Vampire Game Review: A Vampire King Reincarnated as a Cat Schemes to Destroy the Descendant of His Killer
by Judal
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Quick Take
- A fantasy comedy where the revenge scheme keeps getting interrupted by the protagonist's chaotic personality — Ishtar's complete indifference to being in danger is the series' consistent comedy
- The court intrigue structure gives the series more political plot than typical vampire comedy
- 15 volumes complete in English; substantial complete fantasy comedy from the 1990s
Who Is This Manga For?
- Readers who want fantasy comedy with court intrigue alongside the humor
- Anyone interested in the "villain protagonist scheming against the oblivious heroine" dynamic
- Fans of 1990s shojo fantasy in the Asuka magazine tradition
- Readers looking for complete fantasy comedy with political elements
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: T (Teen) Content Warnings: Vampire fantasy violence; court political intrigue; light romance; Duzell's revenge intention is the premise but consistently undermined by comedy
T rating appropriate to fantasy comedy content.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★☆☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★☆☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★★☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★☆☆ |
Story Overview
Duzell was the Vampire King. A century ago, the Holy King Phelios struck him down. He was reincarnated as a small, somewhat pathetic cat. He is very unhappy about this.
Princess Ishtar is Phelios's descendant. Duzell bonded with her — the holy blood in her veins provides the spiritual connection he needs for eventual full reincarnation and revenge. His plan is long-term.
Ishtar is oblivious. She is strong-willed, chaotic, not particularly interested in proper royal behavior, and has adopted Duzell as her pet without any awareness of what he is. She calls him Duzell and finds him cute. He is very unhappy about this too.
The series runs the gap between Duzell's revenge scheme and Ishtar's complete indifference to being in any scheme, while the court's political intrigue — succession questions, noble factions, supernatural threats — provides plot structure around the comedy.
Characters
Duzell — A villain protagonist whose dignity is consistently undermined by his cat form, Ishtar's treatment of him, and his growing inability to maintain his original scheme as he becomes invested in her survival.
Ishtar — A female protagonist whose chaotic confidence and complete obliviousness to danger are the series' comedy engine; she is more capable than she appears and less careful than she should be.
Art Style
Judal's art has the detailed fantasy styling of 1990s Asuka magazine — elaborate costume designs, court settings with period fantasy aesthetics, and character designs that suit both the comedy and the court politics. The vampire character designs have appropriate dark elegance.
Cultural Context
Vampire Game ran from 1995 to 2001 in Monthly Asuka. The cat-as-vampire and the revenge-scheme-meeting-chaos-protagonist formula was popular in 1990s shojo fantasy, and Judal's version is distinctive for the court intrigue complexity it adds to the comedy premise.
What I Love About It
Duzell's investment in Ishtar despite himself. His original plan is to use her for reincarnation and revenge. What actually happens is that she becomes important to him in ways that complicate the scheme — because she is genuinely interesting in her chaos, and because the series develops their bond as something real even within the comedy of its origin.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Western readers describe Vampire Game as an enjoyable complete fantasy comedy — specifically noted for the Duzell/Ishtar dynamic being more interesting than the cat-based comedy suggests, for the court intrigue providing plot beyond the fantasy comedy, and for the series having a satisfying complete resolution. Recommended for 1990s shojo fantasy fans.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
The moments when Duzell's scheme is most directly interrupted by his genuine interest in Ishtar's survival — and when the gap between his original intention and his actual investment becomes most explicit — are the series' most honest moments.
Similar Manga
- Fushigi Yugi — 1990s shojo fantasy in similar register
- Ceres, Celestial Legend — 1990s supernatural fantasy with court elements
- Oh My Goddess — Fantasy romance with similar comedy dynamic
- Vision of Escaflowne — 1990s fantasy with political elements
Reading Order / Where to Start
Volume 1 — Duzell's situation, Ishtar's personality, and their bond are established immediately.
Official English Translation Status
Tokyopop published the complete English series. All 15 volumes available (may require secondhand purchase as Tokyopop is defunct).
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Duzell/Ishtar dynamic is genuinely interesting
- Court intrigue adds plot beyond comedy premise
- Complete in 15 volumes
- 1990s shojo fantasy with satisfying conclusion
Cons
- Tokyopop volumes may require secondhand purchase
- 15 volumes requires commitment for the era's pacing
- Comedy premise can feel repetitive mid-series
Format Comparison
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| Individual Volumes | Tokyopop; complete series (secondhand) |
| Digital | Limited availability |
Where to Buy
Get Vampire Game Vol. 1 on Amazon →
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*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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.