The highly anticipated live-action film adaptation of Hiromasa Okujima’s comedic manga, “Baban Baban Ban Vampire,” premiered in Japanese cinemas on July 4, 2025, securing the fifth spot in its opening weekend box office rankings. The film garnered approximately 135 million yen (about 925,400 USD) from around 100,000 admissions across 342 theaters. Its debut performance positions it as a notable entry in Japan’s summer movie season.
Production and Premise
Directed by Shinji Hamasaki, “Baban Baban Ban Vampire” brings to life the story of Ranmaru Mori, a 450-year-old vampire, portrayed by acclaimed actor Ryo Yoshizawa. Ranmaru works as a live-in part-timer at a public bathhouse, secretly eyeing 15-year-old Rihito Tatsuno (Rihito Itagaki), the bathhouse owner’s son, whose virgin blood he intends to consume upon Rihito’s 18th birthday. The plot thickens when Rihito falls in love with his classmate, Aoi Shinozuka (Nanoka Hara), forcing Ranmaru to undertake desperate measures to prevent Rihito from losing his virginity and, consequently, ruining Ranmaru’s “ultimate taste.”
The film is an adaptation of Hiromasa Okujima’s manga series, which first began serialization in Akita Shoten’s Bessatsu Shōnen Champion magazine in October 2021. The manga has been described as a “bloody love-comedy” or a “gag manga” focusing on the comedic exploits of the ancient vampire. An anime television series adaptation also premiered earlier in 2025, running from January to March, further expanding the franchise’s reach.
Release Context and Prior Delays
The film’s journey to the big screen faced a significant hurdle, experiencing a postponement from its initial release date of February 14, 2025. The delay was attributed to “various circumstances” linked to lead actor Ryo Yoshizawa. Reports indicated that the actor was questioned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police regarding an incident in December 2024, where he allegedly entered a neighbor’s apartment while intoxicated. Yoshizawa’s talent agency confirmed the incident and announced a settlement with the neighbor. Despite this, the film was rescheduled, ultimately arriving on July 4, 2025. Ironically, thanks to this delay, two films starring Yoshizawa appeared in Japan’s top 10 box office simultaneously last weekend, with his other film, “Kokuho” (National Treasure), topping the charts for three consecutive weekends.
Cast and Creative Team
In addition to Ryo Yoshizawa as Ranmaru Mori and Rihito Itagaki as Rihito Tatsuno, the cast includes Nanoka Hara as Aoi Shinozuka. Other key cast members include Mandy Sekiguchi as Ken Shinozuka, Shinnosuke Mitsushima as Umetaro Sakamoto, and Gordon Maeda as Nagayoshi Mori. The film’s screenplay was penned by Yuko Matsuda. Director Shinji Hamasaki expressed his gratitude for the cast, noting that “the best cast members in Japan gathered to film this outrageous comedy!” The theme song for the film is performed by singer-songwriter imase.
“Baban Baban Ban Vampire” has also garnered international attention, being selected for its North American premiere at the 24th New York Asian Film Festival, scheduled to be held from July 11 to July 27, 2025. This selection highlights the film’s potential to resonate with audiences beyond its domestic market, thanks to its blend of fantasy, comedy, and romance.
Despite its delayed release, the film’s #5 opening demonstrates a solid start for the live-action adaptation, appealing to fans of the original manga and newcomers alike with its quirky premise and comedic vampire antics.
