REVIEW: Fangs Volume 1

Oh vampire romances. They’re some of my romance stories and when it hits BL, you know you’re in for a good time. But instead of your typical vampire lore, it’s the romances that make things different that really get me excited. FANGS Volume 1 from TOKYOPOP’s Love X Love collection of BL stories is a must-read for vampire fans and romance fans alike. What starts as a pretty thirsty story that definitely gets sexy, turns into one that really looks at grief and how you move on from losing someone you love.

FANGS is created, written and illustrated by Billy Balibally, translated by Christine Dashiell, with copy-editing by Tina Tseng, and retouching and lettering by Vibraant Publishing Studio. In FANGS Volume 1, En is the sole survivor of a vampire attack. When he wakes up, his hair has gone white as snow and he has a craving for blood. But in this world, vampires take care of each other and have set up organizations and boundaries to help live among humans.

Thanks to the eponymous vampire health and welfare organization FANGS, En has help as he transitions into his next life. The custodian of his journey is none other than the handsome Ichii who gladly steps up as his guardian and mentor. Not setting out to be his pair, a person that the vampire forms a blood marriage with to help with cravings, Ichii and En grow close over time. Of course, it’s spurred by everyone wanting En’s “virgin” blood, but the way the two begin to bond over the loneliness of the world. However, En doesn’t know everything about the world he’s entered and as he navigates the FANGS pairing system, he panics and declares that he’ll be paired with Ichii.

FANGS Volume 1 is sexy, with some amazingly illustrated mature scenes. But more importantly, over the course of the volume, it becomes more and more intimate. It’s that intimacy that gets at the heart of the story which is about people (or vampires in this case) connecting, how lust turns to love, and ultimately how grief can be a really awful stake for vampires who live forever. The relationships explored in FANGS Volume 1 is what make it both a sensual read and a deeper one.

While the storytelling is on point from characters to overarching narrative the art tops it. Not only is every single vampire handsome, but every character also sports the best streetwear that looks like it belongs in Thrasher (including the off-brand hoodie that Ichii sports in one scene). Fashion is just as key to FANGS Volume 1 as the story. It’s great to look at but at the same time, the fashion choices help mold the characters. Their outfits embody their personalities and help make scenes fit the different tonal atmospheres.

Overall, FANGS Volume 1 is perfect. It has all the Lost Boys meets skater vibes with a story that pushes intimacy and plot while also giving readers the steamy scenes they probably picked the volume up for. I can’t recommend this volume enough — even if it’s a long wait until Volume 2.

FANGS Volume 1 is available now wherever books are sold.