What do you think?
Rate this book
黒薔薇アリス [Kuro Bara Alice] #1
黒薔薇アリス 1
The young tenor singer Dimitri miraculously escaped with his life after a severe accident. But soon after that, strange cases of group-suicides started to happen all around him… A vampire-romanesque tale of love and survival!
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2008
3 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Setona Mizushiro
140 books159 followersMizushiro Setona (水城せとな in Japanese, or 水城雪可奈 in Chinese language) is a popular mangaka who started out in the dōjinshi circles.
Her first real dabble in the world of creating manga was in 1985 when she participated in the publication of a dōjinshi. She remained active in the dōjinshi world until her debut in 1993 with the short single "Fuyu ga Owarou Toshiteita" (Winter Was Ending) that ran in Shōgakukan's Puchi Comic magazine.
Though her current drawing style is high on the aesthetic value, her earlier works had less finesse. Regardless of the lesser emphasis on the visual elements in her earlier works, her popularity grew largely due to her unparalleled grasp for storytelling. Her works are noted for their slightly askew plots and deep exploration of the human psyche. Even her lighthearted Shōjo works usually have darker underlying elements. With an incomparable ability to craft stories that puzzle, sadden, assure, pervert, and move the depths of one's heart, she has gained a cult-like following. Her works include shojo, josei, and yaoi, and have been translated into multiple languages, including English, Italian, French and German.
Her first real dabble in the world of creating manga was in 1985 when she participated in the publication of a dōjinshi. She remained active in the dōjinshi world until her debut in 1993 with the short single "Fuyu ga Owarou Toshiteita" (Winter Was Ending) that ran in Shōgakukan's Puchi Comic magazine.
Though her current drawing style is high on the aesthetic value, her earlier works had less finesse. Regardless of the lesser emphasis on the visual elements in her earlier works, her popularity grew largely due to her unparalleled grasp for storytelling. Her works are noted for their slightly askew plots and deep exploration of the human psyche. Even her lighthearted Shōjo works usually have darker underlying elements. With an incomparable ability to craft stories that puzzle, sadden, assure, pervert, and move the depths of one's heart, she has gained a cult-like following. Her works include shojo, josei, and yaoi, and have been translated into multiple languages, including English, Italian, French and German.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 29, 2014
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Back before Meyer's Twilight Books became popular, stories such as this one would have really stood out for originality and, yes, horror. Now that the whole vampire thing has become so passe, I can understand how many might skip over this very mature title. And that's a shame; creator Setona Mizushiro blends very distinct gothic storytelling with beautiful illustrations to create a very compelling, if disturbing, series. There's very little 'vampire' in here since it is the Asian 'plant creature' and not the Western demonic interpretation.Story: Dmitri is a singer in turn of the century Vienna. As a child, his gypsy family sold him into the family of a wealthy nobleman for his talent in singeing. Over time, he befriends the count's son and young fiance Agneszka - only to find himself hopelessly in a forbidden and very one sided love. When a carriage accident should have ended his life but doesn't - he soon learns his body was taken as a vessel for the seed of a vampire. Now he cannot die and he still cannot love Agneszka. Ready to end his unnatural new life, Agneszka dies instead. Resurrected as a lifeless doll, Dmitri will not give up through the years of finding a way to bring his precious Agneszka back to him. In 2008, he finds the perfect woman to inhabit Agneszka...
I can remember reading a post in a forum about this book, and they pretty much said, "Wow, this series is so messed up!" and I couldn't agree more but in the best way possible. Although there is a very strong influence from Wuthering Heights in the story, it isn't set in an historical milieu. The volume ends with the story moving firmly from 1908 to 2008 - 100 years since the events of Agneszka's death.
The horror is light but present - allusions without the need to beat the reader over the head with the gore. That subtlety is a lot of the beauty in the series - clues are given in the illustrations and story but never gratuitously. Yet, it's not cryptic, either. At heart, we have a very basic story that flows seamlessly even into the present.
Yes, this is a very 'messed up' manga. The characters are fairly tragic in the same way as the Wuthering Heights Cathy and Heathcliff. I am very interested to see where this story will go as a result.
November 16, 2017
I really enjoyed this first volume and the Vienna setting
August 14, 2014
Oh my goodness. OH MY GOSH.
Setona has written a series about real gothic vampires that's....original. The way the vampires feed is unlike anything I've ever read before...so creepy! And people die in this volume...like a lot of people. It's gorey, gothic, and even has a lot of dark themes. Suicide, murder, rape. I can't believe this is sold by Shojo Beat, though they've released darker stories before so it shouldn't surprise me.
This series just had so much happen in the first volume. If you want something new and different, pick this up! You won't regret it!
Setona has written a series about real gothic vampires that's....original. The way the vampires feed is unlike anything I've ever read before...so creepy! And people die in this volume...like a lot of people. It's gorey, gothic, and even has a lot of dark themes. Suicide, murder, rape. I can't believe this is sold by Shojo Beat, though they've released darker stories before so it shouldn't surprise me.
This series just had so much happen in the first volume. If you want something new and different, pick this up! You won't regret it!
January 22, 2024
I gave up when tarantulas came out of his mouth in order for him to feed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2015
Inhaled in one sitting.
October 9, 2020
Comprata in italiano sapendo che dovrò andare a cercare gli ultimi due numeri in qualche altra lingua...
Avevo letto High school nightmare ai tempi. Non ne ero rimasta entusiasta ma mi ricordo benissimo che alla fine avevo capito molte cose e mi ero detto che, se mai l'avrei riletto, sarebbe stato meglio perché sapevo dove l'autrice voleva andare a parare. Poi, naturalmente, non l'ho più preso in mano.
E adesso eccoci con Black rose Alice.
Vampiri.
Vampiri strani. Che controllano ragni e altri piccoli animali. C'è un ragazzo, famosissimo cantante nella Vienna di inizio Novecento, che viene trasformato in vampiro senza il suo consenso. Da allora la sua missione è quella di riportare in vita la sua amata.
Vediamo come procede. Bei disegni e vampiri originali, per il momento.
Avevo letto High school nightmare ai tempi. Non ne ero rimasta entusiasta ma mi ricordo benissimo che alla fine avevo capito molte cose e mi ero detto che, se mai l'avrei riletto, sarebbe stato meglio perché sapevo dove l'autrice voleva andare a parare. Poi, naturalmente, non l'ho più preso in mano.
E adesso eccoci con Black rose Alice.
Vampiri.
Vampiri strani. Che controllano ragni e altri piccoli animali. C'è un ragazzo, famosissimo cantante nella Vienna di inizio Novecento, che viene trasformato in vampiro senza il suo consenso. Da allora la sua missione è quella di riportare in vita la sua amata.
Vediamo come procede. Bei disegni e vampiri originali, per il momento.
June 17, 2024
I absolutely LOVED how the vampire myth was being reappropriated in this story. The art is very interesting and inspiring, the ambiance is gothic and dark...I'm very intrigued so far. However, what really disturbed me is the main character being a disgusting & awfully gross man that just reminded me of Takumi from Nana & the teacher/student relationship. I really hope Dimitri will not be romanticized in the next volumes because it would feel very wrong to me considering what he did.
Overall, this reading was very interesting and I'm curious to see what's next ! F*ck dimitri tho I'm a dimitri hater now
Overall, this reading was very interesting and I'm curious to see what's next ! F*ck dimitri tho I'm a dimitri hater now
June 22, 2017
The art on the cover is weird, but it looks okay in black and white inside the chapters.
Let me explain why I rated this book down:
1. Arachnophobia. Even if you don't have it, you'll cringe at some of the frames. I don't hate spiders, but I got bad shutters as some of the frames in this.
2. The names are really hard to pronounce overall.
3. Blood. Suicide. Lots of death.
The story isn't BAD. It actually seemed to keep my attention. But the spiders and other things... Ugh. Oh man. I'm only going to be finishing this series because it's short. Otherwise I would give up on it now.
Let me explain why I rated this book down:
1. Arachnophobia. Even if you don't have it, you'll cringe at some of the frames. I don't hate spiders, but I got bad shutters as some of the frames in this.
2. The names are really hard to pronounce overall.
3. Blood. Suicide. Lots of death.
The story isn't BAD. It actually seemed to keep my attention. But the spiders and other things... Ugh. Oh man. I'm only going to be finishing this series because it's short. Otherwise I would give up on it now.
November 30, 2022
A vampire who is Catholic and enjoys sunlight. To kill him, he has a slightly different method than his original species, but if he wants to kill people, he will need to force them to offer it up. The story takes place in the early 1900s and in 2008. Dimitri encounters himself in a new light after experiencing a tragedy that caused him remorse. Definitely a great manga with a plot that captivated me from the first page. It is highly recommended.
April 15, 2025
Les dessins de Setona Mizushiro sont toujours aussi exceptionnels, mais on pourra lui reprocher toutefois que ses personnages se ressemblent parfois un peu trop...
Au niveau de l'intrigue difficile de la juger dès le premier tome, mais elle semble plutôt prometteuse puisqu'il s'agit du mythe du vampire revisité de manière assez originale:les vampires étant comparés ici à des plantes/parasites/insectes.
December 11, 2025
This manga really subverted my expectations. I was expecting it to set up another cringe-worthy love triangle, and while it did establish complicated romances, it didn't at all go the way I was expecting. It's also taking the vampire trope and putting a rather strange twist on it. I'm actually pleasantly surprised, and am very curious to see where this story goes!
June 24, 2018
Pretty interesting take on vampires. I'm intrigued enough to want to read at least the second book, and possibly even further. I like the little notes from the author interspersed throughout and think it adds just a little bit into the "why"s of little details. As for the protagonist, I still haven't really formed my opinion of him, so further reading is definitely needed.
August 5, 2024
I love Setona Mizushiro but I think her work frequently has the problem of great ideas with lackluster execution… and this was one of those. Read her queer stuff instead if you liked her art, and read the Cain Saga instead if you liked the vibes of this.
June 5, 2025
What a weird series this is. The 4 stars is kind of an "I guess?" rating, since I finished the series and... liked it? I didn't dislike it. It went in all sorts of unexpected directions. But I don't even know how I would describe it -- josei, bittersweet romance, horror, reverse harem, weird?
November 4, 2017
This was fascinating take on the vampire genre that I've seen in a long time.
February 3, 2018
Wow, this was a really good one. It's got action, romance, a unique and interesting plot, and some creepy Gothic elements.
January 13, 2021
i think this book is awsome
July 13, 2021
Not for me. Too many spiders
November 9, 2024
Rien compris 😃
March 15, 2017
This was weird and gross (spiders CRAWLING OUT OF HIS MOUTH) and nope.
September 9, 2014
~3.5/5
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
This volume kind of… surprised and horrified me. I’m not going to spoil anything, because this should be surprising, and also because you can’t really be prepared for it. I was prepared for unique and very-different vampires, but I still wasn’t prepared for this. Which is how it should be.
So the book starts pretty good. It’s the early 1900’s, in Vienna, and there’s a singer, who possibly sleeps around for money, and a woman he loves who’s marrying someone he knows. Um, and then he gets in an accident. And then some people die. And then something happens to him involving vampires (and insects, oh gross). And saying anything more would spoil too much.
I don’t think I was expecting all the killing, and definitely not the insects, which had me freaking out. Because gross, and the spiders, and yuck I just don’t even want to think about it. I was not expecting what happened with the woman, and am still a little horrified by it. I only skimmed the synopsis, so the time skip surprised me, and I’m still confused by what the characters did during that time. Like, why did it take so long?
Despite all the surprises and horrifying parts, the characters’ stories were pretty engrossing. We meet two characters in the second half, and their emotions and situation, unrelated to the larger plot, had me really interested. As did the character plot at the beginning of the book. Those parts were done really well.
I’m still a little horrified and grossed out, but I’m more so intrigued. There’s a lot left open, a lot of questions, and I’m interested to see what happens next. And I will say that if you’re even a little interested, if you like books that are unique and surprising, then I would suggest picking up a copy.
A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, and Erik Jansen from MediaLab PR. Thank you so, so much!
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
This volume kind of… surprised and horrified me. I’m not going to spoil anything, because this should be surprising, and also because you can’t really be prepared for it. I was prepared for unique and very-different vampires, but I still wasn’t prepared for this. Which is how it should be.
So the book starts pretty good. It’s the early 1900’s, in Vienna, and there’s a singer, who possibly sleeps around for money, and a woman he loves who’s marrying someone he knows. Um, and then he gets in an accident. And then some people die. And then something happens to him involving vampires (and insects, oh gross). And saying anything more would spoil too much.
I don’t think I was expecting all the killing, and definitely not the insects, which had me freaking out. Because gross, and the spiders, and yuck I just don’t even want to think about it. I was not expecting what happened with the woman, and am still a little horrified by it. I only skimmed the synopsis, so the time skip surprised me, and I’m still confused by what the characters did during that time. Like, why did it take so long?
Despite all the surprises and horrifying parts, the characters’ stories were pretty engrossing. We meet two characters in the second half, and their emotions and situation, unrelated to the larger plot, had me really interested. As did the character plot at the beginning of the book. Those parts were done really well.
I’m still a little horrified and grossed out, but I’m more so intrigued. There’s a lot left open, a lot of questions, and I’m interested to see what happens next. And I will say that if you’re even a little interested, if you like books that are unique and surprising, then I would suggest picking up a copy.
A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, and Erik Jansen from MediaLab PR. Thank you so, so much!
February 1, 2015
As someone who tends to avoid stories featuring vampires - especially *romance* stories with vampires - like the plague, I was genuinely surprised by how much I like this. Of course, this mangaka always manages to get me to like things I don't usually like, so maybe I shouldn't have been that surprised.
At any rate, this is an unusual take on vampires and vampire romances. The first part of the first volume explores the past of the main male character, and I admit I wasn't too impressed by it. But when we finally get to the point - what the story is "all about", I found it intriguing. You have a nest of vampires who need a woman to give birth to their "successors", and the woman they chose has to pick one of the four male vampires to fall in love with. That sounds a bit odd, and it would have to me, but it's a really well done story, and all of the characters have their pasts and secrets, of course. What I found really intriguing and well done is that it's shown how differently the female main character acts around women compared to how she acts when she's surrounded by the men. And while the thought of being courted by a whole bunch of handsome and more or less charming men may sound nice, here what's most obvious is the uncomfortable pressure she's feeling. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest. I don't think it's as much of a must-read as her other series, but I like it.
At any rate, this is an unusual take on vampires and vampire romances. The first part of the first volume explores the past of the main male character, and I admit I wasn't too impressed by it. But when we finally get to the point - what the story is "all about", I found it intriguing. You have a nest of vampires who need a woman to give birth to their "successors", and the woman they chose has to pick one of the four male vampires to fall in love with. That sounds a bit odd, and it would have to me, but it's a really well done story, and all of the characters have their pasts and secrets, of course. What I found really intriguing and well done is that it's shown how differently the female main character acts around women compared to how she acts when she's surrounded by the men. And while the thought of being courted by a whole bunch of handsome and more or less charming men may sound nice, here what's most obvious is the uncomfortable pressure she's feeling. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest. I don't think it's as much of a must-read as her other series, but I like it.
October 16, 2014
I'm a huge fan of this mangaka and Black Rose Alice didn't disappoint! There was not so much of the typical vampire/awkward shojo aspects to this story which is why I loved it. The plot moved smoothly and there wasn't a lot of strange/stupid dialogue.
Two things surprised me about this manga. One was how the mangaka didn't make the vampire absolute perfection which was something different and refreshing. Another thing was the use of spiders in the vampires storyline rather than bats or generally anything that's typically used.
Overall I really enjoyed this manga and I can't wait to read the rest!
Two things surprised me about this manga. One was how the mangaka didn't make the vampire absolute perfection which was something different and refreshing. Another thing was the use of spiders in the vampires storyline rather than bats or generally anything that's typically used.
Overall I really enjoyed this manga and I can't wait to read the rest!
February 26, 2015
this is a gothic vampire story in the classic sense: it starts off in nineteenth century vienna with murder, suicide, rape, and the perpetrator of the above so caught in his despair that he's determined to commit suicide no matter what the cost to others
i picked this up because i enjoyed after school nightmare and i can see that it's animated by similar interests in darkness and gender relations. i'm not really digging it so far but it is hampered by sticking pretty close to the classic vampire story right now so i'm hoping for more interesting stuff now that it's jumped ahead to the present day and another protaganist
2.5 stars
i picked this up because i enjoyed after school nightmare and i can see that it's animated by similar interests in darkness and gender relations. i'm not really digging it so far but it is hampered by sticking pretty close to the classic vampire story right now so i'm hoping for more interesting stuff now that it's jumped ahead to the present day and another protaganist
2.5 stars
March 6, 2015
Whoa! I really liked this. Not what I had expected at all! The vampire mythos here is very different from the popular western media take on vampires. Some things are the same such as not liking the sun, but there are more very peculiar differences. This is rather disturbing! Lots of death and blood, a rape scene, man with a 16yo girl, teacher with a high school boy, and the only romance so far is the overdramatic Romeo & Juliet I'd-die-for-you kind. That suits me ok as I'm more interested in all the creepy stuff than a romance. We understand the "Black Rose" part of the title, but there has been no "Alice" yet. This is one I'd definitely continue reading!
September 9, 2014
This is the first manga I've ever read, and wow, what a place to start. I know what you're thinking -- ugh, another vampire romance -- but I too have read and seen 'em all and was pleasantly surprised. The story is fresh and intriguing. In fact, the vampires themselves are pretty unique and special (and I don't mean sparkly). I love how the propagate, and I love how they feed. Also, there was surprise LGBTQIA+*etc!
Trigger/content warnings for:
- rape/noncon
- between two different characters, a statutory rape kind of situation
- spiders and insects
- blood (I mean... obviously)
Trigger/content warnings for:
- rape/noncon
- between two different characters, a statutory rape kind of situation
- spiders and insects
- blood (I mean... obviously)
July 28, 2011
Les dessins de Setona Mizushiro sont toujours aussi exceptionnels, mais on pourra lui reprocher toutefois que ses personnages se ressemblent parfois un peu trop...
Au niveau de l'intrigue difficile de la juger dès le premier tome, mais elle semble plutôt prometteuse puisqu'il s'agit du mythe du vampire revisité de manière assez originale:les vampires étant comparés ici à des plantes/parasites/insectes. Bref une série à suivre de près.
Au niveau de l'intrigue difficile de la juger dès le premier tome, mais elle semble plutôt prometteuse puisqu'il s'agit du mythe du vampire revisité de manière assez originale:les vampires étant comparés ici à des plantes/parasites/insectes. Bref une série à suivre de près.
August 23, 2014
Kept reading it thinking I recognized the drawing style. After School Nightmare!
Read volume one.
Hm. It was odd. A very bizarre sort of tale and odd re-imagining of vampiric lore. Looks like it may get more interesting in the following volumes, perhaps along the lines of Petshop of Horrors? Drawings seemed disproportionate multiple times.
May continue reading more of this in the future but probably not right now.
Read volume one.
Hm. It was odd. A very bizarre sort of tale and odd re-imagining of vampiric lore. Looks like it may get more interesting in the following volumes, perhaps along the lines of Petshop of Horrors? Drawings seemed disproportionate multiple times.
May continue reading more of this in the future but probably not right now.
September 29, 2016
4.5 Stars
It's always so exciting to see a different take on vampire mythology, and Mizushiro offers something unique in an bloated genre. It's also nice to find something that has an overarching story and less of chapter-by-chapter. This manga is haunting and beautiful and creepy, reminding me of one of my favorite mangakas, Yuki Kaori. My only problem is that the male charcters look very similar. Otherwise, I highly highly recommend. I haven't felt this excited over a manga series in awhile.
It's always so exciting to see a different take on vampire mythology, and Mizushiro offers something unique in an bloated genre. It's also nice to find something that has an overarching story and less of chapter-by-chapter. This manga is haunting and beautiful and creepy, reminding me of one of my favorite mangakas, Yuki Kaori. My only problem is that the male charcters look very similar. Otherwise, I highly highly recommend. I haven't felt this excited over a manga series in awhile.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews