Sentou to Vampire
A Vampire in the Bathhouse

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3 stars because non-consent. Anyone who’s been following my reviews, knows how much I despise that trope. Worse, when it’s used as comedy.
Non-consent may work sometimes for certain characters, but not when it involves sexual-like activities AND the non-consenting person clearly is uncomfortable (+ has done nothing to deserve it). Which was the case here.

Could’ve rated it 5 stars without it, because everything else is really good. Unfortunately, the sexual harassment was used as a running gag in each chapter, one time he was even forced to have sex; while he may have agreed to it, for once, he pretty much had ... no real choice. (Positive Spoiler: they manage to resolve it without sex.)

The art is great, the characters are (aside from the non-consent) fun to follow around and I loved the slice of life. The latter makes it seem like it’s very slow-paced, showing ‘boring’ day tasks like cooking, cleaning, shopping etc. (which I’m a fan of). On the other hand, everything is resolved very quickly and jumps from one adventure to the next.

I would’ve wished to see more of Ume and Pequeño (cool name btw). They were such a cute duo and so much more interesting to read than the grown-ups.
Although grandpa was really sweet too, for his few appearances.
The older teens were mostly annoying tho, they’re (short) dramas were meant to be funny but not for me. Such basic, on a low level, humor that is nothing new and really could’ve been better.

Queer casualty but no queer plot – Luka mentions that demons don’t bother with gender roles or differences, also when it comes to sex or romance etc. It may be new for Sakura, who’s a human and interprets it as BL, the tropes are also very commonly Yaoi, but it isn’t really BL. Not that I minded though; I’m glad it focused on the daily life and the non-consent was just a (useless) side remark, so the book does end up having at least some charm.
There might’ve been a drag queen or trans person as a side character. I’m not sure cause she didn’t use a label, but it’s cool either way. Men being or looking feminine is normal here. (It still pulls a lot of heteronormative tropes, such as a photo shooting where they’re dressed up as a husband & wife for a wedding theme.)

~

Thank you to Kodansha on Netgalley for providing an eARC.

-06.04.25

I had to try out this manga with its pitch and cover!
It was great to follow Luka the vampire as he discovered the human world and took part in the baths of the full moon and its warm neighborhood.
The character designs are very pretty, and you can see the care taken with the chara design and even with some of the outfits.
Unfortunately, the ending leaves you wanting more, as if this wasn't meant to be a one-shot, but rather that the author had set out on a series that was cut short by the publisher.
Nice slice-of-life that makes you smile without too much supernatural.
I was ... afraid there'd be sex, but not at all, it even becomes a running gag.
There's not even any romance, just the irresistible vampire charm that works on just about everyone.
Otherwise, Ume and Pequeño are just too cute together!