REVIEW: ‘Rosen Blood’ Volume 4

Yes, I am here again to review Rosen Blood despite saying I was going to drop the series, and, to be honest, I’m glad I didn’t check out. While I’ve had my issues with how the series has handled Stella’s agency and the sexual assault the story has put her through, Rosen Blood Volume 4 manages right much of what I took issue with in the series so far; Stella drives the story.

Rosen Blood Volume 4 is written and illustrated by mangaka Kachiru Ishizue, published and localized in English by VIZ Media’s shojo/josei imprint Shojo Beat. The English translation is provided by JN Productions, and Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane makes the English adaptation. Additionally, the volume features touch-up art and lettering by Joanna Estep, design by Alice Lewis, and is edited by Jennifer Sherman. Desperate for Stella’s affection, Yoel stabs Levi, who reconsiders his desire to protect the other nonhumans. But when Yoel winds up in a comatose state, Stella searches through Rosémary’s notes to find a way to awaken him after the incident. At the same time, the truth behind Levi’s tears of blood begins to be revealed, and the truth is worse than Stella could have imagined.

In this volume, Stella manages to hold the focus, and not because of the things the vampire men around her do to her. But rather, she begins to problem-solve their entire situations. She connects the dots between Yoel’s jealousy, his true identity, and how he’s different from his brothers while ultimately uncovering darker secrets about the vampires’ creation. In fact, this volume unpacks love and longing in a way that I have been wanting out of this vampire romance. I mean, we’ve seen conflict about one brother wanting Stella to love him and the other getting mad that “his love” is being touched by someone else—with no care about actually processing the sexual assault that Stella had been through. Rosen Blood Volume 4 recenters Stella as her own person, and it makes me excited for how the story will evolve next.

On top of that, Kachiru Ishizue’s art is truly breathtaking. With enough gothic horror and romance, the dreamy quality of this series, but particularly in this volume, captures the mystery and intrigue that Stella has found herself in. The art helps propel the story even when it’s frustrating, and that art alone has been one of the reasons why I’ve kept coming back, and I’m glad I have.

Rosen Blood Volume 4 bodes well for the future of the series and with a new conflict that is showcasing Stella’s choice and ingenuity. At the same time, the fact that the vampire brothers are incapable of loving without deteriorating makes this fairly basic reverse harem just the right amount of emotionally complex without sacrificing some of the campier elements. Moving from lust to love, I’m hoping Stella gets to be the heroine more instead of just a damsel being passed around.

Rosen Blood Volume 4 is available now wherever books are sold both digitally and physically.