FANTASY ART & ASSORTED ODDNESS by Patrick W. Stewart
Beware! Kayako's belches can be fatal!
JAPANESE HORROR
BLOODHOUND: THE VAMPIRE GIGOLO (aka Vampire Host)
Starring: Matsuda Satoshi, Komukai Minako, Sano Shiro, Nobukawa Seijun
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Length: 300 minutes. Sold in 3 volumes at 100 minutes each. (Never seen a box set with the whole series.)
Studio: Bandai
Genre: Comedy/Horror
Patrick's rating: JAPTASTIC!!!
From the DVD boxes-
Vol. 1: "Rion, help me! A real vampire..."
That was the last cell message Rion heard from her friend Shiho before she disappeared. Determined to find out what became of her, Rion searches Shiho's room and uncovers a business card for a local host club. Kranken Haus, an ornate entertainment club for women, is filled with handsome men costumed as vampires who serve as bartenders and escorts for females desiring company and attention. She confronts Suou, a gorgeous man working at the club as a host, whose name is on the card. He denies any involvement with her disappearance and tries to brush her off. Rion concocts an incident and starts working there too so she can keep an eye on him and the club owner. Bu things get complicated when it's revealed the Suou isn't just acting - he really is a 200-year-old vampire!
Vol. 2: It comes under the light of the full moon, stalking the clients of the Kranken Haus Host Club. And as young women begin to turn up dead in the streets, the businesses of the area begin to see a sharp drop in business, and unwanted eyes begin to shine upon the club and it's employees. As the death toll continues to climb, Rion and Suou head out to investigate the truth behind the "Wolfman." Yet as they near the truth, Rion will be shocked to discover the identity of the person behind these animalistic attacks. To make matters worse, a man known as the "Grim Reaper host" has arrived in town, a man who reportedly takes lives in exchange for love. The horror-comedy live-action series based on best-selling Japanes manga continues in the second volume of Bloodhound.
Vol. 3: A dead girl's body has been found, which is not out of the ordinary for Rion and Suou, however the circumstances on how she died is a mystery. She appears to have fallen from a very high place, but there are no trees or buildings surrounding her. Rumors start to spread that a witch was actually behind the death of the girl, Seiko. According to Rion's friend Shiho, Seiko was murdered because she angered the witch and was cursed. In order to protect Shiho, Rion is determined to find the true identity of the witch. Little does she know that the witch and Suou share a dark past. Who is the witch and how are they related? All questions will be answered in the stunning conclusion to the horror-comedy that took Japan by storm, Bloodhound! Based off the manga by shojo mega sensation Yuki Kaori.
From my Amazon review:
This is a review of the WHOLE "Bloodhound: The Vampire Gigolo" collection-- Volumes 1,2 & 3. (Easier than writing 3 seperate reviews...hehe.) Also known as "Vampire Host" in Japan, this is loosely based on a supernatural comedy manga.
GIVE IT A CHANCE!!!
I found and bought the first volume at, of all places, Big Lots. Never heard of it before then, so, I had no idea what I was in for. When I started watching it I realized something...it was VERY CHEEZY. And yes, that was a GOOD thing. The series is done that way deliberately and it works well. I do think it's one of those cases where you have to "get into the rhythm" of the idea being portrayed. Once I did that I fell in love with it. It didn't take long. I got into the characters and their playfullness and I was hooked. And don't worry...even with the title "Vampire Gigolo," it's NOT SLEAZY. There are several suggestive parts, but, they are the "innocent" suggestive type. Very clean overall although I wouldn't recommended for young children.
The main premise is a fun one. Read the above product description for that.....OK...all done? Good. See? Sounds fun. That is just the vehicle that gets things going. Once the schoolgirl, Rion, gets her foot in the door of the host club, that's when the trouble begins. She deliberately breaks an expensive bottle of wine not realizing just HOW valuable it was. So, to pay it off, she must now work as a waitress/maid/flyer-passer-outer for the club-- all while wearing very cute cosplay outfits. Rion soon learns that the vampire host, Suou, she's keeping her eye on is ACTUALLY a vampire, but, a good one. Once odd supernatural events begin happening around the area they are drawn by circumstances into investigating them together.
The supernatural mysteries are simple but very fun. There are some very clever twists and turns during the course as well. Also, as they investigate, what begins as a very cutely combative chemistry turns into a rather sweet relationship of loyalty and trust. I really liked the way they interacted with each other as well as the scooby dooish mystery solving. So if you like cute, silly, low-budget stuff and/or enjoy Japanese humour this may be something you'd like very much. Another similar series very worth checking out is The Great Horror Family - Complete Collection
One more thing...
Although the kind of sad ending wasn't what I was hoping for, it was still a good ending concept wise. And, after all, not all things can have happy little endings...right???? For the sheer goofiness and fun of this series and the re-watchability I give this a very high rating.
AMAZON LISTING:
http://www.amazon.com/Bloodhound-Vampire-Gigolo-Vol-1/dp/B000N6UEQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1249234663&sr=8-1
BEST BUY LISTING:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=15513794&st=bloodhound&lp=4&type=product&cp=1&id=1627142
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Length: 300 minutes. Sold in 3 volumes at 100 minutes each. (Never seen a box set with the whole series.)
Studio: Bandai
Genre: Comedy/Horror
Patrick's rating: JAPTASTIC!!!
From the DVD boxes-
Vol. 1: "Rion, help me! A real vampire..."
That was the last cell message Rion heard from her friend Shiho before she disappeared. Determined to find out what became of her, Rion searches Shiho's room and uncovers a business card for a local host club. Kranken Haus, an ornate entertainment club for women, is filled with handsome men costumed as vampires who serve as bartenders and escorts for females desiring company and attention. She confronts Suou, a gorgeous man working at the club as a host, whose name is on the card. He denies any involvement with her disappearance and tries to brush her off. Rion concocts an incident and starts working there too so she can keep an eye on him and the club owner. Bu things get complicated when it's revealed the Suou isn't just acting - he really is a 200-year-old vampire!
Vol. 2: It comes under the light of the full moon, stalking the clients of the Kranken Haus Host Club. And as young women begin to turn up dead in the streets, the businesses of the area begin to see a sharp drop in business, and unwanted eyes begin to shine upon the club and it's employees. As the death toll continues to climb, Rion and Suou head out to investigate the truth behind the "Wolfman." Yet as they near the truth, Rion will be shocked to discover the identity of the person behind these animalistic attacks. To make matters worse, a man known as the "Grim Reaper host" has arrived in town, a man who reportedly takes lives in exchange for love. The horror-comedy live-action series based on best-selling Japanes manga continues in the second volume of Bloodhound.
Vol. 3: A dead girl's body has been found, which is not out of the ordinary for Rion and Suou, however the circumstances on how she died is a mystery. She appears to have fallen from a very high place, but there are no trees or buildings surrounding her. Rumors start to spread that a witch was actually behind the death of the girl, Seiko. According to Rion's friend Shiho, Seiko was murdered because she angered the witch and was cursed. In order to protect Shiho, Rion is determined to find the true identity of the witch. Little does she know that the witch and Suou share a dark past. Who is the witch and how are they related? All questions will be answered in the stunning conclusion to the horror-comedy that took Japan by storm, Bloodhound! Based off the manga by shojo mega sensation Yuki Kaori.
From my Amazon review:
This is a review of the WHOLE "Bloodhound: The Vampire Gigolo" collection-- Volumes 1,2 & 3. (Easier than writing 3 seperate reviews...hehe.) Also known as "Vampire Host" in Japan, this is loosely based on a supernatural comedy manga.
GIVE IT A CHANCE!!!
I found and bought the first volume at, of all places, Big Lots. Never heard of it before then, so, I had no idea what I was in for. When I started watching it I realized something...it was VERY CHEEZY. And yes, that was a GOOD thing. The series is done that way deliberately and it works well. I do think it's one of those cases where you have to "get into the rhythm" of the idea being portrayed. Once I did that I fell in love with it. It didn't take long. I got into the characters and their playfullness and I was hooked. And don't worry...even with the title "Vampire Gigolo," it's NOT SLEAZY. There are several suggestive parts, but, they are the "innocent" suggestive type. Very clean overall although I wouldn't recommended for young children.
The main premise is a fun one. Read the above product description for that.....OK...all done? Good. See? Sounds fun. That is just the vehicle that gets things going. Once the schoolgirl, Rion, gets her foot in the door of the host club, that's when the trouble begins. She deliberately breaks an expensive bottle of wine not realizing just HOW valuable it was. So, to pay it off, she must now work as a waitress/maid/flyer-passer-outer for the club-- all while wearing very cute cosplay outfits. Rion soon learns that the vampire host, Suou, she's keeping her eye on is ACTUALLY a vampire, but, a good one. Once odd supernatural events begin happening around the area they are drawn by circumstances into investigating them together.
The supernatural mysteries are simple but very fun. There are some very clever twists and turns during the course as well. Also, as they investigate, what begins as a very cutely combative chemistry turns into a rather sweet relationship of loyalty and trust. I really liked the way they interacted with each other as well as the scooby dooish mystery solving. So if you like cute, silly, low-budget stuff and/or enjoy Japanese humour this may be something you'd like very much. Another similar series very worth checking out is The Great Horror Family - Complete Collection
One more thing...
Although the kind of sad ending wasn't what I was hoping for, it was still a good ending concept wise. And, after all, not all things can have happy little endings...right???? For the sheer goofiness and fun of this series and the re-watchability I give this a very high rating.
AMAZON LISTING:
http://www.amazon.com/Bloodhound-Vampire-Gigolo-Vol-1/dp/B000N6UEQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1249234663&sr=8-1
BEST BUY LISTING:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=15513794&st=bloodhound&lp=4&type=product&cp=1&id=1627142
THE GREAT HORROR FAMILY- aka Kaiki daikazoku (2004)
Run time: 444 minutes spread over 3 discs
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Studio: Bandai
Genre: Horror/Comedy
Cast (the entire cast including doggie/inu):
Takahashi Issei ... Imawano Kiyoshi / Kiyobei
Shibuya Asuka ... Imawano Kyouko / Okyou
Moro Morooka ... Imawano Osamu / Osakichi
Muroi Shigeru ... Imawano Yuuko / Oyuu
Fujimura Shunji ... Imawano Fuchio
Ishii Tomiko ... Imawano Kiwa / Okiwa
Motoizumi Ponta a dog ... Imawano Shiba (Shiba the family hound)
Morishita Yoshiyuki ... a realty dealer
Shibuya Aki ... Asami a ghost woman / Oasa (sighhhhhhhhhhhh...)
Masumoto Sgouichirou ... Tonaka Hakkurou
Oikawa Nao ... a beautiful woman
Tanaka Miki ... a wet woman ghost / a Gothic-Lolita-Cosplay girl from Planet Mieber
Mori Yasuko ... Kaoruko
Mishiro Akiko ... Youkaibabaa
Tooyama Kyooko ... Tenchuu Satsumi a Proprietress of Naitome-ya
Tsuda Kanji ... a man in black A (Lee)
Suga Takakuni ... a man in black B (Smith)
Hanabusa Yuka ... a lady in kimono from Planet Mieber
Nasu Ayaka ... Hoshi Hikari an 'Idoru' from Planet Mieber
Toida Yui
Takita Orie
Watabe Aya ... a sexy girl from Planet Mieber
Ootani Mitsuho ... Tsuyako a red-line ghost
Suwa Tarou ... Doumoto Shouhei
Yamamoto Hiroshi(I) ... Yamashita Ryuuji
Oohashi Miho ... a reporter
Yamamoto Ayano ... Tenchuu Satsuko
Arai Yuuka ... Yamada a teacher
Harita Miho ... a woman ghost in pink
Matsushige Yutaka ... Memento Mori
Nakahara Shouko ... Setsuko a bar hostess corpse
Maya Rumiko ... Mina a bar hostess corpse
Kawaya Secchin
Matsushima Ryouta
Hino Youjin ... Tarao Bangai
Itao Itsuji ... a husband in TV show
Sakaguchi Taku ... a detective in TV show
Jai West ... Tonaka Kyuujuurou
Satou Masaharu ... voice of a boss of MIB/ other
Kitahara Mayu (a.k.a. Toyoshima Chiakako) ... Kajiwara Norika
Mihara Iona
Chiba Naoko
Mori Arisa
Kitayama Hiroshi ... an evil ghost
Yazu Isao ... a grandfather of a beautiful woman who was taken off kimono by ghosts
Murakami Kenji ... a man who is run over by a car and die
Nomura Ken'ichirou
Nakamura Makoto ... narrator / Joe a strolling guitarist
Cast list from fjmovie.com- Japanese Horror Movies Database
Check 'em out at
http://www.fjmovie.com/horror/
Patrick's rating: JAPTASTIC TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE!!!!
From DVD box:
Kiyoshi Imawano and his family move into a haunted house. The entire family, except for the occult-obsessed father, gains the power to see ghosts and spirits. An undead monk, secret government agents, even UFOs start showing up. It's up to Kiyoshi to find out why the house is troubled by all these strange occurrences and save his family, and possibly the world, from inter-dimensional terrors.
From my Amazon review:
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS SERIES!!! I first saw the preview of this while watching the DVD Bloodhound: The Vampire Gigolo, Vol. 1 --another teriffic supernatural comedy series from Japanese television. I was hooked from the preview alone. It was created by Japanese filmmaker Takashi Shimizu, known for Ju-on/The Grudge, Marebito, and many other films.
I would describe it as sort of a SPOOF of asian (and some American, with a Men In Black reference) horror cinema. It pokes fun at almost everything you've ever seen in an asian horror flick. It also tackles many Japanese folktales and legends as well. But, it also has a central story at it's core. YES...IT'S A SPOOF WITH A POINT/PLOT!!!! It's not at all like the IDIOTIC "Scary Movie" series in the U.S. So if you're looking for that type thang...you may not like it. Also, if you don't like Japanese cinema or television in general you may wish to rent this instead of buying. The humour is definately what I'd call CHEEZY-JAPANEEZY in all of it's kooky glory. So, fans of the asian horror & comedy genres will really enjoy it I think. For others...just stick with the Wayans Brothers. (Ok...they do have their moments too. LOL)
Additional stuff and thoughts and more stuff not from my Amazon review:
This is one of those kinda things I pop into the DVD player when I feel depressed and want to cheer up a tad. It always puts a smile on my face to relive all those odd moments with the Imawano family. And yes...I will confess to having fallen madly in love with ghost-girl Asami (heart goes flutter). I mean, sure, she kinda makes crunchy noises when she walks. She also frequently leaves long, black ghost hair all over the floor. Oh, and she has a tendancy to occasionally drool blood. But hey, I'd still pick her over most American girls I've met. Anyhooo...I really wouldn't mind being haunted by her. Sighhhhhhhhhhhh.
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Studio: Bandai
Genre: Horror/Comedy
Cast (the entire cast including doggie/inu):
Takahashi Issei ... Imawano Kiyoshi / Kiyobei
Shibuya Asuka ... Imawano Kyouko / Okyou
Moro Morooka ... Imawano Osamu / Osakichi
Muroi Shigeru ... Imawano Yuuko / Oyuu
Fujimura Shunji ... Imawano Fuchio
Ishii Tomiko ... Imawano Kiwa / Okiwa
Motoizumi Ponta a dog ... Imawano Shiba (Shiba the family hound)
Morishita Yoshiyuki ... a realty dealer
Shibuya Aki ... Asami a ghost woman / Oasa (sighhhhhhhhhhhh...)
Masumoto Sgouichirou ... Tonaka Hakkurou
Oikawa Nao ... a beautiful woman
Tanaka Miki ... a wet woman ghost / a Gothic-Lolita-Cosplay girl from Planet Mieber
Mori Yasuko ... Kaoruko
Mishiro Akiko ... Youkaibabaa
Tooyama Kyooko ... Tenchuu Satsumi a Proprietress of Naitome-ya
Tsuda Kanji ... a man in black A (Lee)
Suga Takakuni ... a man in black B (Smith)
Hanabusa Yuka ... a lady in kimono from Planet Mieber
Nasu Ayaka ... Hoshi Hikari an 'Idoru' from Planet Mieber
Toida Yui
Takita Orie
Watabe Aya ... a sexy girl from Planet Mieber
Ootani Mitsuho ... Tsuyako a red-line ghost
Suwa Tarou ... Doumoto Shouhei
Yamamoto Hiroshi(I) ... Yamashita Ryuuji
Oohashi Miho ... a reporter
Yamamoto Ayano ... Tenchuu Satsuko
Arai Yuuka ... Yamada a teacher
Harita Miho ... a woman ghost in pink
Matsushige Yutaka ... Memento Mori
Nakahara Shouko ... Setsuko a bar hostess corpse
Maya Rumiko ... Mina a bar hostess corpse
Kawaya Secchin
Matsushima Ryouta
Hino Youjin ... Tarao Bangai
Itao Itsuji ... a husband in TV show
Sakaguchi Taku ... a detective in TV show
Jai West ... Tonaka Kyuujuurou
Satou Masaharu ... voice of a boss of MIB/ other
Kitahara Mayu (a.k.a. Toyoshima Chiakako) ... Kajiwara Norika
Mihara Iona
Chiba Naoko
Mori Arisa
Kitayama Hiroshi ... an evil ghost
Yazu Isao ... a grandfather of a beautiful woman who was taken off kimono by ghosts
Murakami Kenji ... a man who is run over by a car and die
Nomura Ken'ichirou
Nakamura Makoto ... narrator / Joe a strolling guitarist
Cast list from fjmovie.com- Japanese Horror Movies Database
Check 'em out at
http://www.fjmovie.com/horror/
Patrick's rating: JAPTASTIC TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE!!!!
From DVD box:
Kiyoshi Imawano and his family move into a haunted house. The entire family, except for the occult-obsessed father, gains the power to see ghosts and spirits. An undead monk, secret government agents, even UFOs start showing up. It's up to Kiyoshi to find out why the house is troubled by all these strange occurrences and save his family, and possibly the world, from inter-dimensional terrors.
From my Amazon review:
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS SERIES!!! I first saw the preview of this while watching the DVD Bloodhound: The Vampire Gigolo, Vol. 1 --another teriffic supernatural comedy series from Japanese television. I was hooked from the preview alone. It was created by Japanese filmmaker Takashi Shimizu, known for Ju-on/The Grudge, Marebito, and many other films.
I would describe it as sort of a SPOOF of asian (and some American, with a Men In Black reference) horror cinema. It pokes fun at almost everything you've ever seen in an asian horror flick. It also tackles many Japanese folktales and legends as well. But, it also has a central story at it's core. YES...IT'S A SPOOF WITH A POINT/PLOT!!!! It's not at all like the IDIOTIC "Scary Movie" series in the U.S. So if you're looking for that type thang...you may not like it. Also, if you don't like Japanese cinema or television in general you may wish to rent this instead of buying. The humour is definately what I'd call CHEEZY-JAPANEEZY in all of it's kooky glory. So, fans of the asian horror & comedy genres will really enjoy it I think. For others...just stick with the Wayans Brothers. (Ok...they do have their moments too. LOL)
Additional stuff and thoughts and more stuff not from my Amazon review:
This is one of those kinda things I pop into the DVD player when I feel depressed and want to cheer up a tad. It always puts a smile on my face to relive all those odd moments with the Imawano family. And yes...I will confess to having fallen madly in love with ghost-girl Asami (heart goes flutter). I mean, sure, she kinda makes crunchy noises when she walks. She also frequently leaves long, black ghost hair all over the floor. Oh, and she has a tendancy to occasionally drool blood. But hey, I'd still pick her over most American girls I've met. Anyhooo...I really wouldn't mind being haunted by her. Sighhhhhhhhhhhh.
