou and Sein hardly start to get to know one another when other characters interfere with their relationship and the plot moves forward. Too much was crammed in this one volume. If it was originally envisioned as a multi-volume manga, it would have been better to devote more pages to the introduction.

In the end, this book is tagged as yaoi, but it's really not. It's more like an action/adventure story with a bit of romance and vampire lore thrown in. Besides short conversations that hint at the nature of Sein's relationships with Adam and Claude, there is only one tame, stolen kiss. If you are getting this just for the sake of yaoi romance, then buy something else. That said, I rather liked it and would read any subsequent volumes.

I mainly picked this one up due to the cover art and the fact that it has vampires in it. The art on the inside is very well done! I'm happy that it didn't change much (if at all) from the cover.

Either way, the story is off to a good start, I really want to know what happens next! It takes a litle bit to pick up though and you don't get to truly know much of the characters in this one. (Except overall information). Also, even though it saids it's 18+, there is no 'scenes' in here. The most you get is a sexy bite scene (just so you know).

If you're into vampires and yaoi then I suggest picking this one up your next time out or online!

Since I read it from a scanlation group, I fall in love with Hiroshi Husumoto. So I tried to adquire the mangas and then I just made it!! And was worth to get it. The delivery was just at time, all smoothie :B

Being the first manga I've read, I really enjoyed the book. The yaoi was mild in this one, but the story and graphics was good and I can't wait to get the next volume!

The storyline is all right, but the artwork more than makes up for it. The artwork is gorgeous and very well done in all aspects.

I loved this manga and I can't wait for Vol 2! this isn't your quick fix yaoi, there's a *Gasp* plot! a little slow at first but really cute it makes you drool thinking about what's to come.

Okay read starts very slow and need more pick up. but if you like vampries it is a good read.