January 2005 Bishounen of the Month:

Name: Larva (also known as Lava or Rava) Series: Vampire Princess Miyu Race: Western Shinma Age: Unknown Hair Color: Blue Eye Color: Red (ooo, sessy!!) Unique features: Besides the fact that he wears a mask 90% of the time, his hands appear to have gloves that reach to his elbows, with red long fingernails. When he is fighting, the nails grow longer and are sharp, seemingly able to slice through anything, including the other Shinma he and Miyu are trying to send back to the darkness. He also usually wears a long dark cloak. It's sad when bishounen feel the need to cover their best assets, is it not? ;D

I searched quite a bit to try and find information on Larva. I got basically the same story everywhere I went. Now, mind you, I HAVE seen the TV series, but not the OAVs, nor have I read the manga. So anyway, this is what I found out.

Larva is what is known as a Shinma. The basic, simple explanation of which, is that he is a demon. I guess the best translation for the word is "God-devil," what I do know about the Shinma, is they are usually trying to drag some poor hapless human(s) down to the darkness with them. In the beginning, Larva went to Japan, vowing to kill all Japanese Shinma, he himself being a Western Shinma. He knew Miyu was supposed to one day become the Guardian, that is, the one who is meant to send all other Shinma back to the darkness, so he decided that he would be the one to kill her so she wouldn't fulfill that prophesy. Instead, he was the one that awoke her half-vampire blood, and even drank hers, so that now, he is eternally tied to her. Yes. Sadly, this is one bishounen who is very definitely claimed. Larva goes wherever Miyu goes, and helps her out when it comes time to fight the other Shinma. Even though she is apparently, eternally only 13... He'll even be the one to send her to the darkness when there are no more Shinma left.

No-chan: I picked Larva because, when I watched the series, and he took off his mask a couple of episodes in, I pretty much melted into a puddle on the floor. The fact that his Seiyuu is Miki Shinichirou (who is also Tsuzuki from Yami no Matsuei), is only one of the bonuses of this character. The fact that he's polite, chivalrous, and cares about someone very much really tugs at the heart strings. And Mysterious. Girls dig mysterious. I've never seen the OAVs, though I own them now, but apparently he is not allowed to remove his mask because he failed to kill Miyu. THAT is just plain mean. The manga is more like the anime though. WOOHOO!! *ahem* Anyway! I very much recommend the series, though it does have a very high level of depressing stories. In fact, I don't think there are more than a couple with semi-happy endings. The storytelling and character development make up for it tenfold. Now, I will leave you with one last picture. Enjoy!

Nie-chan:crap... I came a wee bit late on this one... Larva is hot! I don't know what you people are thinking.. jeans and t-shirt under that cloak? Hell no! We'll talking flasher style! That's the only way to go!

Pan-Pan:Hmmm haven't seen Miyu, but DANG, Larva is definitely a hottie ^_^ I like Nie-chan's idea of what's under the cloak, hee hee... So pretty though... I've seen a few pics of him, but I didn't see under the mask until I saw one of Ty-chou's posters and I was like... holy crap, that's the same person!? woo! Very nice pick this month! ^.^

Ty-chou: Yay! That sleeping pic is for me! Larva is definitely drool-worthy. Miyu is so lucky! Man, if I had a bishounen that loyal, I'd be SO set. It's one of the greatest tragedies of the anime world that he must keep that face hidden from the world. But maybe Miyu does it on purpose so other girls won't try to steal him away. Smart move. ;)

Kime: Yatta!! I could definitely handle having an eternal life if I had someone as awesome as Larva by my side all the time. Yummy yum yum!! Super all powerful vampire that is freakin' hot! He's also really loyal to Miyu, which I love. Lemme just say, as I was watching th Vampire Princess Miyu TV series, I'd practically start drooling. He does need a bit of wardrobe help though. Maybe some tight jeans and an open shirt and . . . *drool* :).... Sorry . . . got a little lost in bishounen heaven there. Ah well, Larva is just awesome. Great pick, No-chan!!!

Next Month: Nie-chan