Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut (Japanese: 月とライカと吸血姫(ノスフェラトゥ), Hepburn: Tsuki to Raika to Nosuferatu; lit. "The Moon, Laika, and the Nosferatu") is a Japanese science fantasy light novel series written by Keisuke Makino and illustrated by Karei. Shogakukan have published seven volumes since December 2016 under their Gagaga Bunko label. The light novel is licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment under their Airship light novel imprint. A manga adaptation with art by Sojihogu was serialized online via Kodansha's Comic Days website from March 2018 to March 2023 and was collected in two tankōbon volumes. An anime television series adaptation by Arvo Animation aired from October to December 2021.
The novel is set in an alternate version of the post-World War II era. The rival superpowers of the Zirnitra Socialist Republics (this world's version of the Soviet Union) and the United Kingdom of Arnack (UK for short, this world's version the United States) have dominated planet Earth and have entered a space race which they view as the only option for their expansionist plans. The vampire girl Irina Luminesk is chosen for training as the first cosmonaut, while a young male cosmonaut candidate is assigned as her handler. While instructed to treat Irina impersonally as a mere test subject, he starts bonding with her and eventually falls for her.
Contents
Plot
With the conclusion of World War II in 1945, the world is divided between two major superpowers: the Union of Zirnitra Socialist Republics [UZSR, the Zirnitra Union] (based on the Soviet Union) in the east and the United Kingdom of Arnack [UK] (based on the United States) in the west. With their borders set on earth, both superpowers look to space as the next frontier for expansion, sparking a space race. However, the Zirnitra Union has a trump card in the form of Irina Luminesk, a vampire whom they hope to use as a test subject to spearhead research into achieving the first human spaceflight. In order to ensure her training goes smoothly, the young cosmonaut candidate Lev Leps is assigned to be her handler. While he is instructed to treat Irina as nothing more than a test subject, Lev cannot help but be fascinated with the young vampire girl.
Characters
Irina Luminesk (イリナ・ルミネスク, Irina Ruminesuku)
Voiced by: Megumi Hayashibara (Japanese); Tia Ballard (English)
A vampire girl. She is treated by people as a "cursed race" and hates humans. For some reason, she has a strong will to go to the Moon, and aims to become an astronaut. Over the course of the series, she slowly develops feelings towards Lev due to him treating her like a person.
Lev Leps (レフ・レプス, Refu Repusu)
Voiced by: Koki Uchiyama (Japanese); Stephen Fu (English)
A lieutenant in the Air Force. He has longed to fly since he was a child. He volunteered to be an astronaut candidate. He has a strong sense of justice and rebels against unreasonable things. Over the course of the series, he bonds with Irina, even letting her drink his blood, and falls in love with her. In episode 11, he realizes his dream and becomes the first human astronaut in the series.
Anya Simonyan (アーニャ・シモニャン, Ānya Shimonyan)
Voiced by: Hina Kino (Japanese); Jad Saxton (English)
A researcher at the Biomedical Research Institute. She specializes in studying the biology of vampires. She is in charge of checking Irina's medical data. For this reason, she is not afraid of Irina, and treats her in a friendly manner.
Mikhail Yashin (ミハイル・ヤシン, Mihairu Yashin)
Voiced by: Satoshi Hino (Japanese); Jonah Scott (English)
An astronaut candidate and a lieutenant in the Air Force. Handsome with a good family background. His grades are always at the top, and he plays a leading role. Acknowledged by himself and others as the most promising astronaut candidate.
Media
Manga
A manga adaptation with art by Sojihogu was serialized on Kodansha's Comic Days website from March 8, 2018, to March 3, 2023. It was collected in two tankōbon volumes. The adaptation went on an indefinite hiatus that lasted until January 2023 due to Sojihogu's poor health.
Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced on March 17, 2021. The series was animated by Arvo Animation and directed by Akitoshi Yokoyama, with series author Keisuke Makino handling series' composition, Hiromi Kato designing the characters, and Yasunori Mitsuda composing the score. It aired from October 4 to December 20, 2021, on TV Tokyo, BS NTV, SUN, and KBS Kyoto. The opening theme song, "Hi no Tsuki" (緋ノ月, Scarlet Moon), is performed by Ali Project while the ending theme song, "Arifureta Itsuka" (ありふれたいつか, Everyday Someday), is performed by Chima. Funimation licensed the series outside of Asia. Medialink licensed the series in Asia-Pacific, it is streamed on the Ani-One YouTube channel with ULTRA membership, iQIYI, and Bilibili.
Reception
Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut was awarded the 53rd Seiun Award in the Best Japanese Long Story category in 2022.