Meet Mina Tepes, the current ruler of all vampires. She has just paid off Japan’s gross national debt. Why? The better to be in a position to set up a vampire community in Tokyo Bay.

You have now entered the world of Dance in the Vampire Bund, a recent release from Seven Seas. So far, the plot centers around Mina’s press conference to announce that not only are vampires real, but they are also going to be Japan’s new next door neighbors. There are people who are not crazy about the idea. Enter Mina’s newest bodyguard, Akira Kaburagi- age 17. Akira, along with his father, is a member of the Earth Clan (read werewolves), honoring a pledge to Mina. As you get further into the story, you find out just how serious Akira’s father was about making sure Akira was ready for the job. I’ll give you a hint: don’t ever try to sneak plastic explosives by this guy. Physically, Mina’s appearance recalls Kodomo no Jikan’s Rin Kokonoe—minus the extremely long hair. But underneath her cute exterior, she runs the show with a mind that tells the audience “this is no idiot.” Observe the way she deals with assassination attempts and you’ll see what I mean. Mina and Akira’s behavior towards each other leans more towards informal than obedient servant, worshipfully following his master. At times, they act more like bickering childhood friends. Is it leading to something more? Can’t say for now, but there will definitely be good laughs along the way.

Seven Seas has given Dance a rating of OT. That’s not totally unexpected for a manga centered on vampires. Blood? Check, but we’re not talking buckets of blood painting every wall. Nudity? Mostly in the form of near topless female characters. Violence? Again, it’s there, but not in graphic detail. One definite reason for the rating though centers on Mina. Though her actual age is never given, she looks like a ten year old. So, that blood, violence, and female frontal nudity I mentioned? Yep. Some of it comes in the form of a young girl with no boobs to speak of. Though, in all seriousness, Dance does not have Mina doing things that would give Kodomo no Jikan’s Rin Kokonoe a run for her money. Dance does cling to certain parts of the vampire mythos including risks associated with sun exposure, but mixes in its own methods of dealing with these issues. Akira and another bodyguard make a very interesting use of this fact during an attack on Mina.

Overall, Dance in the Vampire Bund manages to avoid falling into cliché vampire trends, while still contributing to the current “vampires expose themselves to the world and try to assimilate into society” trend in vampire stories. At the same time, if the thought of a ten year old committing acts of violence and appearing somewhat nude makes you queasy, then you might want to pass on this title.

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