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Blood+ Adagio #1
Blood+: Adagio Volume 1 TPB
On the eve of the Russian Revolution, our favorite Chiropteran-hunting duo masquerades as members of Tsar Nicholas Romanov's royal chamber orchestra. Saya begins to uncover some of the strange secrets of the Romanov royal family and, of course, finds some hideous Chiropteran beasts who are doing a little masquerading of their own. Despite being one of the Chiropteran "originals," Saya's devoted her life to eradicating the wilder, more vicious Chiropteran spawn who prey on humanity, and this short series embraces the same mix of action, humor, and horror.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
5 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Kumiko Suekane
39 books42 followersSUEKANE Kumiko: スエカネクミコ
Kumiko Suekane worked at a video game company before becoming a successful mangaka. Besides Afterschool Charisma, her other work includes Blood+ A, Once Upon a Glashma (Hajimari no Gurashuma), and Seijou Koucha–kan no Jijō (The Seijou Teahouse Affair).
Doujinshi circle: Little Garden
Writes doujinshi under: Macho
Other pseudonyms: Cinnamon
Published boys' love under the alias: Ryo Mutobe (むとべりょう)
Kumiko Suekane worked at a video game company before becoming a successful mangaka. Besides Afterschool Charisma, her other work includes Blood+ A, Once Upon a Glashma (Hajimari no Gurashuma), and Seijou Koucha–kan no Jijō (The Seijou Teahouse Affair).
Doujinshi circle: Little Garden
Writes doujinshi under: Macho
Other pseudonyms: Cinnamon
Published boys' love under the alias: Ryo Mutobe (むとべりょう)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 8, 2010
I enjoyed the Blood+ Anime and I was quite happy with this first book of the Manga series. It covers horror, romance and supernatural adventures during the Romanov dynasty.
I enjoyed the story and I appreciated how it stayed true to the characters of Saya and Hagi.
Can't wait to read the next one!
I enjoyed the story and I appreciated how it stayed true to the characters of Saya and Hagi.
Can't wait to read the next one!
April 14, 2021
Review for complete series
Blood+ Adagio is set before the main Blood+ series where Saya and Haji are off on a mission in Russia. And not just any mission, it ties in with the fall of the Romanovs and Rasputin. It is, in itself, interesting, though I also think that using actual historical figures in a fictional scenario can easily backfire.
Being only 2 volumes long, it's not exactly a deep plot and probably doesn't work well on its own without reading other Blood related titles. The story seemed to focus more on Haji which, granted, I didn't mind as I don't actually like the Blood+ variant of Saya that much.
I liked the art a lot more than in the original - it's rather similar but Suekane is just a tad prettier to look at. Once again, there was nothing wrong with Blood+'s art beyond that it just wasn't my cup of tea.
It's a nice prequel to read after finishing the original but also nothing groundbreaking. It's a fine manga and doesn't do too poorly with weaving the Romanovs and Rasputin into the plot.
July 10, 2017
Blood+ Agadio is the prequel to the Blood+ and Blood-C series (based on the movie Blood: the last vampire). I’ve been wanting to get into this world for quite sometime and I finally did it by reading this prequel set in 1916 Russia, when the Romanovs were still in power. I’m a huge fan of the Romanov dynasty because it has a really interesting foundation and history, so I HAD to pick this 2-manga-series up.
The story follows Saya and Hagi when they go to a secret mission in Imperial Russia in order to uncover a plot and destroy the monsters that are brewing there. It’s full of action and suspense, with a lot of blood and romance (totally shipping them!). There were some things that took me by surprise and others that were so well portrayed that you can’t help but like the progress of the plot. I particularly LOVED the way the supernatural is entwined with historical facts of the Romanovs, like the death of Rasputin and Grand Duchess Anastasia. I loved that Alexandra was going around slapping people, I totally see her that way in those years when she was not well.
I completely adored this prequel and I’m totally watching the movie and anime, oh yeah. You don’t actually need to know the original series in order to understand this manga, so It’s perfect if you like vampires (kind of) and the Romanovs. I’m giving it 5 well deserved stars to this solid read!
The story follows Saya and Hagi when they go to a secret mission in Imperial Russia in order to uncover a plot and destroy the monsters that are brewing there. It’s full of action and suspense, with a lot of blood and romance (totally shipping them!). There were some things that took me by surprise and others that were so well portrayed that you can’t help but like the progress of the plot. I particularly LOVED the way the supernatural is entwined with historical facts of the Romanovs, like the death of Rasputin and Grand Duchess Anastasia. I loved that Alexandra was going around slapping people, I totally see her that way in those years when she was not well.
I completely adored this prequel and I’m totally watching the movie and anime, oh yeah. You don’t actually need to know the original series in order to understand this manga, so It’s perfect if you like vampires (kind of) and the Romanovs. I’m giving it 5 well deserved stars to this solid read!
May 25, 2024
Buenas buenas, hello there!
Para empezar, tengo que decir que este manga me pareció bastante meh. Me había quedado re enganchada con Blood+ y, por eso, estaba re emocionada en seguir consumiendo cosas relacionadas. Al final, no valió la pena jajajajaj
Me interesaba mucho leer sobre Saya y Hagi en Rusia. La idea estaba excelente, pero la ejecución, not so much. La trama arranca de la nada y después se va al carajo, los personajes son todos raros, cambian algunas cosas del manga original (cómo es eso de que cualquiera puede matar a un Chevalier???) y el final es una cagada. Sentí a Saya y a Hagi medio fuera de character, pero bueno, eso pasa cuando cambias al mangaka...
En fin, le pongo dos estrellas, porque no lo odié, sino que simplemente me dio igual. Son dos tomos sueltos que cuentan una historia que está all over the place. No hay mucho más que decir. Sigo pensando que Blood+, en general, es muuuuy buena y la super recomiendo!! Al menos me saqué las ganas de leer este manga!!
Para empezar, tengo que decir que este manga me pareció bastante meh. Me había quedado re enganchada con Blood+ y, por eso, estaba re emocionada en seguir consumiendo cosas relacionadas. Al final, no valió la pena jajajajaj
Me interesaba mucho leer sobre Saya y Hagi en Rusia. La idea estaba excelente, pero la ejecución, not so much. La trama arranca de la nada y después se va al carajo, los personajes son todos raros, cambian algunas cosas del manga original (cómo es eso de que cualquiera puede matar a un Chevalier???) y el final es una cagada. Sentí a Saya y a Hagi medio fuera de character, pero bueno, eso pasa cuando cambias al mangaka...
En fin, le pongo dos estrellas, porque no lo odié, sino que simplemente me dio igual. Son dos tomos sueltos que cuentan una historia que está all over the place. No hay mucho más que decir. Sigo pensando que Blood+, en general, es muuuuy buena y la super recomiendo!! Al menos me saqué las ganas de leer este manga!!
September 16, 2018
Normally, I'm used to some world building - who the characters are, what their goals are, what their personalities are like,... but this book jumps straight into a betrayal plot, ambitious for a first volume. Obviously Rasputin is either the bad guy, or about to be abused by them.
Am I supposed to have known these main characters before? I feel disconnected from them, even as I am shown their struggles. I don't know the sense of consequence, or how these actors even affect the world, or if they're supposed to. The story is too self-contained, without context.
Without the context, the book is far less enjoyable. I would not recommend this unless you are familiar with the Blood+ world.
Am I supposed to have known these main characters before? I feel disconnected from them, even as I am shown their struggles. I don't know the sense of consequence, or how these actors even affect the world, or if they're supposed to. The story is too self-contained, without context.
Without the context, the book is far less enjoyable. I would not recommend this unless you are familiar with the Blood+ world.
September 21, 2019
GOD I forgot how much I used to love manga. The art style in this is absolutely gorgeous. Seeing Haji and Saya again is delightful. I'm a bit confused but hoping the second volume will clear everything up.
February 4, 2018
Really good volume.
December 31, 2020
This duology is set before the events of the main Blood+ series. Based in Russia, Saya and Hagi are tracking Diva down once more. However, this is long before Saya has become so skilled at fighting and we she her in this volume struggling with her role. She let's things get a bit out of control as she struggles to kill the chiropterans while they still look partly human.
I really enjoyed this look into Saya and Hagi's past as they are still learning to work together.
I really enjoyed this look into Saya and Hagi's past as they are still learning to work together.
July 17, 2023
[Leído serie completa]
February 3, 2013
I adored the Blood+ anime series and ever since viewing it (multiple times), I've sought out whatever manga I could find. When I was able to pick up this book, I was thrilled. The artwork by Kumiko Suekane is wonderful. Delicate lines, expressive eyes, detailed clothing, the artist brings Saya and Hagi to life. Blood+ Adagio is a three book series and the first books--this volume and the second--both explore what Saya and Hagi did during the Russian Revolution. This historic time period was merely alluded to in the anime and I did wonder about those years these two traveled together.
Saya and Hagi go undercover for the Red Shield organization as musicians to find out more about the mysterious priest who seems to bend the ear of the Tsar's wife. Members of the chamber orchestra realize Saya cannot play the cello, but Hagi can. While he spends time with them, Saya goes searching the royal family home for information and clues. As usual, wherever Saya goes, there is sure to be a Chiropteran around. The artist doesn't shy away from showing bloodshed as Saya cuts down the monsters created by the blood of her twin sister, the evil and off-balanced Diva.
Diva doesn't really make her presence known until later in the book and the identity of the priest is revealed. The story itself is good, heavy on dialogue, and the occasional silly interactions between Saya and Hagi were cute and not cringe-inducing (like some other anime or manga series). The action picks up towards the end of the first book and Hagi is taken. Blood+ Adagio is a worthy addition to the action-filled vampire series. I'm glad I was able to get a copy.
(http://www.readergirlsblog.com/2013/0...)
Saya and Hagi go undercover for the Red Shield organization as musicians to find out more about the mysterious priest who seems to bend the ear of the Tsar's wife. Members of the chamber orchestra realize Saya cannot play the cello, but Hagi can. While he spends time with them, Saya goes searching the royal family home for information and clues. As usual, wherever Saya goes, there is sure to be a Chiropteran around. The artist doesn't shy away from showing bloodshed as Saya cuts down the monsters created by the blood of her twin sister, the evil and off-balanced Diva.
Diva doesn't really make her presence known until later in the book and the identity of the priest is revealed. The story itself is good, heavy on dialogue, and the occasional silly interactions between Saya and Hagi were cute and not cringe-inducing (like some other anime or manga series). The action picks up towards the end of the first book and Hagi is taken. Blood+ Adagio is a worthy addition to the action-filled vampire series. I'm glad I was able to get a copy.
(http://www.readergirlsblog.com/2013/0...)
September 24, 2012
31 March 2013
I absolutely adore the original Blood+ 01 series, and felt that it ended all too soon. So when I heard about Blood+ Adagio, Volume 1, a prequel to the original series, I was overjoyed and couldn't wait to revisit Saya and Hagi again. Perhaps my deep affection for that series makes my expectations of this series too unreasonable, but this series didn't quite hit the spot for me.
The setting in 1916 Russia with the royal family is very intriguing and I feel that so much more could have been done with these characters. I did enjoy the intertwining of historical figures into the plot very much. However, I didn't find Saya to be that likable. Hagi is amazing as always, but Saya is borderline irritating.
This series is still a lot of fun and has a lot of fun dark elements, but one of the main reasons I am a huge fan of Blood+ is because I really connected with the characters. That didn't happen for me with this series. I also prefer the art in the original series much more. My slight disappointment in this series is most likely due to my bias from loving the original so much. I wish Asuka Katsura would write more of this series. It's hard to mess with something that's already perfect.
I absolutely adore the original Blood+ 01 series, and felt that it ended all too soon. So when I heard about Blood+ Adagio, Volume 1, a prequel to the original series, I was overjoyed and couldn't wait to revisit Saya and Hagi again. Perhaps my deep affection for that series makes my expectations of this series too unreasonable, but this series didn't quite hit the spot for me.
The setting in 1916 Russia with the royal family is very intriguing and I feel that so much more could have been done with these characters. I did enjoy the intertwining of historical figures into the plot very much. However, I didn't find Saya to be that likable. Hagi is amazing as always, but Saya is borderline irritating.
This series is still a lot of fun and has a lot of fun dark elements, but one of the main reasons I am a huge fan of Blood+ is because I really connected with the characters. That didn't happen for me with this series. I also prefer the art in the original series much more. My slight disappointment in this series is most likely due to my bias from loving the original so much. I wish Asuka Katsura would write more of this series. It's hard to mess with something that's already perfect.
August 5, 2009
Enjoyed the first Blood+ manga, except it was TOO SHORT! (only five issues). There was clearly enough material to make more books - thus my pleasant surprise to find Blood+ Adagio! (To date, only plans for two issues but perhaps, just perhaps...) Same artwork, new storylines, filling in the backstory. The Blood+ series could be a lucrative one for Dark Horse for years to come.
My daughter and I shared a love of the anime (due in part to the amazing music of Mark Mancina). When the series ended, we started reading the manga, and now I'm stuck on it (and Full Metal Alchemist). Both mangas are very different from their respective anime versions, and both much more interesting and beautiful to behold.
Why this isn't being developed into a miniseries for the SyFy channel is beyond me...
My daughter and I shared a love of the anime (due in part to the amazing music of Mark Mancina). When the series ended, we started reading the manga, and now I'm stuck on it (and Full Metal Alchemist). Both mangas are very different from their respective anime versions, and both much more interesting and beautiful to behold.
Why this isn't being developed into a miniseries for the SyFy channel is beyond me...
February 15, 2013
Saya and Hagi,two trained assassins, are sent from France to Imperial Russia on a mission to kill the Chiropterans (unnatural creatures that corrupt) that have infected the Royal Court. They infiltrate the Russian Court as musicians in the royal orchestra. Saya is ordered to kill Claudia, a young girl who was eager to befriend her, by their boss. Will she kill the young woman and so question the organization that brought Hagi and her there? Or will she become another killing machine that can't be stopped?
March 25, 2013
It felt good to be back in this world, especially in this setting. This series is a prequel to the Blood+ series and takes us back to one of the first missions between Hagi and Saya. The setting is right before the Russian Revolution and takes place in the household of Czar Nicholas II. Saya is the same as the main series and struggles with her missions...but how I love Hagi! Unf! That's a hunk of man right there!
September 10, 2012
First of a 2 part prequel to Blood + This has Saya and Hagi in the Russian Revolution on a Chiropteran (vampire) hunting mission. Rasputin is wonderfully evil. Not my favourite style of artwork, but I'm loving the setting and story.
February 9, 2014
Me gusta mucho la dupla de Hagi y Saya, a pesar de que encuentro odioso que esto ocurre mucho antes de lo que está pasando en el anime y Saya sigue con el trato un tanto pesado hacía Hagi y que continua teniendo miedo a luchar y esas cosas.
December 20, 2010
Blood + is one of my favorite stories with some of my most favorite characters. So you can imagen my excitement when I found these side stories! I loved it!
manga-hwa-hua
March 29, 2013I don't remember what happened in this one. Just two or three scenes that I actually recall, but I do remember that I didn't like it nearly as much as the other Blood+ manga-series. :/ Shall reread!
May 17, 2015
Promising start and a totally new twist on the Romanov family!
May 5, 2015
The story got a little confusing for me because there were so many side points but I think I get where it was taking me. The artwork was great even in black n gray.
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November 27, 2015Edición argentina. Tomo 1 de 2. Incluye un apéndice a cargo de Seiji Takeda.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews