ヴぁんぷ！
Originally published: May 28th, 2004
Author: Ryohgo Narita
Illustrator: Enami Katsumi
Original title: ヴぁんぷ！
Illustrator: Enami Katsumi
Original title: ヴぁんぷ！
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Publisher: MediaWorks
List of Volumes: 5 (ongoing)
Genres: Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Genres: Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Vamp! is a light novel series by Ryohgo Narita and illustrated by Enami Katsumi. Set on the fictional island of Growerth off the coast of Northern Germany, it tells the tales of the humans, vampires, werewolves, witches and other eldritch creatures of the Night with liberal glee. There is Viscount Gerhardt von Waldstein, the vampiric Lord of Waldstein Castle (though as of late, that title belongs to his son...) a dhampyr by the name Watt Stalf, the mayor of Neuberg and a most petty villain...not to mention the eccentric members that make up The Organization, or the unusual individuals who take it upon themselves to become Eaters... (wikia page)
Vamp! is part of the Naritaverse alongside three of Narita's other light novel series: Baccano!; Durarara!!; and Etsusa Bridge.
The story itself revolves around a pair of vampire siblings, Ferret and Relic von Waldstein who live inside of the Waldstein castle. Even though they're the lord/lady of the castle and supposed to be one of the strongest vampires out there, they're a little different from the usual vampires. Relic, the current lord to the Waldstein aristrocat family, has inherited all sort of vampiric strengths & abilities, making him the strongest vampire the world. Unfortunately with that, he also inherited the numerous of fatal weaknesses that were supposed to be transfered into his sister, Ferret. His twin, Ferret, inherited none of that strenght or weaknesses; other than the basic Vampire abilities (such as; prolonged youth, superhuman strength & regenerative abilities) and that makes her the closest a vampire can be to human, making her able to live a normal, mundane life. The two of them live in a castle filled with vampires of all kind, with different abilities. Many believe that the vampires are the one who controlled the city of Growerth, but there are others too, like, the werewolves and... the eaters... who feed on vampires?!
バッカーノ！
Originally published: February 10th, 2003 - present
Author: Ryohgo Narita
Illustrator: Enami Katsumi
Original title: バッカーノ！
Illustrator: Enami Katsumi
Original title: バッカーノ！
Translator: Yen Press
Country: Japan
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese, English
Publisher: - MediaWorks (2003–2008)- ASCII Media Works (2008–)
- Yen Press (Eng)
List of Volumes: 21 (ongoing)
Genres: Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction, Black Comedy, Crime, Fantasy
- Yen Press (Eng)
List of Volumes: 21 (ongoing)
Genres: Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction, Black Comedy, Crime, Fantasy
Characters: Firo Prochainezo, Luck Gandor, Ennis, Ladd Russo, Claire Stainfield, etc.
Awards: Gold Prize at the 9th Dengeki Novel Awards
Baccano! is a Japanese light novel series written by Ryohgo Narita and illustrated by Katsumi Enami. The series, often told from multiple points of view, is mostly set within a fictional United States during various time periods, most notably the Prohibition era. The word Baccano itself comes from an Italian saying that means ruckus. At first, Ryohgo Narita wanted to write a story set during the Prohibition and chose a light novel as the medium because not many of them had that setting, but it goes beyond that. It focuses on various people, including alchemists, thieves, thugs, Mafiosi and Camorristi, who are unconnected to one another. After an immortality elixir is recreated in 1930 Manhattan, the characters begin to cross paths, setting off events that spiral further and further out of control. (from Baccano's wikia page)
The story began back at the 1700's, when a group of alchemists summoned a demon aboard the ship Advenna Avis. The demon then gave them a wine, called it the Elixir of Immortality, and gave the alchemists an immortal life. Should any of the alchemists got tired of a never-ending life, another immortal could eat them, and with that, take their entire memory and knowledge with 'em. The demon also gave an alchemist - the one who summoned him, Maiza Avaro - the knowledge to creating another Elixir of Immortality. This, stirred up more trouble than he thought it would.
The story began back at the 1700's, when a group of alchemists summoned a demon aboard the ship Advenna Avis. The demon then gave them a wine, called it the Elixir of Immortality, and gave the alchemists an immortal life. Should any of the alchemists got tired of a never-ending life, another immortal could eat them, and with that, take their entire memory and knowledge with 'em. The demon also gave an alchemist - the one who summoned him, Maiza Avaro - the knowledge to creating another Elixir of Immortality. This, stirred up more trouble than he thought it would.
An alchemist named Szilard wanted the knowledge, and he grew anxious every passing day. Then one day, he captured Maiza's brother, Gretto, thinking that Maiza had shared the knowledge with him - and devoured him. He obtained Gretto's knowledge, but fortunately, Maiza hadn't told him everything he knows. Everything went downhill from then on, everyone was losing trust with each other so they decided to go on their seperate ways, including Maiza and Szilard.
In 1930, after almost two hundred years, Szilard has finally completed in re-creating the perfect Elixir of Immortality - only to have it stolen away by a young camorista (or Italian mafioso, whatever fits your boat) named Firo Prochainezo. Firo has no clue how much the wine is worth, or what'll happen if he drinks it, or how it'll change his life entirely... into a never-ending cycle of chaos filled with lunatics, a really strong lunatic, terrorists, a psychopathic assassin, a real life bear... and we can't leave behind the notorious idiot duo; Isaac and Miria, of course!
But at least, he finds love while he's at it.
Oh, and no, Firo is not the main character here. He looks like one though, doesn't he?
"Depending on who you place in the same situation, the characteristics of said incident change kaleidoscopically. In other words, there is one incident. However, there are as many stories explaining it as there are people involved in it." - Gustav St. Germain
Both Baccano! and Durarara!! are written by similar author, Narita Ryohgo and have similar twisted of time-lines. There are a lot of main characters in both series as well; making it difficult to pin-point which one is the leading-main-characters of both series. Although they are very different in terms of era (Baccano! in classic English era while Durarara!! is written in modern-Japanese era) and plot, both series have their own unique characters with their respective twisted personalities. While in Baccano! there are a lot of violent scenes such as killing someone using railroads and a moving train or some intense fighting scenes, in Durarara!! you will find lesser violence but similar intense fights. Also, both of the series have their own unique urban legend, like the monster covered in blood, Rail Tracer and the Headless Rider. If you’re a fan of light novels with twisted story plot and characters, you might find both series entertaining and similar in its own way. Their perspective stories also composes of characters that become connected based on past and present events. Both series are also known for their supernatural elements with clever timing on its comedy, drama, and action.
If I had to choose my favorite one, it'll be Baccano! of course. People may not agree with me on this one, probably 'cuz they haven't watch Baccano's anime yet & prefer Durarara's more futuristic theme. I think Baccano wins out in the whole setting. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a crossover between Fullmetal Alchemist and Pulp Fiction?
While the anime itself is rather confusing... that's why I recommend reading the book. I'm not saying Durarara is bad, no, not aT ALL!! a lot of people like DRRR because of the relatable characters, that'll fit in nicely in this time we're living in, but Baccano in another case... With the whole mafia-centered theme, it's a given it'll be ten folds more violent than DRRR ever be, and with that, also the whole cast. But that's where the fun is. You don't need a relatable character to enjoy a story; somehow reading a crazy lunatic's monolog can be enjoyable too!
Oh, and Baccano has Isaac & Miria!
These two win the Internet, They're very lovely and well-written and just so precious!
And they also appear in Durarara too, oh my.
Originally published: April 12, 1994
Author: Haruki Murakami
Original title: ねじまき鳥クロニクル
Translator: Jay Rubin
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Publisher: Shinchosha (JP)
1997 (Vintage) (US)
Page count: 607
Genres: Fiction, Novel, Science Fiction, Speculative fiction, Fantastique
Characters: May Kasahara, Noboru Wataya, Toru Okada, Lieutenant Mamiya, Kumiko Okada
