Member Reviews

A Vampire in the Bathhouse is an adorable cozy fantasy manga that highlights how everyday life can be special all on its own. I loved this cozy, cute read.

The art in this manga was so well done! The characters were so beautiful and the emotions were drawn perfectly. This was so sweet with its balance between everyday life and vampires and demons.

If you are looking for a captivating heartwarming quick read, I would absolutely recommend you pick this up. It's a little sip of joy! Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced readers copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you, NetGalley and Kodansha Comics, for providing me with a free copy of “A Vampire in the Bathhouse” in exchange for an honest review!

“The only worthy victory is a victory against yourself”

It was a cute and cosy manga, made me very nostalgic, and now I want to revisit my all-time favourite titles. At first, I thought it’s targeted at a younger audience, but because of some aspects of the pact’s terms between the main characters, make me doubt it, but it might be okay for the NA/YA audience. And despite the overall cheerful and lighthearted tone, I couldn’t help but notice the sexualization of the characters and, unfortunately, it’s a common problem in the anime industry. Also, the art style is cute, but pretty common for the genre.

In the beginning, I felt as we were missing some piece of information about the main characters, but maybe that’s the thing with the “slice of life” mangas. We’re following a 23-years old Sakura, who’s the eldest son of the owner of Full Moon baths who has the sweetest youngest brother, Ume. One day a handsome vampire called Luka appears in the Full Moon Baths and the adventures begin!

I think it will be well received by the fans who love these popular tropes: MM vampire-human relationship, slice of life, summer festival, sport events, birthday parties, first snow celebrations and many more. Will be looking forward to the anime adaptation!

P.S. didn’t expect a grilled kraken to make it to my “must-try-list” lol

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THUS WAS SO ADORABLE!!
I loooved the art style and how adorable the little sibling is taking care of their family 🤍
Overall 4/5 stars ⭐️
The comic was lighthearted and funny, and the art style us chefs kiss !!

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what a fun manga! i genuinely had a great time reading this and i LOVED the art style. i love vampires so you can guess how much of a blast i had, cant wait for the next volume!

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this was such a cozy and charming read! loved the beautiful artwork, very soft and expressive, and the characters made me smile a lot. luka and sakura have this lovely dynamic that feels both heartwarming and hilarious. the story flows really well and had me genuinely invested. the ending felt a little too sudden, though. it kinda gave me the vibe that there was supposed to be more? like a next volume that never came. still, i enjoyed it a lot for what it was <3

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Kodansha in exchange for an honest review.

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Super cute and funny!

The art is amazing (especially for the demons) and the plot sets up their adorable fantasy slice of life family adventures very effectively but apparently it’s only staying at the one volume so I am saddened that we won’t get to see them grow more

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A Vampire in the Bathhouse is a delightful one-volume manga that blends comedy, fantasy, and slice-of-life elements into a visually stunning and heartwarming experience. While it may not redefine the genre, it successfully delivers a charming and entertaining read that leaves a lasting impression.

One of the manga’s greatest strengths lies in its art. The character designs, particularly those of Luka and Yomi, showcase an ethereal and otherworldly beauty that sets them apart from their human counterparts. The demon and vampire aesthetics are beautifully rendered, with intricate details that make each panel visually engaging without overwhelming the reader. The backgrounds and bathhouse setting are also well-drawn, creating an immersive and cozy atmosphere that enhances the storytelling.

The interaction between Luka, the flamboyant yet fatigued vampire, and Sakura, the exasperated yet responsible bathhouse worker, is a key highlight. Their dynamic brings humor and heart to the story, striking a fine balance between light hearted teasing and genuine camaraderie. The supporting characters, particularly Pequeño and Umenosuke, add layers of warmth and charm, reinforcing the manga’s found-family theme. While the characters are compelling, deeper development—especially in Luka’s backstory or Sakura’s personal growth—could have made the narrative even more impactful.

As a slice-of-life manga, A Vampire in the Bathhouse thrives in its episodic, everyday moments. The humor is well-paced, and the inclusion of supernatural beings experiencing mundane human customs adds a fresh, comedic twist. However, the abrupt ending is one of the most noticeable shortcomings. While the story feels wrapped up, the transition to the conclusion is sudden, leaving the impression that there was room for further exploration. Expanding the manga into an additional volume or a few extra chapters could have allowed for a more satisfying resolution.

Despite its lighthearted nature, the manga subtly explores themes of belonging, cultural exchange, and relaxation as a form of healing. Luka’s fascination with human customs and his slow integration into the bathhouse family add depth beyond mere comedic antics. Additionally, while romance is hinted at through Luka’s flirtations with Sakura, it remains secondary to the overarching themes of friendship and acceptance.

A Vampire in the Bathhouse is a visually captivating and heartwarming read, excelling in art, humor, and character dynamics. Though the ending feels slightly rushed and the story could have benefited from deeper character exploration, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. Fans of cozy slice-of-life manga with supernatural twists will find this a refreshing and enjoyable addition to their collection.

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The artwork in this volume? Absolutely stunning. Hands down the highlight of the whole thing. I loved the attention to detail in the characters and the overall airy, delicate style—it really made the pages feel alive.

The story itself is super cute and light, with strong found family vibes, which I always enjoy. But when I hit the last page, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. I wanted a bit more character development, maybe a touch of romance (especially since the beginning seemed to hint at it).

Overall, it was a nice read, but not one that will stick with me for long. Fun and visually gorgeous, just not as deep as I’d hoped!

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This was such a cute one-shot! The artwork is beautiful, every character is likeable, and while there is a solid story throughout, each chapter feels like it's own episode of a sweet, short series. While there are obvious supernatural elements at play (read the title), this definitely will be a hit with slice-of-life fans.

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This is a funny, fast past adorable story. All the characters had their own little quirks. But all of them are so LOVABLE! I was giggling and laughing through out the story. Love it!

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Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

you want to read something whimsical and cute?
something that will heal your soul after heartbreaking mangas and animes?
then A Vampire in the Bathhouse is a perfect manga for you!

i really want to point out an amazing art style, every picture of Luka was a pleasure to my eyes
the cuteness in this was really it

i think it balanced on the edge, where there was enough lore but not too much comedy
it was a fun read!

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Thank you net galley for the ARC!

Cute, funny and lovable characters!
Fun and easy story. Loved every single page, 100% will be rereading

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A cute and comedic slice of life with supernatural elements (if you're familiar with other series like the Devil is a Part timer, then the mix is likely one familiar to you). The ending is a little bit abrupt having to wrap up what plot threads there were promising a more expensive story, but on the whole it's nice read that not trying to be that deep but is still pretty to look at and shows off an aspect of Japanese life.

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Quite a humorous and quick read.
The art is stunning - everybody is just simply beautiful - and the character dynamics are superb. I always enjoy reading about families like this.
It's a great read if you're in the mood to relax or just want to laugh.
Although I wish this story had a continuation, there could be a lot more to explore than what was just in one volume.
I hope we get more from this author (I wouldn't be mad if there were more stories with these characters).

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A Vampire in the Bathhouse by Niko Izuki is a captivating and humorous fantasy that combines supernatural elements with a unique setting. The story follows a vampire who finds himself in an unusual situation at a bathhouse, blending mystery, romance, and quirky characters. Izuki’s writing is lighthearted and filled with wit, creating an engaging atmosphere that keeps readers entertained. With its blend of fantasy and humor, this book is a fun and refreshing read for fans of supernatural stories with a playful twist.

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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!

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What a cheerful and heartfelt read. I love the concept of a vampire familiarising himself with the human world and their customs in such a lighthearted way. This was a lovely story and a very heartwarming read. I adored the found family aspect.

This was my first time ever reading a manga, and I've only read a couple of graphic novels. It took me a little bit to get into this and learn how to read it properly (thanks to my husbands tips), but I had a really good time and enjoyed this manga very much!

I saw the cover and immediately just had to grab this! I love the artwork on it, and the title is super funny and attention-grabbing.

The art style was amazing! There were so many cute and little details. There was plenty to look at on every page, while also not being too overwhelming. Some of the bigger, more detailed artwork was absolutely stunning! I'm super impressed by how talented the author/illustrator is.

Our main character Luka the vampire's character art was in particular so handsome and well drawn. He was my favourite. I love how regally he spoke. He also had some very comedic lines. I really enjoyed how exasperated and irritated Sakura got by him in some of their inner dialogue, as well as just yelling at him.

Some of the illustrations were quite spicy, however, the comic itself didn't have much romance at all and had no intimate scenes.

Pequeño as Luka's demon pet was a really cute addition. I loved his little scenes with his newfound best friend Umenosuke.

My only critique is that it ended a little abruptly. However, things did feel quite wrapped up, I just didn't expect to turn the next page and see that it was over. But I do think the overall length and pacing was quite good.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this!

*I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) for free in exchange for an honest review*

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Just a really cute slice-of-life Manga, very lighthearted, and the characters were such a joy. I really enjoyed the banter between Sakura and Luka, but my favorite was probably the relationship between Umenosuke and Pequeño. They are just so heartwarming together, really capturing that essence of childlike wonder.

The art was also incredibly beautiful, especially the vampire/demon designs shined. Luka and Yomi especially really stood apart from Sakura, they just had that ethereal, otherworldly beauty to them.

I do think the ending was a little sudden. It feels like there should have been a few chapters, maybe even a volume or two more. I would actually enjoy having more volumes of this series! The characters are very charming, and it was such a refreshing read.

I really recommend checking this one out when it releases on April 29th, 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing a digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

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A cute and lighthearted take on a vampire visiting the human realm! The art was absolutely stunning and much more detailed than I anticipated (especially the backgrounds and food). Everything they cooked looked so tasty, I had to order takeout after reading. I loved the banter between Luka and Sakura. I'm a sucker for a "taking care of sick love interest" trope, so I was pleasantly surprised when it popped up. The interpretation of vampire magic was really interesting as well. The way Luka's ears would revert back to normal after using magic sort of reminded me of Pinochio's nose growing. Sakura's younger brother Umenosuke was also adorable!

I would highly recommend this manga for anyone who's a fan of romantic comedies. It's rated 16+. However, there are mentions of having sex as a part of the pact so I'm unsure if future volumes will be explicit.

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Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha comics for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Vampire in the Bathhouse is the perfect cosy palette cleanser. It’s like if you took all the best filler episodes that every slice of life manga has, and made an entire book out of just those. The vibes are immaculate, the art is gorgeous, and all of the conflict is very lighthearted.

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