Dark Wars: The Tale of Meiji Dracula

The Tale of Meiji Dracula: Dark Wars What would have `Dracula' read like if it was originally a Japanese traditional legend? "Dark Wars, The Tale of Meiji Dracula" answers that question. Best selling Japanese horror novelist, Hideyuki Kikuchi turned his love of the Dracula films into a thrilling oriental flavoured Lord of the Undead adventure. Vlad Tege, Count Dracula, arrives at a dark seaport and set up residence in an abandoned British mansion in Edo (Tokyo). Daigo Shoichiro, a talented 17 yr old swordsman and teacher, and his friends meet Count in the evening while trying to sneak a peak at a famous painting. Sensing danger, the friends quickly leave. The Count quickly befriends the elite of the town, while forcing Jigoro, an educated sensei, to build a team bent on dispatching Count Vlad as quickly as possible. The list of the Counts' victims grows to include Sayo, Akane, Renta, Shiro, yet does not include Chizuru, a love struck young woman. Only by fighting Dracula without Judo can he be destroyed. Just how Daigo deals with the Lord of the Undead makes this an amazing novel! Those familiar with the original novel will recognize names (Renta-Renfrew), and scenarios. Yet, in that familiarity he puts enough twists into the story and Japanese culture that it becomes uniquely Oriental. There is obsession, there is misplaced loyalty, and on the part of Vlad, there is even a sense of twisted honor as he returns Daigo's fathers' belongings to him. Dracula is still Dracula, and the familiar elements to the story like Transylvanian soil, horse drawn carriages, and creatures of the night.. In a scene reminiscent of the original Tod Browning production, the story evokes a black and white/silent movie feel that reflects Kikuchi's graphic story telling skills. Fans of horror and the Vampyre genre will appreciate this fresh look at a genre in need of new `blood'. [...] I remain, Very alive Tim Lasiuta