I’m writing this because I’m excited about how the “Baban Baban Ban Vampire” manga—still ongoing as of early 2025—will translate into the anime adaptation. Since the series has some differences between manga and anime content, I’ve put together a deep dive so fans can get a head start before the show (and even the live-action film) fully takes off!
Spoiler Alert: The following article contains key plot details. If you prefer to experience the story firsthand, please proceed with caution.
Manga Overview and Current Status
“Baban Baban Ban Vampire” (Japanese title: ババンババンバンバンパイア) began serialization in 2021 and has soared in popularity, culminating in a TV anime airing in 2025. As of February 2025, there are nine volumes available, with a tenth volume slated for March. Despite the manga not yet concluding, the anime is already underway—creating plenty of buzz about how closely the show will follow the original material.
Main Characters and Setting
- Ranmaru Mori – A 450-year-old vampire who works part-time at a traditional bathhouse called “Koi no Yu.” He’s fixated on tasting the “18-year-old virgin blood” of…
- Rihito Tatsuno – A 15-year-old boy, the future 4th-generation owner of the bathhouse. Ranmaru has stealthily guarded Rihito for nearly 10 years in hope of savoring “perfect blood” when Rihito turns 18.
- Aoi Shinozuka – Rihito’s classmate, a sweet (though occasionally oblivious) girl who ends up taking a keen interest in Ranmaru. (More about Aoi? Here! Link)
The story meshes comedy, romance, and supernatural elements with real-life constraints—like Ranmaru’s struggles under midday sun when he’s forced to lather on the sunscreen.
Volume-by-Volume PLOT Highlights
Volume 1 (Chapters 1–5)
- Key Episode: (Volume 1, Chapter 1) Ranmaru—gravely injured—finds salvation when the young Rihito rescues him.
- Turning Point: (Volume 1, Chapter 3) On Rihito’s first day of high school, he falls in love at first sight with Aoi Shinozuka. Ranmaru, desperate to “protect” Rihito’s virgin status, starts meddling in comedic (and often pointless) ways.
Volume 2 (Chapters 6–9)
- Antagonist Emerges: (Volume 2, Chapter 7) A vampire hunter named Sakamoto reappears, having nearly killed Ranmaru 10 years prior. In a twist, Sakamoto simultaneously loathes and idolizes Ranmaru’s vampiric side.
- Family Ties: (Volume 2, Chapter 8) We learn that the delinquent “Franken” is actually Aoi’s older brother—further complicating Ranmaru’s attempts to thwart Rihito’s budding romance.
Volume 3 (Chapters 10–13)
- Hunter’s Truth: (Volume 3, Chapter 11) Sakamoto reveals he’s been harboring taboo desires for Ranmaru’s bite. Ranmaru, of course, sees this as a nuisance, especially when the entire bathhouse risks exposure.
- Romantic Pressure: (Volume 3, Chapter 12) Aoi’s crush on Ranmaru grows stronger, while Rihito grows more determined to impress her, fueling comedic tension that Ranmaru tries (in vain) to quell.
Volume 4 (Chapters 14–17)
- Gal Squad G4: (Volume 4, Chapter 14) Kaoru Yamaba and her crew complicate Rihito’s life further. Ranmaru steps in, determined that no “accidents” rob Rihito of his precious innocence.
- Character Spotlight: (Volume 4, Chapter 17) We glimpse Kaoru’s personal struggles—like how she hides family troubles beneath heavy makeup—adding depth to the comedic storyline.
Volume 5 (Chapters 18–22)
- Vampire vs. Hunter: (Volume 5, Chapter 20) Sakamoto escalates his efforts to be near Ranmaru by moving next to the bathhouse. He notices that unlike most vampires he’s encountered, Ranmaru actually cherishes daily work as a way to grasp “human normalcy.”
- Growing Speculation: Fans wonder if Ranmaru’s end goal—drinking Rihito’s “perfect blood” at 18—will really come to pass or if Ranmaru may, in fact, choose another path.
Volume 6 (Chapters 23–26)
- Brotherly Tensions: (Volume 6, Chapter 24) Ranmaru’s older brother, Nagayoshi, resurfaces with a grudge tied to Oda Nobunaga’s demise. This intensifies Ranmaru’s guilt—and reveals just how far Nagayoshi will go to confront him.
- Sakamoto’s Escalation: (Volume 6, Chapter 25) Determined to be bitten by Ranmaru, Sakamoto tightens surveillance on the bathhouse, creating comedic standoffs that leave Ranmaru wondering if he’s the real prey.
Volume 7 (Chapters 27–30)
- Factions Form: (Volume 7, Chapter 27) A new wave of minor vampire hunters arrives, drawn by Sakamoto’s cryptic reports. Ranmaru and Sakamoto form a reluctant truce—yet each harbors very different objectives.
- Rihito’s Growth: (Volume 7, Chapter 29) Realizing he can’t stay naïve forever, Rihito steps up to protect Aoi from external threats—including uninvited hunters stalking the bathhouse.
Volume 8 (Chapters 31–34)
- Nagayoshi’s Confrontation: (Volume 8, Chapter 32) Nagayoshi openly challenges Ranmaru in a heated battle that nearly exposes their vampiric secret to the entire school. This forces Sakamoto to intervene, partly out of “hunter duty,” and partly to keep Ranmaru alive for his own agenda.
- Aoi’s Dilemma: (Volume 8, Chapter 34) Torn between her growing feelings for Ranmaru and her friendly bond with Rihito, Aoi faces mounting pressure. Her confusion complicates Ranmaru’s plan to keep Rihito “pure.”
Volume 9 (Chapters 35–38)
- Sakamoto’s Moment of Truth: (Volume 9, Chapter 36) Sakamoto nearly succeeds in orchestrating a scenario where Ranmaru would be forced to bite him. However, last-minute meddling by Franken and Aoi’s untimely arrival derail his plan…again.
- Impending 18: (Volume 9, Chapter 38) With Rihito’s 18th birthday on the horizon, tensions run high. Ranmaru faces the possibility that he might not go through with draining Rihito’s blood—raising the question: Has he grown too fond of his self-made “family” at the bathhouse?
Anticipating the Anime (and Live-Action)
- Anime Launch: Aired January 2025, the adaptation covers the manga volumes, though fans expect minor changes (e.g., re-arranged arcs).
- Live-Action Film: Initially slated for February 2025, it faced a delay, stirring curiosity about which chapters the movie will highlight.
For those excited about the show but worried about spoilers, note that the manga continues beyond Volume 9—meaning some arcs might not appear in Season 1 of the anime.
FINAL THOUGHT
I personally find “Baban Baban Ban Vampire” refreshing because it fuses comical romance, vampire lore, and very down-to-earth slice-of-life moments at a humble Japanese bathhouse. As the 10th volume’s release approaches, I’m eager to see where the storyline goes and how the anime will differ from the manga’s humorous yet often unpredictable plot.
We’ve explored how this unique series developed—covering comedic hijinks, life in a bathhouse, and Ranmaru’s obsession with “18-year-old virgin blood.” Each volume evolves the story and deepens the relationships among Ranmaru, Rihito, Aoi, and the many other colorful characters. As the anime adaptation ramps up, fans can look forward to seeing which elements from the manga make it to the screen—and which are changed for dramatic or comedic effect.
This anime is part of the 2025 Winter lineup. We’re featuring many other titles in our special coverage below! Don’t miss out—enjoy the anime you love.
