I bought this manga after I got stood up for a date while living in Japan. I had already made it downtown by the time I realized he wasn’t going to show, and I didn’t want to just go home, so I made my way to AniMate and decided to fill up my cart until I felt better. Rosen Blood was the first manga I added to said cart—it was on display, and the art was incredibly eye-catching. I bought it without looking into it whatsoever, figuring it was just a typical vampire romance (I had just finished Diabolik Lovers, so I was on a bit of a vampire kick).
Plot Summery
Levi-Ruin and the mysterious men who took Stella in have a bare kitchen…and a moaning box in the storehouse. After discovering mansion dweller Gilbert’s lifelike sculptures, the new maid faces a sinister reality. Can she survive the bloodlust? Stella must distinguish danger from passion as fear begins to feed on her!
VIZ
My Thoughts on the Plot
This manga just throws you into the story with absolutely no backstory. I was a little bit confused at times, but it just added to the mystique of the story, so I really didn’t mind. I think the main character, Stella, can be a little slow at times, but not to the extent that it’s aggravating. While it’s rather obvious that the mansion she finds herself in is filled with vampires, she is oblivious to the fact for a surprisingly long time.
In the first few pages of the manga, Stella finds herself waking up in a strange house, with a strange man watching her. She learns that the man had rescued her from an accident, carried her into the mansion she is currently in, undressed her, and put her to bed. She spends barely a second being upset at the stranger for undressing her before begging him for employment.
From there, however, I did find the plot enjoyable! I enjoyed the introduction of everyone who lived in the house, and following Stella along her journey of slowly uncovering one of the mansion’s secrets was fun. As nothing is actually revealed to the reader before it’s revealed to Stella, all you can do is guess as to what’s actually going on, which makes reading it fun~.
Gothic Themes
As what I now have come to expect from vampire media, the character’s fashion is clearly gothic-inspired. As is the mansion itself. While I did find some outfits questionable at times, I do appreciate the dedication to the fashion. It kind of reminds me of Black Butler at times!
Maddie’s Ratings
The Plot
I think all of the mysteries that surround the story is the best thing about this manga. I finished it having more questions than answers, and so I’m excited to continue onto the second volume!
The Characters
Honestly I don’t love the characters. I think Stella is a bit stupidly righteous, but I do think she moves the story along well. The men are also about as awful as you would expect from a vampire manga, with the exception of Yoel.
Scariness
It’s scary in the sense where, if it were to actually happen in real life then it would be terrifying – but you know that it would never happen in real life.
Fun Factor
This manga is very dark! There really isn’t any room for a light atmosphere, and it’s almost always very serious. I did enjoy reading it, but it’s definitely not a laid-back read.
The Characters
There are a total of 4 men who live in the mansion, plus the new addition of Stella.
Stella
Stella is our main character! She bright and cheerful, and as kind as you’d expect the main character of a shoujo to be.
Levi
Levi is who I assume the ML is, but you can never be too sure.. He was also graced with the cover art on this album.
Friedrich
Friedrich feels the snakeist to me, but I love every scene he’s in.
Yoel
Yoel is described as a child, but it’s never confirmed. He’s by far the kindest of everyone living in the mansion (perhaps because he’s still a child). He also rocks booty shorts and thigh high boots for the whole volume for some reason.
Gilbert
Gilbert is the character we see the least in this volume, and I’m excited to see his return in volume 2!
Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed this manga! It’s been a little while since I’ve read a darker manga, so it was very refreshing! I do hope Stella gets more cautious, and learns from what’s happened in volume one, but I kind of doubt she will so soon.
Check out this volume for yourself here!
Maddies Manga 
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