The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess

The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess (Japanese: ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々, Hepburn: Hikikomari Kyūketsuki no Monmon)[b] is a Japanese light novel series written by Kotei Kobayashi and illustrated by Riichu. SB Creative began publishing the series in January 2020, with 13 volumes having been released as of March 2024. A manga adaptation by the novel's illustrator began serialization in Monthly Big Gangan in December 2021. As of November 2023, the series' individual chapters have been collected in three tankōbon volumes. This series follows a female vampire who awakens after three years to find she's been appointed as a military commander in the Mulnite Imperial Army.

The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess
First light novel volume cover, featuring Terakomari Gandesblood
ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々
(Hikikomari Kyūketsuki no Monmon)
Genre
Light novel
Written byKotei Kobayashi
Illustrated byRiichu
Published bySB Creative
English publisher
ImprintGA Bunko
DemographicMale
Original runJanuary 11, 2020 – present
Volumes13
Manga
Written byKotei Kobayashi
Illustrated byRiichu
Published bySquare Enix
English publisher
  • NA: Square Enix
MagazineMonthly Big Gangan
DemographicSeinen
Original runDecember 25, 2021 – present
Volumes3
Anime television series
Directed byTatsuma Minamikawa
Written byKeiichirō Ōchi
Music byGo Shiina
StudioProject No.9
Licensed by
Original networkTokyo MX, BS NTV, MBS, AT-X
Original run October 7, 2023 December 30, 2023
Episodes12
icon Anime and manga portal

An anime television series adaptation produced by Project No.9 aired from October to December 2023. Outside of Japan, it is licensed by Sentai Filmworks through Section23 Films in North America for home video distribution and the series is streaming on Sentai's Hidive video on demand service.

Characters

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Terakomari Gandesblood (テラコマリ・ガンデスブラッド, Terakomari Gandesuburaddo)
Voiced by: Tomori Kusunoki[2] (Japanese); Brittney Karbowski[3] (English)
The protagonist of the series, she is a fifteen-year old vampire who previously lived a shut-in life. Despite being a vampire, she is not fond of consuming blood, leading to her powers being weaker than that of other vampires.
Villhaze (ヴィルヘイズ, Viruheizu)
Voiced by: Sayumi Suzushiro[2] (Japanese); Donna Bella Litton[3] (English)
A girl who was hired to work as Komari's personal maid. She has a big crush on Komari and constantly tries to seduce her, much to Komari's annoyance and disgust.
Karen Helvetius (カレン・エルヴェシアス, Karen Eruveshiasu)
Voiced by: Yoko Hikasa[2] (Japanese); Kira Vincent-Davis[3] (English)
Nelia Cunningham (ネリア・カニンガム, Neria Kaningamu)
Voiced by: Fairouz Ai[4]
Karla Amatsu (アマツ・カルラ, Amatsu Karura)
Voiced by: Miyuri Shimabukuro[4]
Sakuna Memoir (サクナ・メモワール, Sakuna Memowāru)
Voiced by: Manaka Iwami[4]
Millicent Bluenight (ミリセント・ブルーナイト, Mirisento Burūnaito)
Voiced by: Sora Amamiya[5] (Japanese); Natalie Rial[3] (English)
Melca Tiano (メルカ・ティアーノ, Meruka Tiāno)
Voiced by: Reina Ueda[5] (Japanese); Annie Wild[3] (English)
Tio Flat (ティオ・フラット, Tio Furatto)
Voiced by: Saku Mizuno[5]
Gertrude (ガートルード, Gātorūdo)
Voiced by: Rina Hidaka[6]
Koharu Minenaga (峰永 こはる, Minenaga Koharu)
Voiced by: Hina Kino[6]
Chaostel Conte (カオステル・コント, Kaosuteru Konto)
Voiced by: Natsuki Hanae[6] (Japanese); Scott Gibbs[3] (English)
Belius Innu Cerberus (ベリウス・イッヌ・ケルベロ, Beriusu Innu Kerubero)
Voiced by: Masaaki Mizunaka[6] (Japanese); Andrew Love[3] (English)
Melakonsi (メラコンシー, Merakonshī)
Voiced by: Tasuku Hatanaka[6] (Japanese); Greg Ayres[3] (English)
Johan Helders (ヨハン・ヘルダース, Yohan Herudāsu)
Voiced by: Yūsuke Kobayashi[6] (Japanese); Jack Stansbury[3] (English)
Arman Gandesblood (アルマン・ガンデスブラッド, Aruman Gandesuburaddo)
Voiced by: Jun Fukushima[6] (Japanese); Brandon Hearnsberger[3] (English)
Flöte Mascarail (フレーテ・マスカレール, Furēte Masukarēru)
Voiced by: Riho Sugiyama[7]
Prohelia Zutazutsky (プロヘリヤ・ズタズタスキー, Puroheriya Zutazutasukī)
Voiced by: Aoi Yūki[8]

Media

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Light novel

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Written by Kotei Kobayashi and illustrated by Riichu, SB Creative began publishing the series on January 11, 2020.[9] As of March 2024, 13 volumes have been released.[10]

In August 2021, Yen Press announced that they licensed the series for English publication.[11]

Volumes

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No. Original release date Original ISBN English release date English ISBN
1 January 11, 2020[9]978-4-81-560465-3April 19, 2022[1]978-1-97-533949-4
2 May 14, 2020[12]978-4-81-560551-3September 20, 2022[13]978-1-97-533951-7
3 September 11, 2020[14]978-4-81-560743-2December 13, 2022[15]978-1-97-533953-1
4 January 14, 2021[16]978-4-81-560890-3April 18, 2023[17]978-1-97-533955-5
5 May 13, 2021[18]978-4-81-560985-6September 19, 2023[19]978-1-97-537260-6
6 September 14, 2021[20]978-4-81-561203-0February 20, 2024[21]978-1-97-537964-3
7 January 14, 2022[22]978-4-81-561378-5June 18, 2024[23]978-1-97-537966-7
8 May 13, 2022[24]978-4-81-561642-7October 15, 2024[25]978-1-97-537968-1
9 October 14, 2022[26]978-4-81-561643-4
10 January 14, 2023[27]978-4-81-561910-7
11 May 15, 2023[28]978-4-81-562137-7
12 October 14, 2023[29]978-4-81-562138-4
13 March 15, 2024[10]978-4-81-562139-1

Manga

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A manga adaptation, illustrated by the novel's illustrator Riichu, began serialization in Square Enix's Monthly Big Gangan magazine on December 25, 2021.[30] As of November 2023, the series' individual chapters have been collected in three tankōbon volumes.[31]

The manga adaptation is published in English on Square Enix's Manga Up! app.[32]

Volumes

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No. Japanese release date Japanese ISBN
1 June 23, 2022[33]978-4-75-757986-6
2 January 25, 2023[34]978-4-75-758363-4
3 November 25, 2023[31]978-4-75-758919-3

Anime

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An anime television series adaptation was announced at the "GA Fes 2023" livestream on January 5, 2023. It is produced by Project No.9 and directed by Tatsuma Minamikawa, with scripts supervised by Keiichirō Ōchi, characters designed by Tomoyuki Shitaya, and music composed by Go Shiina.[2] The series aired from October 7 to December 30, 2023, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[4][5] The opening theme is "Red Liberation" by fripSide, while the ending theme is "Nemurenai" (眠れない) by Miminari feat. Tomori Kusunoki.[35]

Sentai Filmworks has licensed the series outside of Asia.[36] Nada Holdings [zh] / Remow licensed the series in Asia-Pacific.[37] In March 2024, Hidive announced an English dub for the series, which will premiere its first two episodes at Anime Boston on March 29 before releasing on the platform starting on April 15.[38][3]

Episodes

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No.Title [39][40]Directed by [39]Written by [39]Storyboarded by [39]Original air date [41]
1"The Shut-in Vampire Goes Outside"
Transliteration: "Hikikomori Kyūketsuki, Soto ni Deru" (Japanese: 引きこもり吸血鬼、外に出る)
Kazuo NogamiKeiichirō ŌchiTatsuma MinamikawaOctober 7, 2023 (2023-10-07)
2"A Sudden Insurrection"
Transliteration: "Gekokujō, Boppatsu" (Japanese: 下剋上、勃発)
Kiyotaka TakezawaKeiichirō ŌchiHiroaki TakagiOctober 14, 2023 (2023-10-14)
3"The Darkness of the Shut-in Vampire Princess"
Transliteration: "Hikikomori Kyūketsuki no Yami" (Japanese: ひきこもり吸血姫の闇)
Kōsuke ShimotoriKeiichirō ŌchiTatsuma MinamikawaOctober 21, 2023 (2023-10-21)
4"The Mercy of the Lonely Crimson"
Transliteration: "Kokō no Tomurai" (Japanese: 孤紅の恤)
Kentarō TanakaKeiichirō ŌchiHiroaki TakagiOctober 28, 2023 (2023-10-28)
5"Sakuna Memoir and the Seven Crimson Lords"
Transliteration: "Sakuna Memowāru to Shichiguten-tachi" (Japanese: サクナ・メモワールと七紅天たち)
Kazuo NogamiSatoru SugizawaHitomi EzoeNovember 4, 2023 (2023-11-04)
6"A Roundtable of Lowlives"
Transliteration: "Kusemono Zoroi no Entaku Kaigi" (Japanese: 曲者ぞろいの円卓会議)
Ayumi TakagiKeiichirō ŌchiHidetoshi TakahashiNovember 11, 2023 (2023-11-11)
7"The Scarlet Stage"
Transliteration: "Sukāretto Sutēji" (Japanese: スカーレット・ステージ)
Kentarō TanakaSatoru SugizawaNoriaki SaitōNovember 18, 2023 (2023-11-18)
8"Wheels of Asterism"
Transliteration: "Asuterizumu no Kaiten" (Japanese: アステリズムの廻転)
Kiyotaka TakezawaKeiichirō ŌchiTsutomu MiyazawaNovember 25, 2023 (2023-11-25)
9"A Warblade Tea Party"
Transliteration: "Senryū Chakai" (Japanese: 翦劉茶会)
Kazuo NogamiKeiichirō ŌchiNoriaki SaitōDecember 9, 2023 (2023-12-09)
10"The Princess of Aruka Kingdom"
Transliteration: "Aruka Okoku no Ohimesama" (Japanese: アルカ王国のお姫様)
Ayumi TakagiSatoru SugizawaNoriaki SaitōDecember 16, 2023 (2023-12-16)
11"The Dream-Crushing Paradise"
Transliteration: "Yume no Tsuieru Rakuen" (Japanese: 夢の潰える楽園)
Akari RanzakiKeiichirō ŌchiAkari RanzakiDecember 23, 2023 (2023-12-23)
12"A Golden World"
Transliteration: "Ōgon no Sekai" (Japanese: 黄金の世界)
Kentarō TanakaKeiichirō ŌchiTatsuma MinamikawaDecember 30, 2023 (2023-12-30)

Reception

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In the 2021 edition of Takarajimasha's annual light novel guide book Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!, the novel series ranked 17th in the new work category.[42]

Both the manga and anime have received generally mixed to negative reviews from critics. Demelza from Anime UK News liked the illustrations, while harshly criticizing the story and characters.[43] Rebecca Silverman from Anime News Network liked the illustrations and thought the writing was "solid", while also criticizing the characters, especially Vill and Komari.[44]

Notes

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  1. ^ Home video rights through Section23 Films and streaming rights through Hidive (also in Australia and British Isles)
  2. ^ Hikikomari is a pun on the Japanese word hikikomori and the main protagonist named Terakomari.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess, Vol. 1 (light novel)". Yen Press. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Mateo, Alex (January 5, 2023). "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess Light Novels Get TV Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "HIDIVE Reveals the Initial English Dub Cast for Yuri Harem Anime The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess". Hidive. March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 17, 2023). "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess TV Anime's Promo Video Reveals October Premiere, More Cast". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 18, 2023). "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess Anime's 3rd Promo Video Reveals October 7 Debut". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Cayanan, Joanna (September 24, 2023). "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess Anime Reveals More Cast". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 24, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  7. ^ Loo, Egan (November 3, 2023). "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess Anime Casts Riho Sugiyama". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  8. ^ Hazra, Adriana (December 16, 2023). "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess Anime Casts Aoi Yūki as Prohelia Zutazutsky". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  9. ^ a b ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々 (in Japanese). SB Creative. November 15, 2019. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  10. ^ a b ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々13 (in Japanese). SB Creative. October 12, 2023. Archived from the original on December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  11. ^ Mateo, Alex (August 20, 2021). "Yen Press Licenses 8 Manga, 4 Novels for February 2022". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  12. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々2 (in Japanese). SB Creative. March 12, 2020. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  13. ^ "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess, Vol. 2 (light novel)". Yen Press. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  14. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々3 (in Japanese). SB Creative. July 7, 2020. Archived from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  15. ^ "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess, Vol. 3 (light novel)". Yen Press. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  16. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々4 (in Japanese). SB Creative. November 12, 2020. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  17. ^ "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess, Vol. 4 (light novel)". Yen Press. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  18. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々5 (in Japanese). SB Creative. March 29, 2021. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  19. ^ "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess, Vol. 5 (light novel)". Yen Press. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  20. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々6 (in Japanese). SB Creative. July 14, 2021. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  21. ^ "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess, Vol. 6 (light novel)". Yen Press. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  22. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々7 (in Japanese). SB Creative. November 18, 2021. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  23. ^ "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess, Vol. 7 (light novel)". Yen Press. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  24. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々8 (in Japanese). SB Creative. March 21, 2022. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  25. ^ "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess, Vol. 8 (light novel)". Yen Press. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  26. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々9 (in Japanese). SB Creative. August 10, 2022. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  27. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々10 (in Japanese). SB Creative. November 15, 2022. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  28. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々11 (in Japanese). SB Creative. April 10, 2023. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  29. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々12 (in Japanese). SB Creative. July 3, 2023. Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  30. ^ Pineda, Rafael (November 29, 2021). "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess Light Novels Get Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  31. ^ a b ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々 3 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  32. ^ Hazra, Adriana (September 12, 2023). "Manga UP! Global Adds The Vexations of a Shut-in Princess Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  33. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々 1 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  34. ^ ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々 2 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  35. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 6, 2023). "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess Anime's Video Reveals Theme Songs". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  36. ^ Mateo, Alex (September 6, 2023). "HIDIVE to Stream The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  37. ^ "Celebrate the release for The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess". It's Anime. October 7, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2024 – via Facebook.
  38. ^ "Chained Soldier Tops HIDIVE's Line-Up of Panels and Screenings at Anime Boston 2024". Hidive. March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  39. ^ a b c d "Sutōrī | Terebi Anime "Hikikomari Kyūketsuki no Monmon" Kōshiki Saito" STORY | TVアニメ『ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々』公式サイト [Story | TV Anime "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess" Official Website]. hikikomari.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  40. ^ "Stream The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess on HIDIVE". Hidive. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  41. ^ "On'ea | Terebi Anime "Hikikomari Kyūketsuki no Monmon" Kōshiki Saito" ONAIR | TVアニメ『ひきこまり吸血姫の悶々』公式サイト [On Air | TV Anime "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess" Official Website]. hikikomari.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  42. ^ このライトノベルがすごい!2021:各部門ベスト20位内にランクインした17作品のインタビュー記事を振り返ろう. ln-news.com (in Japanese). November 25, 2020. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  43. ^ Demelza (June 24, 2022). "The Vexations of a Shut-In Princess Vampire Volume 1 Review". Anime UK News. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  44. ^ Silverman, Rebecca; Morrissy, Kim (May 21, 2022). "The Spring 2022 Light Novel Guide". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
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