This is cool, but where's the plot?

This is a wholesome slice of life about a vampire appearing in a bathhouse and adjusting to his new life. Except there isn't really an adjustment period. He just gets it and moves on with his life. The little ones, Ume and Pequeno, make this book and without them this would have been very boring.

I am very glad that I got to read this as an ARC. I loved the characters dynamic and it felt very cozy and easy to fall into. The community’s relationship with the main character made the story feel relatable and it was comforting to see how much everyone cared about each other. I thought Ume was super sweet and a great ‘familiar’, and his interactions with the younger brother was so cuteeee. I also really enjoyed the artwork, it was clear and very well drawn and made the bathhouse seem like a real place. I especially enjoyed the amount of detail that went into the layout of the bathhouse (which is included in the bonus section). I did however think some scenes did not fully flow together which then took me slightly out of the story. I really hope there will be another volume of this manga, if there is then I’ll be sure to buy it.

Rating: 3

My Thoughts:

Luka is a depressed pretty boy vampire who comes into the human realm to try out the healing powers of an onsen, the Full Moon Baths, now run by oldest son Sakura. Sakura cannot be bothered by Luka's lure because he has a brother and a bath house to take care. Luka makes Sakura his pact partner by sucking a bit of his blood, but in return, Luka must help to manage the bathhouse, which he does with relish. Luka brings in lots of customers with his allure, until another demon vampire comes to try and take the bathhouse and Sakura back with him.

It is a YA, but only in the creepy sexual innuendo way that Japanese manga are YA. They seem to have a different tolerance for even hinting at interspecies forced sex.

Like the original manga, these characters are both gender fluid and more European looking than Asian. It is a whole story and the younger brother and the little demon are precious, however, this may be a story that just ends here. I am not sure if this is an actual series, although there can be more adventures ahead.

From the Publisher:
Luka Edelmondt Finsternis is your picture-perfect vampire--he’s good looking, he’s regal... He’s also usually incredibly hungover and exhausted, and wants nothing more than a change of pace from his routine! When he takes a peek into the human world, he finds just the cure he’s looking for--a relaxing Japanese bathhouse that will surely cure him of his hangover and rejuvenate him from head to toe. To blow his fatigue out of the water, Luka pays a visit to Full Moon Baths where he meets the bathhouse’s eldest son, Sakura. But between the bathhouse being short staffed and taking care of his little brother, Sakura has enough to worry about without a bougie vampire being added to the mix!

Publication Information:
Author/Illustrator: Niko Izuki
Publisher: Kodansha Comics (April 29, 2025)
Paperback: 208 pages

2.5/5 rounded down

A Vampire in the Bathhouse is a 1 volume manga that follows Luka, a vampire who looks for a change in his routine by peeking into the human world and finds himself visiting a bathhouse.

A simple premise with an ok execution. The pacing of this manga is quite slow and the plot seems to just drop off abruptly at the end. The pacing made it seem like there would be more volumes and whilst the ending completes the story it just happens so suddenly it did not quite feel so satisfying. Whilst it has its humorous moments the narrative lacked any depth.

The art style was appealing and added to the whimsy of the story. I just wished there was a bit more to it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own

Unexpectedly, a warm feeling lingers after finishing the story. The warmth of a small, close-knit community where everyday life and its nuances are life lessons for the big and mighty of this world. When I first started the story, I expected comedy, but finishing it gave me a deeper sense of happiness that comedy alone cannot achieve.

A Vampire in the Bathhouse is a hilarious treat. It is a standalone in a series. The main characters Luka, the vampire and Sakura, the young bathhouse owner are a mix of warm, hard working human meets a proud, luxurious vampire. Though I don't want to drop any spoilers, I will say this- none of the characters are your typical cold faced, or dumb acts. They both have a something you will love and enjoy in each of their narratives as the story develops over multiple chapters and episodes.

I would definitely keep an eye out for other Niko Izuki works.

This was a really cute read, thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review!

Firstly the artwork was really lovely, I liked the individual styles each character had and how expressive the artists made them. The panels were really nicely put together, the speech and text really easy to navigate and brought the story to life.

I really enjoyed the characters, they were all different and had their own quite distinct personalities which was nice. I did love the chemistry between them all as well, it felt quite flushed out and was easy to appreciate,

The story itself was cute and easy to follow along, though we did seemingly lose the vampire/magic element part way through so that lost a bit of a touch for me. I also think it left on a very odd note, as I actually thought it may have been a series (which would’ve been great) but after reading on realised it was a standalone. I definitely could’ve seen this progressing into more!

This was really cute! I enjoyed the art style and the overall story. I'm not sure how far this plot will go (as it kind of seemed like an ending there at the last page) but I did enjoy it. I'd look forward to more of this story from this author.

I'll admit, I picked this book up for it's cover - I am not immune to a lovely bishonen character and Vampire in the Bathhouse didn't disappoint. This wound up being a fun, quick read full of very nice art; I loved the look of each of the individual characters and the art quality never wavered. Luka looks especially good in every panel he's in but all of the other main characters look great as well, each with their own unique vibe. This is a cute, lighthearted story following a vampire, Luka, who winds up integrated into the life and workings of an onsen managed by Sakura and his family. Each chapter is an interconnected story following Luka and Sakura's time together though I do wish it was longer as the last chapter was a bit weak as an ending. I'd love a return to these characters in the future if the author were ever to write more.

A fun manga read! I liked Luka exploring the human world but really Yomi is my favorite. He’s hot. Anyway the artwork is amazing and the storyline is good.

A Vampire in the Bathhouse delivers a refreshing blend of supernatural comedy and heartwarming moments in one perfect volume. The story follows Luka, a dramatically hungover vampire seeking relaxation at a Japanese bathhouse run by overworked Sakura and his little brother. Their unlikely friendship develops amidst hilarious cultural misunderstandings and bathhouse hijinks that had me giggling throughout. The manga balances laugh-out-loud moments with genuine emotional connections, creating an extremely cute reading experience that never feels forced. The expressive art perfectly captures both steamy relaxation and comedic reactions. I'll definitely be continuing this charming series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for the e-book copy!

I went into this book with very little expectations and left it wishing there was more. I liked the humor in this as well as the romantic undertones. Once you get past the awkwardness of the set-up, this story shifts to a slice of life story with a found family focus. Also the artwork was beautiful and enhanced the story. I definitely will look out for this author's work in the future.

4.5☆

Thank you to Kodansha and Net Galley for the e-ARC. A Vampire in the Bathhouse was a cute and funny read! I loved the art and character design through out. Everything about this from the concept to the characters is so charming and so silly at the same time.

I am obsessed with Luka and Sakura, and I loved their chemistry! For a one shot it feels like it has so much capability to continue and be expanded on (Which I wish it could have been). I would recommend reading if someone needs a pick me up or an easy read!

Thanks to NetGalley, Niko Izuki, and Kodansha Comics for providing a review copy.

A Vampire in the Bathhouse is a charming, cozy read that blends supernatural elements with slice-of-life warmth. From the first few pages, Niko Izuki’s art style stands out—gorgeously drawn characters and expressive panels pull you into a world that feels both whimsical and inviting.

The story has a gentle tone, focusing more on character interaction and quiet moments than dramatic plot twists. While it does take its time getting to the narrative’s heart—particularly a more defined storyline that only emerges in the final two chapters—the ride is still enjoyable thanks to the likable cast and soft humor.

That said, the pacing is a bit uneven. There are stretches where the plot feels like it’s meandering, which might test the patience of some readers. It’s never boring, but it occasionally feels like it’s waiting to become something more. The introduction of a compelling new character near the end helps bring some momentum, and their design and presence really elevate the conclusion.

This manga could have easily benefited from being a bit longer or as part of a duology. It never feels rushed, but there’s a sense that more time in this world could have allowed deeper character development and more fully realized story arcs. The ending teases some uncertainty for one of the leads, but a bonus chapter ties everything together nicely, offering a satisfying and complete conclusion.

If you’re in the mood for a feel-good manga featuring platonic BL elements, friendly vampires and demons, and a relaxing, low-stakes atmosphere, A Vampire in the Bathhouse is well worth your time—perfect for a cozy afternoon.

This was a really good story. From the artwork to the story. I love that both are open and honest about everything. Also, how they become like a little found family. Luka the demon vampire looking for a place to relax, and he found something much more.Sakura family owns this bathhouse and he’s been working there since he was a child. And he also takes care of his little brother. I like the fact that you get a little drama from a one-sided enemy. Also, you get to see them go a few day-to-day life and do little task. Because you can see just how much this bathhouse means to everybody. The little brother and the little demon are just so adorable. They’re just best friends. I really did enjoy reading this book so much.

I’m not quite sure how to rate this one. On the one hand, the art is gorgeous. The characters are all beautifully drawn and they all have unique designs, which meant I never struggled to tell them apart. 5 stars for the art alone.

But on the other hand, the story is not quite there. The pacing is slow, which made me think this would be a longer series, but it seems this is actually a single volume. And for a single volume, the ending is far too abrupt … There is a bonus chapter which tries to answer a few questions, but it’s not enough. So, so disappointing.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ art
2 ⭐️⭐️ story
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ overall

Get this if you like BL and vampires/demons and you like platonic romance.

3.5
The art style is adorable, and the charcters, although they could have been more fleshed out, felt quite relatable.
I wish there had been more situations in which the relationship dynamics could have evolved more. The short story sequences didn't quite catch that. The plot felt fast paced and it was a little bit chaotic at times but I think a lot of the scenes were very cute, and again: the art style is gorgeous!

A super charming book! I think that the peaceful yet upbeat interactions between the characters are a good time to engage with. The different characters you get introduced to broaden the world and bring in fun new personalities to the cast. I would recommend giving this a try as the plot is pleasant and feel-good.

Thank you Netgalley, Kodansha Comics, and Niko Izuki for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a fun little slice of life bath house story, but with tons of vampires and demons! It was hilarious, and even a little bit queer too. I really enjoyed it, and all the characters were unique in their own ways, and I loved every single one.

IDK what I was expecting but this wasn't it. While funny and an interesting story on the whole, it was all over the place. The magic system wasn't really interesting. Why would he make a pace without mentioning it? I was also expecting more tension for this being a manga but it just wasn't that great

Even though this series is only one volume, I thoroughly enjoyed everything from the art to the likeable cast. Luka and Sakura's shenanigans were fun to see and I would do just about anything to see them in more chapters and volumes. Regardless, it's a quick read that'll make you smile, want to go to a bathhouse or onsen, and wish for more chapters!