Warning: The following contains spoilers for Vampire Dormitory episode 1!!
The first episode of a new Crunchyroll series called Vampire Dormitory has already introduced a compelling twist to how these eponymous creatures perceive human blood in the already well-established vampire mythos. This unique twist not only showcases one of the more celebrated reasons why anime appeals to so many people, but also mirrors what an underrated vampire romance flawlessly achieved on HIDIVE.
In Vampire Dormitory, blood tastes better to vampires when their victim is loved or has loved another. Based on the unique circumstances of the involved vampire Ruka and human Mito, Ruka feels compelled to make Mito’s blood taste better and Mito wants desperately to be loved.
As a result, the basis of how well Mito’s blood tastes to Ruka will serve as a potentially incredible metaphor for the relationship that will undoubtedly form between them.
Vampire Dormitory’s Blood & Love Metaphor Is Similar To Call of the Night
Based on the manga by Ema Tōyama; produced by Studio Blanc
A rather nuanced form of storytelling that tends to persist throughout the anime industry involves the use of strong metaphors that are usually portrayed through supernatural means. Some of the more effective examples include instances where the anime reinterprets a ubiquitous concept in the pursuit thereof. Vampire Dormitory definitely falls in the latter category, since the more established view of blood in vampire mythology is that these creatures just survive off of it. However, since the act of bloodsucking normally involves some aspect of promiscuity, the fact that Vampire Dormitory creates a creative parallel between blood and love feels especially effective.
As alluded earlier, this particular direction feels like a response to a similar vampire romance on HIDIVE called Call of the Night. In that series, love is measured by the victim’s ability to turn into a vampire after their blood is consumed. The human, in that case, is willing to become a vampire, but because the protagonist struggles with falling in love, they try to build a relationship with their vampiric love interest in pursuit of that goal. As a result, Call of the Night becomes a nuanced commentary on the difference between lust and love, especially since the human and his vampire friend grow incredibly close by the end of season one to the point where the audience is befuddled over the fact why he hasn’t turned.
Vampire Dormitory Introduces Compelling Ideas Surrounding Gender In Anime
The series plays with the idea of a character disguising their true identity
Of course, Vampire Dormitory has already introduced other instances of its own proprietary variables that make Ruka and Mito’s relationship more unique. The fact that Mito must also be loved for her blood to taste better to a vampire adds a whole other level to their own journey. However, the final twist in episode 1 also brings in something else entirely that will both attract a different subset of fans and complicate the perception of Mito and Ruka’s relationship. Ruka has trouble drinking women’s blood and wants to experiment with Mito because he thinks Mito is a pretty boy when, in reality, Mito is a girl.
While misinterpreted gender tropes aren’t new in anime, with other shojo series like Ouran High School Host Club popularizing the trope, Vampire Dormitory‘s distinctive formula naturally creates a complex conflict that the main pair will need to face as their relationship develops. Because Ruka believes Mito is just an average pretty boy, he is none the wiser that, despite believing he’s unable to make women his thrall, that’s exactly what he’s doing. Obviously, because Mito’s true identity will likely be revealed at some point later in the series, it will be interesting to see how Ruka’s preconceived ideas will shift as a result. Regardless, Vampire Dormitory beautifully incorporates pre-established rules regarding vampirism in fiction while adding plenty of its own for flavor.
Vampire Dormitory is simulcasting on Crunchyroll
Watch on Crunchyroll
