Married With CEO Playboy

Why no reviews? This is like one of the most popular novel out there

Someone should put romance tags on this.

If you were to ask me what I just read, I'm not sure how I'd put it.  

I needed something different from what I normally read, so I found this obscure random thing and started reading, thinking, 'This seems dubious, dark, and possibly smutty,' and I was fine with the prospect of some emotional smutty vampire S&M garbage with some supernatural BS, you know?  

It's not what I got.  

It was such a classical story about vampires, with some biblical undertones, vampire hunters, the church, amoral science, and creepy kids. But it was executed with a mixture of maturity and childishness. The main characters felt like mature people, as though they really had lived for a couple of hundred years and then settled down like you'd expect them to. There were some mature, darker topics and scenes, all handled without angst. And the main characters could be immature and human, and the tone of the manga was spotted through with fun and wholesomeness.  

It was a fun ride. Since I couldn't really follow the plot, I can say I loved the extensive blushing and how the gay was explicitly understated because they were so adorable and obviously fond of each other that you don't need them to even kiss for the relationship to be fulfilling to read. It definitely hit the gay spot in my heart with 100% wholesome content served with a side dish of some bloodsucking S&M vampire garbage—great fun!

A flamboyant vampire and an uptight cyborg vampire hunter—who also happens to be a vampire—embarked on a quest to unravel the mystery of "Vassalord." This tale is filled with bishonen characters, a European Gothic atmosphere, plenty of blood-sucking, and loads of steamy fanservice (not that I'm complaining, lol).  

**Story: 7/10**  
The narrative is captivating and will likely keep you turning the pages. The mix of religion, vampire lore, crime/mystery, and sexual elements (yes, you read that right) blends together fairly well. However, the score of 7 is primarily due to the rushed pacing and numerous unanswered "how and why did they do that" questions. Personally, I believe Vassalord could benefit from 2 or 3 additional volumes to fully flesh out all the necessary components and reach its true potential.  

**Art: 9/10**  
To me, this is the standout feature of Vassalord. The artwork is stunning, though the fight scenes could use some improvement. The European-inspired backgrounds are impressive, and the character designs—especially for Charley and Rayflo—are praiseworthy.  

**Characters: 7/10**  
Undoubtedly the biggest flaw in the series, the characters in Vassalord require significant refinement. Even the two main protagonists have vague backstories with many unanswered questions. For instance, how exactly did Rayflo and Charley form their co-dependent relationship? What was the misunderstanding between them that kept them emotionally distant for centuries? What motivated 86? (While some answers can be inferred, more elaboration would greatly enhance the story.) The flashbacks are insufficient and fail to provide a coherent account of their past. Most secondary characters are underwhelming. As a reader, I'm left confused about their sudden appearances and motivations to either support or oppose the protagonists—it feels as though Chrono-sensei neglected proper introductions. It seems she was pressured to condense the story into just 7 volumes, resulting in a lack of character development.  

**Overall: 8/10**  
Despite everything, I'm glad I stumbled upon Vassalord. I simply wish it had been longer and slightly more detailed in its execution. For all its flaws, Vassalord remains an emotional, passionate story with breathtaking art that many romance, shounen-ai, and vampire enthusiasts will adore.

If you're in the market for two increasingly alluring vampires to flirt, fight, and make out (usually following that sequence) while a plotline meanders hazily in the background, then let me introduce you to THE manga of your dreams!

[SPOILER ALERT]

The narrative evolves significantly as the story progresses (even though it still borders on incomprehensible unless you interpret it heavily and later realize its intent after several chapters), thankfully the series is concise, ensuring this improvement happens swiftly. The artwork also enhances rapidly, transforming Rayflo and Charles from somewhat generic yaoi archetypes into statuesque Greek gods by the series' conclusion. Rayfaelle and Cheryl's relationship is largely sidelined, and the appearances of the seductive maids are mercifully limited yet intriguingly tied to character development.

Despite the fact that much of what you learn in the initial arc bears little relevance to the rest of the tale and is presented in a bewildering tangle of contradictions, it remains oddly captivating. Rayflo’s allure is undeniable, and his interactions with a supposed tsundere over the course of this relatively brief manga are compelling, filled with teasing moments of almost-kissing. When that isn’t enough, the promise of Charles’ potential soul redemption arc, which never fully materializes, keeps readers hooked. If you’re confused about where I’m going with this, excellent! You’ve just experienced what it’s like to read the first arc of this manga.

The world-building rules here are perplexingly inconsistent. Essentially, a demon decided to mock the Bible by creating his own Adam and Eve, but as vampires. Are they different from other vampires because they’re older? Are they the original vampires? Perhaps...? Also, the demon can't manifest on Earth, so he created a duplicate of himself to relentlessly pursue and harass his not-Adam. Yet, deep down, he cares for his creations, leading him to create a weaker offspring for them to initiate a race of super-vampires. Somehow. Additionally, the only vampire who isn’t part of the Adam and Eve lineage is Charles, alongside two others who are quickly eliminated. Are Adam and Eve the strongest, or merely the sole ones in existence? (It’s unclear whether Cheryl is a vampire or destined to become one.) All other 'vampires' are artificially engineered by human science.

Charles is a cyborg, a detail only clarified towards the end. Where did this advanced technology originate? Are cyborgs commonplace (seems unlikely given the modern setting)? Is this a secretive church initiative with cutting-edge tech reserved solely for vampire hunting? Why doesn’t the church enhance other hunters similarly? Where are these hunters, and why aren’t they targeting Rayflo, Charles, and Rayfaelle? What purpose does that non-ponytail cord on the back of his head serve? If he has artificial vocal cords, why does it appear his entire jaw was replaced? If both Charles and Rayflo possess wings, why do they remain unused, especially when Rayflo can transform into a swarm of bats?

Moreover, despite being labeled a vampire hunter, Charles dispatches exactly zero vampires throughout the series (except accidentally via distraction). While his work on Vassalord addresses broader vampire-related issues, the 'badass vampire hunter' persona loses credibility when actual hunting isn’t central to the storyline (though he does weaken a demon clone, which... counts?). Furthermore, Charles' abilities fluctuate between impressive and inept. Initially portrayed as formidable, he encounters adversaries far stronger than himself. Despite his alleged intellect as a cyborg, he’s thwarted by a simple password malfunction. He boasts superhuman healing and survives a dramatic fall from an airplane with minimal injuries while safeguarding others. Yet, we’re told he’d struggle escaping a human-dominated gang-controlled area—why?

Why is Charles mostly immune to sunlight? This remains unexplained. Sure, he’s supposedly unique, but among a small group of four or five 'real' vampires, 'rare' doesn’t hold much weight. Nothing distinguishes Charles uniquely for this trait, nor is it linked to his cybernetics. Given there are only two canonical second-generation vampires, this lack of clarity is problematic. This ability alone isn’t troublesome; however, its absence of explanation perpetuates the theme: "the rules don’t matter, and vampires gain powers arbitrarily." Without clear parameters, why should new powers matter? Why do stakes—plot stakes, not wooden ones—even matter? Why do conflicts carry significance?

It’s unclear whether real vampires are truly deceased. Presumably, they are (since super-vampires introduced later are alive). If dead, why does their blood rejuvenate others? Why must vampires consume human blood? Human consumption barely occurs in the story except once, implying humans somehow factor into their sustenance, though vaguely. Reyflo once requires backup blood post-Charles feeding, hinting at human involvement, but specifics are lacking. Again, the concept itself isn’t flawed—other franchises explore vampires gaining powers through drinking each other’s blood. It’s the execution here that falters.

We haven’t even touched Wayne’s magical forensic skills or potential time-travel capabilities. His agelessness might be his sole superpower, though never explicitly confirmed due to vague storytelling. Need a scientific solution? Wayne delivers because the plot demands it. Restoring Charles’ human limbs, ears, and vocal cords? Check! Crafting vampire drugs? Check! Revitalizing ancient vampires? Check! Genetic engineering? Check! Holodeck creation? Check! (Yes, this subplot exists briefly without explanation before being abandoned).

The core relationship between Rayflo and Charles oscillates between confusing and nonsensical. It adopts various tropes as needed, culminating in a payoff inconsistent with the story’s opening unless assuming Charles is perpetually obtuse. Initially, Charles appears a reluctant vampire seeking vengeance against his creator, unable to act due to Rayflo’s near invincibility, self-preservation instincts, and skewed morality, fostering a love-hate dynamic. However, Charles secretly loves Rayflo since their first meeting, viewing him as both father figure and deity. Ultimately, Charles emerges as a tsundere with poor communication skills, paralleled by Rayflo’s similar shortcomings. Yet, Charles primarily wants to throttle Rayflo for excessive groping.

In essence, it’s a clumsy attempt at crafting a relationship involving a tsundere and a would-be playboy, marred by overcomplicated plotting and character development. It leans heavily on clichés but executes them poorly, resulting in a chaotic mess.

On a positive note, the final 1.5 chapters offer decent closure amidst the chaos. The characters continue behaving illogically, but there’s solid humor and resolution regarding the primary relationship, complemented by improved art showcasing well-defined male musculature. So… yay?

If supernatural antics with attractive men engaging in pseudo-intimacy every few pages, growing more appealing toward the series’ end, appeal to you, this is your perfect match. Otherwise, consider "Vanitas no Carte" for a richer vampire/human narrative with genuine vampires and engaging world-building. "Doukyuseii" offers a delightful push-pull BL experience. "Natsume Yuujincho" provides superior supernatural storytelling. For exceptional swordplay, watch "Sword of the Stranger." For mixed-weapons combat, explore "Fullmetal Alchemist," "Darker Than Black," or "Casshern Sins."

Just wanna say holy shit, this manga is the absolute best. Aside from my craving for Yaoi scenes, there's no doubt about the underlying subliminal messages. Overall, this is a solid 10, and I'm just dying at every scene—Rayflo and Charley are just too damn hot.

The ending scene was just... ugh. You gotta read it to know how incredible it is.

I know the scenes may jump around and be hard to understand at times, but it all makes sense in the end. That's why I loved how it's like a puzzle. You won't fully grasp it until you finish the whole picture.

This rant could go on, but I truly did enjoy this. A straight 11/10, this is.

<p>I took a chance on this one, and I'm glad I did. I'm not typically into Shouen Ai, but it seems to be the only way to get a good blood-drinking scene, so it's something I can handle.<br />I'm not entirely sure what the plot is yet, but I'm enjoying figuring it out. Usually, with manga, it's easy to tell within a couple of chapters what the entire story will be about and even guess the ending. It's refreshing that I can't do that with this one. My only issue is that the chapters seem to jump around randomly; there's little connection from one chapter to the next, which makes following the story tricky at times.<br />The artwork is amazing. I love how there's detail without it being overwhelming, as it is in some mangas. It's not overly simplified either, so the manga doesn't feel like a children's book, nor is it so detailed that it detracts from the story. The artist has managed to find a perfect balance and a style that suits the genre of the manga.<br />The characters are well-developed, but Johnny is a bit annoying because he's somewhat immature. I do get tired of there always being one serious character and one immature character in every manga I've read, and for some reason, they're either close friends or lovers. In real life, someone with Chris's personality would never be able to tolerate someone like Rayflo.<br />As I've mentioned, I'm not a fan of guyxguy pairings. Nothing against them, but I just don't enjoy them. That said, I am still enjoying Vassalord because of the bloody element you can't seem to get with heterosexual pairings in vampire manga. Heterosexual vampire manga doesn't have many blood-drinking scenes, and what little it does have is often boring. So I'm willing to overlook the homosexual pairing to get great blood-drinking scenes and gore.<br />Anyone who isn't a fan of Shouen Ai but likes actual vampires—not sparkling teens or gun-toting maniacs—will enjoy Vassalord. The vampires possess the sexuality they're supposed to have without being whiny or spacey. They aren't inherently good or evil. Vassalord vampires are like humans in that sense; they can choose whether to live anonymously among humans or go on killing sprees. There's no "I want to be human" or "I do this because I'm a vampire" type vampires in this manga. Even Chris doesn't seem to regret his decision.<br />I recommend this to anyone who wants actual vampires with good blood-drinking scenes but not the sheer amount of gore that comes with Hellsing or the overwhelming drama that comes with Vampire Knight (both are still good mangas).</p>