The first episode of Baban Baban Ban Vampire Season 1 introduces Mori Ranmaru, who at first glance appears to be nothing more than a dedicated part-time employee at a traditional Japanese bathhouse. However, beneath this ordinary facade lies an extraordinary truth: he’s actually a 450-year-old vampire with a highly specific culinary preference. Rather than being satisfied with any human blood, Ranmaru has developed an extremely refined taste, considering the blood of 18-year-old virgins to be the ultimate delicacy. This peculiar predilection has led him to become an unofficial guardian of Rihito, the 15-year-old son of the bathhouse owner.

We follow Ranmaru through his daily routine, which consists primarily of managing his bathhouse duties while maintaining constant surveillance over Rihito. His approach to this self-appointed guardianship is remarkably methodical – he’s developed extensive charts and strategies all designed to ensure Rihito remains “pure” until his 18th birthday, viewing the boy as a carefully curated future feast that must be preserved at all costs.

The plot takes a comedic turn when Rihito, who has been relatively manageable until now, abruptly enters puberty. During an otherwise ordinary school day, he experiences his first crush on a classmate, sending Ranmaru into a state of absolute crisis. The vampire’s reaction to this development is hilariously excessive, treating this innocent teenage romance as though it were an impending catastrophe threatening his meticulously crafted plans.

The episode showcases Ranmaru’s increasingly frantic efforts to prevent any romantic developments in Rihito’s life. His interventions range from creating elaborate diversions to physically inserting himself between Rihito and any potential romantic interests. These desperate measures result in a series of comical scenarios where Ranmaru struggles to maintain his composed part-timer persona while internally panicking about protecting his “investment.”

The relationship between Ranmaru and Rihito adds another layer of humor to the story, as Rihito remains completely oblivious to his guardian’s true identity and motives. From his perspective, Ranmaru is simply an unusually protective bathhouse employee who mysteriously appears at the most inconvenient moments. This dramatic irony enriches every interaction between the two characters.

Throughout the episode, Ranmaru’s vampire abilities are played for laughs rather than horror. His supernatural powers are comically misused for mundane purposes, such as using super-speed to interrupt potential romantic encounters or enhanced hearing to spy on Rihito’s conversations with classmates. The contrast between his formidable vampiric powers and their trivial application creates many of the episode’s most entertaining moments.

The story reaches its peak when Rihito attempts to confess his feelings to his crush after school. Ranmaru launches into “Operation Virginity Loss Prevention,” an absurdly complex plan complete with multiple phases and contingency strategies. His intervention methods become increasingly ridiculous, ranging from “accidental” water sprays from the bathhouse cleaning equipment to manufacturing fake emergencies requiring Rihito’s immediate attention.

While Ranmaru successfully thwarts Rihito’s confession attempt, the victory comes with the dawning realization that his challenges are only beginning. The episode concludes with our vampire protagonist simultaneously celebrating his short-term success while confronting the fact that protecting his future meal will become increasingly difficult as Rihito navigates adolescence.

The ending perfectly establishes the series’ central conflict: Ranmaru’s desperate efforts to preserve his perfect future meal versus Rihito’s natural teenage desires for romance and relationships. It’s an innovative blend of vampire mythology and coming-of-age story, viewing teenage development through the unique lens of a vampire with very specific dietary requirements.

The episode successfully establishes both the premise and tone of the series, cleverly subverting traditional vampire tropes by transforming what could be a menacing character into something more akin to an obsessive guardian, albeit one with entirely self-serving motives. The humor derives not just from the situations themselves, but from Ranmaru’s utter seriousness about his mission and the stark contrast between his dignified vampire nature and his increasingly undignified actions.