is a Japanese manga

Manga

Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...

 series written and illustrated by Ayano Yamane

Ayano Yamane

is a Japanese manga artist, known for specializing in yaoi manga. She debuted as a professional manga artist in 1996 and since then has published several yaoi series and illustrated many light novels. Ayano Yamane is known for her humour and detailed art. She is one of the top selling yaoi manga...

. It is licensed in North America by Kitty Media and in Germany by Tokyopop Germany

Tokyopop

Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...

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Plot

Prince Vald is forced by circumstance to use his family's cursed sword, and so he seeks out the services of Havi, a sorcerer to help him lift the curse. They travel to find the materials to help lift the curse. The curse is unknown to Vald, but it manifests itself as turning Vald into a bloodthirsty and lustful demon at night. Havi subdues the demon by having sex with it, and when Vald awakes, he remembers nothing.

Manga

Crimson Spell is written and illustrated by Ayano Yamane

Ayano Yamane

is a Japanese manga artist, known for specializing in yaoi manga. She debuted as a professional manga artist in 1996 and since then has published several yaoi series and illustrated many light novels. Ayano Yamane is known for her humour and detailed art. She is one of the top selling yaoi manga...

. Vol. 1, 2 and 3 is licensed in North America by Kitty Media and in Germany by Tokyopop Germany

Tokyopop

Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...

. The 4. Volume is out in Japan and has yet to be translated into English.

Drama CDs

Geneon Entertainment released a drama CD for Crimson Spell on June 24, 2009. It features Miki Shinichirou as Havi, Kondou Takashi as Prince Vald and Miyata Kouki as Ruruka.

Reception

Lissa Pattillo of Comics Village

Comics Village

Comics Village is a UK based comics website launched in November 2007 and predominantly aimed at publicizing non-mainstream comics. Over time, it has extended its remit into other forms of pop culture, into providing a different take on the so-called mainstream than that provided by the...

 commends the manga for its "passionate encounters and some fantastic artwork". Julie Rosato of Mania.com criticises the first chapter for rushing "things a bit". Holly Ellingwood of ActiveAnime commends the manga for going "beyond the average yaoi to give readers a truly immersing fantasy world". She also comments on the "scorching and beautifully drawn" love scenes". Managing editor of Media Blasters

Media Blasters

Media Blasters is an entertainment corporation founded by John Sirabella and Sam Liebowitz, based in New York City. They are in the business of licensing, translating, and releasing to the North American market manga compilations and anime and live-action movies and television series to home-video...

, Frank Pannone summarises the series as "a really good fantasy book that has sex scenes in it.”