Manga Review: Vampire Dormitory Vol. 1

Hello pornies. ^^ I hope you are feeling well and in the mood for a curious manga that got me thinking a lot. I'm sure it will do the same to you! I'm talking about Vampire Dormitory Vol. 1, by Ema Toyama. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy through NetGalley!

• Print Length: 160 pages.
• Publisher: Kodansha Comics (October 19, 2021).
• Publication Date: October 19, 2021.
• Genres: Comedy, Queer (Gay/Bisexual/Straight?), Scholar, 
• Rating: 4 / 5.

"I'll do it! I'll become your thrall!" A crossdressing girl and an otaku vampire find themselves entangled in a dangerous relationship. Don't miss this heart-pounding romance from the award-winning Ema Toyama, perfect for fans of Crimson Spell, Black Bird, and He's My Only Vampire!

BLOOD OVER FLOWERS

Mito has no family to rely on. She lives on the streets, disguised as a boy. Ruka is an otaku vampire interested only in 2D girls. After Ruka saves Mito from a perilous situation, he makes her an offer: "Become my subservient thrall and let me drink your blood whenever I wish! In return, you can live with me—in the boys' dorm!" But to stay with him, Mito must hide the fact that she's a girl. Every day is a new danger—to say nothing of that bloodthirsty vampire!

I need to be honest: I had serious doubts about his title and even asked myself if I would be the right kind of reader for it, but I decided to try new things and give it a try. Turns out I really liked it and found the idea interesting, and sometimes even hilarious. There's a lot of humor here, sometimes a little weird, but it's that kind of reading that will make you smile over and over again.

The relationship between Mito and Ruka starts a little rushed, but things slow down as the story progresses. I may say there's even a little influence of Beauty and the Beast in this story, but it has an identity of its own. What starts as a convenient relationship with some Stockholm Syndrome develops into a nice friendship with the potential for more, and don't even get me started on the gorgeous art! You just love it the moment you see it!

Now, I've read a lot of concerns about this manga: the thrall part seems to be a little exploitative, the unrealistic situations, and so on. I understand where all of this is coming from, why, and I kind of agree. However, my impression is that this manga parodies the tropes and cliches of vampire romances, maybe in not a very clear way, but after reading it twice (yeah, I promise) and paying close attention, that's what I think. The only real problem I have is Ren: is he supposed to be sexy? Because I would be creeped out if I were Mito.

I'm not sure if this would be a gay, bisexual, or straight love story, but I'm sure it is one I want to follow. I already read the first pages of Volume 2 and want to read it so bad! Ema Toyama took a lot of risks with Vampire Dormitory Vol. 1, but I can say it's a manga you enjoy to the fullest and will make you question many things about the characters. With such a large cast, I'm sure there will be many subplots to add flavor to the romance, and I can't wait for all this to unfold!

Have you read this manga? Would you recommend it or not? Let me know in the comments! Kinky regards, K!

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