Bloody†Mary
Bloody Mary

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So first of all don't be expecting a typical BL love story just because of the shounen ai tag!
This story does have romance elements in it but is super light on the shounen ai I would argue it's almost non existant entirely and could be described more of a platonic love story all in all.

Plot and artwork go really well together and I have to say that it's definitely one of the best vampire stories in the anime&manga genre that I have read.
In the beginning there are a lot of things that don't seem to make much sense but it gets clearer the more you ... read and all the mysteries get unraveled by the end of the story.
This is what makes the manga really enjoyable because the writing and backstories get more interesting the more you read.
The comedy is also really spot on. Usually it's very difficult to include humour in a story that's supposed to be dramatic or serious but the mangaka pulled it off very well.

Speaking of characters it's also important to note that the characters are pretty good in this. Almost every character is really unique and has a certain charm to them. (Takumi is the only character that I feel like could have been left out of the story without changing anything in the grand scheme of things.

All in all I'd say this is a very interesting read for people who love vampire stories and don't mind an almost all-male cast.

As the English release is two weeks away and I sit sour, waiting for it, I thought I would take to writing a review for the series thus far and what I expect the ending to be.

Generally speaking, Bloody Mary is not especially unique or groundbreaking. The story borders on predictable, with enough deviation to keep it interesting. Although the plot itself doesn't offer much in terms of twists, turns, and unforeseeable events, the pacing and tone of the story work well to keep the manga a page-turner. The characters have enough complexity to make them interesting and given its genre, they tell a ... story worth reading.

The art is interesting and fits the narrative well. There are a few scenes that feel a bit rushed or unnecessary, but is it really manga if there aren't some garbage frames here and there?

For as much as I can find fault with Bloody Mary, I can't deny a genuine sense of satisfaction as I read through. The relationship between the characters, especially our protagonists, feels genuine. There isn't a rushed revelation of love, no flower-petal love confession, nor the homo-fetishism role play so frequently plaguing queer characters. Their relationship stands delicately on the border between homoerotic and homosexual, neither teasing nor baiting. The point of the story isn't its romance - it's an element and one that's built by the tension of the story. Perhaps that's why I can't help but give high marks to an otherwise above average work - it isn't a love story trying to hide in action.

Bloody Mary is a story of regret, sorrow, despair, forgiveness, and promise, exploring each darker theme through the various shades of love. The narrative is self-satisfying and offers various lenses to look at the author's perspective on each issue. No character is a single glance, no interaction left unexplored. There's selfless love between family, the bitterness and abandonment of scorned lovers, the distant affections of old friends, and the potential for something to blossom in the remains of our selfishness. The story doesn't try to be more than it can with the characters, setting, and genre, but within its limitations, offers a complete, well-framed vision of what the many kinds of love we find can make us and how we, in turn, create love for ourselves.

This review is biased, I'm not going to sit here and lie to you. I adore gay vampires, it is a favorite sub-genre (?). So when I came across this series, I was ecstatic. However, it is merely queer bait. My poor gay heart.

Other than the blatant queer bait, the storyline is pretty solid. A vampire that wishes to die because of his tragic past and a blossoming holy figure. He goes to this figure knowing that this person would be likely to kill him.

They have this strong sexual/romantic tension between the two but nothing ever comes of it. I cannot recall what chapter ... I dropped this at, but they do move in together (if I remember correctly). So maybe that is to satisfy the fudanshis and fujoshis.

I rate this middle of the road for it's beautifully delicate art style and decent story. However, I cannot see it going any better than that.