Karin

Karin isn't your typical romantic comedy, nor is it a conventional vampire tale. (My first review! Yay!)

~Story~

The "story" of Karin isn't particularly unique. In fact, tales of forbidden love are common in manga. What makes it "good," or rather, what sets it apart from other manga, is its lack of seriousness. There are serious moments, but the comedy always shines through. Karin never has a dull moment, and you'll always be eager to read more.

~Art~

The character designs in the first volume differ greatly from those in the later volumes. This isn't necessarily bad, but the earlier volumes seemed to have more distinct artwork, with thick lines, heavy use of black, and varied facial expressions. The latter volumes shift to thinner lines, more screen tone usage, and much heavier filter application. One annoying aspect was how the artwork appeared to decline around volume 11. Perhaps the author was rushing due to deadlines, but it's quite noticeable.

~Character~

Karin rekindled my interest in vampires. You won't find another manga featuring a daywalker vampire who can't suck blood but instead injects it. Another standout feature is how the two main characters don't act like typical shonen romcom couples. Usually, such couples get embarrassed by crazy sexual situations involving panty shots and groping. These scenes rarely occur in Karin and practically disappear after volume 4. Instead, the characters are simply awkward around each other, making for a more realistic portrayal of teenage relationships. Both are naive and inexperienced, adding a layer of authenticity not often seen in manga, especially shonen.

~Enjoyment~

Karin will entertain fans of vampires, romance, or comedy. If you're looking for something serious and thought-provoking, look elsewhere. It's a universally appealing read regardless of age or gender due to its universal themes.

~Overall~

Great manga. One of the better shonen romcoms out there. It's one of the few you'll want to reread repeatedly and leaves you craving more once you've finished it.

This is a humorous manga that surprised me by being categorized as shonen, as it felt more like a shoujo series. The story begins with a powerful start and has you laughing so hard you might crack a rib. However, I grew a bit bored as the plot progressed. It shifted from comedy to more serious narratives, and the ending felt rather abrupt. While it left me craving more, if you're looking for a mood booster, I'd recommend grabbing one of the first seven volumes. The light-hearted humor will definitely cheer you up. If you want to laugh until you cry, watch the anime adaptation. In my opinion, this is another case of a series that started off strong but gradually lost its momentum.

**NOTE** First off, this is my first time writing a review. The only reason I'm doing so now is due to the lack of reviews for this manga. So if this review isn't great, you now know why. Also, this is my favorite manga and one of my favorite animes, so this review might be a little biased. But even without that bias, it's still a great manga.

Karin is a romance manga with a vampire theme, but what makes it so good, in my opinion, is how the author always seems to add a twist at exactly the right moment. I also love the relationship between Karin and Kenta; they did it perfectly. At first, they were co-conspirators trying to keep Karin's secret from getting out, then friends helping each other, then shy love interests hesitant to reveal their feelings, and finally (maybe) as boyfriend and girlfriend. Sorry if I spoiled the relationship by saying Karin and Kenta would get together, but I thought it was pretty obvious. This is a part-romance manga, after all, and the two main characters are a guy and a girl, so something was probably going to happen.

Back to the review: As I've been saying, this is a great manga. I love how the comedy always has some humor in it instead of just being dumb, and how the art fits perfectly for every scene. If you're looking for a romantic comedy with a big twist, this is a must-read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

P.S. If you want to read it, you can find it all at Manga Fox, even the last volume that hasn't been released in English yet (someone translated it... thank you for translating it, zonnikku).

Warning: This review may contain spoilers.

First Impressions,

I first learned about this manga by watching its anime adaptation, which wasn't bad but I wanted to see the source material for a more compelling story. The idea of a vampire who doesn't quite fit into normal vampire society and shares a bit more connection with humans intrigued me.

Story, 6/10

The story revolves around a vampire named Karin, living with her family. Unlike most vampires, she can walk in daylight without problems, eat human food easily, and the biggest thing is that she gives blood to people instead of taking it. Things go smoothly until she meets Kenta Usui, who has just transferred to her school. His presence triggers a rapid increase in her blood volume, leading to massive nosebleeds. It turns out Usui has her blood affinity, a certain personality trait or feeling each vampire instinctively likes. Karin tries to avoid Usui, but they're also next-door neighbors. Eventually, he discovers her vampire nature and promises her family to look after her during the day, and they start becoming fast friends.

The first half focuses on Usui and Karin developing their friendship, slowly turning into love. They face typical issues like those seen in "Vampire Knight" or "Twilight," minus the emo drama. There's even a part where Karin nearly dies due to Usui's family issue, triggering a reaction. Her family tries to keep them apart, fails, and they solve the problem, realizing their feelings and starting a relationship.

Besides these, there are background plots like Usui's mother finding work, Karin's older brother being an asshole, and having to lie about your true nature to your grandma. The slow build-up to their relationship is nice, even if not the most interesting or original. The emotional aspects are well-handled, though they could have made it more engaging. Background plots sometimes felt unnecessary.

Including how vampires can positively impact humans based on their affinities was interesting. The second half shows them as a cute couple, building a future together while Karin's family investigates if similar vampires existed. Things go well until a half-human, half-vampire moves in, predicting a grim future for their relationship. A rare breed of vampire kidnaps Karin, revealing she can save the vampire race from near extinction by giving blood and eventually bearing children through forced reproduction.

This concept impressed me, showing how far one would go to save their race. However, it came too late, ending within 10-15 chapters. After these events, Karin becomes more human than vampire. Her family painfully decides to erase her memories so she can live happily as a human with Usui, avoiding vampire society's burdens. Usui knows the truth, making for a bittersweet ending. Happiness came at a great personal cost, sparking an emotional response.

Problems include missed opportunities compared to the anime, which gave more detail on their early relationship. More depth on the vampire world and history would have been appreciated. Most side characters were forgettable, except for Usui's mother, Karin's brother, and little sister. Anju, Karin's younger sister, stands out, illustrating the eventual separation from the human world as a vampire.

Art, 5/10

The art is manageable, with some panels looking nice. Backgrounds need improvement. The cartoony, cute style is flashy but good at showing character emotions. Character designs make it hard to take serious situations seriously.

Enjoyment, 6/10

I enjoyed it for what it was—basic and straightforward. It was relaxing, and some elements were slightly interesting. Re-reading it showed less enjoyment than the first time. For newcomers to anime/manga, it's a good entry-level manga. Experienced fans might find it boring unless seeking something very basic.

Overall, 6/10

A good recommendation for those new to the medium, offering a basic romance. For experienced fans, it might be too simple, unless you want something uncomplicated.

I'm incredibly pleased that I finally discovered what transpired in the end, and it didn't let me down. The excitement, the drama, the peril, the suspense—all present and performed to perfection. The other vampires seemed unaware of the pain they inflicted, with some even suggesting a hint of remorse rather than being completely devoid of empathy. Considering how dire the situation became, the conclusion, though regrettable, was exactly as it ought to be. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!

I'm going to be honest. Vampire stories usually aren't my cup of tea, and considering I found this series in my school's library around the same time Twilight was a hit, I was hesitant to read it at first. However, I put aside my dislike for those books and decided to check out the first volume. To say the least, I loved it and ended up reading through all of it in just one or two weeks.

Story: 10/10

A vampire with constant nosebleeds injects blood into her victims instead of drinking it. Immediately, I knew this wasn't your typical vampire story. At first, I was in a state of "What? ...No, what?" but after a few minutes of reading, I found myself flipping through pages rapidly, eager to see how the plot would unfold.

Art: 9/10

The artwork wasn't the best ever, but it was still incredibly well done. There are many styles in anime and manga, and Karin’s style was one that I couldn’t help but love. It wasn't overly cute all the time, didn't overdo any details, and had just the right amount of subtle fanservice.

Character: 10/10

Everyone was so freaking quirky, and I loved it. I enjoy stories where every character has some unique quirk; that's what makes them fun to watch and read about. Even characters who seem 'normal' have something that makes them stand out, setting them apart from everyone else.

Enjoyment: 10/10

I almost feel guilty saying this, but I enjoyed this series a little too much. I remember when I finally finished volume 14, it was almost midnight, and I just collapsed onto my bed, relieved to be done. About five seconds later, I felt empty, as if a piece of my soul had been lost now that I'd completed it. The ending was just that beautifully crafted.

Overall: 10/10

This year, I got into the vampire series but never thought I'd find one that could change my perspective like this manga did. It was so enjoyable to read that I couldn't stop until I finished it. If you love drama, comedy, and romance, this one is a great choice. For me, it's the best manga I've ever read. The characters are all so fun and engaging. The story is crafted so well that it reaches a point of pure enjoyment. As for the art, I just wish my wife could have Karin's haircut. The scenarios were cool and detailed, and the characters were well-drawn.

Objectively:

Story: Fun and unique.
Art: Excellent and meticulously made.
Characters: Each one contributes something meaningful to the series and adds their own flavor.
Enjoyment: As mentioned before, life-changing.

"A message for anyone who plans to read this manga..."

This manga is worth your time if you stick with it until the short stories...

Don't expect to feel satisfied if you only plan to read up to its canonical ending.

Some readers might complain that the canonical ending is disappointing, blah blah blah...

That's exactly why I emphasize finishing it through the short stories!!!

Trust me and see for yourself...

Try to complete this manga all the way to its short stories, and you'll understand why I have no qualms recommending it as a relaxing read during your free time.

Well, that's about it. Enjoy and have fun, hehe.

My Review:

Story 8/10

Characters 7/10

Art 7/10

Romance 9/10