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Blood Blade #1
BLOOD BLADE 1
Count Dracula is reborn as a katana-wielding young vampiress in a new, never-seen-before action manga set in a gritty, alternate-history Europe. Fans of cinematic, gory, supernatural alternate histories, like Vampire Hunter D , Hellsing , and Dance in the Vampire Bund , will want to sink their fangs into BLOOD BLADE .
Made in Japan, first published in English!
Having fallen in battle long ago, Count Vlad Dracula is reborn as a katana-wielding young vampiress in an alternate-history Europe. After the reincarnated Dracula rescues a girl named Clara from a mysterious stranger, Clara explains that she is the creation of a certain Victor Frankenstein. She also reveals that she is fleeing from an organization called Cerberus, which seeks to capture and study "monsters" such as herself in order to create an army of human-monster hybrids. Clara begs the vampiress to flee with her to an island of monsters where the two of them will be safe...but as they set out for Monster Island, the sinister forces of Cerberus are in hot pursuit.
Made in Japan, first published in English!
Having fallen in battle long ago, Count Vlad Dracula is reborn as a katana-wielding young vampiress in an alternate-history Europe. After the reincarnated Dracula rescues a girl named Clara from a mysterious stranger, Clara explains that she is the creation of a certain Victor Frankenstein. She also reveals that she is fleeing from an organization called Cerberus, which seeks to capture and study "monsters" such as herself in order to create an army of human-monster hybrids. Clara begs the vampiress to flee with her to an island of monsters where the two of them will be safe...but as they set out for Monster Island, the sinister forces of Cerberus are in hot pursuit.
192 pages, Paperback
Published February 20, 2024
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65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 9, 2024
Im giving it 1.5 stars. This manga has the potential to be great - vampires, werewolves, katanas, a war between humans and monsters. The art is great as well. Unfortunately I feel the completion was rushed and bit lazy. Instead of new art for each page, many of the same pictures are just copied and pasted on several different places. :/
March 11, 2024
The colours and art are just incredible but unfortunately the story is rather jumbled. Didn’t help that the pages were big enough so waiting for each page to load was time consuming enough. It’s unfortunate since I do like the vampire genre ;/
Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the free manga to read and review!
Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the free manga to read and review!
February 12, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
So, I really did not like "BLOOD BLADE". The plot is basically non-existent and extremely confusing. You get a ton of exposition dumps but barely anything about the characters or the world itself. You only learn the bare minimum about the characters, and even then, it's somehow less than the minimum. Terrible plot aside, my biggest grievance is the art. There is WAY too much reliance on photobashing and copy-pasting the same panels over and over. Pretty much all of the background shots are just photos that have a black-and-white filter and a pencil drawing filter on them. There were also panels that had pieces of real-life photos pasted in, such as the fire in the beginning, and all of the crows throughout the entire volume. The actual characters themselves are just constantly copy pasted for every single panel. So many panels of characters showing their face at a 3/4 view with their hair covering half of their face, and a vast majority were all copy-pasted. I noticed that way too much was just pasted in with minor details changed, like an eyebrow or mouth. Several shots of characters from behind were not drawn, once again, it's a photo of a real person that's had a pencil filter slapped on. Many panels that feature the vagabond princess are LITERALLY just the same exact panels of Vlad from prior scenes but edited to be the princess instead. The page flow was non-existent, and I found myself confused about what was happening in the scene. There is also some gore but it's so boring and confusing, I found myself being unaffected. This series is a big pass for me, and I have no interest in seeking out more volumes.
So, I really did not like "BLOOD BLADE". The plot is basically non-existent and extremely confusing. You get a ton of exposition dumps but barely anything about the characters or the world itself. You only learn the bare minimum about the characters, and even then, it's somehow less than the minimum. Terrible plot aside, my biggest grievance is the art. There is WAY too much reliance on photobashing and copy-pasting the same panels over and over. Pretty much all of the background shots are just photos that have a black-and-white filter and a pencil drawing filter on them. There were also panels that had pieces of real-life photos pasted in, such as the fire in the beginning, and all of the crows throughout the entire volume. The actual characters themselves are just constantly copy pasted for every single panel. So many panels of characters showing their face at a 3/4 view with their hair covering half of their face, and a vast majority were all copy-pasted. I noticed that way too much was just pasted in with minor details changed, like an eyebrow or mouth. Several shots of characters from behind were not drawn, once again, it's a photo of a real person that's had a pencil filter slapped on. Many panels that feature the vagabond princess are LITERALLY just the same exact panels of Vlad from prior scenes but edited to be the princess instead. The page flow was non-existent, and I found myself confused about what was happening in the scene. There is also some gore but it's so boring and confusing, I found myself being unaffected. This series is a big pass for me, and I have no interest in seeking out more volumes.
February 22, 2024
Oh my, that was messy. The story itself lacks depth; I don't understand the characters' motivations, although their actions are somehow explained, it's not very authentic. The art is okay, although the fight scenes are not very polished, sometimes I got lost in what was happening. And the most annoying thing for me was that in many scenes Vlad had one eye covered by her hair! Why?! It looked as if the cartoonist didn't really know how to draw them, so he put hair in there. I understand the desire to add mystery, but don't let the same thing repeat itself in 98% of the scenes.
To sum up: the story has potential, but there is still a lot to improve.
To sum up: the story has potential, but there is still a lot to improve.
March 23, 2024
thank you to netgalley and kodansha comics for an arc of this manga. all thoughts are my own and not influenced in any way.
I've come across numerous reviews criticizing both the artwork and the storyline, which surprised me, as I personally found the artwork captivating. It exudes a haunting and unsettling vibe, especially during action-packed sequences, which are intricately detailed and a delight to behold. While some of the dialogue felt a bit lackluster and disjointed, I still found the story engaging and see great potential in future volumes. I particularly enjoyed the plot reminiscent of Vinland Saga, where characters seek refuge on a distant island away from war. Although I acknowledge the repetition of certain panels, it didn't detract from my enjoyment to much since I was deeply engrossed in the narrative and the action. Exploring the emotional backgrounds of characters like Grace and Gramps was a highlight for me, as it added depth to their motivations, while also laying the groundwork for various themes in the future. Overall, I'm eagerly anticipating the continuation of the story and where it will lead.
I've come across numerous reviews criticizing both the artwork and the storyline, which surprised me, as I personally found the artwork captivating. It exudes a haunting and unsettling vibe, especially during action-packed sequences, which are intricately detailed and a delight to behold. While some of the dialogue felt a bit lackluster and disjointed, I still found the story engaging and see great potential in future volumes. I particularly enjoyed the plot reminiscent of Vinland Saga, where characters seek refuge on a distant island away from war. Although I acknowledge the repetition of certain panels, it didn't detract from my enjoyment to much since I was deeply engrossed in the narrative and the action. Exploring the emotional backgrounds of characters like Grace and Gramps was a highlight for me, as it added depth to their motivations, while also laying the groundwork for various themes in the future. Overall, I'm eagerly anticipating the continuation of the story and where it will lead.
March 8, 2024
**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**
BLOOD BLADE 1 by Oma Sei was a dark, fantastical Dracula manga retelling with horrors and monsters galore. In a world where Vlad the Impaler is a young girl Dracula reincarnation, she and her friends must survive the assassination attempts after them while still trying to protect her people. This had a bit of an interesting dichotomy of lightness amidst all the blood and gore that was amusing. The panels were also easy to follow and read, surprising with all the black and darkness throughout. I probably won't continue, but I think a lot of people out there would really like this.
BLOOD BLADE 1 by Oma Sei was a dark, fantastical Dracula manga retelling with horrors and monsters galore. In a world where Vlad the Impaler is a young girl Dracula reincarnation, she and her friends must survive the assassination attempts after them while still trying to protect her people. This had a bit of an interesting dichotomy of lightness amidst all the blood and gore that was amusing. The panels were also easy to follow and read, surprising with all the black and darkness throughout. I probably won't continue, but I think a lot of people out there would really like this.
February 12, 2024
I got this arc on NetGalley! I immediately thought the idea of Vlad the Impaler being reincarnated into a teenage girl was so me. The art was great and I always give props to anyone with the ability and drive to write a manga, but the plot didn’t really stick with me
February 22, 2024
if i could give it more then 5 stars i would.
the art style is very different to anything i've read before.
i've already pre ordered vol 2.
the art style is very different to anything i've read before.
i've already pre ordered vol 2.
October 14, 2024
It was okay, but a little confusing. I probably won't pick up part 2 because I'm not that excited to read what happens next.
October 5, 2024
I usually meticulously research manga and be certain I am going to enjoy it before I purchase it. I haven’t shared a less than 5 star review since I started. But This one was purchased on a whim without much research as I was just looking for vampire themed manga. I try my best to always make my content positive, fun, and cheery and I certainly mean no disrespect to anyone involved in making this manga or to anyone who enjoyed it, but this really did not do it for me. I mean it was well drawn, but it just seemed so bleak. I do not mind action, as long as it serves the story. Thanks to antiquated gender rolls of the 90’s/00’s, (I missed out on so many series!) most if not all of the first anime and manga I was exposed to were action series and some still hold a special place in my heart. This story however, just seemed rushed and the action, violence, and plot just did not suit me. This is one I will most likely be unhauling.
February 29, 2024
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I was drawn to this because of the cover, the title, and the summary. It all seemed like this would be perfect for me. In the end, I was just disappointed.
This was not good. First, the art. It was confusing to follow at some points, and relied too heavily on copying previous panels. The amount of times you see Vlad in profile with hair covering her face is ridiculous. The action sequences were too hard to follow. No flow whatsoever. There are a lot of panels that have two styles of art mixed together, and it doesn't mesh well at all.
The second thing is the plot itself. I felt no connection to the characters or their motivations behind things. I didn't know what was going on half the time or why. We learn some of Vlad's history, and yet we still know nothing. It's just a boring read and doesn't do justice to a Dracula retelling. Highly do not recommend it.
Thank you, Netgalley and Kodansha, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was drawn to this because of the cover, the title, and the summary. It all seemed like this would be perfect for me. In the end, I was just disappointed.
This was not good. First, the art. It was confusing to follow at some points, and relied too heavily on copying previous panels. The amount of times you see Vlad in profile with hair covering her face is ridiculous. The action sequences were too hard to follow. No flow whatsoever. There are a lot of panels that have two styles of art mixed together, and it doesn't mesh well at all.
The second thing is the plot itself. I felt no connection to the characters or their motivations behind things. I didn't know what was going on half the time or why. We learn some of Vlad's history, and yet we still know nothing. It's just a boring read and doesn't do justice to a Dracula retelling. Highly do not recommend it.
Thank you, Netgalley and Kodansha, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for my copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
First off: this is the way that graphic novel alleys should be sent out--no watermarks and just high quality images. Come on, Viz Media, follow Kodansha's example please.
Unfortunately, that's where the positives end. The first volume of "Blood Blade" follows a reincarnation of Dracula who is now a young girl. She ends up meeting the Creature by none other than Victor Frankenstein. The Creature wants to take Dracula to a monster island where they will be left in peace or something. Yeah...I am not a fan of this. I could forgive the bad and messy storytelling had the art been good, but the art is very run of the mill shonen. There's nothing particularly unique or eye-catching about the art. The story is incredibly messy too; in volume 1, there isn't really a plot or any sense of tension.
Altogether, it's just a messy attempt at a Dracula retelling. I wouldn't really recommend this as it's pretty bland to look at and even more boring to read.
First off: this is the way that graphic novel alleys should be sent out--no watermarks and just high quality images. Come on, Viz Media, follow Kodansha's example please.
Unfortunately, that's where the positives end. The first volume of "Blood Blade" follows a reincarnation of Dracula who is now a young girl. She ends up meeting the Creature by none other than Victor Frankenstein. The Creature wants to take Dracula to a monster island where they will be left in peace or something. Yeah...I am not a fan of this. I could forgive the bad and messy storytelling had the art been good, but the art is very run of the mill shonen. There's nothing particularly unique or eye-catching about the art. The story is incredibly messy too; in volume 1, there isn't really a plot or any sense of tension.
Altogether, it's just a messy attempt at a Dracula retelling. I wouldn't really recommend this as it's pretty bland to look at and even more boring to read.
February 12, 2024
Take Hellsing and make it cute. That one didn't even hold up well and now we can just add more things to the pile of mid level vampire fiction that just keeps coming out all the time.
November 18, 2024
Summary:
A lifetime ago, he was known as Count Vlad Dracula. Now he's been reborn again, this time in an alternate-history Europe, in the body of a young woman. Now she's fighting the good fight against many enemies—including a new one.
After saving a young girl (Clara), Dracula finds herself going up against an organization known as Cerberus. Their paths were doomed to cross eventually, given the organization's mission of hunting and studying monsters of the world.
Review:
Dracula as a sword master in the modern world? Well, color me curious. Blood Blade Vol. 1 is a dynamic beginning to a world where Dracula has been reborn, again as a vampire, but this time as a woman with katana skills.
It’s unique, to say the least. I know some people will hate the concept right off the bat, and that’s fair. These stories aren’t for everyone. Nor are they all equal. For example, I don’t hate the core concept, but I do feel like this one fell a little flat.
The concept of our leading lady having to protect Frakenstein’s monster from monster hunters is pretty fun, though. Again, this combination of elements is not going to be for everyone. These plots do better when the creators don’t take themselves (or the story) too seriously. That said, I don’t feel like Blood Blade Vol. 1 worked to push any boundaries with this mash-up, losing the potential it had.
Highlights:
Dracula retold in Manga
Rebirth & Vampirism
Female Dracula
Will I continue the series? No
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
A lifetime ago, he was known as Count Vlad Dracula. Now he's been reborn again, this time in an alternate-history Europe, in the body of a young woman. Now she's fighting the good fight against many enemies—including a new one.
After saving a young girl (Clara), Dracula finds herself going up against an organization known as Cerberus. Their paths were doomed to cross eventually, given the organization's mission of hunting and studying monsters of the world.
Review:
Dracula as a sword master in the modern world? Well, color me curious. Blood Blade Vol. 1 is a dynamic beginning to a world where Dracula has been reborn, again as a vampire, but this time as a woman with katana skills.
It’s unique, to say the least. I know some people will hate the concept right off the bat, and that’s fair. These stories aren’t for everyone. Nor are they all equal. For example, I don’t hate the core concept, but I do feel like this one fell a little flat.
The concept of our leading lady having to protect Frakenstein’s monster from monster hunters is pretty fun, though. Again, this combination of elements is not going to be for everyone. These plots do better when the creators don’t take themselves (or the story) too seriously. That said, I don’t feel like Blood Blade Vol. 1 worked to push any boundaries with this mash-up, losing the potential it had.
Highlights:
Dracula retold in Manga
Rebirth & Vampirism
Female Dracula
Will I continue the series? No
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
March 1, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Count Dracula as a badass, katana-wielding woman?! YES PLEASE! i didn’t know what i exactly expected from this other than some good fight scenes and action, which i definitely got, but i was happily surprised with the premise of the plot! Dracula (referred to as Vlad) is a centuries old vampire that has been reborn into a young woman. she has a trusted witch? (not sure what Nan is but she can transform into a freaking dragon!) who has been by her side since Vlad was a baby. they are met with a golem, Clara, who warns them of a research group attempting to cross humans with monsters. the three are attacked by monsters working for this group and must go on the run in hopes of finding a rumored safe space for monsters: an island with no humans.
although i thoroughly enjoyed myself from the first to the last pages, i feel that many details were left out. at times i felt i was missing pages due to the gaps in dialogue which made the flow of the story a little off. overall i loved the art style, however, there were a few panels that i needed to stare at before i could tell what was going on due to the lack of grayscale. i like that the majority is in stark black and white, but this also made certain images a little difficult to decipher and i think the use of grays for the details could’ve been helpful in some images. i like that most of the characters were drawn in a traditional anime style while the backgrounds were drawn in a realistic style but some characters were drawn in the realistic style and it kind of threw me off. personally, i like mixing styles but prefer all characters be in the same style which is just personal preference.
Sei left us on a juicy cliffhanger so i will be on the lookout for the next issue! hopefully it will have more details regarding the world-building and answer some of the questions i'm left with.
Count Dracula as a badass, katana-wielding woman?! YES PLEASE! i didn’t know what i exactly expected from this other than some good fight scenes and action, which i definitely got, but i was happily surprised with the premise of the plot! Dracula (referred to as Vlad) is a centuries old vampire that has been reborn into a young woman. she has a trusted witch? (not sure what Nan is but she can transform into a freaking dragon!) who has been by her side since Vlad was a baby. they are met with a golem, Clara, who warns them of a research group attempting to cross humans with monsters. the three are attacked by monsters working for this group and must go on the run in hopes of finding a rumored safe space for monsters: an island with no humans.
although i thoroughly enjoyed myself from the first to the last pages, i feel that many details were left out. at times i felt i was missing pages due to the gaps in dialogue which made the flow of the story a little off. overall i loved the art style, however, there were a few panels that i needed to stare at before i could tell what was going on due to the lack of grayscale. i like that the majority is in stark black and white, but this also made certain images a little difficult to decipher and i think the use of grays for the details could’ve been helpful in some images. i like that most of the characters were drawn in a traditional anime style while the backgrounds were drawn in a realistic style but some characters were drawn in the realistic style and it kind of threw me off. personally, i like mixing styles but prefer all characters be in the same style which is just personal preference.
Sei left us on a juicy cliffhanger so i will be on the lookout for the next issue! hopefully it will have more details regarding the world-building and answer some of the questions i'm left with.
June 28, 2025
Irgendwo in einem Paralleluniversum lebt Graf Vladislaus Draculesti als junge Frau und trifft auf ein Golem-Mädchen, das von keinem anderen als Dr. Frankenstein erschaffen wurde. Sie wird von einer Organisation namens Cerberus gejagt und versucht gleichzeitig, eine Monster-Armee aufzubauen.
Das klingt nach einer sehr abgedrehten Handlung mit Figuren aus anderen literarischen Werken. Und das ist es auch. Vor allem, wenn dann noch eine Werwolf ähnliche Figur ins Geschehen eingreift. Und noch weitere Figuren, die die Geschichte zusätzlich bereichern.
Ein Kritikpunkt gibt es dennoch. Auf den Zeichnungen ist oftmals zu wenig zu sehen. Der Leser braucht manchmal viel Fantasie, um das Gezeichnete zu interpretieren. Außerdem wird Madame Dracul immerzu in der gleichen Pose gezeichnet. Es sieht zwar sehr keck aus, wenn sie verschlagen über die Schulter zurückblickt, aber warum muss diese Szene so oft gezeigt werden? Nun, und es handelt sich um einen ersten Band und dieser endet mit einem fiesen Cliffhanger.
Glücklicherweise muss sich der Leser nicht lange gedulden, denn die Bände zwei und drei sind schon erhältlich und die Bände vier und fünf erscheinen noch in diesem Jahr. Ob die Reihe damit abgeschlossen ist, konnte ich noch nicht in Erfahrung bringen.
Fazit
Der Leser muss schon ein Faible für abgedrehte Story im Mangaformat haben. Außerdem sollte er einer bunten Mischung mit Figuren aus unterschiedlichen literarischen Vorlagen nicht abgeneigt sein. Dann verspricht dieser Manga ausreichend Lesefreude.
Das klingt nach einer sehr abgedrehten Handlung mit Figuren aus anderen literarischen Werken. Und das ist es auch. Vor allem, wenn dann noch eine Werwolf ähnliche Figur ins Geschehen eingreift. Und noch weitere Figuren, die die Geschichte zusätzlich bereichern.
Ein Kritikpunkt gibt es dennoch. Auf den Zeichnungen ist oftmals zu wenig zu sehen. Der Leser braucht manchmal viel Fantasie, um das Gezeichnete zu interpretieren. Außerdem wird Madame Dracul immerzu in der gleichen Pose gezeichnet. Es sieht zwar sehr keck aus, wenn sie verschlagen über die Schulter zurückblickt, aber warum muss diese Szene so oft gezeigt werden? Nun, und es handelt sich um einen ersten Band und dieser endet mit einem fiesen Cliffhanger.
Glücklicherweise muss sich der Leser nicht lange gedulden, denn die Bände zwei und drei sind schon erhältlich und die Bände vier und fünf erscheinen noch in diesem Jahr. Ob die Reihe damit abgeschlossen ist, konnte ich noch nicht in Erfahrung bringen.
Fazit
Der Leser muss schon ein Faible für abgedrehte Story im Mangaformat haben. Außerdem sollte er einer bunten Mischung mit Figuren aus unterschiedlichen literarischen Vorlagen nicht abgeneigt sein. Dann verspricht dieser Manga ausreichend Lesefreude.
February 19, 2024
“Blood Blade 1” by Oma Sei is a riveting entry into the world of fantasy and action, masterfully blending elements of magic, intrigue, and warfare. The author’s skill in character development is evident from the start, as readers are introduced to a richly imagined world filled with complex characters, each with their own motivations and backstories. The protagonist’s journey is both compelling and emotionally resonant, making it easy for readers to invest in their struggles and triumphs.
Oma Sei’s writing style is engaging and fluid, with vivid descriptions that bring the story’s settings and action sequences to life. The plot is well-paced, with a perfect balance of suspense, action, and character-driven moments. The book’s magic system is original and well-thought-out, adding depth to the world-building without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary complexity.
One of the standout features of “Blood Blade 1” is its ability to weave together themes of loyalty, power, and the quest for identity in a way that feels both fresh and relevant. The conflicts faced by the characters are not just external but internal, making their journeys all the more gripping.
Oma Sei has crafted a spellbinding tale that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. The novel’s strengths lie in its engaging storytelling, rich world-building, and deep, relatable characters. It’s a journey well worth embarking on, promising adventure, magic, and a touch of mystery.
Oma Sei’s writing style is engaging and fluid, with vivid descriptions that bring the story’s settings and action sequences to life. The plot is well-paced, with a perfect balance of suspense, action, and character-driven moments. The book’s magic system is original and well-thought-out, adding depth to the world-building without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary complexity.
One of the standout features of “Blood Blade 1” is its ability to weave together themes of loyalty, power, and the quest for identity in a way that feels both fresh and relevant. The conflicts faced by the characters are not just external but internal, making their journeys all the more gripping.
Oma Sei has crafted a spellbinding tale that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. The novel’s strengths lie in its engaging storytelling, rich world-building, and deep, relatable characters. It’s a journey well worth embarking on, promising adventure, magic, and a touch of mystery.
March 30, 2024
At first glance, I found this manga quite interesting. A version of Count Dracula, with Japanese samurai vibes, on a journey to find “the promised land”… yes, the plot seems intriguing.
But the execution is not very good, to say the least. It gives a little context about who Count Dracula is/was and how he went from being the feared Vlad the Impaler to a teenage vampire.
Without much preamble and out of nowhere, Clara appears, pursued by a mercenary, and that encounter is what begins Vlad's trip to the supposed island where all monsters can live in peace without the interference of humans.
The thing is that the development of the events is not entirely clear. Why does Vlad decide to leave his home in search of a supposed Paradise Island when she already lives in relative peace in her castle? Why does Vlad decide to abandon her territory, which she has been protecting for more than 400 years?
I understand that she wanted to help Clara, but why get more involved with her and the organization that is after her?
Perhaps it is that these questions will have answers in the following volumes, since this is the first and falls short in terms of explanation and development of the plot.
We'll see....
But the execution is not very good, to say the least. It gives a little context about who Count Dracula is/was and how he went from being the feared Vlad the Impaler to a teenage vampire.
Without much preamble and out of nowhere, Clara appears, pursued by a mercenary, and that encounter is what begins Vlad's trip to the supposed island where all monsters can live in peace without the interference of humans.
The thing is that the development of the events is not entirely clear. Why does Vlad decide to leave his home in search of a supposed Paradise Island when she already lives in relative peace in her castle? Why does Vlad decide to abandon her territory, which she has been protecting for more than 400 years?
I understand that she wanted to help Clara, but why get more involved with her and the organization that is after her?
Perhaps it is that these questions will have answers in the following volumes, since this is the first and falls short in terms of explanation and development of the plot.
We'll see....
April 22, 2024
Very interesting new storyline for manga. I'm a huge fan of mangas and the history behind Vlad the Impaler or just anything vampire/Dracula related. When I saw this, I just had to read and enjoy every bit of it. The storyline follows a resurrected Vlad the Impaler as a tiny female vampire with amazing powers and even better battle skills when it comes to fighting. The old former ruler of Transylvania has been hiding in his castle for years until he/she stumbles upon a Frankenstein modified girl being chased by a super monster creature. From there, Vlad learns that how the world has changed when a project taskforce called Cerberus, captures and experiments on monsters to create their own army of modified monsters. Forced to leave his homeland, Vlad journeys with Clara and his companion Nan to find out where Cerberus is and potential destroy them from harming other monsters.
The manga art was well-done but a bit dark to see certain things, but still worth reading overall. The storyline for me was a bit strange at first because I was wondering how Vlad went from being a man to a tiny girl and just how he got to where he is now. I guess the story about how he transformed will come around later in the series as it progresses. I cannot wait see where this series will go afterwards.
The manga art was well-done but a bit dark to see certain things, but still worth reading overall. The storyline for me was a bit strange at first because I was wondering how Vlad went from being a man to a tiny girl and just how he got to where he is now. I guess the story about how he transformed will come around later in the series as it progresses. I cannot wait see where this series will go afterwards.
February 10, 2024
Blood Blade is quite violent and full of blood. At the same time there's this weird cuteness that doesn't really fit in. This is a vampire series in which Count Vlad Dracula has been born again, but now as a young girl. Somehow she and her helper Nan end up in the middle of battles only to meet the creation of Victor Frankestein. Together they want to get to the island where monster can live freely, but everyone wants Vlad dead. So the plot is OK, not spectacular of course, and we see only so much in this first book. Thus the story can go anywhere, which is a good thing. The mystery aspect works. The one thing that doesn't work is the lack of backgrounds and how those are basically photographs modified with a computer. The characters don't fit with them basically.
The art is OK, the movement is well drawn and the gory battles look interesting. The hyper realistic style is nice at times, but doesn't work well with the cute girl images. The balance with the art is off and that's a bummer. At least the flow is OK.
The art is OK, the movement is well drawn and the gory battles look interesting. The hyper realistic style is nice at times, but doesn't work well with the cute girl images. The balance with the art is off and that's a bummer. At least the flow is OK.
February 19, 2024
Thank you, Netgalley, Oma Sei, and Kodansha Comics, for letting me review this manga ARC.
BLOOD BLADE offers a thrilling twist on the classic Dracula tale, blending elements of action-packed manga with the intrigue of alternate history. This innovative series introduces readers to a katana-wielding vampiress who breathes new life into the iconic character of Count Dracula.
Set in a gritty, alternate-history Europe, BLOOD BLADE follows the reincarnated Dracula as she embarks on a perilous journey alongside the enigmatic Clara. Together, they navigate a world teeming with danger, evading the clutches of the sinister organization Cerberus while uncovering the secrets of their own pasts.
With its unique premise, fast-paced narrative, and captivating characters, BLOOD BLADE is a must-read for manga enthusiasts and fans of alternate histories alike. Prepare to sink your fangs into this exhilarating adventure that breathes new life into the legend of Dracula.
Rating:
4 out of 5
BLOOD BLADE offers a thrilling twist on the classic Dracula tale, blending elements of action-packed manga with the intrigue of alternate history. This innovative series introduces readers to a katana-wielding vampiress who breathes new life into the iconic character of Count Dracula.
Set in a gritty, alternate-history Europe, BLOOD BLADE follows the reincarnated Dracula as she embarks on a perilous journey alongside the enigmatic Clara. Together, they navigate a world teeming with danger, evading the clutches of the sinister organization Cerberus while uncovering the secrets of their own pasts.
With its unique premise, fast-paced narrative, and captivating characters, BLOOD BLADE is a must-read for manga enthusiasts and fans of alternate histories alike. Prepare to sink your fangs into this exhilarating adventure that breathes new life into the legend of Dracula.
Rating:
4 out of 5
February 20, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, and Oma Sei for the opportunity to read this manga in exchange for an honest review.
With a gothic-noir feel to the art style, Blood Blade follows Count Vlad Dracula, reborn and a vampiress, the guise of a young woman making others none the wiser. Wielding a katana, Vlad demonstrates her skills upon her enemies.
Meanwhile, Clara, a girl Vlad saved, explains the wish of her deceased grandfather, Dr. Frankenstein, in his wish that monsters can live peacefully without war. Thus, Clara's quest to find monsters and get them to Monster Island, a safe haven. Vlad scoffs at the idea, of course, for what could Vlad the Impaler fear? Only time will tell if Vlad cares to make the journey. (And let's not forget to mention her shape-shifting old lady magic companion, Nan. OP much?).
While the pacing feels a bit off or random at times, the art is enjoyable and the fight scenes make for a quick read. The style is more Shounen, but with a heavy female case, a female audience is warranted as well. A promising start to an action-filled series.
With a gothic-noir feel to the art style, Blood Blade follows Count Vlad Dracula, reborn and a vampiress, the guise of a young woman making others none the wiser. Wielding a katana, Vlad demonstrates her skills upon her enemies.
Meanwhile, Clara, a girl Vlad saved, explains the wish of her deceased grandfather, Dr. Frankenstein, in his wish that monsters can live peacefully without war. Thus, Clara's quest to find monsters and get them to Monster Island, a safe haven. Vlad scoffs at the idea, of course, for what could Vlad the Impaler fear? Only time will tell if Vlad cares to make the journey. (And let's not forget to mention her shape-shifting old lady magic companion, Nan. OP much?).
While the pacing feels a bit off or random at times, the art is enjoyable and the fight scenes make for a quick read. The style is more Shounen, but with a heavy female case, a female audience is warranted as well. A promising start to an action-filled series.
March 21, 2024
This manga is basically what if Vlad Dracula was actually a terrifying beautiful girl and I loved that. This rode the line of being gritty and cute at the same time and it’s definitely a anime plot line that is serious, but doesn’t take itself too seriously. This is a girl that has a ton of power and should not be messed with.
This was definitely the intro of something that will go much deeper and I feel as though even though they are looking for an island of peaceful monsters there is going to be so much bloodshed along the way. This book does not shy away from violence and the fight scenes while short are very visceral.
There is obviously so much more to come in this series and it’s hard to be too critical when it’s very much a set up of the tone and what’s to come. This first manga was there to show who Vlad is and how powerful she is and to set up a war that’s going to be very bloody and how it’ll all be tied up later is unknown yet. I’m intrigued by this first volume and I look forward to more soon.
This was definitely the intro of something that will go much deeper and I feel as though even though they are looking for an island of peaceful monsters there is going to be so much bloodshed along the way. This book does not shy away from violence and the fight scenes while short are very visceral.
There is obviously so much more to come in this series and it’s hard to be too critical when it’s very much a set up of the tone and what’s to come. This first manga was there to show who Vlad is and how powerful she is and to set up a war that’s going to be very bloody and how it’ll all be tied up later is unknown yet. I’m intrigued by this first volume and I look forward to more soon.
February 27, 2024
I got this book for free via NetGalley for a review.
Vlad the Impaler had been reborn into the body of a young female vampire. She rescues Frankenstein's monster, a girl called Clara, and together they must flee for their lives.
The plot was pretty interesting, it kept me wanting to read more to find out what happens. I would be interested in finding out more about Cerberus and am now invested in the girls journey to Monster Island.
The character design and world building were pretty well done. I feel like we have already learnt quite a bit about the three main characters, but there seems to still be so much to explore. The set up of the world was nice, and again there seems a lot more to learn about it in future volumes.
The art style swaps between the cute and the more realistic, often depending on if it is in the present time with the girls, or the past with Vlad the Impaler, but in other places too. It often reflects the tone of the scenes. The backgrounds are especially well done, as they are fairly detailed in every panel. They really like to draw faces from the left hand side though, once I'd noticed it I couldn't stop seeing it.
Overall it was an interesting read and I'd be fairly interested in reading the next volume to see where the story is going to go.
Vlad the Impaler had been reborn into the body of a young female vampire. She rescues Frankenstein's monster, a girl called Clara, and together they must flee for their lives.
The plot was pretty interesting, it kept me wanting to read more to find out what happens. I would be interested in finding out more about Cerberus and am now invested in the girls journey to Monster Island.
The character design and world building were pretty well done. I feel like we have already learnt quite a bit about the three main characters, but there seems to still be so much to explore. The set up of the world was nice, and again there seems a lot more to learn about it in future volumes.
The art style swaps between the cute and the more realistic, often depending on if it is in the present time with the girls, or the past with Vlad the Impaler, but in other places too. It often reflects the tone of the scenes. The backgrounds are especially well done, as they are fairly detailed in every panel. They really like to draw faces from the left hand side though, once I'd noticed it I couldn't stop seeing it.
Overall it was an interesting read and I'd be fairly interested in reading the next volume to see where the story is going to go.
February 26, 2024
El Conde Vlad Drácula renace como una joven vampira con una katana en Europa. Esto ya me interesaba porque dije... esto puede funcionar muy bien o muy mal. Y se quedo entre medio de esas dos. Además de que conocemos a una joven niña que fue creada por Victor Frankenstein... o sea, tenemos una combinación de cosas interesantes... Y le sumamos lobos. Una mezcla no poco común pero que me gustó.
Lo que más ruido me hace es eso de que se haya convertido en una niñita, pero son detalles que a veces me olvido PERO el mangaka lo recuerda, porque claro... como una niñita vampira puede tener tanto poder, no?
En fin, una historia atrapante, que la lees enseguida porque realmente es muy copado cómo cuenta los hechos y lo que sucede en la vida de nuestro Conde y de Clara. Veremos por donde sigue la historia, que tendrán para mostrarnos.
Gracias Kodansha Comics por el ejemplar digital que leí en NetGalley a cambio de una reseña honesta.
Lo que más ruido me hace es eso de que se haya convertido en una niñita, pero son detalles que a veces me olvido PERO el mangaka lo recuerda, porque claro... como una niñita vampira puede tener tanto poder, no?
En fin, una historia atrapante, que la lees enseguida porque realmente es muy copado cómo cuenta los hechos y lo que sucede en la vida de nuestro Conde y de Clara. Veremos por donde sigue la historia, que tendrán para mostrarnos.
Gracias Kodansha Comics por el ejemplar digital que leí en NetGalley a cambio de una reseña honesta.
March 27, 2024
3.5/5
It was a fun fantasy about Count Vladimir the Impaler if he reincarnated into a small girl’s body as a vampire and then met one of Frankenstein’s monster on her way to Monster Island.
Yes. Yes I did just write that.
This manga took me on a wild ride where legends are true and monsters are real. Vlad’s personality as a small girl (yes really, a small girl) was really fun. Their maid friend/source of blood was also a fun designed side character.
I really liked the art of Clara (Frankie’s monster). The reveal of her body was very body horror.
The art itself was beautiful. Very crisp and clean. It had a good balance between realism and little anime girl style.
Definitely don’t read this if you are a little faint of heart, or if gore isn’t your thing, as this book is jam-packed with nightmare fuel scenes. Definitely do read this if you like anything about vampires, classic monsters, and Count Vlad lore.
It was a fun fantasy about Count Vladimir the Impaler if he reincarnated into a small girl’s body as a vampire and then met one of Frankenstein’s monster on her way to Monster Island.
Yes. Yes I did just write that.
This manga took me on a wild ride where legends are true and monsters are real. Vlad’s personality as a small girl (yes really, a small girl) was really fun. Their maid friend/source of blood was also a fun designed side character.
I really liked the art of Clara (Frankie’s monster). The reveal of her body was very body horror.
The art itself was beautiful. Very crisp and clean. It had a good balance between realism and little anime girl style.
Definitely don’t read this if you are a little faint of heart, or if gore isn’t your thing, as this book is jam-packed with nightmare fuel scenes. Definitely do read this if you like anything about vampires, classic monsters, and Count Vlad lore.
April 22, 2024
I am obviously a fan of manga but I also adore horror and anything regarding vampires or Vlad the Impaler (but still prefer Werewolves!) so Blood Blade is right up my street. I adored the alternative history for Europe and the references to other ‘monsters’ be they literary or folkloric. The story is captivating and enjoyable with memorable and enjoyable characters. The artwork is amazing and I adored the style.
I also liked how we get enough information to hook us but not enough to spoil anything. I am guessing as the story progresses we will find out more about the characters and world they live in as well as backstory. Well I’m sure I find out when the volumes arrive since I have preordered all the ones available! If you enjoy horror manga or alternative history stories I would say give this one a chance you will not be disappointed.
I also liked how we get enough information to hook us but not enough to spoil anything. I am guessing as the story progresses we will find out more about the characters and world they live in as well as backstory. Well I’m sure I find out when the volumes arrive since I have preordered all the ones available! If you enjoy horror manga or alternative history stories I would say give this one a chance you will not be disappointed.
February 21, 2024
Ok, where to start. The art is flipping amazing. It is dark and detailed and simply beautiful. That alone made me purchase the book. The story though is maybe a little weak. I am willing though to give it a few volumes to get its pace. We have Vlad the Impaler being reborn into a beautiful young woman who fights with a Japanese sword. Already strange eh lol. You have an organization that is snatching up monsters and making human monster hybrids with them. Then you have several of the monsters just wanting to live a life of peace yet they are still weapons of war. I do like the way Vlad is unaware of all the advancements in weapons so when she has a gun pulled on her it's like what is this lol.
February 25, 2024
Thank you NetGalley
Is it appropriate to say this was kinda cute? I’m not sure why I feel that way but alas.
The artwork was fantastic. The plot was nice. I think it’s funny that Vlad came back as what looks to be a teen girl, and seems to exhibit some teen girl characteristics. It made the new visual more realistic, if that makes sense?
Also I love that Nan went from a crow, to a young woman, to a young girl, to A FREAKING DRAGON! Like ma’am, what else can you do?!
Clara’s intro felt a little info dumpy but given the fact that this isn’t a full length novel I wasn’t put off by it. I just wish we could get it a little more organically than word vomit.
Overall I liked the setup, and am interested to see more
Is it appropriate to say this was kinda cute? I’m not sure why I feel that way but alas.
The artwork was fantastic. The plot was nice. I think it’s funny that Vlad came back as what looks to be a teen girl, and seems to exhibit some teen girl characteristics. It made the new visual more realistic, if that makes sense?
Also I love that Nan went from a crow, to a young woman, to a young girl, to A FREAKING DRAGON! Like ma’am, what else can you do?!
Clara’s intro felt a little info dumpy but given the fact that this isn’t a full length novel I wasn’t put off by it. I just wish we could get it a little more organically than word vomit.
Overall I liked the setup, and am interested to see more
February 8, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
This manga is a fun take on the myth of Count Vlad Dracula. It's an alternate-history where an organization called Cerberus is looking for monsters to research in order to make monster-human hybrids to fight in wars. Count Dracula has been reborn as a human girl and, in order to evade Cerberus, sets off with another young girl who is Victor Frankenstein's creation to a place called "Monster Island." It's equal parts gruesome and silly, which makes me interested in reading the next volume.
This manga is a fun take on the myth of Count Vlad Dracula. It's an alternate-history where an organization called Cerberus is looking for monsters to research in order to make monster-human hybrids to fight in wars. Count Dracula has been reborn as a human girl and, in order to evade Cerberus, sets off with another young girl who is Victor Frankenstein's creation to a place called "Monster Island." It's equal parts gruesome and silly, which makes me interested in reading the next volume.
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