To Hell with Being a Saint, I'm a Doctor

<p>Midnight Secretary evokes nostalgia for the days when I was a carefree teenager, giggling through a mix of mediocre and occasionally decent stories on Fictionpress, indulging in them like candy instead of the books I should have been reading. Those tales were addictive, easy to consume, and provided a quick fix of romance with a dash of drama. It's been years since I last read anything on Fictionpress, but Midnight Secretary effortlessly transports me back to those times... because it mirrors those stories, just in manga form.<br /><br />What do we have here? A vampire story? How intriguing. Kaya is an exceptional secretary who gets assigned to Kyouhei, a shrewd and arrogant man who immediately dismisses her as plain, declaring she isn't his type. She swiftly proves him wrong in more ways than one, showcasing her efficiency and excellence at her job, prompting Kyouhei to retain her. Kaya soon discovers that her boss is a vampire after witnessing him consuming the blood of one of his conquests. Her mission becomes ensuring her boss has all the blood he requires while keeping his secret hidden from others.<br /><br />I've heard some people claim that the way Ohmi Tomu, the author, handles vampires in this manga is original. If the idea that sex enhances the taste of blood qualifies as originality, then yes, it might be. Overall, the vampires in Midnight Secretary are fairly standard: they possess minor hypnosis abilities, can't endure sunlight for long, sleep little, eat little human food, and are affected by religious items. Most vampires are wealthy and adhere to a rigid hierarchy. A vampire abandoning their clan rarely fares well, given that vampires hold significant positions in society. Humans are largely viewed as nothing more than a food source or a means of reproduction. There's nothing particularly groundbreaking or mind-blowing here.<br /><br />Although I haven't read any of Ohmi's other works, if her art style is consistently similar to this manga, it's quite commendable. It's smooth and fluid, and she skillfully portrays Kaya, the main female lead, as both adorable and professional. Kyouhei also fits the bill as a handsome vampire. However, the immersion falters when the manga artist depicts men as broad as mountains. Seriously, a man doesn't need to be house-sized to be attractive, right? There are instances where the anatomy seems off, but it could be due to scaling issues. The backgrounds are fairly typical and not overly detailed, but they serve their purpose.<br /><br />As a "smut" manga, there is some sexual content. Most of it occurs in the first half, gradually tapering off by the end. That doesn't mean innuendos are absent; there are plenty of "hot" moments even before the explicit scenes begin. The sex scenes, where they exist, aren't very graphic. By the conclusion, the emphasis shifts primarily to kiss scenes. Again, there are moments where the anatomy looks peculiar, and I found myself trying to figure out how certain things were supposed to work.<br /><br />In terms of characters, Kaya and Kyouhei are generally likable. Kaya is a no-nonsense, exemplary secretary, though she isn't without flaws. She's an extreme workaholic who finds joy in her job. Mixing her romantic life with her career isn't ideal, and for half the manga, she rationalizes her actions and feelings with "it is my duty as a secretary." This line grew tiresome after repeated use, especially since what Kaya does could be seen as self-degrading. Letting a guy manipulate her just because she supposedly has "delicious blood"? Really? She even admits that she believes Kyouhei views her merely as a food source yet still complies because she's "his secretary."<br /><br />While Kaya bears some responsibility, Kyouhei has his own flaws to address – he's far from blameless. As a male romance lead, he fits the "tall, dark, and handsome" mold, complete with a stubborn jerk personality. Initially, he clashes with Kaya, clearly wanting nothing to do with her. Thankfully, he warms up quickly, transitioning from a rude superior to a pompous ass. While it may sound worse, let's delve deeper. He doesn't belittle Kaya and genuinely considers her opinions and well-being; he looks out for her and is attentive to her needs and desires. He's also possessive and selfish, but Kaya seems okay with that, making it less of a flaw and more of a minor annoyance. It can occasionally be amusing, though.<br /><br />Kyouhei's biggest issue is his inability to express his feelings to Kaya. The initial dramatic tension was understandable – we grasp his reluctance to harbor feelings for humans. But once he admits to himself that he loves Kaya, he fails to tell her, not even when she's visibly upset or when she devalues herself in front of him, stating she's simply his secretary. He arrogantly goes along with it. Despite acknowledging his feelings internally, he struggles to deal with them – which I'd accept if he addressed Kaya's misconceptions and attempted to alleviate her distress, but he doesn't. It's a cycle of acceptance, rejection, and acceptance again. Only when Kaya declares her love does Kyouhei reciprocate – and the misunderstandings resurface.<br /><br />There are other characters besides Kaya and Kyouhei, and for the most part, they're handled tastefully. Most don't surpass superficial labels like "the kind-hearted manager," so there isn't much depth to them. They fulfill their roles in advancing the plot effectively, though. Some characters that could have been included more or developed further are left behind once their utility ends. Typically, this is to highlight either Kyouhei or Kaya positively. Once their role is over, they rarely reappear, with a few exceptions.<br /><br />This leads to Midnight Secretary's most glaring and detrimental flaw – its pacing or rather, its length. To be honest, Midnight Secretary could benefit from being five or ten chapters shorter. Much of it involves repetitive cycles of a conscientious woman and a stubborn man running in circles. It's exhausting and frustrating, especially since much of it isn't necessary. It exists solely for the sake of drama, elongating the manga to an artificial extent. It's not helped by Kyouhei's and Kaya's brooding. On the manga's credit, some events I feared would spawn new drama and heartache for the characters were neatly resolved within one or two chapters, which is commendable.<br /><br />Another issue I have with Midnight Secretary's structure is its tendency to recap or summarize parts of the manga at the start of nearly every chapter. Why is this annoying? When reading a manga, I don't want two or three pages reiterating what I already know, especially if I must read snippets on those pages due to ongoing conversations or similar elements. I doubt anyone spends their mornings thinking, "You see, I was hired by my boss not too long ago, and then I discovered he was a vampire, and so I have to do this and this. It's really hard, but I do it anyway." If you do, I'm sorry, that's just odd. I understand why the manga is structured this way; as a monthly serialization, readers might forget previous events, and it's a reasonable tactic to engage new or returning readers. Still, it occasionally irritated me. It might just be my impatience, though.<br /><br />Now for some minor complaints about the manga. Really, there's only one that comes to mind immediately: Kaya continues calling Kyouhei "Director" or "President"... even after they enter a relationship. Kyouhei points this out a few times, but it doesn't persist beyond one or two chapters before being forgotten. Conversely, Kyouhei rarely addresses Kaya by her first name but finds it easier to do so than Kaya herself does.<br /><br />As a romance manga, Midnight Secretary gets some aspects right, such as a mutually reciprocated relationship and making it clear that the leads genuinely care for each other, which is crucial with a character as aloof as Kyouhei. It missteps in other areas, but that doesn't make it inherently bad. It certainly keeps it from being great, though. Sometimes, shorter is sweeter, and in this case, brevity would have been beneficial.</p>

Midnight Secretary is a pleasant read if you're in the mood for something light, without intricate twists or complications. The narrative primarily unfolds from Kaya's viewpoint. She emerges as a relatively strong character with an admirable commitment to her work. On the other hand, the male lead is rather typical, lacking both uniqueness and depth. The story as a whole is straightforward and conventional, yet still engaging.

The artwork is appealing. I particularly appreciate how the female protagonist was illustrated—she exudes softness and sweetness while maintaining a professional secretary demeanor. Conversely, the male lead resembles the protagonists of many other manga I've encountered. He isn't poorly depicted, just not particularly original.

Overall, I did enjoy this manga. It had a touch of allure with the vampire theme, which I always find enjoyable. Additionally, I appreciated some of its predictability, although that might not be to everyone's taste. However, the ending left much to be desired. It was quite open-ended, which I don't necessarily mind depending on the context, but I believe it could have benefited from a few more chapters. As someone who values a satisfying conclusion, I found this aspect somewhat lacking. <p>

The concept of romanticizing vampires is a mixed bag for me. While I'm open to fresh ideas that redefine the genre, much like how zombie narratives have evolved, some shows fail miserably with only a few exceptions. This one, however, stands out as an example of vampire romance done right. Here's my review.

Story: 8/10  
The plot revolves around Kaya, who lands a job as a secretary to Kyouhei, a mean and flirtatious playboy. However, she soon discovers his secret—he's a vampire—and must continue working as his permanent secretary to protect his identity. As expected in a romance, their journey involves trials such as betrayal, affection, and acceptance. What sets this apart is the thoughtful progression of the storyline. Although meant to be taken seriously, there are humorous moments that effectively lighten the tone and had me laughing at times. That said, certain elements, like the vampire clan and powers mentioned during meetings with the leader, could have been explored further. Nonetheless, the pacing is solid, and I never felt the story was rushed.

Art: 7/10  
The artwork is commendable. The characters are intricately detailed, and Kaya's expressions are genuinely amusing. It seems the artist paid close attention to character design. However, the backgrounds are somewhat average, which is surprising since more effort here could have elevated the manga's visual appeal. Still, it meets the standard for shojo manga.

Characters: 8/10  
The characters feel authentic. Kaya is a strong, passionate woman whose relationship with Kyouhei is captivating. Their dynamic is realistic, and their understanding of each other in both day and night scenarios adds depth. They're so believable that I genuinely rooted for them to end up together. Their behaviors are convincingly human. The supporting cast ranges from allies who support their journey to adversaries who challenge them, all contributing to the development of the main leads. While secondary characters do undergo some growth, it could have been more pronounced.

Enjoyment: 9/10  
This is the best vampire romance I've encountered. It demonstrates that the trope can indeed be executed successfully. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a well-crafted romantic tale involving vampires.

Overall: 8/10  
This is one of the greatest mangas I've read.

This was my second vampire manga. Let me just say, if you're picking it up expecting "strong" vampires and epic battles, you'll be disappointed. This is a romance, as the category clearly states.  

A quick summary: Kaya loves her job and she's possibly the best secretary around—no exaggeration. She gets transferred to Kyouhei Touma's department, and even his ego-centric self can't deny that she's exceptional. Amidst all the women he dates and his often inappropriate behavior, it's no surprise that Kaya discovers he's a vampire—which, by the way, is the core premise of the manga. Used to getting his way, Kyouhei manipulates her into staying with him, despite her desire to leave. The central question becomes: where does Kaya draw the line between duty and love?  

The story primarily revolves around Kyouhei and Kaya. Occasionally, other characters appear for more than one chapter but they don't stick around long.  

Kyouhei is a jerk—there's no denying his "I'm better than you" attitude. However, you can see his internal struggle to understand himself and attempt to change, which made me soften toward him... slightly.  

Kaya is a workaholic, and I admired her deeply. She's passionate about her job and strives to excel at it, even when it leaves her drained (pun not intended). And honestly, I wish she'd stop calling him "President."  

The art is decent. In some scenes, they make Kyouhei look towering over Kaya, and I'll admit, it made me a little uneasy for her. Otherwise, it was fine. I did appreciate how they styled Kyouhei's hair differently depending on whether he's in "work mode" or "play mode."  

I recommend this manga—it's both cute and serious. Don't expect laughs on every page, and yes, there are ecchi scenes (it is a josei manga, after all). Even though it's a romance, it's not the fluffy kind; it's mature and realistic.  

Enjoy!

I once had reservations about smutty mangas, assuming they'd be filled with cheesy romance and excessive sexual content. However, I've been consistently surprised by mangas like Hapi Mari, Emma, Kimi wa Pet, Mars, and now Midnight Secretary. While there is indeed sexual content, it's not the central focus, and it often feels deeply moving or profoundly sorrowful depending on the context.

These stories are enthralling, realistic (to a certain extent), and absolutely fantastic. I genuinely appreciate them. This one, in particular, was enjoyable due to its "supernatural" theme, though that element perhaps added an extra layer of sadness. The fact that the characters come from entirely different worlds, necessitating some degree of separation, is quite disheartening. Even after realizing their love for each other, barriers still remain.

Yet, the heroine stands out as remarkable. A recurring frustration in manga is the portrayal of weak female characters. Yes, women can be sensitive and may cry over trivial matters, but incessant crying is simply unacceptable. Kaya, on the other hand, is portrayed as beautiful, determined, professional, yet tender-hearted. She has her moments, but that's perfectly normal.

I also admire Kyouhei. I have a soft spot for successful businessmen in mangas, not because of their condescending attitudes, but because when a man prioritizes you over his business, it signifies deep affection. Additionally, I appreciate how these characters could potentially be with anyone, yet they choose someone ordinary and unglamorous.

Moreover, I value the inclusion of family backgrounds in mangas, which many lack. Family and friends significantly shape who we are, so ignoring this aspect to solely focus on relationships feels incomplete. Whether it involves escaping one's family, searching for family, or fitting into a family dynamic, I cherish when these elements are woven into the narrative. Life encompasses more than just sex and romantic partners.

Love, passion, family, business, drama—these elements encapsulate life, and when a manga balances them effectively, it crafts a compelling story. <p>

I really appreciated the concept of vampire origins presented in this series. As a massive fan of the vampire genre, I'm always eager to explore fresh interpretations of the "traditional" vampire character. The storyline was excellent overall, with a smooth flow and well-developed characters. It would have been great if the writer had expanded on the plot a bit more, as the ending felt like a cliffhanger. The animation featured a sharpness that I found appealing. In conclusion, this is a truly enjoyable vampire romance series...<p>

I believe this manga is highly overrated, and not even the vampire theme, which I usually adore, could make it engaging. The female character is as flat as the Netherlands, while the male character would be far more suited as the ultimate seme in a yaoi manga. Additionally, I detest (!!) when the first few pages of each chapter repeat previous events. Most readers follow the story in chronological order, so there's no need to recap at the start of every chapter.  

I have no clue how I managed to finish this, as my time could have been spent far more productively.  

<p>

Story was decent, but nothing stood out as particularly remarkable, and there were moments when it just felt somewhat dull, to be honest.  

The art style was passable. The female characters were beautifully illustrated (I really appreciated Kaya's eyes), but the male characters were lacking in appeal. Additionally, all the characters lacked expressiveness, which likely added to the mild boredom I experienced throughout the manga. When they did attempt expressions, it often felt arbitrary and out of sync with the narrative.  

The characters themselves were average—again, nothing extraordinary.  

Overall, it was a fine read, but if given the chance to revisit my decision to read it, I would choose not to. I don't recommend this manga.  

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