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Dark Wars: The Tale of Meiji Dracula
FROM JAPAN’S MASTER OF HORROR, HIDEYUKI KIKUCHI, COMES A TERRIFYING, ACTION-PACKED VAMPIRE THRILLER.
Japan, 1880. Seventeen-year-old Daigo possesses a wicked talent for the sword. Though many have come to challenge him, none has triumphed. But one moonless night, a stranger arrives in Daigo’s quiet village, bearing the key to a mystery that haunts Daigo’s family–a tale too incredible to be believed, the proof too compelling to be doubted.
Count Dracula cannot change who he is, or what he craves, or how many souls he must steal to slake his undying thirst. An entire country is about to fall prey to the count’s bloodlust–and no one’s at greater risk than those closest to Daigo, especially the beautiful, love-struck Chizuru. Only Daigo can save his community from this demon of the night. But Daigo has never faced a more formidable opponent. He’s never confronted a vampire’s speed, a vampire’s strength, and, perhaps most dangerous of all, a vampire’s seduction. . . .
Japan, 1880. Seventeen-year-old Daigo possesses a wicked talent for the sword. Though many have come to challenge him, none has triumphed. But one moonless night, a stranger arrives in Daigo’s quiet village, bearing the key to a mystery that haunts Daigo’s family–a tale too incredible to be believed, the proof too compelling to be doubted.
Count Dracula cannot change who he is, or what he craves, or how many souls he must steal to slake his undying thirst. An entire country is about to fall prey to the count’s bloodlust–and no one’s at greater risk than those closest to Daigo, especially the beautiful, love-struck Chizuru. Only Daigo can save his community from this demon of the night. But Daigo has never faced a more formidable opponent. He’s never confronted a vampire’s speed, a vampire’s strength, and, perhaps most dangerous of all, a vampire’s seduction. . . .
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 2008
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January 15, 2025
So there's this novel I just read, Dark Wars: The Tale of Meiji Dracula by Hideyuki Kikuchi--the Vampire Hunted D guy.
This fucking book. Borderline terrible, lol. It’s like watching a bad anime that somehow becomes amazing because it’s so over-the-top. You hate it, but you can’t stop loving it at the same time. Like, it’s such a mess that it swings all the way back around to being awesome. Its like good, bad anime. Dracula shows up in Meiji-era Japan, and the plot just goes absolutely batshit from there. Let’s sort through this pile.
The MC of the novel is a sword boy named Daigo, there's also his judo buddy, Shiro. There's a bunch of different girls, one is like Akane whose there or something, and Chizuru, I think, who turns into a body horror monster at the end--her brother Renta is the badguy who is responsible for MOST of the bitten victims.
Dracula himself? He’s not even the main villain. Renta’s role as the main villain creates this wild dynamic where Dracula, the OG vampire, is just trying to chill while his fanboy disciple goes full chaos mode. It’s like watching someone’s intern burn down the office while the boss is out for lunch. Dracula’s frustrated vibes are kind of hilarious as he has to clean up the mess. Renta's the boy running around biting everyone, turning Japan into bullshit. Dracula? Fuck no, he’s just trying to vibe and NOT be famous in a new country. But Renta screws it all up immediately by creating a small army of vampires. Plus, every figures out Dracula is a vampire immediately anyway, as literally Dracula--they have heard of the guy from the novel, Dracula, like he's famous.
Dracula’s biting habits? Oddly selective. This actually ties into the plot in a weird way. His reluctance to bite people reflects his desire to stay under the radar in Japan, but the first of two times he does bite—Shiro, the judo guy, and Daigo's mum later—it’s like he’s succumbing to his nature despite himself. It’s a moment that adds layers to his character, showing that even Dracula can’t fully escape being, well, Dracula. He’s all, “Nah, I’m not into biting people anymore,” but then randomly bites ONE guy—Shiro, the judo dude. Why? Who knows! Plot reasons, probably. "I was a bat at the time, and bats just bite people." And let’s talk about Shiro for a second. This guy’s whole life revolves around defeating his judo master’s ultimate move, and fucking shit up with judo. He literally tries to solve every problem he faces with judo. Judo. Judo! That’s it. You live in a lot of characters heads in this one, and he's the most single-minded. They are all single-minded. Meanwhile, his master straight-up suplexes the bad-guy vampire, which was a highlight, honestly.
Anyway, Renta (the nerd vampire) is out here causing chaos with a literal cowboy gun, and there’s this whole deal about him firing six shots in a critical battle… except he fires SEVEN. I counted (I actually didn't). Daigo doges a bullet, cuts off four people's fucking legs in one swing, and sort of fizzles out alongside his opponent in what is a weird final battle. He may only have actually fired six shots, but I swear it feels like I was counting in my head and when he threatened to shoot again I was like, "whuh?" I could go back and look, but this is funnier.
Seaking of chaos, there’s Daigo, the sword-wielding protagonist who’s also dying of tuberculosis, like you do. He spends the whole book brooding and kinda failing as a hero until he’s like, “Wait, I only have one scene left to shine,” and goes to confront Dracula. And Dracula? Dracula’s out here pulling the classic “I crossed oceans of time to find you” move on Akane who reminds him of someone he used to know. Honestly, I think that’s just his default pickup line.
And the cliffhanger! It’s literally: Does the dying samurai kid with tuberculosis defeat Dracula on the ship? Or does he say, “You know what, being a vampire sounds great,” and take Dracula’s offer? WHO KNOWS? It just ends there. That's about as suspenseful as when a Dungeon Master makes the same offer to a dying first-level fighter player character.
Oh, and let’s not forget the Yakuza subplot. Daigo beats up some loan shark’s goons, and the leader’s like, “Nice fight, bro, let’s be friends.” Later, the Yakuza guys show up again, all, “Hey, we got fired for losing to you, so we’re here to hang out.” Daigo’s like, “Cool, I need some disposable speedbumps to die for me soon.” And boy, do they deliver. First thing that happens? The cool one dies first. RIP, dukes.
There’s also a bizarre confession from Dracula about how he bit Daigo’s mom. He’s like, "Oh yeah, sorry, I was the one who actually bit your mom. So, remember the other night when I went to your guys' home to tell you about your dad who died 400 years ago after being sent backwards in time in a shipwreck? Well, I told you I had to go, but you insisted I stay, which to a vampire, is like the hardest fucking thing in the world to ignore. You insisted you would leave to get some sake, and your mother too, which is totally something I cant drink. So there you were, gone, and I was alone with your mother. I tried to leave, and managed to do so with all well. I was literally turning into bats when she came up running behind me in the dark, and embraced me. She had such a white neck. So dude, sorry. Vampire. I did my best. So, do you want to die in a month, or what?"
Oh, and let’s circle back to Dracula’s fear of judo. This dude, the OG vampire, is like, “Nope, not fighting your judo master unless I get a sword, thanks.” Iconic. Except then vampire Shiro beats the judo master anyway and yeets him through a wall, never to be heard from again. So much for that subplot.
And Dracula’s big plan? "I wasn't gonna do shit like this in Japan, but I might as well now," and yoinks Akane. Except Daigo’s like, “Not on my watch,” and we’re left hanging. Will Daigo rise to the occasion or keel over from TB? The book’s like, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Final thoughts: Actually, this book was pretty good. Despite all its flaws—the chaotic plot, the bizarre character decisions, and the literally forgettable female characters—it’s passably entertaining while sitting on the toilet. It’s got everything: over-the-top action, ridiculous melodrama, and unintentional hilarity. If you’re into stories that feel like a fever dream but somehow keep you coming back, this one’s a sort of must-read. Terrible, but good. Like some random OVA you rented from Hollywood Video in the 90's. It’s messy, it’s ridiculous, and it’s an absolute blast. Dracula fearing judo will live rent-free in my head forever.
This fucking book. Borderline terrible, lol. It’s like watching a bad anime that somehow becomes amazing because it’s so over-the-top. You hate it, but you can’t stop loving it at the same time. Like, it’s such a mess that it swings all the way back around to being awesome. Its like good, bad anime. Dracula shows up in Meiji-era Japan, and the plot just goes absolutely batshit from there. Let’s sort through this pile.
The MC of the novel is a sword boy named Daigo, there's also his judo buddy, Shiro. There's a bunch of different girls, one is like Akane whose there or something, and Chizuru, I think, who turns into a body horror monster at the end--her brother Renta is the badguy who is responsible for MOST of the bitten victims.
Dracula himself? He’s not even the main villain. Renta’s role as the main villain creates this wild dynamic where Dracula, the OG vampire, is just trying to chill while his fanboy disciple goes full chaos mode. It’s like watching someone’s intern burn down the office while the boss is out for lunch. Dracula’s frustrated vibes are kind of hilarious as he has to clean up the mess. Renta's the boy running around biting everyone, turning Japan into bullshit. Dracula? Fuck no, he’s just trying to vibe and NOT be famous in a new country. But Renta screws it all up immediately by creating a small army of vampires. Plus, every figures out Dracula is a vampire immediately anyway, as literally Dracula--they have heard of the guy from the novel, Dracula, like he's famous.
Dracula’s biting habits? Oddly selective. This actually ties into the plot in a weird way. His reluctance to bite people reflects his desire to stay under the radar in Japan, but the first of two times he does bite—Shiro, the judo guy, and Daigo's mum later—it’s like he’s succumbing to his nature despite himself. It’s a moment that adds layers to his character, showing that even Dracula can’t fully escape being, well, Dracula. He’s all, “Nah, I’m not into biting people anymore,” but then randomly bites ONE guy—Shiro, the judo dude. Why? Who knows! Plot reasons, probably. "I was a bat at the time, and bats just bite people." And let’s talk about Shiro for a second. This guy’s whole life revolves around defeating his judo master’s ultimate move, and fucking shit up with judo. He literally tries to solve every problem he faces with judo. Judo. Judo! That’s it. You live in a lot of characters heads in this one, and he's the most single-minded. They are all single-minded. Meanwhile, his master straight-up suplexes the bad-guy vampire, which was a highlight, honestly.
Anyway, Renta (the nerd vampire) is out here causing chaos with a literal cowboy gun, and there’s this whole deal about him firing six shots in a critical battle… except he fires SEVEN. I counted (I actually didn't). Daigo doges a bullet, cuts off four people's fucking legs in one swing, and sort of fizzles out alongside his opponent in what is a weird final battle. He may only have actually fired six shots, but I swear it feels like I was counting in my head and when he threatened to shoot again I was like, "whuh?" I could go back and look, but this is funnier.
Seaking of chaos, there’s Daigo, the sword-wielding protagonist who’s also dying of tuberculosis, like you do. He spends the whole book brooding and kinda failing as a hero until he’s like, “Wait, I only have one scene left to shine,” and goes to confront Dracula. And Dracula? Dracula’s out here pulling the classic “I crossed oceans of time to find you” move on Akane who reminds him of someone he used to know. Honestly, I think that’s just his default pickup line.
And the cliffhanger! It’s literally: Does the dying samurai kid with tuberculosis defeat Dracula on the ship? Or does he say, “You know what, being a vampire sounds great,” and take Dracula’s offer? WHO KNOWS? It just ends there. That's about as suspenseful as when a Dungeon Master makes the same offer to a dying first-level fighter player character.
Oh, and let’s not forget the Yakuza subplot. Daigo beats up some loan shark’s goons, and the leader’s like, “Nice fight, bro, let’s be friends.” Later, the Yakuza guys show up again, all, “Hey, we got fired for losing to you, so we’re here to hang out.” Daigo’s like, “Cool, I need some disposable speedbumps to die for me soon.” And boy, do they deliver. First thing that happens? The cool one dies first. RIP, dukes.
There’s also a bizarre confession from Dracula about how he bit Daigo’s mom. He’s like, "Oh yeah, sorry, I was the one who actually bit your mom. So, remember the other night when I went to your guys' home to tell you about your dad who died 400 years ago after being sent backwards in time in a shipwreck? Well, I told you I had to go, but you insisted I stay, which to a vampire, is like the hardest fucking thing in the world to ignore. You insisted you would leave to get some sake, and your mother too, which is totally something I cant drink. So there you were, gone, and I was alone with your mother. I tried to leave, and managed to do so with all well. I was literally turning into bats when she came up running behind me in the dark, and embraced me. She had such a white neck. So dude, sorry. Vampire. I did my best. So, do you want to die in a month, or what?"
Oh, and let’s circle back to Dracula’s fear of judo. This dude, the OG vampire, is like, “Nope, not fighting your judo master unless I get a sword, thanks.” Iconic. Except then vampire Shiro beats the judo master anyway and yeets him through a wall, never to be heard from again. So much for that subplot.
And Dracula’s big plan? "I wasn't gonna do shit like this in Japan, but I might as well now," and yoinks Akane. Except Daigo’s like, “Not on my watch,” and we’re left hanging. Will Daigo rise to the occasion or keel over from TB? The book’s like, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Final thoughts: Actually, this book was pretty good. Despite all its flaws—the chaotic plot, the bizarre character decisions, and the literally forgettable female characters—it’s passably entertaining while sitting on the toilet. It’s got everything: over-the-top action, ridiculous melodrama, and unintentional hilarity. If you’re into stories that feel like a fever dream but somehow keep you coming back, this one’s a sort of must-read. Terrible, but good. Like some random OVA you rented from Hollywood Video in the 90's. It’s messy, it’s ridiculous, and it’s an absolute blast. Dracula fearing judo will live rent-free in my head forever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2012
Япония, 1885 год. Реформы эпохи Мэйдзи в самом разгаре. Самурайское сословие упразднено, кэндо из высокого искусства для избранных превращено в одну из рядовых спортивных дисциплин. Эдо больше не Эдо, а Токио, по улицам которого независимо и свободно ходят сотни иностранцев. Дружить с гайдзинами, приглашать их свой дом, восхищаться их искусством – больше не зазорно, а модно и прогрессивно.
Молодой фехтовальщик Дайго Минадзуки и его друзья решают проникнуть в заброшенный особняк покойного британского купца, чтобы посмотреть на его коллекцию живописи, но случайно натыкаются на нового хозяина этого дома. Он – европеец, граф, его зовут Дракула и он совершенно не рад гостям, которых просит немедленно покинуть его стены. На следующее утро загадочный гайдзин приходит в додзё мастера Дзигоро и бросает ему вызов. “Я приехал в вашу страну, чтобы проверить искусство её фехтовальщиков, и на данный момент оно меня совершенно не впечатляет”. Мастер Дзигоро с легкостью повержен, его ученики – тоже, и только Дайго Минадзуки смог выйти из схватки с гайдзином победителем.
Граф не скрывает зловещей радости и рассказывает парню странную историю. Четыреста лет назад я, граф Дракула (но если это вас смущает, пусть это будет мой предок - трансильванский князь Влад Цепеш) вел затяжную войну с турецкими оккупантами. Никто не мог сравниться с моим мастерством (пардон, мастерством моего предка), пока я (то бишь он) не встретил на поле боя странного азиата, который отрубил мне (то есть моему предку) руки, ноги… короче, в капусту изрубил. Позднее мы подружились, и он (его звали Соитиро Минадзуки) рассказал мне странную историю. Оказывается, он был самураю-ёрики в эпоху Бакумацу, но попал однажды во временную аномалию и оказался заброшен далеко в прошлое, во времена Османской империи. На его смертном одре я (ну, или мой предок) пообещал потерявшемуся самураю, что найду его близких и расскажу им о его печальной судьбе. Я подождал четыреста лет, а потом приплыл в Японию, чтобы рассказать тебе, мальчик, о судьбе твоего отца. Я вижу твой потенциал, он велик и почти бесконечен, поэтому предлагаю тебе то же, что и твоему папашке – вечную жизнь. Не спорь и не торгуйся. Я знаю у тебя чахотка - она прибьет тебя через пару месяцев – поэтому не тяни резину. Join me!
Самураи – люди упрямые, поэтому история приезда Дракулы в Японию на этом не закончилась. Потрясенный услышанной историей юный Дайго от предложения отказался, и граф свинтил в неизвестном направлении. Дальше все происходило почти по Брэму Стокеру: женские персонажи видят страшные сны, находят у себя на шее укусы, умирают, восстают, и так далее. Но только мораль и соль у происходящего - совершенно иные. Граф Дракула – абстрактное зло в чистом виде. Его мотивации сложны и запутанны, им зачастую по несколько сот лет и никто, кроме самого графа, не способен их понять и по достоинству оценить. Мелкое зло – убийство бомжей и красивых девушек, нашествия летучих мышей и прочая мистическая хрень – поступки его трэш-аколитов, не способных из-за своей местечковой ограниченности на серьезнее и эпические поступки.
Сама идея поместить Дракулу в эпоху Мэйдзи – это очевидная критика присущего этому времени преклонения перед всем западным, когда под видом прогрессивных и перспективных нововведений на японские острова попадало множество опасной и вредной дряни. При этом опасной и вредной дрянь являлась не только по своей природе, но и по тому, как пытались применить её в жизнь “наивные аборигены”.
Тема актуальна и по сей день, поэтому время от времени писателю изменяет хороший вкус, и его баттхерт вырывается наружу в форме фраз типа “в те времена, когда еще не было емейлов и бложиков…” Совершенно булгаковской выступает в этом ключе сцена прихода Дракулы на званый вечер главного японского “западника”- министра иностранных дел Каору Иноуэ. Все гости пытаются показать себя прогрессивными и толерантными, поэтому иностранцы поголовно в кимоно и хакамах, а японцы – в смокингах и капотах. Одежда непривычная, ходить в ней никто толком не умеет, еще и лица выбелены, поэтому со стороны происходящее напоминает настоящий бал мертвецов.
Молодой фехтовальщик Дайго Минадзуки и его друзья решают проникнуть в заброшенный особняк покойного британского купца, чтобы посмотреть на его коллекцию живописи, но случайно натыкаются на нового хозяина этого дома. Он – европеец, граф, его зовут Дракула и он совершенно не рад гостям, которых просит немедленно покинуть его стены. На следующее утро загадочный гайдзин приходит в додзё мастера Дзигоро и бросает ему вызов. “Я приехал в вашу страну, чтобы проверить искусство её фехтовальщиков, и на данный момент оно меня совершенно не впечатляет”. Мастер Дзигоро с легкостью повержен, его ученики – тоже, и только Дайго Минадзуки смог выйти из схватки с гайдзином победителем.
Граф не скрывает зловещей радости и рассказывает парню странную историю. Четыреста лет назад я, граф Дракула (но если это вас смущает, пусть это будет мой предок - трансильванский князь Влад Цепеш) вел затяжную войну с турецкими оккупантами. Никто не мог сравниться с моим мастерством (пардон, мастерством моего предка), пока я (то бишь он) не встретил на поле боя странного азиата, который отрубил мне (то есть моему предку) руки, ноги… короче, в капусту изрубил. Позднее мы подружились, и он (его звали Соитиро Минадзуки) рассказал мне странную историю. Оказывается, он был самураю-ёрики в эпоху Бакумацу, но попал однажды во временную аномалию и оказался заброшен далеко в прошлое, во времена Османской империи. На его смертном одре я (ну, или мой предок) пообещал потерявшемуся самураю, что найду его близких и расскажу им о его печальной судьбе. Я подождал четыреста лет, а потом приплыл в Японию, чтобы рассказать тебе, мальчик, о судьбе твоего отца. Я вижу твой потенциал, он велик и почти бесконечен, поэтому предлагаю тебе то же, что и твоему папашке – вечную жизнь. Не спорь и не торгуйся. Я знаю у тебя чахотка - она прибьет тебя через пару месяцев – поэтому не тяни резину. Join me!
Самураи – люди упрямые, поэтому история приезда Дракулы в Японию на этом не закончилась. Потрясенный услышанной историей юный Дайго от предложения отказался, и граф свинтил в неизвестном направлении. Дальше все происходило почти по Брэму Стокеру: женские персонажи видят страшные сны, находят у себя на шее укусы, умирают, восстают, и так далее. Но только мораль и соль у происходящего - совершенно иные. Граф Дракула – абстрактное зло в чистом виде. Его мотивации сложны и запутанны, им зачастую по несколько сот лет и никто, кроме самого графа, не способен их понять и по достоинству оценить. Мелкое зло – убийство бомжей и красивых девушек, нашествия летучих мышей и прочая мистическая хрень – поступки его трэш-аколитов, не способных из-за своей местечковой ограниченности на серьезнее и эпические поступки.
Сама идея поместить Дракулу в эпоху Мэйдзи – это очевидная критика присущего этому времени преклонения перед всем западным, когда под видом прогрессивных и перспективных нововведений на японские острова попадало множество опасной и вредной дряни. При этом опасной и вредной дрянь являлась не только по своей природе, но и по тому, как пытались применить её в жизнь “наивные аборигены”.
Тема актуальна и по сей день, поэтому время от времени писателю изменяет хороший вкус, и его баттхерт вырывается наружу в форме фраз типа “в те времена, когда еще не было емейлов и бложиков…” Совершенно булгаковской выступает в этом ключе сцена прихода Дракулы на званый вечер главного японского “западника”- министра иностранных дел Каору Иноуэ. Все гости пытаются показать себя прогрессивными и толерантными, поэтому иностранцы поголовно в кимоно и хакамах, а японцы – в смокингах и капотах. Одежда непривычная, ходить в ней никто толком не умеет, еще и лица выбелены, поэтому со стороны происходящее напоминает настоящий бал мертвецов.
March 1, 2013
Gute Idee, mittelmäßig ausgeführt - aber toll illustriert!
Ehrlich gesagt war dieses Buch eigentlich ein Fehlkauf - ich hatte mehr mit einem Comic gerechnet, als ich den Namen "Katsuya Terada" gelesen hatte. Statt eines Comics bekam ich einen Vampirroman, der sich stark am klassischen Stoker orientiert. Die Vampire hier sind noch "originale" Vampire ohne Haarspray, Boss-Klamotten und existenzialistischen Philosophieanwandlungen - sie sind auf Blut aus.
Der interessante Twist an dieser Vampirversion ist die Verortung im Japan der Meiji-Restoration; Dracula trifft auf Judo- und Schwertkämpfer. Der Autor ist selbst Japaner, also kann der geneigte Leser von historisch zumindest einigermaßen akkuraten und atmosphärischen Szenarien ausgehen.
Leider ist der Roman etwas flach, vorhersehbar und wenig gruslig - auch stilistisch mache ich einige Mängel aus. Vampirfans sollten aber allein schon aufgrund der interessanten Verortung zugreifen.
Das Buch ist auf sehr billigem, dünnen Papier gedruckt mit einem schwabbeligen Dünnkartoneinband. Recht große Buchstaben und viel Weißraum lassen den Leser die knapp 250 Seiten schnell durchlesen.
Das Highlight an diesem Band, und das rettet ihm den dritten Stern, sind die Illustrationen von Katsuya Terada, die den bösen Grafen und seine Samuraigegner wie Opfer plastisch und in seinem typischen Stil düster portraitieren.
Ehrlich gesagt war dieses Buch eigentlich ein Fehlkauf - ich hatte mehr mit einem Comic gerechnet, als ich den Namen "Katsuya Terada" gelesen hatte. Statt eines Comics bekam ich einen Vampirroman, der sich stark am klassischen Stoker orientiert. Die Vampire hier sind noch "originale" Vampire ohne Haarspray, Boss-Klamotten und existenzialistischen Philosophieanwandlungen - sie sind auf Blut aus.
Der interessante Twist an dieser Vampirversion ist die Verortung im Japan der Meiji-Restoration; Dracula trifft auf Judo- und Schwertkämpfer. Der Autor ist selbst Japaner, also kann der geneigte Leser von historisch zumindest einigermaßen akkuraten und atmosphärischen Szenarien ausgehen.
Leider ist der Roman etwas flach, vorhersehbar und wenig gruslig - auch stilistisch mache ich einige Mängel aus. Vampirfans sollten aber allein schon aufgrund der interessanten Verortung zugreifen.
Das Buch ist auf sehr billigem, dünnen Papier gedruckt mit einem schwabbeligen Dünnkartoneinband. Recht große Buchstaben und viel Weißraum lassen den Leser die knapp 250 Seiten schnell durchlesen.
Das Highlight an diesem Band, und das rettet ihm den dritten Stern, sind die Illustrationen von Katsuya Terada, die den bösen Grafen und seine Samuraigegner wie Opfer plastisch und in seinem typischen Stil düster portraitieren.
July 25, 2025
Kikuchi has this thing. If you've read his Vampire Hunter D novels, perhaps the early ones, you might know what I'm talking about.
He will spend a lot of time world-building, and putting details into place. He will create an excellent conceit, and even interesting characters. Kikuchi has some excellent, banger lines and his prose can be sparse and to the point. He also tends to like protagonists who are pale, beautiful men that attract both men and women -- D, I am looking at you. Also, combat is described relatively well.
But then, something happens. There is a sudden transition, or a change of tone that has no lead up. Sometimes a plot line comes in, and then just disappears like it didn't matter. Characters will say random things that will not transition away cleanly.
Dark Wars starts off with such promise. Dracula, in the 19th century -- in the Meiji Era of Japan -- comes to the country, and interacts with one of the last true crop of warrior samurai, and a Judo prodigy as the art is being created. It makes you look at the country then, at the nation and the culture, and the translators do well to keep some Japanese terms in the work. The author makes you wonder what business Dracula has in Japan, and how it will change everything. Would there be emphasis on him as a gaijin -- which would almost be worse than being considered a yokai? A foreigner or a spirit. Would Shinto or Buddhist or other Eastern spiritual and religious symbols affect him and his progeny? How is the protagonist, Daigo, possibly related to him as he falls into the pale, beautiful trope Kikuchi likes to utilize? How does his missing father play into it? Is he a dhampir, or yokai? What about seeing some actual swordsmanship between Dracula, or his progeny with those of the old order of Bushido, or the new Judo dojos?
Some of these questions get answered, but when time travel is mentioned *off-screen* so to speak, the promise of the whole novel just gets squandered. It's hard to take seriously after that, with sudden and unprepared plot points just appearing with side characters and an ending that should be fascinating as it is, ambiguous and open-ended, but frustrating. When you build to a whole arc of whether or not Daigo and Dracula will fight, and you don't resolve it, it is disappointing. I wanted to see more character developments, and more about their interactions with Meiji Era Japan. It is doubly frustrating because you can see hints of it, that Kikuchi could actually do that, but he chooses not to, and instead leaves the reader with whatever this is.
And now I see why this book isn't widely available at least in North America. It's sad because there is a story here. It just needed to be cleaned up, and streamlined. But I did like the ideas in it, and at least Dracula was somewhat in character: as much as a fictional vampire spread across multimedia can be. So yes, 3 strikes ouf of five.
He will spend a lot of time world-building, and putting details into place. He will create an excellent conceit, and even interesting characters. Kikuchi has some excellent, banger lines and his prose can be sparse and to the point. He also tends to like protagonists who are pale, beautiful men that attract both men and women -- D, I am looking at you. Also, combat is described relatively well.
But then, something happens. There is a sudden transition, or a change of tone that has no lead up. Sometimes a plot line comes in, and then just disappears like it didn't matter. Characters will say random things that will not transition away cleanly.
Dark Wars starts off with such promise. Dracula, in the 19th century -- in the Meiji Era of Japan -- comes to the country, and interacts with one of the last true crop of warrior samurai, and a Judo prodigy as the art is being created. It makes you look at the country then, at the nation and the culture, and the translators do well to keep some Japanese terms in the work. The author makes you wonder what business Dracula has in Japan, and how it will change everything. Would there be emphasis on him as a gaijin -- which would almost be worse than being considered a yokai? A foreigner or a spirit. Would Shinto or Buddhist or other Eastern spiritual and religious symbols affect him and his progeny? How is the protagonist, Daigo, possibly related to him as he falls into the pale, beautiful trope Kikuchi likes to utilize? How does his missing father play into it? Is he a dhampir, or yokai? What about seeing some actual swordsmanship between Dracula, or his progeny with those of the old order of Bushido, or the new Judo dojos?
Some of these questions get answered, but when time travel is mentioned *off-screen* so to speak, the promise of the whole novel just gets squandered. It's hard to take seriously after that, with sudden and unprepared plot points just appearing with side characters and an ending that should be fascinating as it is, ambiguous and open-ended, but frustrating. When you build to a whole arc of whether or not Daigo and Dracula will fight, and you don't resolve it, it is disappointing. I wanted to see more character developments, and more about their interactions with Meiji Era Japan. It is doubly frustrating because you can see hints of it, that Kikuchi could actually do that, but he chooses not to, and instead leaves the reader with whatever this is.
And now I see why this book isn't widely available at least in North America. It's sad because there is a story here. It just needed to be cleaned up, and streamlined. But I did like the ideas in it, and at least Dracula was somewhat in character: as much as a fictional vampire spread across multimedia can be. So yes, 3 strikes ouf of five.
November 19, 2025
Dracula goes to Japan! This takes place during the Meiji era when Japan is rapidly changing from being a feudal country to being open to Western trade and influence, and modern advancements. There is our protagonist, sad brooding handsome face sword wielding Daigo, and his friend who is a judo prodigy Shiro Saigo (based on a real historical figure). There is also Kanō Jigorō (historical figure) who is the voice of reason, our Dr. Van Helsing. And of course some damsel(s) in distress.
Kikuchi takes a lot (A LOT) of liberties with including martial arts and twisting the involvement and timing of the historical figures. There's a huge twist in the story that I am still hung on . Just one of those Kikuchi moments where all you can do is "hu? well okay, sure!" (As you wonder if he writes parts of his work with a strong drink in hand). This is when this book got really, really silly. I mean before that Dracula is just walking around as himself, not hiding any of his vampiric weirdness and just walks into a dojo wanting to fight. It's pulpy, but does not hit the mark. Especially with an unsatisfying and messy ending. Where's the real mano mano fight??
Vampire Hunter D started in 1983, while this novel was published in 2004. It feels like it should have been an earlier novel of his. You can see how he was influenced by the Dracula Hammer films and story in this. Maybe, this book was his love letter and spin of the Dracula story - "In other words, Dracula had grown weary of immortality. It was a sign of weakness. Or a kind of sadness. This was what I focused on...perhaps a person who had become tired of eternal life might envy mortals. Perhaps he might love those mortals who lived their fleeting lives passionately and to their fullest." I wish this would have been a serious take on Dracula visiting Japan.
This book is now out of print and is getting harder to get, so I would say only read or get this book if you are a big time fan of his work and a collector. Because it's not worth it. Go read the first Vampire Hunter D novel.
Kikuchi takes a lot (A LOT) of liberties with including martial arts and twisting the involvement and timing of the historical figures. There's a huge twist in the story that I am still hung on . Just one of those Kikuchi moments where all you can do is "hu? well okay, sure!" (As you wonder if he writes parts of his work with a strong drink in hand). This is when this book got really, really silly. I mean before that Dracula is just walking around as himself, not hiding any of his vampiric weirdness and just walks into a dojo wanting to fight. It's pulpy, but does not hit the mark. Especially with an unsatisfying and messy ending. Where's the real mano mano fight??
Vampire Hunter D started in 1983, while this novel was published in 2004. It feels like it should have been an earlier novel of his. You can see how he was influenced by the Dracula Hammer films and story in this. Maybe, this book was his love letter and spin of the Dracula story - "In other words, Dracula had grown weary of immortality. It was a sign of weakness. Or a kind of sadness. This was what I focused on...perhaps a person who had become tired of eternal life might envy mortals. Perhaps he might love those mortals who lived their fleeting lives passionately and to their fullest." I wish this would have been a serious take on Dracula visiting Japan.
This book is now out of print and is getting harder to get, so I would say only read or get this book if you are a big time fan of his work and a collector. Because it's not worth it. Go read the first Vampire Hunter D novel.
October 12, 2019
Beautiful glorious awesome TRASH. UNF!
July 5, 2020
An ok overall story, but it seems to be written by an amateur writer, perhaps because of translation.
October 19, 2014
More like 3 1/2 stars.
"I will be honest, this is one of the harder books for me to grade. There is a simple delivery here which might be taken for amateur writing, which it isn't. There are opportunities for some real discourse regarding the changing dynamic of Japan in the Meiji era, but that was not the author's intent, so it is not on me to criticize. What I can say about Dark Wars is that it reads like a novelization of an anime storyboard; and as such, it is filled with as many stale tropes as it is with bold, imaginative moments. There are the touches of Kikuchi's authorial pedigree which transcend this yarn from simple Dracula fan fiction to something that sticks with you a bit. But I will say now, there is a major complaint I have regarding the ending (and I mean the last page), that might be considered a SPOILER when I get to it. So, consider yourselves warned; you might want to scroll past it later.
Dark Wars is structured as both a historical horror-fantasy and a Japanese parallel (of sorts) to Bram Stoker's opus. It takes place in the year 188- (seriously), in post-Bakumatsu Meiji Tokyo (formerly Edo). There is a nice little assortment of characters here, but the protagonist of note is Daigo, a seventeen year old kenjutsu (swordsmanship) prodigy. Daigo is a withdrawn, stoic, handsome type with a secret(more on that in the "tropes" section); and he carries a sadness over the loss of his father, an esteemed samurai who was lost at sea..."
You can read the full review here:
http://hachisnaxreads.blogspot.com/20...
"I will be honest, this is one of the harder books for me to grade. There is a simple delivery here which might be taken for amateur writing, which it isn't. There are opportunities for some real discourse regarding the changing dynamic of Japan in the Meiji era, but that was not the author's intent, so it is not on me to criticize. What I can say about Dark Wars is that it reads like a novelization of an anime storyboard; and as such, it is filled with as many stale tropes as it is with bold, imaginative moments. There are the touches of Kikuchi's authorial pedigree which transcend this yarn from simple Dracula fan fiction to something that sticks with you a bit. But I will say now, there is a major complaint I have regarding the ending (and I mean the last page), that might be considered a SPOILER when I get to it. So, consider yourselves warned; you might want to scroll past it later.
Dark Wars is structured as both a historical horror-fantasy and a Japanese parallel (of sorts) to Bram Stoker's opus. It takes place in the year 188- (seriously), in post-Bakumatsu Meiji Tokyo (formerly Edo). There is a nice little assortment of characters here, but the protagonist of note is Daigo, a seventeen year old kenjutsu (swordsmanship) prodigy. Daigo is a withdrawn, stoic, handsome type with a secret(more on that in the "tropes" section); and he carries a sadness over the loss of his father, an esteemed samurai who was lost at sea..."
You can read the full review here:
http://hachisnaxreads.blogspot.com/20...
November 11, 2011
This book was a great surprise to me. I was first interested because of my love for the original Dracula novel and the Vampire Hunter D series written by the author of this book. This is a light novel, think the Japanese version of a young adult book, so I was a bit wary at first, but quickly grew engrossed by the story and great characters. The story takes place about 10 years before the Bram Stoker novel, and quickly jumps into the action of the main characters dealing with Dracula. Dracula himself is portrayed in a very interesting manner; his nobility and skill as a warrior are a focal point for the novel, however it is still made very clear just how evil he really is and many of his actions make sure you don't see him as a sympathetic character. The protagonists are very likable, and though the story is quick it feels very complete. The ending was the best part of the novel, handled in such a perfect way. I would say this is easily the best Dracula novel I have read outside the original, and much preferable to most of the vampire books coming out nowadays.
December 31, 2011
This book was quite good to read. I read it in four days. This was before I had a glimpse of Vampire Hunter D. It was quite good book. Well the plot is quite simple. Vlad or Count Dracula arrives and sets a residence in Edo (Tokyo). Daigo Shoichiro, a 17yr old swordsman and his friend meet count in the eventing as they are trying to see a painting. As Dracula victims pile up Jigoro a sensei builts a team to hunt Count. The final battle between Daigo and the Count was quite good. Kikuchi brings Edo's settng beautifully. He crafted a beautiful tale and gives us some insights into Edo's changing years as the old classical Japan was reforming into a new technological empire. The scorn that was setting in against the Bushido code and the old religion. Not to mention the amazing drawings made by Amano
January 16, 2016
Honestly though. I only picked up the book because the protagonist's name is Daigo.
Read this book in one sitting. It felt like a novelization of a manga. The writing was brisk and clipped, but not especially artful. Which is fine. I expected a kind of trashy, pulpy Japanese penny-dreadful, and I wasn't disappointed.
Fun, for what it was.
Read this book in one sitting. It felt like a novelization of a manga. The writing was brisk and clipped, but not especially artful. Which is fine. I expected a kind of trashy, pulpy Japanese penny-dreadful, and I wasn't disappointed.
Fun, for what it was.
July 22, 2013
This book was set at a pivotal time in Japanese history when the martial arts were in a resurgence but the way of the sword was dead. It was very interesting and I learned quite a bit about the culture and I enjoyed the portrayal of Dracula. I'd give the book 4 stars but I didn't like the ending.
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