Blood Alone

Rumor has it that the manga has been discontinued, and the lack of updates seems to confirm this.

Overall, I enjoyed it. The story isn't particularly driving, though it is interesting enough. The characters are much more captivating. There are hints of overarching plots (the magician Kuroe shares a name with, his sister, Misaki's musician father, his connection to Kuroe, etc.), but nothing ever develops due to the apparent cancellation. It's still worth reading, nonetheless.

Excuse me for going on a tangent discussing the potential loli interpretation. :)

The (one-sided?) romance between Misaki and Kuroe is in uncomfortable territory. She's pre-pubescent and believes she's in love with a man who (admittedly) resembles her father. He's in his mid-twenties to early thirties and most of the time doesn't seem to reciprocate or even acknowledge her feelings. However, there are bits of fanservice here and there that indicate the author's feelings, which is where the discomfort lies.

I wouldn't be as annoyed if she were actually of legal age but just looked like a loli. Unlike the young boy vampire Higure, she is indeed the age she appears (it's indicated she's been a vampire probably less than a year while he has been one for likely a couple hundred). I'd still be bothered because the implications of lolicon would remain high, but technically it wouldn't be an issue. This is also why I don't mention Higure's definite interest in adult men as something that bothered me. Visually, it's quite off-putting and feels like fanservice, but technically, Higure is very legal. =P

Regardless, this is my main reason for not rating it higher. The discomfort is significant, and while the story was good enough to finish what had been scanlated - 8 volumes/34ish chapters - it's not as good as I hoped it would be.

That aside:

I really appreciate the approach to vampires, vampire hunters, and vampire assassins. A lot of it isn't new but incorporates the best aspects of vampire lore - blood families, territorial disputes, coexistence with humanity, vampire servants/masters (Hellsing), even the domestic angle (Moon Phase) - but the execution rings true.

Yes, there are bloody, super-powered battles, but at its core, it's a story about a little vampire girl who is mostly little girl and not very much vampire. Higure, the vampire with the appearance of a young boy, might hint towards Misaki's future. Despite the old soul in a young body trait, he balances a not-fully-developed mind with the knowledge and experience of a vampire. He's still a lonely little boy despite (maybe because of?) the hundreds of years and the claim that he's not the boy Higure anymore.

Do I wish there was more and a proper completion to the story? Yes. Am I okay with the focus on Misaki's crush on Kuroe? No. But it was worth my time anyway.

Side note: I actually really like the art. I forget what it reminds me of (maybe Usagi Drop?) but I genuinely do like the art style.

I'm not usually a big manga expert, but I've recently become completely obsessed with shoujo manga. I stumbled upon this one and was initially put off by the vampire theme—I'm generally not a fan of vampire stories—but I decided to give it a try, and I was utterly amazed.

Firstly, the artwork is absolutely stunning. At first, I found it too plain and simple; I was accustomed to the extravagant styles in mangas like Loveless and Hana to Akuma. However, the sophisticated and realistic look of Blood Alone really grew on me, and now I think it's one of the most beautiful mangas I've ever seen. It's genuinely gorgeous, straightforward, and captivating.

The story is somewhat typical for its genre, but it remains exciting. A young girl and her guardian, who protects her from various evil and magical entities. While the story and plot aren't the main driving forces here, what truly sets this manga apart is its characters.

Kuroe and Misaki are incredibly engaging. Their unique situation, complementary personalities, and deep bond make their relationship, romantic or not, instantly lovable. Misaki is adorably jealous, and Kuroe is hilariously oblivious. ^^ They form such an interesting pair. For those concerned about the age difference, this isn't a Lolicon manga at all. Misaki is actually 14 years old, even if she appears younger physically, and for most of the manga, there are only sweet and chaste moments between them. Some of the scenes are among the cutest I've ever seen in a manga—they make your heart melt!

The other characters are also well-developed, believable, and likable. I can't help but like Sainome-senpai, even as Misaki's "competition" for Kuroe. Everything about the vampires and their society is explained very clearly and reasonably. Just be aware that it does get a bit gory at times.

In any case, this is definitely one of my favorite mangas of all time. I hope to see more chapters soon. Give it a shot—I promise you'll enjoy it!

When I first read this series back in February 2013 (thank you GoodReads for that precise recollection), I remember thoroughly enjoying it. The most striking aspects, nostalgic to me, were the characters and the chemistry between Misaki and Kuroe. The artwork was another highlight; I recalled finding the illustrations exceptionally beautiful. It’s gratifying to note that both elements have held up well even after four years. However, the story as a whole is a different matter entirely, pardon the pun.

Let's start with what I loved: the vampires themselves. While some of them do have a loli or moe vibe, overall they are sophisticated and highly intellectual, making such traits inconsequential. They don't fit the typical "beautiful and misunderstood" stereotype familiar to Western audiences, nor are they sadistic monsters often depicted in similar anime/manga genres. They're simply different people. This allowed for a detailed exploration of each vampire as an individual. When trying to humanize vampires, I believe this approach works best; at least it did brilliantly in Blood Alone. Not every vampire adheres to this standard, but the majority do.

In the manga, you never see graphic depictions of vampire teeth puncturing flesh. You might see a mouth on someone's neck, but never the brutal feeding scenes commonly expected from this genre. This subtle depiction contributes to the idea of vampires being an "evolved" version of humans. Moreover, this delicate portrayal of their feeding makes the manga feel more provocative than if it were overtly displayed, which makes sense.

Misaki and Kuroe share a wonderful relationship with a charmingly balanced chemistry. A mild tension hangs over them as their intimate feelings are implied through various scenarios, some more obvious than others, but it never reaches frustrating levels. Their dynamic is stunningly simple and natural. Misaki, having been turned at a young age, occasionally shows immaturity, but she can also surprise with wisdom that makes you question her true age. This contrasts nicely with Kuroe’s innocent and casual demeanor, complementing each other well.

The illustrations are aesthetically pleasing! I’m particularly fond of manga with neatly organized panels and breathtakingly clean, crisp artwork. Messy panels distract me from the story and action, whereas uncluttered ones captivate me completely, holding my attention even if the plot isn’t grandiose. As you can see below, Blood Alone definitely fits the latter category.

Now for the less enjoyable elements: the story. The first half is quite good, mainly due to its episodic structure. We learn about Kuroe’s past and a bit about Misaki’s, laying a solid foundation for an overarching plot. These episodic segments involve cases they solve together, gradually bringing them closer to a larger narrative. However, there’s a jarring transition that feels abrupt and confusing.

In the story, Kuroe has a missing loved one, and I hoped everything would tie together, leading us to this mystery. But it never does. Misaki’s past comes up unexpectedly, unrelated to any foreshadowing, and veers into new plot elements that weren’t properly introduced or developed. Simply put, the storyline becomes chaotic with random twists, making it unpleasant and distasteful.

I believe simplicity would have served Blood Alone best. Instead, the series attempts an elaborate conspiracy involving ancient blood feuds and petty vengeance quests forced upon the audience to justify the convoluted plot. It doesn’t work and could have been handled much better.

Besides, the manga’s finale is abrupt and unfinished. After all the buildup towards a grand scheme, it ultimately goes nowhere. It’s as if the story hit a brick wall, showed some tender moments between Misaki and Kuroe, and called it a day. Highly dissatisfying.

Overall, I recommend the first seven or eight volumes of Blood Alone, but not the entire series. You won’t enjoy where it goes, and it’s probably better to avoid the frustration. 6 nibbles outta 10!

Mangaka: Takano Masayuki
Serialized in: Dengeki Comics (Media Works)
Genre: seinen, supernatural, romance, slice of life, mystery
N. American license: Infinity Studios
Rating: 13+

"Blood Alone" centers on a young female vampire named Misaki, who is around 13 years old, and the man she lives with, Kuroe. His age remains ambiguous, but he's clearly older than school age, working as a writer and part-time private investigator. Despite their significant age difference, their relationship remains pure, even though they share a bed. Adding to their unusual living situation, Misaki hasn't turned Kuroe into a mindless servant, making their dynamic unique among vampire stories.

However, there's more to Kuroe than initially meets the eye. Mysteries about his past and abilities are gradually revealed throughout the series. Although Misaki is newly turned, she is protected by Higure, another child-vampire who is ancient and powerful. Sainome, a police pathologist and an old friend of Kuroe’s, occasionally seeks his help with challenging cases.

The story is engaging because it balances action and romance without sacrificing one for the other. Each chapter might focus more on one aspect or blend both together effectively. For instance, volume three primarily explores relationships, barely touching on vampires or action, whereas volume four reintroduces intrigue in full force.

Takano’s art style shows clear influences from shoujo manga, yet it maintains a clean graphic presentation, whether within bordered panels or border-less pages. The transition between these styles feels innovative. Unlike some shoujo manga where dense illustrations can obscure action scenes, this series keeps everything clear. Misaki is always depicted with a hint of her fangs, subtly reminding readers of her nature. Even if the story weren’t captivating, I'd likely continue reading for the artwork alone.

Infinity’s production quality is commendable, with no noticeable typesetting issues and excellent binding that doesn’t skimp on glue. They've also included dust covers similar to the Japanese tankoubon editions, complete with full-color covers and frontispieces. A notable departure from traditional manga is the use of black background borders not to indicate flashbacks but nighttime, which visually highlight the danger Misaki faces when caught outdoors.

I highly recommend "Blood Alone." If there's any criticism, it might be that the 13+ rating could be slightly low—not due to explicit content but the nuanced storytelling. After all, this runs in a seinen magazine targeted at college-age men. The narrative is subtle and handles most issues delicately. Despite the potential lolicon scenario, it avoids fanservice entirely, which I appreciated. The action sequences are genuinely thrilling, and Misaki is utterly charming.