Blood Lad

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Fact: Blood Lad is an underrated manga that could've become a legend if it had more than one anime season.

After I read the 17 volumes, I felt the urge to write a review, and that's so weird of me. Must be a good reason. I'll make it as short as possible:

PLOT:
The story is about a human named Fuyumi that somehow ended up in the demon world, freaking died there, became a ghost, and an otaku vampire wants to revive her in order to suck her blood because she's japanese. That's all.

I want to warn you that this isn't a dark manga at all. It has ... some serious moments, but please do not expect this to be Berserk—it's more like Dorohedoro.

CHARACTERS:
The real soul of this work are the characters and their developement. Yuuki Kodama managed to create an ENTIRE WORLD full of interesting individuals with their own problems, contradictions and hopes (even for the ones that were introduced later in the story). This was the real reason why I could not help reading more than a volume each time I decided to read the manga. It's addictive to see what kind of wacky situations Kodama puts them in and how they react. You might feel identified with at least one of them, I'm 100% sure. They're pure gold.

STORY:
This is something truly interesting about Blood Lad. If you're familiar with monthly-released manga, you know perfectly that every single chapter always ends with a cliffhanger to keep you interested in reading the next issue, right? Well, BL (funny abbreviation, huh?) does the same, but here nothing ever feels gratuitous or out of nowhere. Every chapter, no matter what, is a step further in solving this big puzzle.

Unlike the majority of shounen manga, BL has no real arcs where our main cast finishes off a villain and then takes a break until the new antagonist emerges. To me, it feels like an anecdote, something like "you'll never guess what happened to me yesterday" because the story is a non-stop sequence of action and lore, like a really long shot (in cinematic terms).

Also, what I really appreciate about Kodama is that the conflict grows and grows because of the characters' decisions. Nothing happens "just because," but as a consequence of someone's actions. There is always a guilty party behind every plot twist. Using another analogy, BL is like watching the author play chess, where the same characters and conflicts transform depending on how they are combined.

P.S. If you're doubtful about the "pop anime culture references" everyone is pointing out, don't worry. BL doesn't rely too much on them; they're just funny references that only the protagonist uses because it's part of his otaku personality.

FINAL VERDICT:
Blood Lad is a great manga, please give it a try.

This manga had enormous potential and was actually very enjoyable up until the last fights when it just turned bad. It's a classic example of manga that completely fail to write a good ending and in the end you'll be left disappointed that the story ended the way it did.

The story is very straightforward and enjoyable enough, but it also feels a bit too rushed in terms of pacing. It's pretty much straight to the point which is both a strength and a weakness. However as already stated the ending is mediocre at best and I think I would have liked the series a ... lot more if I hadn't read the ending at all.

As far as characters go they are also pretty great up until the last fights. What I mean by this is that what you can consider the two main characters in Staz and Wolf have essentially everything they've been through made void by how useless they are in the end which doesn't sit right with me. Due to the ending it feels like the character development completely stopped or even as much as declined.

As far as the combat goes it was also pretty good up until the last fights and especially the last fight was just complete garbage and honestly I wish I could erase it from my mind. In the end you're sitting there waiting for an epic fight of sorts to break out but it never happens, there's no real climax for the reader, just bitter disappointment.

If you wish to read this manga I recommend not reading the last couple of volumes as you'll just end up disappointed. Apart from the ending the manga is pretty good though with a relatively good story, combat and comedy.

Blood Lad presents a whimsical premise within the supernatural realm but falls short in delivering a satisfying experience due to its reliance on otaku pandering. Despite showcasing promising elements, the manga is plagued by significant narrative and character flaws, along with an overemphasis on generic otaku tropes.

One of the most prominent issues with Blood Lad is its fragmented storytelling. The manga struggles to establish a cohesive narrative structure, opting instead for episodic arcs that often lack a strong connection to the overarching plot. This disjointedness not only disrupts the flow of the story but also hampers the development of a compelling narrative arc. As a ... result, readers are left feeling detached and disconnected from the world the manga attempts to construct.

Furthermore, Blood Lad succumbs to excessive otaku pandering by heavily relying on overused tropes that appeal to the otaku demographic. The manga incorporates familiar elements such as the 'otaku protagonist' archetype, embodied by Staz, the vampire with a preference for manga over blood. While this concept initially presents an intriguing premise, it quickly becomes evident that the manga fails to explore the potential conflicts and complexities that could arise from this unique trait. Instead, Staz's otaku nature is used as a shallow gimmick, reducing his character to a mere vessel for otaku wish-fulfillment rather than a fully realised and relatable individual.

The overemphasis on otaku pandering extends to the humour in Blood Lad as well. The comedy predominantly relies on repetitive gags and predictable otaku referential humour, catering to a specific audience without offering significant innovation or depth. This approach detracts from the potential for genuine wit and cleverness that could have elevated the manga's humor. By frequently resorting to generic self-deprecating otaku humour, Blood Lad fails to broaden its appeal beyond a niche readership.

Although Staz's otaku nature is meant to be a defining aspect of his character, it is disappointingly underutilised throughout the manga. The supporting characters also often conform to familiar tropes, lacking depth and genuine growth. This reliance on pre-existing character archetypes prevents the manga from delivering compelling and unique character arcs that would have added depth and emotional resonance to the story.

Despite these flaws, Blood Lad manages to capture the essence of silly supernatural adventures reminiscent of series like Soul Eater. The manga infuses its narrative with whimsy and humour, resulting in an entertaining read. The world-building, while not as intricate as some other supernatural manga, still creates an engaging backdrop for the story. The presence of demons, vampires, and mystical creatures offers ample opportunities for comedic situations and imaginative scenarios.

The artwork in Blood Lad, while remaining mediocre, possesses a certain charm that contributes to the overall experience. The character designs exhibit visually distinct features and unique quirks that enhance the manga's silly nature. Protagonist Staz, with his laid-back and nonchalant attitude, embodies the manga's carefree spirit, and the interactions between the characters, their comedic banter, and exaggerated expressions further contribute to the manga's overall appeal.

However, Blood Lad falls short in exploring the supernatural realm in a profound and engaging manner. The manga introduces various supernatural creatures and realms but fails to fully flesh them out or delve into their intricacies. Many of these elements merely serve as backdrops or convenient plot devices, further diminishing the potential for rich world-building and immersive storytelling.

Blood Lad offers an entertaining blend of unapologetic fanservice and a lighthearted approach to supernatural storytelling. While its heavy reliance on otaku elements and fragmented storytelling hinder its potential, the manga's execution of fanservice, presented in a playful and visually appealing manner, adds an extra layer of enjoyment. Its reminiscent nature, akin to Atsushi Ookubo's silly and whimsical series like Soul Eater and Fire Force, further enhances its appeal. Nonetheless, the inconsistent storytelling and occasional prioritisation of fanservice over character and narrative depth are notable drawbacks.