Babanbabanban Vampire (2025)

 Babanbabanban Vampire centers around Ranmaru, a 450-year-old vampire whose life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Rihito, a five-year-old boy. Rather than anything sinister, Ranmaru is struck by a sense of awe, seeing the child as an angelic being worthy of protection. He pledges to safeguard Rihito, setting the stage for a story that’s both heartfelt and perplexing. Fast-forward ten years: Rihito is now fifteen, still innocent in many ways. Ranmaru’s protective instincts remain, but his focus has shifted. Now, he’s determined to preserve Rihito’s purity until he turns eighteen—at which point Ranmaru intends to drink his blood. This is where the narrative truly starts to twist and provoke thought. What makes Ranmaru fascinating is his conflicted philosophy. If he drinks a human’s blood, it’s fatal—unless he transforms them into a vampire. He refuses to do this, however, believing vampirism is a curse. Ranmaru reveres humans because of their ability to age and die naturally, seeing this as a kind of beauty that immortality can never match. His convictions run deep. He even refused to turn his former the Lord—the only person he ever truly loved—into a vampire, ultimately killing him at the Lord’s own request. Ranmaru claims he will never love again, and with Rihito, he remains steadfast: his affection is not romantic, but he values Rihito above anyone else. Yet, his plan to end Rihito's life at eighteen is unsettling, adding a layer of dark complexity to the story. Despite these heavy themes, Ranmaru delivers a vibrant cast. Every character feels unique and genuine; even the vampires are good-hearted at their core. The tone alternates between slapstick comedy and unsettling horror, with blood splattering and heartwarming family scenes coexisting in surprising harmony. Sometimes you’ll find yourself laughing out loud, only to shudder moments later. This isn’t a romance—at least, not yet—but the story isn’t shy about showcasing gratuitous nudity (Ranmaru himself is particularly easy on the eyes). The unusual mixture of humor, creepiness, and emotional depth makes for a memorable reading experience. Ranmaru is a genre-defying tale that keeps you guessing. Just when you think you’ve pinned it down, the narrative swerves in a new direction. While the plot’s moral ambiguities might leave you scratching your head, the cast and the strange, dynamic blend of comic and dark elements are sure to draw you in. If you’re looking for something offbeat, provocative, and strangely endearing, you’ll find plenty to sink your teeth into here. HEA. You can watch on Prime Video. Heat Level: 1/6.

Heat Level:

1/6: glances, caress, hugs, no kisses

2/6: kisses, closed mouth or camera angles

3/6: full kisses, clothes on

4/6: full kisses, some clothes off, hands above the waist, pants stay on

5/6: most clothes off, they have sex, but it’s masked, no sexy sounds

6/6: full nudity mostly hidden by camera angles, they have sex, sexy sounds

The Journey to Killing You by Sai Asai

Yakuza members Odajima and Kataoka are sent away on a trip after Kataoka, the young wakagashira, screws up. However, this trip hides the true mission: Odajima has been ordered to kill Kataoka.

My Rate: 7

Having been completely enthralled by the live-action adaptation of The Journey to Killing You, I immediately dove into the source material—the manga itself. And I have to say, fans of the drama will find themselves on incredibly familiar ground. In a rare move for screen adaptations, the live-action drama is an almost perfect visual copy of the manga. Scene for scene, panel for panel, the adaptation faithfully recreates the story. The primary difference? The manga edges out the drama by being just a little more explicit in its content. The core narrative is a seductive blend of dark and sexy. Despite its Yakuza theme, the manga isn't defined by heavy violence. Instead, its "dirtiness" comes from a different place. These aren't the sleek, aloof, or stoic gangsters often depicted; rather, they are surprisingly down-to-earth and perhaps too willing to give in to their baser instincts. Amidst this gritty, unpolished underworld, the central romance manages to shine. It's a stark contrast that makes the relationship compelling—like watching a pure white flower push its way up through the mud. This unexpected purity growing out of a dirty, instinct-driven environment is truly the heart of the story's appeal. Ultimately, I did enjoy the manga and its raw, explicit portrayal of the narrative. However, I found myself drawn back to the live-action drama. The visual impact of seeing these compelling characters brought to life "in flesh and blood" gave the story an extra layer of depth and intensity that elevated the experience for me. Recommended for Fans of dark romance, gritty settings, and those who want the uncensored version of the live-action drama.