A Vampire in the Bathhouse by Niko Izuki, follows our main character Luka Edelmondt Finsternis, who happens to be a vampire demon king who just gets tired or his duties and decides to leave his castle in hopes of relaxing. In order for Luka to fully be relaxed and relieved from his duties, he decides to go to a bathhouse where he ends up meeting the owner two sons, Sakura and Umenosuke. While reading the story I definitely love the fact that it had the found family trope. It was seen in the short amount of time that Luka and Sakura have met each other, they started working together and ultimately ended up caring for one another (being the support systemthat never really had).

Favorite Quote: “Our enemies are within ourselves. And our battles rage within our souls. The only worthy victory… Is a victory against yourself”.

I’d like to thank Niko Izuki and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

This was such a good fluffy read with just enough conflict, romance and humor to keep the story interesting. The artwork was lovely and I would have loved a few more volumes.

I didn’t like the long hair, and the plot didn’t really intrigue me . . . but it was still a fun read.

The characters were fun to get to know and I loved the ending. I just wish there was more!!

I mainly decided to read this because I liked the art on the cover. I was a little skeptical about whether or not I'd like it after reading the description since this isn't something I would usually pickup but I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. It definitely entertained me while I was reading but I don't think it's something I'll remember for very long

kind of hard to follow along, but i liked the premise of it. execution... eh? with it being the author's debut, i wouldn't consider them an author i'd avoid.

Reading this manga felt like snuggling into a warm blanket during the winter! It was heartwarming and cosy and made me so happy! Niko Izuki's storytelling and pacing were great! Each chapter works well and doesn't leave you unfulfilled. There are multiple call backs to previous incidents which were hilarious and heartwarming.

The characters are rich, emotional, relatable and engaging! I absolutely adored Sakura's youngest brother and Luca is my favourite vampire!

The story is emotional, funny and so warm! Please consider reading this manga and falling in love with these characters while laughing out loud at their antics!

The art is GORGEOUS!!! Breathtaking, so beautiful and elegant!

One of my favourite manga for sure! I hope there's volume 2 in the works so I can read it and spend more time with these characters!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Luka, a regal vampire, wants a change of pace, and decides to pay a visit to a family bathhouse in the human realm. Then comes into play Sakura, a stressed out eldest son who is struggling to run the short staffed bathhouse while also taking care of his younger brother Ume. Cue lots of banter, adventure, and found family vibes from there!

This was so cute and all around a fun read. I loved how silly and playful it was, and especially how flirty Luka was. Sakura was having NONE OF IT, and that made it that much better.

“Which makes me the perfect gift. Will you accept your present, Sakura?”

“I want a refund.”

Don’t get me started on Sakura’s birthday and all the thoughtful gifts. I wanted to cry at how thoughtful everyone was, and it truly showed how much a family they have become.

The art style was beautifully done, especially for the magical beings (vampires, demons, etc). I do wish I could’ve seen it in color, as Sakura’s pink hair is brought up multiple times and I sooo wanted to see it. And don’t get me started on all the outfits!! When the King of the Kingdom of Night showed up, I was SAT.

Overall, it was cozy and cute and super wholesome (a little bit cringe at times but that’s okay!!!)

If you’re looking for a warm, supernatural comedy manga, this one’s for you!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read in exchange for an honest review!

A Vampire In The Bathhouse is a cozy/slice-of-life manga and let me tell you, it was just so, so good. It felt like I was watching an anime with an amazing soundtrack.

Luka is your textbook definition of a vampire—regal, beautiful beyond words. One day, after drinking too much alcohol and getting hungover, he decides to visit Full Moon Baths. There he meets Sakura, the bathhouse owner's eldest son. All Sakura wanted to do was balance looking after the bathhouse and taking care of his younger brother. He didn’t expect Luka to crash into his life.

And I absolutely loved Umenosuke & Pequeno. They were so adorable and totally stole the show!

This manga was so cute and the characters were really great. I loved how the vampires learned what it’s like to be human, to be kind, and that a place becomes truly special because of the people in it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, and Niko Izuki for the chance to read this ARC!

I absolutely adored this manga!! The art is so soft and pretty, with just enough elegance to keep it from feeling overly "cute" (not that there's anything wrong with cute!). All the characters are enjoyable and have amazing chemistry. Luka really tries to respect and appreciate the new world he’s entered, and Sakura handles having a random vampire crash into his life like a champ. The quick friendship between Ume and 　Pequeño was also lovely to see, especially since (**small spoiler!!**) Sakura mentioned Ume may occasionally feel lonely due to their family situation.

Overall, it’s heartwarming and cozy with a dash of found family, some failed seduction attempts sprinkled in, and just so much charm. This is such a lovely start to Niko Izuki’s career in traditional manga publishing, and I’m already looking forward to future volumes (and more series from them)!

This was a fun read! A cozy bath house story. All the characters were dimensional. I especially enjoyed Pequeno! The character designs and artwork were also very detailed and beautifully done. You would like this story if your looking for a cozy vampire series, if you like detailed artwork, if you like learning about new foods, and if your looking for a humorous lighthearted supernatural story.

First things first, this is not the same vampire-in-a-bathhouse story as Baban Baban Ban Vampire. There are a few superficial similarities: both stories feature a vampire hanging out at a traditional bathhouse and both have something of a queer romance angle. But A Vampire in the Bathhouse is 99% creep-free and while the relationship between the vampire and the human isn't enthusiastic from both ends, it's also not predatory. Sakura is an adult and Luka generally takes no for an answer; although he mentions that sex is what he really needs with his pact partner, he also doesn't push Sakura. In fact, they never go that far, and this may be better billed as “BL flavored” rather than actual BL.

It's also surprisingly cute. Luka shows up at the Full Moon Bathhouse (owned by Sakura's grandfather) because he's heard that the human realm has a magic way to soothe body aches, and he's so excited about it that he decides to form a pact with Sakura and stay. Sakura's not thrilled at first, but since the only other worker just went on paternity leave, he's also not stupid enough to refuse the help. He tries to rein in some of Luka's more flamboyant tendencies, but as the single-volume story goes on, it's clear that the two of them are forming not just a friendship, but a co-parenting partnership for Sakura's much younger brother Umenosuke. Watching Luka become more attached to the little boy is charming, and it's clear that Umenosuke is really enjoying have two big brothers, to say nothing of a new friend in Luka's familiar, Pequeño, an adorable little batlike creature.

The biggest issue here is that it's only one volume. Creator Niko Izuki introduces lots of characters and concepts that simply have no place to go, like the late introduction of Yomi, a demon whose storyline is never really resolved, or the twins Chante and Crente, who are just sort of…there. If all you want is a little bit of silliness and lots of sculpted nude male bodies (without the salient bits, naturally), this is perfectly fine and actually pretty fun. But it's like the appetizer for a meal that doesn't exist, and the lack of even a slightly deeper story is a problem. It's surface-level all the way through, which is fine, but I did finish the book wishing that there had been a little more.

Cute and funny. Luka is an ancient vampire who discovers human bathhouses and falls in love with them and the family that runs it. Sakura ends up in a pact with Luka and the two get on well enough with a little tension between them. it's very cute and fun! I really enjoyed it and I want to read more!

So heartwarming and cute! It reminds me a lot of "Mr. Villain's Day Off" but with a sweet yaoi spin. Seeing Luka, a powerful vampire that could use his abilities to terrorize the patrons and owners of Full Moon Baths discover the wonders of human life was so sweet. There's an attraction between Luka and Sakura, but there are no steamy love scenes!

The book instead focuses on the bond Luka forms with Sakura and his family (including the very adorable 7-year-old Umenosuke) as he adjusts to working as a staff member at Full Moon Baths. I loved the scene where Luka struggles to cook lunch for Umenosuke's very important school trip because Sakura is sick and can't do it. Seeing a vampire with magical abilities try to pack a bento box was hilarious.

Such a sweet and cozy standalone! I want to give a big thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for providing me an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A hilarious and action-packed story that had me laughing out loud. I really loved the art-style, the characters and the various dynamics between them. I thought the plot was engaging and I hope we can explore more of the lore surrounding the vampires in the next volume. If there is one.

It was a fun read. I enjoyed how the vampire experienced what humans consider normal, especially calling the bathwater 'magical.'

Super cute story I was dying laughing while reading it! I am telling everyone that likes manga about this y'all need to read it!!

Quick read with cute characters that are likable. You get invested in the story and the enjoyable light comedy. The art work is beautiful.
Definitely looking forward to reading more.

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This manga was full of cosy, queer, and silly vampires. The characters were wholesome and loveable (yes, even the demons). Luka, the hungover vampire, stumbles into a bathhouse in the human realm and spends time with the owner, Sakura, and his little brother. It's the perfect setup for soft chaos, awkward flirting, and heartwarming found family moments.

The plot is a slice-of-life goodness with just a sprinkle of magical nonsense. There’s a blood pact, misfired spells and goofy demons dropping by.
The humour is light, the pacing easy, and the entire vibe is just… soft. This is a low-stakes comfort read with fun characters and pretty art.

I would 100% read a sequel. I wish we had more time with the characters (especially the villain stuff)!

I thank the publisher Kodansha Comics for providing me with a copy in accordance with NetGalley.
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Cozy, silly, and queer vampires! I loved everything about this book, from the character design to the silly yet cozy plot. It’s been one of my favorite reads this year, and definitely a series I will follow 📚

A queer, cozy fantasy perfect if you're like me and love slice of life! Luka is a super hot, charismatic vampire from another realm is nursing a nasty hangover. When he takes a peek into the human world, he discovers something absolutely delightful that may help on the journey to his rejuvenation. A quaint and relaxing bathhouse! The owner, Sakura doesn't have time for his shenanigans as he is the caregiver for his younger brother and trying to run a business. With much chagrin he begins to fall for Luka's charms and surprising tenderness.

I haven't read a ton of manga so I don't have a lot to compare it too but this was such a fun, quick read! Loved the art and the magical, low-stakes vibes. The art was great and all the characters were endearing as hell, even the antagonist! Funny and lighthearted, this is the perfect palette cleanser for someone like me who reads a ton of dark, emotional fiction. Can't wait to read more of this in the future and definitely recommend. I also am very excited to see where Luka and Sakura's relationship leads. Probably somewhere as steamy as that bathhouse!