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暁への愛を伝えたいのにうまく言えないアルと、暁への好意をぶつける室井――。
揺れる気持ちを抱えつつ、アルはドラマに出演することになるが…!?
原作小説1冊分を収録した3・4巻同時発売!!木原先生ショート小説も収録!
揺れる気持ちを抱えつつ、アルはドラマに出演することになるが…!?
原作小説1冊分を収録した3・4巻同時発売!!木原先生ショート小説も収録!
260 pages, Paperback
First published December 20, 2019
8 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Marimo Ragawa
161 books45 followersMarimo Ragawa 羅川真里茂 was born on September 21 in Hachinohe, Aomori, but her age is not disclosed.
Marimo Ragawa first started submitting manga to comic magazines when she was only 12 years old, which is when she was in 6th grade of elementary school. She continued to send her manga to the same magazine for four years, but a positive critical reception was yet to come. Ragawa then decided to switch to a different magazine. Surprisingly, her first submission to this magazine, Hana to Yume, won a prize called the Top-prize. She succeeded in achieving her debut with her first manga, Time Limit.
Marimo Ragawa continues to draw other manga such as Aka-chan to Boku (Baby and Me), New York New York, and Itsudemo Otenki Kibun. She received the 1995 Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo for Baby and Me. She continues to draw a tennis themed manga, Shanimuni-Go in Hana to Yume (Flowers and Dreams).
Marimo Ragawa's calm and cute design is one of the traits of her drawings. Her energetic drawing and characters are very attractive, even to non-manga readers. She is widely known for her great ability in describing complicated emotions, especially in New York New York and Baby and Me.
Her manga Mashiro no Oto has been nominated for the 4th Manga Taishō.
Marimo Ragawa first started submitting manga to comic magazines when she was only 12 years old, which is when she was in 6th grade of elementary school. She continued to send her manga to the same magazine for four years, but a positive critical reception was yet to come. Ragawa then decided to switch to a different magazine. Surprisingly, her first submission to this magazine, Hana to Yume, won a prize called the Top-prize. She succeeded in achieving her debut with her first manga, Time Limit.
Marimo Ragawa continues to draw other manga such as Aka-chan to Boku (Baby and Me), New York New York, and Itsudemo Otenki Kibun. She received the 1995 Shogakukan Manga Award for shōjo for Baby and Me. She continues to draw a tennis themed manga, Shanimuni-Go in Hana to Yume (Flowers and Dreams).
Marimo Ragawa's calm and cute design is one of the traits of her drawings. Her energetic drawing and characters are very attractive, even to non-manga readers. She is widely known for her great ability in describing complicated emotions, especially in New York New York and Baby and Me.
Her manga Mashiro no Oto has been nominated for the 4th Manga Taishō.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 1, 2025
*Original Review 12/23/2021*
God I need like at least 5 more volumes of this. Volume 5 where are youuuuu!!!
I love this series so much and I just want Al to be loved and protected. He's such a sweet and precious bean. Akira is so stubborn but he cares so much and AH! I love the back and forth so much. the ending was so funny. It made me laugh so hard I teared up lol. They're so dumb.
*Reread 4/30/2025*
I love them so much!! Al is such a sweetheart and that scene in the car?? Akira wasn't in this volume as much, but the moments he is there are really special. I'm happy that I can just get straight into the 5th one now.
God I need like at least 5 more volumes of this. Volume 5 where are youuuuu!!!
I love this series so much and I just want Al to be loved and protected. He's such a sweet and precious bean. Akira is so stubborn but he cares so much and AH! I love the back and forth so much. the ending was so funny. It made me laugh so hard I teared up lol. They're so dumb.
*Reread 4/30/2025*
I love them so much!! Al is such a sweetheart and that scene in the car?? Akira wasn't in this volume as much, but the moments he is there are really special. I'm happy that I can just get straight into the 5th one now.
March 7, 2022
WARNING: Mild Spoilers
Thanks to Sakairi's insistence, Al got the role of vampire in that late night drama he's producing and Al finally got a chance to live out his dream of being an actor. Despite all his years in isolation, Al is still a charismatic person and had no problem taking direction and making new friends. Everything was going great until... one of his costars ended up dead. Thanks to his incredible sense of smell Al was able to immediately pinpoint the murderer but now needs to get evidence to prove it.
While all of this is taking place, Al and Akira's relationship continues to deepen . Al no longer tries to hide how much he loves Akira and he does everything he can to make Akira happy. He also isn't shy about verbally expressing to him how much he appreciates him. He constantly touches him, going so far as to give him a kiss every night before going to bed. What's surprising is that Akira actually lets him. He never told him to stop, nor did he ever try to pull away. Those tender moments were so sweet that I found myself reading those scenes over and over again. They took me out of the story and brought me to this peaceful space where only the two of them existed...so peaceful and beautiful 🥰. I already see Akira's walls breaking down and it's only a matter of time before he admits to himself that he loves Al. I can't wait to witness that. This was a well deserved 5/5.
Thanks to Sakairi's insistence, Al got the role of vampire in that late night drama he's producing and Al finally got a chance to live out his dream of being an actor. Despite all his years in isolation, Al is still a charismatic person and had no problem taking direction and making new friends. Everything was going great until... one of his costars ended up dead. Thanks to his incredible sense of smell Al was able to immediately pinpoint the murderer but now needs to get evidence to prove it.
While all of this is taking place, Al and Akira's relationship continues to deepen . Al no longer tries to hide how much he loves Akira and he does everything he can to make Akira happy. He also isn't shy about verbally expressing to him how much he appreciates him. He constantly touches him, going so far as to give him a kiss every night before going to bed. What's surprising is that Akira actually lets him. He never told him to stop, nor did he ever try to pull away. Those tender moments were so sweet that I found myself reading those scenes over and over again. They took me out of the story and brought me to this peaceful space where only the two of them existed...so peaceful and beautiful 🥰. I already see Akira's walls breaking down and it's only a matter of time before he admits to himself that he loves Al. I can't wait to witness that. This was a well deserved 5/5.
February 19, 2022
It gets better with every volume! :D
November 18, 2021
I know the year isn’t over yet so I’m kind of jumping the gun here, but The Vampire and His Pleasant Companions is the best manga series I’ve read this year.
After a fairly disappointing volume 3 this volume brings back everything I loved about this series. There’s a crime that needs to be solved, more moments between Akira and Al, and Al struggling with the effects of his vampirism. The one slight downside is that there weren’t as many bat-Al moments, but the ones we did get were appropriately adorable.
In this volume the plot revolves around Al helping figure out who killed his fellow co-star of the show he was dragged into doing. Like last time due to his strong sense of smell he has a good idea of who did it but needs a way to prove it. Luckily he has Nukariya and another co-star who are ready to assist him, and of course Akira is there to offer support.
I need every volume of this manga to be about Al solving a case because it makes the plot much more focused. It’s also just more interesting. I was so hooked on the story that I devoured this volume quicker than I would’ve liked. It seems like it’ll be the last one for a while because I don’t think volume five has even been published in Japan yet. I should’ve savored this volume and not read it all in one go, but the fact that I did is testament to how much I enjoyed it.
Al and Akira continue to be great characters to follow. I was hoping this volume would build upon the small bits of Akira’s background we got in the last one, but it didn’t so I’m still left with various questions that I really hope get answered. I would say that Al is the bigger focus in this volume. He’s happy that he gets to follow his dream of being an actor, but he also becomes more aware of the drawbacks of being a vampire. If it wasn’t obvious already from the last volumes it becomes abundantly clear in this one how much of a kind-hearted individual Al is. He cares about people so much, even people he’s only known for a while. We also get a lot more Nukariya in this volume! His annoying partner Yanagawa also makes an appearance. I wonder if those two will get a spinoff manga together? I’d read it.
What I’m happiest about though is that after this volume I’m no longer worrying about being queerbaited. There definitely seems to be a romance plotline building between Al and Akira. This volume contains a lot of my favorite moments between them. I find myself going back to reread those moments over and over again because I just can’t get over them. Some of my favorite scenes are when Akira is being a huge tsundere, and there are even more moments like that in this volume. I love characters who say they don’t care about someone but then their actions don’t match their words.
The art, like everything else, was more solid this time around too. Akira was definitely at his most gorgeous. He was rocking a lot of fancy hairstyles that had him looking fine. I wish there had been more cute bat-Al scenes, but I honestly barely noticed due to how much I was enjoying everything else. Since we’re back to solving crimes there are once again graphic scenes featuring body mutilation. Nothing as bad as volume 2, but still pretty graphic.
Everywhere the third volume failed this one made up for. It has a solid plot, all three characters are back together and amazing, and the romance feels like it is finally blooming. It’s probably my favorite volume in the series now, though it’s a close tie to the second one. I don’t know how I’ll be able to stand the wait for the next volume. I hope it won’t take too long to come out, but either way I’ll be picking it up as soon as it becomes available!
After a fairly disappointing volume 3 this volume brings back everything I loved about this series. There’s a crime that needs to be solved, more moments between Akira and Al, and Al struggling with the effects of his vampirism. The one slight downside is that there weren’t as many bat-Al moments, but the ones we did get were appropriately adorable.
In this volume the plot revolves around Al helping figure out who killed his fellow co-star of the show he was dragged into doing. Like last time due to his strong sense of smell he has a good idea of who did it but needs a way to prove it. Luckily he has Nukariya and another co-star who are ready to assist him, and of course Akira is there to offer support.
I need every volume of this manga to be about Al solving a case because it makes the plot much more focused. It’s also just more interesting. I was so hooked on the story that I devoured this volume quicker than I would’ve liked. It seems like it’ll be the last one for a while because I don’t think volume five has even been published in Japan yet. I should’ve savored this volume and not read it all in one go, but the fact that I did is testament to how much I enjoyed it.
Al and Akira continue to be great characters to follow. I was hoping this volume would build upon the small bits of Akira’s background we got in the last one, but it didn’t so I’m still left with various questions that I really hope get answered. I would say that Al is the bigger focus in this volume. He’s happy that he gets to follow his dream of being an actor, but he also becomes more aware of the drawbacks of being a vampire. If it wasn’t obvious already from the last volumes it becomes abundantly clear in this one how much of a kind-hearted individual Al is. He cares about people so much, even people he’s only known for a while. We also get a lot more Nukariya in this volume! His annoying partner Yanagawa also makes an appearance. I wonder if those two will get a spinoff manga together? I’d read it.
What I’m happiest about though is that after this volume I’m no longer worrying about being queerbaited. There definitely seems to be a romance plotline building between Al and Akira. This volume contains a lot of my favorite moments between them. I find myself going back to reread those moments over and over again because I just can’t get over them. Some of my favorite scenes are when Akira is being a huge tsundere, and there are even more moments like that in this volume. I love characters who say they don’t care about someone but then their actions don’t match their words.
The art, like everything else, was more solid this time around too. Akira was definitely at his most gorgeous. He was rocking a lot of fancy hairstyles that had him looking fine. I wish there had been more cute bat-Al scenes, but I honestly barely noticed due to how much I was enjoying everything else. Since we’re back to solving crimes there are once again graphic scenes featuring body mutilation. Nothing as bad as volume 2, but still pretty graphic.
Everywhere the third volume failed this one made up for. It has a solid plot, all three characters are back together and amazing, and the romance feels like it is finally blooming. It’s probably my favorite volume in the series now, though it’s a close tie to the second one. I don’t know how I’ll be able to stand the wait for the next volume. I hope it won’t take too long to come out, but either way I’ll be picking it up as soon as it becomes available!
February 5, 2022
Well, that potential alternate love interest for Al sure didn't last long. It would've been pointless if it'd gone that way, anyway, because Al's entire heart and soul is tied up in Akira.
Nukariya fortunately returns as Al's acting gig turns into yet another murder investigation. This series doesn't quite know what it wants to be - is Al an aspiring actor/model or will he use his vampire nose to transition into ongoing detective work? I'm still rating it 5 stars because I enjoyed the emotional core of this volume so much, and it feels like Al and Akira made significant process that, to me, concludes in a satisfying and hopeful way.
I actually don't know if this is the last book in the series; it appears to be the last volume that was published both in the U.S. and Japan, but it's listed in multiple spots as "ongoing," and it was apparently adapted from a 5 volume light novel series. So maybe there's one more coming? I definitely wouldn't mind that; it seems apparent that if we do get one more book, Al and Akira will likely enter an actual relationship, where Akira finally admits that he reciprocates Al's feelings to some degree.
I do still think their relationship might not move into the physical realm, or have much of that, because Akira's "love" doesn't seem to bend that way. He gets frustrated with Al's neediness and constant physical affection, because that's not how he shows his love; he demonstrates it through action and care and time. They'll balance each other out though, I think, and he certainly never, ever shrugs Al off the way he does his aggressive assistant, who's still trying to get Akira to date him. (That scene in the car was A+ and worth the 5 stars all on its own.)
Some other unsettled threads include how Al's going to deal with losing Akira - an immortal dating a human - but you really have to accept that wrenching heartbreak as a part of any vampire story. Al does think several times about changing Akira to a vampire so they can spend eternity together, but he pulls himself back and mentally slaps himself for the idea. He truly loves Akira. So why would he doom him to an eternal existence that's causing so much pain for him? (I would be interested to hear Akira's thoughts on it, though...he mentions the dream of immortality, so would he take Al up on it? Maybe in another decade or so.)
Again, I'd love to read more of this series and will keep my eye out in case there is another volume on its way, but I do feel satisfied with this conclusion. It's funny that Nukariya is present for Al's love confession/essentially marriage proposal, and I'm glad Al and Akira have genuinely supportive friends in addition to the deep love that's been forming between the two of them.
Content warning:
Nukariya fortunately returns as Al's acting gig turns into yet another murder investigation. This series doesn't quite know what it wants to be - is Al an aspiring actor/model or will he use his vampire nose to transition into ongoing detective work? I'm still rating it 5 stars because I enjoyed the emotional core of this volume so much, and it feels like Al and Akira made significant process that, to me, concludes in a satisfying and hopeful way.
I actually don't know if this is the last book in the series; it appears to be the last volume that was published both in the U.S. and Japan, but it's listed in multiple spots as "ongoing," and it was apparently adapted from a 5 volume light novel series. So maybe there's one more coming? I definitely wouldn't mind that; it seems apparent that if we do get one more book, Al and Akira will likely enter an actual relationship, where Akira finally admits that he reciprocates Al's feelings to some degree.
I do still think their relationship might not move into the physical realm, or have much of that, because Akira's "love" doesn't seem to bend that way. He gets frustrated with Al's neediness and constant physical affection, because that's not how he shows his love; he demonstrates it through action and care and time. They'll balance each other out though, I think, and he certainly never, ever shrugs Al off the way he does his aggressive assistant, who's still trying to get Akira to date him. (That scene in the car was A+ and worth the 5 stars all on its own.)
Some other unsettled threads include how Al's going to deal with losing Akira - an immortal dating a human - but you really have to accept that wrenching heartbreak as a part of any vampire story. Al does think several times about changing Akira to a vampire so they can spend eternity together, but he pulls himself back and mentally slaps himself for the idea. He truly loves Akira. So why would he doom him to an eternal existence that's causing so much pain for him? (I would be interested to hear Akira's thoughts on it, though...he mentions the dream of immortality, so would he take Al up on it? Maybe in another decade or so.)
Again, I'd love to read more of this series and will keep my eye out in case there is another volume on its way, but I do feel satisfied with this conclusion. It's funny that Nukariya is present for Al's love confession/essentially marriage proposal, and I'm glad Al and Akira have genuinely supportive friends in addition to the deep love that's been forming between the two of them.
Content warning:
December 7, 2021
This really is my favorite Marimo Ragawa series, and yes, I realize that may be because someone else wrote it. But the blend of genres is interesting, the plot doesn't stall, and of course, Al is the cutest darn bat in all of manga.
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November 26, 2023Binged all four volumes in a day and I need more 😭
January 2, 2025
I am loving this series. It’s funny to think I’ve had the first book sitting on my shelf for over a year and hadn’t picked it up, but now I’m OBSESSED!!!!!
December 31, 2025
Fellas is it gay to give your bestie goodnight kissies?
No but as always, these two are so damn precious. And Al is so innocent and sweet in the way that he just simply wants to show Akira the affection that he probably hasn't received in a long time. I do think it's really sweet that even though Akira is such a gruff people, he has all these people around him who really want to love him. I'm glad that the fact that he's actually a good and kind person despite his gruffness is recognized in that way. :')
The drama, mystery, intrigue, and violence in this volume is really interesting, fun, and sad, but I really like this series best when we're getting these quiet, one on one moments with Akira and Al, like when they held hands on the way to the convenience store.
It was a really painful and heartfelt volume. I loved it ;-;
No but as always, these two are so damn precious. And Al is so innocent and sweet in the way that he just simply wants to show Akira the affection that he probably hasn't received in a long time. I do think it's really sweet that even though Akira is such a gruff people, he has all these people around him who really want to love him. I'm glad that the fact that he's actually a good and kind person despite his gruffness is recognized in that way. :')
The drama, mystery, intrigue, and violence in this volume is really interesting, fun, and sad, but I really like this series best when we're getting these quiet, one on one moments with Akira and Al, like when they held hands on the way to the convenience store.
It was a really painful and heartfelt volume. I loved it ;-;
August 26, 2023
Generalized review for 3 & 4. Hopefully no spoilers. No major ones for sure.
Al is so adorable as a bat and sweet as a human! His personality comes through whether he's human or bat shaped, and I love that his behavior doesn't change - if he wants to cuddle with Akira, he's definitely going to try. And Akira seems more tolerant of this when Al's a bat, but as they spend more time together, he is more tolerant regardless.
We learn so much about Akira in these two volumes, with extra snippets in the special bonus text stories at the end. We can easily understand his relationship with Al and the reason he treats him like a pet. (I mean Al is basically a puppy who wants all the happy pettings and to be the bestest boy! ▼・ᴥ・▼)
I love the humor and appreciated several laugh out loud moments. I could say so much more, but I'll leave it simple - but I'll add here that it was icing on the cake to see Al as a vampire. The story is interesting and fun, sometimes a little heart wrenching, and I'm really sad that we only have 4 volumes. :( I want more!
Al is so adorable as a bat and sweet as a human! His personality comes through whether he's human or bat shaped, and I love that his behavior doesn't change - if he wants to cuddle with Akira, he's definitely going to try. And Akira seems more tolerant of this when Al's a bat, but as they spend more time together, he is more tolerant regardless.
We learn so much about Akira in these two volumes, with extra snippets in the special bonus text stories at the end. We can easily understand his relationship with Al and the reason he treats him like a pet. (I mean Al is basically a puppy who wants all the happy pettings and to be the bestest boy! ▼・ᴥ・▼)
I love the humor and appreciated several laugh out loud moments. I could say so much more, but I'll leave it simple - but I'll add here that it was icing on the cake to see Al as a vampire. The story is interesting and fun, sometimes a little heart wrenching, and I'm really sad that we only have 4 volumes. :( I want more!
June 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this series bout Akira, a reclusive embalmer that takes in Al, a homeless half-human/half vampire American.
I love how the story is giving the romance time to marinate. The organic development makes the relationship feel more authentic and gives it more depth imo.
Anyway I'm all caught up now and man I really love the storytelling and overall pacing of the story. The natural progression of Al and Akira's relationship is something I adore so much 🥹
Ngl I read this on a whim but it quickly became a favourite. Can't recommend the series enough.
I'm so excited for the next volume coming out next month!
I love how the story is giving the romance time to marinate. The organic development makes the relationship feel more authentic and gives it more depth imo.
Anyway I'm all caught up now and man I really love the storytelling and overall pacing of the story. The natural progression of Al and Akira's relationship is something I adore so much 🥹
Ngl I read this on a whim but it quickly became a favourite. Can't recommend the series enough.
I'm so excited for the next volume coming out next month!
March 25, 2025
This volume echoed the action of volume2 and had a really solid plot. Al gets to live his dream of being an actor...until there is a murder on set. Again he uses his bat senses to detect the killer and help the police solve the murder. Lots more development of his relationship with Akira as well--I think he's finally wearing Akira down haha! Also an interesting aside about the embalming profession and the differences in funeral preparation and rights between America and Japan. I do enjoy learning all the cultural differences as Al navigates being a foreigner in Japan. Loved this volume and can't wait for more!
November 4, 2021
3.5 stars out of 5
This was still entertaining, with Al helping to solve another murder mystery, while also getting into a bit of trouble himself.
However, Akira needs to get over his weird anti-love stance, because he really seems to be losing at this point. Al has decided to stay with him forever, and that appears to be that. I’m hoping the next volume finally delves more into Akita’s past, because he’s still a bit of a mystery.
This was still entertaining, with Al helping to solve another murder mystery, while also getting into a bit of trouble himself.
However, Akira needs to get over his weird anti-love stance, because he really seems to be losing at this point. Al has decided to stay with him forever, and that appears to be that. I’m hoping the next volume finally delves more into Akita’s past, because he’s still a bit of a mystery.
October 24, 2025
I like that there was another mystery that Al helped with in this volume. The growth of Al not denying and declaring his feelings I think is sweet but I can tell its overwhelming to Akira. I wish we had more insight into Akira's mind at this time because I don't want him to feel overwhelmed or pushed into feelings he isn't sure of. His coworker.... that is so sad the conversation with his dad about his mother. Lots of feels in this volume.
January 6, 2022
I'm so sad that it's over TT_TT
Although after finishing, this really is less of a BL and more of just a general LGBTQ+ rep. Akira is asexual and Al is "gay for Akira" which could make him Bi or even Demi considering how his feelings develop. Still a really sweet story and Bat Al is just so flipping adorable <3
Although after finishing, this really is less of a BL and more of just a general LGBTQ+ rep. Akira is asexual and Al is "gay for Akira" which could make him Bi or even Demi considering how his feelings develop. Still a really sweet story and Bat Al is just so flipping adorable <3
February 26, 2023
Volume 3 ended with Al getting a role in a tv drama. Akira was concerned that he might be seen and identified as having escaped police custody, but before that becomes a concern the filming is interupted by murder! Al is becoming one of those classic mystery protagonist who seem to constantly attract killers to their proximity.
March 25, 2023
Just when Al’s acting dream finally happens, tragedy strikes involving the lead girl and reveals bits of betrayal. Also, Akira has to keep claiming that Al isn’t his lover which I find amusing for a few different reasons. Seeing Al have lots of fun acting was lovely to see even if it was short lived, and I deeply enjoyed meeting the colorful characters that were on set with him.
October 16, 2023
This was another fun volume though I struggled with the fact that AL while his intentions are good, he doesn't want Akira to be alone, keeps not listening that Akira does not want a relationship. Since as someone who is Ace I read Akira as Ace and Aro I dislike AL hyper focusing on a romantic or sexual relationship and not letting their queer platonic relationship slowly deepen.
January 30, 2022
This series is so charming! The art in this volume feels more playful than the previous and I feel like the artist is visibly improving.
I’m really enjoying the slow burn romance and the plot elements outside of that.
It feel fairly unique amongst other BL releases.
I’m really enjoying the slow burn romance and the plot elements outside of that.
It feel fairly unique amongst other BL releases.
April 2, 2023
this volume had great progress with al and akira’s relationship which i’m glad for, i only wish we had news of volume 5 :( also mild spoilers but justice for al cause why do ppl keep trying to kill him T_T
September 27, 2024
Wow!! This volume just turned everything up! Another close call! Some trauma dumping ! Some cuteness ! I just... I have really fallen in love with these characters and the world that has been create!!
January 22, 2022
“I can put in or be put in” SAY WHAT AL??? LOL
I love this series so much!
I love this series so much!
March 20, 2022
I want more stories!
What's going to happen????
I want more cuteness!!?!?!!!!
What's going to happen????
I want more cuteness!!?!?!!!!
June 14, 2022
I love this series I need more. Al is a damn precious idiot
September 15, 2022
I love them so much.
October 2, 2022
I be feeling so bad for Al; All he wants is love, but akira wants love as far away from him as possible. 😭😭😭
December 3, 2022
How much money do I have to pay for this to get out of hiatus 👁️👁️
December 30, 2022
🥺 more pls
January 28, 2023
Al is the cuuutes both in his bat and human form. Ugh...and the proposal scene
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews