Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl
Encyclopedia
Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl (吸血少女対少女フランケン, Kyūketsu Shōjo tai Shōjo Furanken) is a 2009 Japan
ese gore film. It was directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura
and Naoyuki Tomomatsu
and premiered at the New York Asian Film Festival
in June 2009. It is based on a manga of the same name by Shungiku Uchida.
High School following the story of a perpetually teenage vampire
named Monami (Yukie Kawamura) who falls for her classmate, Mizushima (Takumi Saito), who happens to already be the reluctant boyfriend to the vice-principal/science professor's daughter, Keiko (Eri Otoguro). The ensuing love triangle leads Keiko to seek the assistance of her father who, unbeknown to his daughter, moonlights as a Kabuki
-clad mad scientist with the school nurse as his assistant. The pair experiment on students in the school basement hoping to discover the secret of reanimating corpses (akin to the work of Victor Frankenstein
). Their hopes are answered when they discover a solution of Monami's blood holds the properties to bring life to dead body parts and inanimate objects.
The story begins to unfold after Mizushima carelessly accepts a honmei choco
spiked with Monami's blood, causing him to become a half vampire. When Keiko discovers their secret, she attacks Monami but accidentally throws herself off the school roof in the process. Her premature death leads to her father using the blood solution to transform her into a vicious Frankenstein's monster
. From then on Monami and Keiko battle each other in the pursuit of winning Mizushima's heart, regardless of his feelings towards either of them.
, including Ganguro
and Lolita
. Wrist cutting is a theme that returns from Nishimura's 2008 film, Tokyo Gore Police
.
: was released on 26 June 2009 from American Film Market
.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese gore film. It was directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura
Yoshihiro Nishimura
is a Japanese film director, special effects and makeup effects artist, and a screenwriter who has worked predominantly in the horror genre. Nishimura has been described as "a legendary director and effects artist" and "the Tom Savini of Japan" with "talent to burn"...
and Naoyuki Tomomatsu
Naoyuki Tomomatsu
is a Japanese film director and screenwriter who has worked in the pink film and horror genres.-Life and career:Tomomatsu was born in Osaka, Japan in 1967. He was interested in manga and film from high school and started working as an office assistant to manga artist Shungicu Uchida. In 1992, he...
and premiered at the New York Asian Film Festival
New York Asian Film Festival
The New York Asian Film Festival was first held in 2002, growing out of the previous year's New York Korean Film Festival...
in June 2009. It is based on a manga of the same name by Shungiku Uchida.
Plot
The film is set in a typical TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
High School following the story of a perpetually teenage vampire
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
named Monami (Yukie Kawamura) who falls for her classmate, Mizushima (Takumi Saito), who happens to already be the reluctant boyfriend to the vice-principal/science professor's daughter, Keiko (Eri Otoguro). The ensuing love triangle leads Keiko to seek the assistance of her father who, unbeknown to his daughter, moonlights as a Kabuki
Kabuki
is classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.The individual kanji characters, from left to right, mean sing , dance , and skill...
-clad mad scientist with the school nurse as his assistant. The pair experiment on students in the school basement hoping to discover the secret of reanimating corpses (akin to the work of Victor Frankenstein
Victor Frankenstein
Victor Frankenstein was born in Napoli, is a Swiss fictional character and the protagonist of the 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, written by Mary Shelley...
). Their hopes are answered when they discover a solution of Monami's blood holds the properties to bring life to dead body parts and inanimate objects.
The story begins to unfold after Mizushima carelessly accepts a honmei choco
Honmei Choco
Honmei Choco , literally, "true feeling chocolate" in Japanese. Honmei choco is chocolate given by women on Valentine's day to men whom the giver has romantic feelings for. This is often given to boyfriends, prospective boyfriends, and husbands. Honmei chocolate is higher-quality and more expensive...
spiked with Monami's blood, causing him to become a half vampire. When Keiko discovers their secret, she attacks Monami but accidentally throws herself off the school roof in the process. Her premature death leads to her father using the blood solution to transform her into a vicious Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster is a fictional character that first appeared in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The creature is often erroneously referred to as "Frankenstein", but in the novel the creature has no name...
. From then on Monami and Keiko battle each other in the pursuit of winning Mizushima's heart, regardless of his feelings towards either of them.
Cast
- Yukie KawamuraYukie Kawamurais a Japanese gravure idol, tarento, and actress signed to Japan Art.-Biography:Born in Otaru, Hokkaidō, Kawamura grew up in Yokohama, Kanagawa and later in Abiko, Chiba. She made her debut in 2003 as a gravure idol. In 2006 she started her career as an actress....
as Monami / Vampire Girl - Eri Otoguro as Keiko / Frankenstein Girl
- Takumi SaitoTakumi Saitois a Japanese actor, model and singer.-Movies:* Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - The Movie as Miles Edgeworth* Saijo no Meii as Saijo Mikoto* Space Battleship Yamato as Yamamoto...
as Mizushima (as Takumi Saitô) - Eihi Shiina as Monami's Mother
- Takashi ShimizuTakashi ShimizuTakashi Shimizu is a Japanese film director, best known for the Ju-on series of horror films.-Filmography:...
as Chinese Professor - Jiji Bû
- Erina
- Sayaka Kametani as Nurse Midori
- Sayako Nakoshi
- Aya Nishisaki
- Sayo
- Kanji Tsuda
- Ewan Anning
Subculture References
The film parodies subcultures prevalent in JapanJapan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, including Ganguro
Ganguro
Ganguro is an alternative fashion trend of blonde or orange hair and tanned skin among young Japanese women that peaked in popularity around the year 2000. The Shibuya and Ikebukuro districts of Tokyo were the centers of ganguro fashion...
and Lolita
Lolita fashion
is a fashion subculture originating in Japan that is based on Victorian-era clothing as well as costumes from the Rococo period, but the style has expanded greatly beyond these two. The Lolita look began primarily as one of modesty with a focus on quality in both material and manufacture of garments...
. Wrist cutting is a theme that returns from Nishimura's 2008 film, Tokyo Gore Police
Tokyo Gore Police
is a 2008 Japanese gore film co-written, edited, and directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura and stars Eihi Shiina as Ruka, a vengeful police officer.Tokyo Gore Police was released to several film festivals in North America...
.
Release
In the USAUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
: was released on 26 June 2009 from American Film Market
American Film Market
The American Film Market is a film industry event held each year at the beginning of November in Santa Monica, California. About 8,000 people attend the eight day event to network and to sell and acquire films...
.