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Cirque Du Freak: The Manga #1-2
Cirque Du Freak: The Manga: Omnibus Edition, Vol. 1
Darren Shan was an average kid until destiny brought him to the Cirque Du Freak. Now Darren’s immersed in a shadowy world inhabited by vampires, werewolves, and strange creatures the likes of which he’s never imagined, and his life will never be the same! Discover the manga adaptation of internationally acclaimed author Darren Shan’s Cirque Du Freak, here in a new oversize, deluxe omnibus format!
404 pages, Paperback
Published January 26, 2021
4 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Darren Shan
243 books8,271 followersLibrarian's note: Also writes books for adults under the name Darren Dash. And in the past he has released books for adults under the names D.B. Shan and Darren O'Shaughnessy.
Darren Shan (born July 2, 1972 in London, England) is the pen name of the Irish author Darren O'Shaughnessy, as well as the name of the protagonist of his book series The Saga of Darren Shan, also known as The Cirque Du Freak Series in the United States. He is the author of the series The Demonata, The Saga of Larten Crepsley, and Zom-B. He has also released the stand-alone novel, The Thin Executioner, and the stand-alone short novels, Koyasan, and Hagurosan. Plus, for adults, he released The City Trilogy (originally under the name of D.B. Shan), and Lady of the Shades..
Darren Shan (born July 2, 1972 in London, England) is the pen name of the Irish author Darren O'Shaughnessy, as well as the name of the protagonist of his book series The Saga of Darren Shan, also known as The Cirque Du Freak Series in the United States. He is the author of the series The Demonata, The Saga of Larten Crepsley, and Zom-B. He has also released the stand-alone novel, The Thin Executioner, and the stand-alone short novels, Koyasan, and Hagurosan. Plus, for adults, he released The City Trilogy (originally under the name of D.B. Shan), and Lady of the Shades..
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 26, 2024
A fun intro to this series! But it is surprisingly dark…yet still middle grade at the same time? I think a lot of that is carried by the charming art style, which makes it feels more like a fairy tale. Interested to see where the story goes next!
February 14, 2021
Loved the art! The characters and scenes are practically the same visuals from when I first read this series.
June 9, 2025
The Cirque du Freak manga adaptation breathes vibrant new life into Darren Shan’s dark and captivating saga, translating the rich narrative of the original novels into a visually stunning and emotionally immersive graphic format. Illustrated by Takahiro Arai, the manga masterfully captures the eerie atmosphere, complex characters, and intense action sequences that define the Cirque du Freak series, making it accessible and enthralling to both longtime fans and newcomers.
Arai’s artwork is a standout feature, blending detailed character designs with dynamic panel layouts that heighten the suspense and horror inherent in the story. The expressions and body language of the characters are rendered with precision, conveying a wide range of emotions, from terror and despair to determination and camaraderie, thereby deepening the reader’s connection to the narrative. The dark, moody shading and meticulous backgrounds amplify the gothic tone, creating an immersive experience that complements Shan’s original storytelling.
The manga remains faithful to the source material’s core themes, exploring the harrowing transformation of Darren Shan from an ordinary boy into a reluctant vampire amidst a shadowy underworld of monsters and magic. The pacing is well-suited to the graphic format, balancing action-driven sequences with quieter, character-focused moments that build emotional depth and narrative tension.
Moreover, the manga excels in making complex plotlines and character arcs clear and engaging, often using visual cues and symbolism to enrich the storytelling. This adaptation not only preserves the suspense and moral complexity of the novels but also adds a layer of intensity through its visual storytelling, making the supernatural world more immediate and visceral.
In conclusion, the Cirque du Freak manga is a five-star achievement that successfully translates Darren Shan’s gripping vampire saga into a compelling graphic narrative. It combines breathtaking art with a faithful and emotionally resonant adaptation, offering a fresh and thrilling way to experience the dark and fantastical world of Cirque du Freak. Whether you are a devoted fan of the series or discovering it for the first time, this manga promises an unforgettable journey into darkness and destiny.
Arai’s artwork is a standout feature, blending detailed character designs with dynamic panel layouts that heighten the suspense and horror inherent in the story. The expressions and body language of the characters are rendered with precision, conveying a wide range of emotions, from terror and despair to determination and camaraderie, thereby deepening the reader’s connection to the narrative. The dark, moody shading and meticulous backgrounds amplify the gothic tone, creating an immersive experience that complements Shan’s original storytelling.
The manga remains faithful to the source material’s core themes, exploring the harrowing transformation of Darren Shan from an ordinary boy into a reluctant vampire amidst a shadowy underworld of monsters and magic. The pacing is well-suited to the graphic format, balancing action-driven sequences with quieter, character-focused moments that build emotional depth and narrative tension.
Moreover, the manga excels in making complex plotlines and character arcs clear and engaging, often using visual cues and symbolism to enrich the storytelling. This adaptation not only preserves the suspense and moral complexity of the novels but also adds a layer of intensity through its visual storytelling, making the supernatural world more immediate and visceral.
In conclusion, the Cirque du Freak manga is a five-star achievement that successfully translates Darren Shan’s gripping vampire saga into a compelling graphic narrative. It combines breathtaking art with a faithful and emotionally resonant adaptation, offering a fresh and thrilling way to experience the dark and fantastical world of Cirque du Freak. Whether you are a devoted fan of the series or discovering it for the first time, this manga promises an unforgettable journey into darkness and destiny.
February 23, 2023
I read this book In middle schoolers, and recently just re read it. It’s a pretty good series, the art is well done, a bit awkward in the first book though. I remember the author leaves a note that the English novel was translated into Japanese, and made into a manga which was rewritten back into English, so there might be a few translation errors and misplaced words. Still a fun read for anyone looking for a light manga about vampires👍
November 25, 2022
I mostly got the omnibus manga edition out of curiosity and as a collectors item, as the Saga of Darren Shan is one of my all time favourites. I did enjoy reading it however, and seeing the characters which up to now, only lived in my imagination, actually drawn out on paper. Looking forward to catching up on the rest of the series.
November 14, 2022
Knew I needed to revisit this adaption if I was gonna re-read the novels. Obviously, there are some parts that are given creative measures over, but overall a good adaption. Looking forward to the next volume!
March 9, 2021
This is my all time favorite series, and I will probably never give it less than 5 stars!
March 27, 2023
I'm so glad this manga is coming into circulation again- it's been a while since the original singular volumes were published (the first one, Cirque Du Freak, Vol. 1 was published 2009, the last Cirque Du Freak: Sons of Destiny, Vol. 12 in 2012).
This is such a great adaptation of the original series by Darren Shan- you can tell the person adapting it worked very hard to capture the original feeling of the series. I was happy to find I enjoyed it just as much as I did when I was a kid- not going to lie, the nostalgia hit me hard with this one. There's something so fun about this manga; it's such a good combination of horror, coming-of-age, action, humor, and gore- all balanced with the perfect amount of levity.
I will say one thing since it isn't mentioned in the notes: the omnibus is a combined edition of Cirque Du Freak, Vol. 1 and Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, Vol. 2- there isn't any new material besides the full colour prints of the covers in the front of the book. Also included is the first chapter of the original novel A Living Nightmare.
At first I was surprised it was only 2 volumes- but for the price, $27 CAD vs $17 for the individual volumes, which rose from around $14 when I was a kid and aren't widely available anymore (which I should know, since I work at a bookstore and have been trying like hell to get my hands on them), it's not a bad deal. Do I wish they were full colour or had more bonus material? Yeah- but I'm also just happy these are being rereleased so a new generation can enjoy this amazing series.
This is such a great adaptation of the original series by Darren Shan- you can tell the person adapting it worked very hard to capture the original feeling of the series. I was happy to find I enjoyed it just as much as I did when I was a kid- not going to lie, the nostalgia hit me hard with this one. There's something so fun about this manga; it's such a good combination of horror, coming-of-age, action, humor, and gore- all balanced with the perfect amount of levity.
I will say one thing since it isn't mentioned in the notes: the omnibus is a combined edition of Cirque Du Freak, Vol. 1 and Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, Vol. 2- there isn't any new material besides the full colour prints of the covers in the front of the book. Also included is the first chapter of the original novel A Living Nightmare.
At first I was surprised it was only 2 volumes- but for the price, $27 CAD vs $17 for the individual volumes, which rose from around $14 when I was a kid and aren't widely available anymore (which I should know, since I work at a bookstore and have been trying like hell to get my hands on them), it's not a bad deal. Do I wish they were full colour or had more bonus material? Yeah- but I'm also just happy these are being rereleased so a new generation can enjoy this amazing series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews