Dance in the Vampire Bund Manga — Complete Reading Order
Here’s the full reading order, presented as a simple numbered sequence:
- Dance in the Vampire Bund — Volumes 1 through 14 (82 chapters, completed)
- Dive in the Vampire Bund — 2 volumes; an optional spin-off that expands the world
- Dance in the Vampire Bund: The Memories of Sledgehammer — 3 volumes; a bridge story linking the original series to its sequel
- Dance in the Vampire Bund II: Scarlet Order — 4 volumes; the direct sequel to the original series
- Dance in the Vampire Bund: Age of Scarlet Order — Ongoing sequel continuing from Scarlet Order
The original 14-volume series by Nozomu Tamaki (環望) is the core story, and everything else builds on top of it. All five series are licensed in English by Seven Seas Entertainment.
A few important notes about this order:
- Scarlet Order (formally titled “Dance in the Vampire Bund II: Scarlet Order”) is the direct sequel to the original 14 volumes. Age of Scarlet Order then continues from where Scarlet Order ends — it is not a direct continuation of the original, but of Scarlet Order. Both sequel series have their own volume numbering starting at Volume 1.
- The Memories of Sledgehammer serves as a narrative bridge between the original series and Scarlet Order. It connects the original series and Scarlet Order, bridging the two main story arcs. Reading it between the original and Scarlet Order gives the best experience.
- Dive in the Vampire Bund is a spin-off that expands the setting. It’s the most flexible entry in the reading order — you won’t be lost without it — but it adds depth that enriches the sequels.
- The original 14 volumes were serialized in Monthly Comic Flapper — a Japanese manga magazine where chapters were published on a monthly schedule before being collected into volumes — and published in book form by Media Factory in Japan, with the first volume releasing in June 2006.
Why This Order Matters
You might be tempted to skip ahead to a sequel or start with a side story you found first. Here’s why sticking to the order above will give you a much better experience.
The original 14-volume series is the foundation for everything. Every spin-off and sequel assumes you’ve read it. Characters, political dynamics, and the fictional world Tamaki built across the main series are referenced constantly. Without that context, nothing that follows will land the way it’s supposed to.
The sequels build on each other in sequence. Scarlet Order picks up threads from the original’s conclusion, and Age of Scarlet Order continues directly from Scarlet Order — not from the original. Skipping Scarlet Order and jumping straight to Age of Scarlet Order means missing an entire arc of the story. Reading any sequel before finishing what comes before it will spoil major developments — not just minor twists, but the kind of reveals that reshape how you understand the entire story.
The Memories of Sledgehammer bridges the original and Scarlet Order. It connects the two main story arcs of the franchise. It expands the world and sets up characters and events that pay off in Scarlet Order. Reading it in sequence — after the original and before Scarlet Order — gives the intended experience.
Dive in the Vampire Bund adds depth but is the most flexible in placement. It’s a spin-off that expands the setting. You can read it after the original 14 volumes without disrupting the flow, and it enriches your understanding of the world heading into the sequels.
A quick note about the anime: Dance in the Vampire Bund received an anime adaptation (anime being the Japanese term for animation — in this case, an animated TV series based on the manga). The anime covers only early material from the manga and diverges significantly from the source. It is not a substitute for reading the manga. If you’ve watched the anime and are wondering where to pick up in the manga, the safest answer is to start from volume 1. The stories diverge enough that skipping ahead based on the anime will leave gaps in your understanding.
Where to Start If You Only Want the Essentials
If you’re not sure you want to commit to the entire franchise, good news: the original 14-volume series tells a complete, self-contained story. You don’t need the side stories or sequel to get a satisfying experience.
The series opens with a bold premise. Mina Tepes, a vampire princess, goes on live television and reveals the existence of vampires to the entire world. She then negotiates the creation of a special vampire district — the “Bund” — off the coast of Tokyo, where vampires can live openly. What follows is a story that blends supernatural vampire horror with political thriller elements, as Mina navigates threats from human governments, rival vampire groups vying for control, and enemies within her own court.
At her side is Akira Kaburagi, a werewolf sworn to protect her. Their relationship — complicated by politics, duty, and the tensions between vampires and werewolves — drives much of the emotional core of the series.
The early volumes establish the world and the central conflict, and the series builds steadily from there. By volume 14, the main storyline reaches a genuine conclusion. You can close that final volume feeling like the story is complete. If you want more afterward, the sequel and side story are there waiting — but they’re optional, not required.
For readers who enjoy dark supernatural stories with a heavy dose of political intrigue, this series hits a sweet spot that’s fairly unique in manga. It’s not purely action, and it’s not purely horror — it’s a blend that keeps shifting as the political landscape around Mina’s Bund evolves.
Spin-Offs and Sequels — Where They Fit in the Manga Reading Order
Dive in the Vampire Bund
Dive in the Vampire Bund is a 2-volume spin-off set in the same world as the original series. It expands the setting and provides additional context for the broader franchise. This is the most optional entry in the reading order — you won’t be lost without it — but it adds depth that enriches the experience going forward.
Read this after the main 14-volume series. It works as a natural extension of the world before moving into the sequels.
The Memories of Sledgehammer
Dance in the Vampire Bund: The Memories of Sledgehammer is a 3-volume story that serves as a narrative bridge between the original series and its sequel, Scarlet Order. Rather than following Mina and Akira, it shifts focus to different characters and events within the broader Dance in the Vampire Bund setting. It connects the original series and Scarlet Order, bridging the two main story arcs.
Read this after the main series. The story enriches the fictional world and sets up threads that carry into Scarlet Order.
Dance in the Vampire Bund II: Scarlet Order
Dance in the Vampire Bund II: Scarlet Order is the direct sequel to the original 14-volume series, spanning 4 volumes. This is where Tamaki continues the main storyline, building on the foundation of the original series. It picks up from where the original left off and carries the story forward into new territory.
Read this only after finishing the original 14 volumes and The Memories of Sledgehammer. Going in any earlier will spoil the main series’ biggest moments.
Age of Scarlet Order
Dance in the Vampire Bund: Age of Scarlet Order is the ongoing sequel, continuing the storyline from where Scarlet Order left off. This is the latest entry in the franchise, taking the story further still.
An important distinction: Age of Scarlet Order continues from Scarlet Order, not directly from the original 14 volumes. It has its own volume numbering starting at Volume 1. This sometimes causes confusion — people see “Volume 1” and think it’s a retelling of the original. It’s not. It’s a continuation that picks up after Scarlet Order’s ending.
Read this only after finishing Scarlet Order. Skipping from the original 14 volumes directly to Age of Scarlet Order will leave you missing an entire arc of the story.
A Note on English Availability
All five series in the Dance in the Vampire Bund franchise have been licensed for English release by Seven Seas Entertainment. The original 14-volume series has a complete English translation available — meaning all 14 volumes have been officially translated from Japanese and published as English-language books. The Memories of Sledgehammer, Dive in the Vampire Bund, and Scarlet Order are also available in English.
For Age of Scarlet Order, which is ongoing, English volumes are being released as the series continues. Check current availability at major retailers to confirm which volumes have been published so far.
Where to Buy Dance in the Vampire Bund Manga in English
The complete 14-volume English edition of Dance in the Vampire Bund is available through major online and brick-and-mortar retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Crunchyroll Store, and BookWalker for digital copies. Local comic shops and bookstores may also carry the series or be able to order it for you.
With all 14 volumes available in English, you can read the entire series from start to finish without waiting for future releases. The English edition captures Tamaki’s art and storytelling well, and the complete set is readily available through major retailers.
dance in the vampire bund
The spin-offs and sequels — Dive in the Vampire Bund, The Memories of Sledgehammer, Scarlet Order, and Age of Scarlet Order — are all licensed in English by Seven Seas Entertainment. For Age of Scarlet Order, which is ongoing, check current availability to see which volumes have been released so far.
If you’re planning to buy all 14 volumes, it’s worth comparing list prices across a few different retailers. Cover prices for manga volumes are fairly standard, but individual retailers sometimes offer better deals on bulk purchases or have different stock availability. Checking Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Crunchyroll Store side by side takes only a few minutes and can save you money across a 14-volume set.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many volumes is Dance in the Vampire Bund?
The original series is 14 volumes containing 82 chapters. The series is completed — no more volumes are coming. The franchise also includes Dive in the Vampire Bund (2 volumes), The Memories of Sledgehammer (3 volumes), Dance in the Vampire Bund II: Scarlet Order (4 volumes), and the ongoing Age of Scarlet Order — each with its own separate volume count.
Is Age of Scarlet Order part of the same series?
No. Age of Scarlet Order is a separate sequel with its own volume numbering. It continues the storyline from Dance in the Vampire Bund II: Scarlet Order (a 4-volume sequel to the original), not directly from the original 14-volume series. All entries in the franchise — including Age of Scarlet Order — are published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment. Don’t expect to find it numbered as “Volume 15” of the original — it starts fresh at Volume 1.
Do I need to watch the anime before reading?
No. The anime adaptation covers only early material from the manga and diverges from the source. You can watch it for fun if you’d like — it has its own merits as an adaptation — but it’s not a prerequisite for the manga, and the manga goes well beyond what the anime covers. Starting with volume 1 of the manga gives you the full, unabridged story.
Is Dance in the Vampire Bund a horror manga?
It blends vampire horror with political intrigue and action. There’s plenty of dark, violent supernatural content — this isn’t a lighthearted vampire romance. The series includes graphic violence, partial nudity, and mature themes involving persecution, power struggles, and survival. The horror comes as much from political maneuvering and betrayal as it does from supernatural threats. It’s aimed at older teen and adult readers, so be prepared for that going in.