Blood Lad Review: A Vampire Boss Who Is Obsessed with Japanese Otaku Culture Tries to Resurrect a Dead Human Girl
by Yuuki Kodama
Read the first volume. If it doesn't hook you, put it down. It'll hook you.
Buy Blood Lad on Amazon →*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick Take
- Staz's otaku obsession as character foundation is genuinely funny — a vampire boss who is the most powerful person in his territory and only cares about anime creates specific comedy from the gap
- The resurrection quest gives the series genuine narrative structure that the comedy plays against
- 17 volumes complete; one of the better demon world action comedies of its era
Who Is This Manga For?
- Readers who want demon world action comedy with unusual protagonist motivation
- Anyone who finds the "immensely powerful person who only cares about anime" type inherently funny
- Fans of action comedies where the quest structure is played straight but the protagonist is not
- Readers looking for complete medium-length action comedy
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: T+ (Older Teen) Content Warnings: Demon world action violence; otaku culture references; supernatural content; some moderate fan service
T+ rating — older teen content; action and comedy focused.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★★☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★★☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★★☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★★☆ |
Story Overview
Staz Charlie Blood controls a territory in the demon world. He is feared throughout the demon world hierarchy. His ability is overwhelming by demon standards.
He has zero interest in ruling his territory. He has complete interest in the anime, manga, and games he consumes through illegal channels from the human world. Staz wants to visit Japan more than he wants anything else.
When Fuyumi, a Japanese high school girl, accidentally wanders through a dimensional gate into his territory, Staz is elated — a real human from Japan! — and then devastated when she is killed by a plant monster while he is distracted. He promises to resurrect her as a human. This is not straightforward — ghost resurrection in the demon world requires significant magical resources — but it gives Staz a reason to travel through the demon world and eventually Japan in a way his territory responsibilities never did.
Characters
Staz Charlie Blood — A protagonist whose specific obsession (anime, manga, games) and overwhelming power create genuinely original comedy — he is not playing at being a fan, he is actually one.
Fuyumi — The ghost who stays with Staz during the resurrection quest; her practical acceptance of her situation contrasts well with his enthusiasm.
Bell Hydra — A spatial magic user whose involvement in the resurrection plot adds complexity and a different comedic dynamic.
Art Style
Kodama's art has the energy of seinen action comedy — the demon world characters are visually distinctive, the action sequences have real impact, and Staz's expressions when encountering Japanese otaku culture are the visual comedy engine.
Cultural Context
Blood Lad ran in Monthly Young Ace from 2009 to 2016. The otaku-vampire premise is a meta-commentary — a horror genre character who prefers Japan's contemporary pop culture to the demon world's traditional aesthetics. The series uses this for comedy while maintaining genuine affection for the otaku content Staz loves.
What I Love About It
Staz encountering actual Japan. The demon world is his territory, where he has status and power. Japan is the place where he is an ordinary person with ordinary access to the things he loves. The series shows what happens to his character when his obsession becomes real and proximate.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Western readers describe Blood Lad as an underrated action comedy gem — specifically noted for Staz being a more original protagonist than the premise initially suggests, for the resurrection quest providing genuine narrative momentum, and for the otaku comedy being affectionate rather than mocking. Frequently recommended as an overlooked title from its era.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
Staz's first direct encounter with Japan — what he actually does with the opportunity he has wanted for years, and how it differs from his fantasy of it — is the series' most character-revealing content.
Similar Manga
- Is This a Zombie? — Supernatural protagonist in comedic quest in similar register
- Haganai — Otaku character comedy in different setting
- No Game No Life — Obsessive gamers in supernatural world
- Hinamatsuri — Supernatural visitor in Japan navigating mundane world
Reading Order / Where to Start
Volume 1 — Staz's territory, Fuyumi's appearance, and the resurrection promise establish everything.
Official English Translation Status
Yen Press published the complete English series. All 17 volumes available.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Staz is a genuinely original protagonist
- Resurrection quest provides real narrative structure
- Otaku comedy works because it's affectionate
- Complete in 17 volumes
Cons
- Otaku references date the series slightly
- Later volumes become more complex than the premise suggests
- Some demon world politics can feel dense
Format Comparison
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| Individual Volumes | Yen Press; complete series |
| Digital | Available |
Where to Buy
Read the first volume. If it doesn't hook you, put it down. It'll hook you.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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Written by
Yu
Manga Enthusiast from Japan
I grew up in Japan and manga literally saved me during a tough time in elementary school. My English isn't perfect, but my love for manga is real — and I want to share it with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.