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“Baban Baban Ban Vampire” is a wacky vampire comedy anime that’s meant for adult viewers who enjoy fantasy fiction and comedy laced with sexual innuendos and is based on the manga by Aya Fumio. The series follows Ranmaru Mori, a 450-year-old vampire who works in a Japanese bathhouse, with his eyes set on the owner’s teen son, Rihito Tatsuno. Ranmaru’s peculiar preference? Drinking the blood of pure, virginal, 18-year-old boys. But he has a rule: he must wait until they turn 18. Until then, he has to fend off others who might corrupt his “meal.”
With quirky characters, absurd misunderstandings, and over-the-top humor, this series is a riotous twist on vampire tropes. Ranmaru Mori is based on a real historic Japanese figure by the same name, who was a famous Samurai working for Oda Nobunaga. After surviving the human world for over four centuries, the Ranmaru Mori of “Baban Baban Ban Vampire” starts working in a bathhouse, with the sole agenda of devouring the owner teen son Rihito, when the boy comes of age.
But as soon as Rihito starts a new school year, he falls for his classmate Aoi Shinozuka, a sweet and charming girl. Alarmed, Ranmaru begins scheming to prevent Rihito from being lured away by a teenage crush, going so far as to drive Aoi off. However, in an unexpected twist, Aoi ends up falling for Ranmaru instead, though he remains completely unaware. What follows is a hilarious love triangle that only grows more chaotic as new characters enter the scene, many with romantic eyes on either Ranmaru or Rihito. Season 1 of “Baban Baban Ban Vampire” was airing as the same time as “Sakamoto Days,” and some of this vampire comedy episode were much funnier.
The animation has a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of early 2000s anime, and stays loyal to the manga’s character designs. While the anime quality isn’t the best, it’s adequately entertaining to keep viewers engaged. The first episode sets the tone with Ranmaru dancing to a track called “Bad Vampy,” his moves are very similar to Michael Jackson’s iconic moon-walk, in-fact, the way Ranmaru dresses up when he goes out ‘hunting’ in the night, also seems inspired by Michael’s pop songs.
As the series progresses, the plot thickens with the introduction of new characters and increasingly absurd situations. By episode 4, Ranmaru enlists the help of Franken, a muscly teen thug, to keep girls away from Rihito, a plan that hilariously backfires. The introduction of Sakamoto, a vampire-hunter and high school teacher, in episode 5 adds some mystery and violence in the series. His personal vendetta against Ranmaru leads to unexpected alliances and comedic confrontations. Episode 6 delves into Ranmaru’s past, revealing his tragic relationship with Sakamoto’s ancestor and adding depth to the otherwise lighthearted narrative.
The series doesn’t shy away from introducing even more characters to stir the pot. Episode 8 introduces Kaoru Yamabe, a purple-haired gyaru girl with a tough exterior and a complicated home life. Her aggressive interest in Rihito and clashes with Ranmaru inject fresh energy into the storyline. By episode 9, misunderstandings abound, with Ranmaru concocting harebrained schemes to keep Aoi away from Rihito, all while remaining oblivious to Aoi’s crush on him.
The penultimate episodes ramp up the chaos, with episode 11 introducing yet another unexpected love triangle, handled in a comical manner that keeps the tone light. Episode 12 serves as a breezy “filler” episode but ends on a menacing note, hinting at violent trouble in the form of a new vampire.
Overall, “Baban Baban Ban Vampire” is a rollercoaster of comedic chaos, filled with misunderstandings, eccentric characters, and unexpected twists. While it may not be the kind of show that leaves you on the edge of your seat, its quirky charm and unabashed silliness make it an entertaining watch. Just don’t expect any profound revelations – this anime is all about the laughs.
Rating: 3.5 on 5. Watch the series on Netflix.
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