Raul and His Vampire Prince Vol. 1 Manga Review (Minor Spoilers)

Synopsis

Raul was saved as a small child by the youthful-looking vampire Rosé. Several years later, Raul has grown into a beefy and square-jawed young man that eclipses his savior in size. He wants to learn how to take care of Rosé by fighting monsters and doing chores. But Rosé still dotes on him like he’s a child. In an effort to make Rosé acknowledge him as an equal, Raul does his best everyday to become stronger, though his comedic attempts to impress his master often go awry. Meanwhile, other vampires circling nearby meddle with Rosé and Raul’s fun and peaceful days.

The Good

The first volume of Raul and His Vampire Prince is, first and foremost, extremely funny. Rosé is a vampire with the appearance of a petite teen who dresses in cute clothes. Raul, on the other hand, starts out as a chubby baby, and eventually grows into a buff man more than double the size of Rosé. With this image in your head, now add that Rosé has the personality of a doting grandfather, and treats Raul like he is still five years old—except that Raul is a hulking beast of a man who is literally popping out of his shirts. Any parent that sees their own child grow up will understand the feeling. I can definitely see why Rosé treats Raul the way that he does.

The manga is very sweet overall. Rosé appreciates that Raul is in his life, while Raul is always thinking of what he can do to make Rosé’s life better. Even if that means reluctantly making a new painting of Rosé to replace Raul’s previous terrible child scribble that Rosé once framed. Though, I think for Raul, this is not the only kind of “love” that he wants from Rosé. I hope the two of them figure it out in a later volume, but it’s fun to read even if it takes a while to get to that point. Raul and Rosé’s relationship is enjoyable even if it is not yet romantic.

I liked the extra drawings breaking up chapters that feature child Raul in different outfits. As an adult, he is often dressed in a plain button-up shirt that he is practically bursting out of. The little drawings of him as a child give each chapter room to breathe. They are also a glimpse at why Rosé still sees Raul as that cute child he brought home all those years ago. In the eyes of a vampire, are humans not children that grow up too fast?

I haven’t read too many manga with a femboy character, but I’m starting to understand the aesthetic appeal. I especially liked the scene where Rosé tries on different outfits at the atelier of a tailor he knows. If this is fanservice, I will fully accept that it is working. Raul also tries on an outfit that I really like, but I’ll leave that as a surprise, if you decide to pick up this manga.

I just love that traditionally feminine clothing and mannerisms are just part of the vampire aesthetic here. Rosé has shoulder length hair, and is seen in (and out) of frilly gothic outfits. I would have thought that this was just Rosé, but his brother, who appears later in this volume, also dresses in this fancy and feminine way. I loved the page where Rosé jumps from the second floor in a soft nightgown and small heels, and calls for Raul to follow. It’s this visual and personality contrast that makes Raul and Rosé entertaining. Rosé’s outfits are really cute! I love thigh-high boots! I love high-waisted shorts! You can see the power of “absolute territory” is in full force on the manga cover, and it gets even better as you see Rosé in action, wielding huge weapons effortlessly while fighting other beasts of the night.

Somewhere in Between

If you look at the cover and can’t get over the very obvious size difference and very young looking Rosé, I don’t think you’ll like this Boys’ Love manga, especially if the two leads become a couple in later volumes. I love the design for Rosé, even as someone that once disliked “young looking characters that are actually thousands of years old” characters. The clashing expectations between what someone looks like, and what they are on the inside, carries Raul and His Vampire Prince’s comedy until the end. Rosé’s young appearance and casual attitude about nudity might not be suitable for some readers’ tastes.

The Verdict

Raul and His Vampire Prince Vol. 1 is a light and comedic take on a vampire and human romance. Readers that don’t mind the journey and slow burn, and want to have a good laugh watching Raul do his best, will enjoy this manga.

Credits

Story and Art: Ataru Sonoguchi
Translation: Kat Skarbinec
Adaptation: Molly Muldoon
Lettering: Giuseppe Antonio Fusco
Original Design: Entokyu
Cover Design: Mariel Dágá
Copy Editor: Leighanna DeRouen
Proofreader: Elliott Santomare
Production Designer: Monty Eros
Editor: K. McDonald
Published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment

Thank you to Seven Seas Entertainment for providing a review copy. Receiving this copy did not affect the reviewer’s opinions as expressed here. 

Article edited by: Adam Wescott