【Vampire Immediately Dies】Shin-Yokohama (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
Introduction: The Deep Bond Between “Vampire Immediately Dies” and Shin-Yokohama
“Vampire Immediately Dies” (colloquially: Sukushi) is a popular gag manga by Itaru Bonoki serialized in “Weekly Shonen Champion” by Akita Shoten. Since the serialization began in June 2015, this work has captivated many fans as a slapstick comedy centered around Draluc, history’s weakest vampire who dies at the slightest thing and turns to dust, and Ronald, a vampire hunter with a hard-luck personality.
One of the greatest characteristics of this work is that it is set in Shin-Yokohama in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. In the story, it appears as “a certain prefecture Y city S town,” but many real buildings and sceneries around Shin-Yokohama Station are depicted, drawing attention as a pilgrimage destination.
With the anime adaptation came thorough location scouting by production committee staff, with careful research of Shin-Yokohama’s day and night landscapes. This article comprehensively explains the charm of Shin-Yokohama, which the author holds dear, and essential pilgrimage spot information for “Vampire Immediately Dies” fans.
The Relationship Between Author Itaru Bonoki and Shin-Yokohama
Why Shin-Yokohama Became the Setting
In interviews, Itaru Bonoki has spoken of his deep attachment to Shin-Yokohama. From his comment, “I always walked around the Shin-Yokohama area when coming up with ideas, and I have a really deep attachment to this town……. Though I’m sorry to tease it so much in the work,” we can see the special relationship between the author and Shin-Yokohama.
During the serialization spanning over six years, the author carefully walked the Shin-Yokohama area, incorporating the scenery and buildings he saw daily into his work. A large pastry shop around Toriyama-cho that is thought to be the model, the massive railway depot facility at Kita-Shin-Yokohama, and the Tsurumi River that appears repeatedly—familiar sights to local residents color the work’s world.
Characteristics of Shin-Yokohama and Its Influence on the Work
Shin-Yokohama is a relatively new town that developed with the opening of the Tokaido Shinkansen in 1964. It is a transportation hub where three lines—JR Central, JR East, and Yokohama Municipal Subway—operate, yet it possesses a unique atmosphere. There is a reason why this town was chosen as the setting for “Vampire Immediately Dies.”
The unique landscape mixing modern buildings around the Shinkansen station with residential areas and shopping streets slightly removed perfectly matches the work’s world where vampires and humans coexist. Additionally, its location slightly removed from Yokohama’s center gives reality to the setting of “a certain prefecture Y city S town.”
Anime Production Staff’s Shin-Yokohama Location Scouting Report
Purpose and Details of Location Scouting
The production committee for the anime “Vampire Immediately Dies” conducted thorough location scouting to faithfully reproduce Shin-Yokohama, the work’s setting. According to the location scouting report published on the official site, staff members conducted field research with a deliberately set meeting time of 3 PM to survey both day and night Shin-Yokohama.
In this survey, not only major buildings around Shin-Yokohama Station but also fine details appearing in the work were carefully photographed and recorded. Particularly impressive was the view from high-rise buildings, which overlooks the entire Shin-Yokohama area extending to the Yokohama direction, prompting staff to comment, “If we could hold a wrap-up party, we’d definitely want to do it here.”
The Different Faces of Shin-Yokohama Day and Night
The location scouting placed importance on the differences in the town’s expression by time of day. Daytime Shin-Yokohama is a lively town bustling with Shinkansen passengers and businesspeople, but at night it becomes wrapped in a quiet atmosphere. This day-night contrast is reflected in the depiction of daily scenes and nighttime scenes where vampires are active in the work.
The view from high-rise buildings with open first floors is so high that one’s knees shake when looking down from above—important information that gives impact to the anime’s background art. This attention to detail supports the anime work’s quality.
Introduction to Major Pilgrimage Spots in Shin-Yokohama
Shin-Yokohama Station (In-Story: JK Shin-Yokohama Station)
Shin-Yokohama Station, which becomes the center of the story, appears as “JK Shin-Yokohama Station” in the work. This station was established with the opening of the Tokaido Shinkansen in 1964 and is an important transportation hub where three lines operate: JR Central, JR East, and Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line.
The scenery around the station is frequently depicted in the work, and the overpass directly connected to the station has quietly become a popular photo spot where Shin-Yokohama scenery can be seen. Commercial facilities around the station such as Shin-Yokohama Prince Pepe and Shin-Yokohama Cubic Plaza are also depicted as part of the work’s world.
Ura-Shin-Yokohama Station (Original Fictional Pilgrimage Site)
“Ura-Shin-Yokohama Station” appearing as a work-original setting is a mysterious space that lures those sleeping on trains into a barrier. In the episode “Next stop, the terminal Ura-Shin-Yokohama,” Ronald and the others, on their way back to Shin-Yokohama by train after yakiniku, accidentally fall asleep and wake up at this mysterious station—a development that unfolds with this sense of wonder.
Despite being a non-existent place, its depiction based on Shin-Yokohama Station’s structure holds a reality that makes local residents think “it might actually exist.” This delicate balance between the fictional and real is one of the work’s charms.
Shin-Yokohama Prince Hotel Surroundings
The Shin-Yokohama Prince Hotel, an iconic presence in Shin-Yokohama, and its surrounding area are important spots appearing in the work. This building, taken up in the location scouting report, offers a magnificent view from its upper floors, overlooking not just the Shin-Yokohama area but extending to the Yokohama direction.
In the work, the modern buildings around this area express Shin-Yokohama’s urban aspects as background. Particularly, the beauty of the night scenery is effectively depicted as a stage where vampires conduct their activities.
Tsurumi River Surroundings
The Tsurumi River, which appears multiple times in the work, is an important place symbolizing Shin-Yokohama’s nature. Within walking distance of Shin-Yokohama Station, its spacious riverbed provides a quiet space away from urban bustle.
The walking path along the Tsurumi River and the riverbed are frequently used as backgrounds for characters’ daily movement scenes and conversation scenes. The river’s changing expression with the seasons adds the feeling of seasonal transitions to the work.
Toriyama-cho Surrounding Shopping District
The area around Toriyama-cho, where a large pastry shop presumed to be the model appears in the work, is also a popular pilgrimage spot. This area, slightly removed from Shin-Yokohama Station, gives reality to the work by showing glimpses of local residents’ daily lives.
The mundane scenery of the shopping district and small shops used by locals appearing in the work makes readers realize that the world of “Vampire Immediately Dies” is continuous with our daily lives.
Kita-Shin-Yokohama Railway Depot Facility
The massive railway depot facility in Kita-Shin-Yokohama actually functions as a Shinkansen vehicle base. Its scale is impressively depicted in the work, making it an interesting spot for railway enthusiasts as well.
The industrial landscape around this facility adds a unique atmosphere to the work’s world. Particularly, the phantasmal yet somehow realistic appearance of vehicles illuminated by nighttime lighting is depicted.
Facilities and Organizations Appearing in the Work and Shin-Yokohama
Shin-Yokohama Vampire Hunter Guild
The “Shin-Yokohama Vampire Hunter Guild,” an important stage in the work, is a guild organization existing in Shin-Yokohama. With a bar called “Shin-Yokohama Highball” near Ronald’s office as its base, the bar’s master Gousetsu also serves as guild master.
This setting symbolizes Shin-Yokohama’s multifaceted nature. Operating as an ordinary bar on the surface while serving as an information exchange and request reception place for vampire hunters behind the scenes—this dual structure overlaps with Shin-Yokohama’s dual nature of being both “the Shinkansen town” and a “local living area.”
Ronald and Draluc frequently visit this place, often bringing or being brought trouble. As a gathering place for guild members, it becomes an important community space in the work’s world.
Kanagawa Prefecture Police Vampire Countermeasure Division
The work also features the Kanagawa Prefecture Police’s Vampire Countermeasure Division, with Hinai-ichi’s brother serving as vampire countermeasure general supervisor. An episode depicting his visit to Shin-Yokohama with his butler Sebastian for inspection shows him encountering perverted vampires and suffering miserably.
This setting establishes Shin-Yokohama not as a mere local city but as an important base in vampire problems. By using the real administrative division of Kanagawa Prefecture, the work’s world gains even greater reality.
How to Enjoy Pilgrimage and Access Information
How to Access Shin-Yokohama
Shin-Yokohama Station is a Tokaido Shinkansen stop, accessible in approximately 18 minutes from Tokyo Station, approximately 90 minutes from Nagoya Station, and approximately 120 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station. The Shinkansen is the most convenient option, but access is also possible by local trains and subway.
Using the JR Yokohama Line, it is approximately 11 minutes from Yokohama Station and approximately 8 minutes from Higashi-Kanagawa Station. On the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line, it takes approximately 14 minutes from Yokohama Station and approximately 20 minutes from Azamino Station. With good access from urban centers, it is ideal for day-trip pilgrimage.
Recommended Pilgrimage Route
For efficiently visiting pilgrimage spots, a route starting from Shin-Yokohama Station and exploring the surrounding area on foot is recommended. First, experience the work’s atmosphere through commercial facilities and overpasses around the station, then head toward the Tsurumi River—this route is popular.
With more time, extending to the Toriyama-cho shopping district or the Kita-Shin-Yokohama depot facility area allows deeper experience of the work’s world. Tracing roads the author likely actually walked deepens understanding of the work.
Pilgrimage Etiquette
When conducting pilgrimage, it is important to respect local residents’ lives. Particularly in residential areas and shopping districts, avoid shouting or entering private property. When taking photos, consideration is needed if shops or residences appear in the frame.
Also, never enter restricted areas like railway depot facilities. Photography should be limited to observations from public roads. Fan conduct with propriety maintains favorable relations between the work and the community going forward.
Anime “Vampire Immediately Dies” and Depiction of Shin-Yokohama
Increased Attention to Pilgrimage Sites Through Anime
The broadcast of the anime “Vampire Immediately Dies” greatly increased attention to Shin-Yokohama as a pilgrimage site. As landscapes depicted in the manga became animated and expressed in color, more fans became interested in Shin-Yokohama. The results of careful location scouting by the production committee are clearly reflected in the anime’s background art. The texture of actual buildings and changes in lighting by time of day—the finely reproduced Shin-Yokohama scenery receives high praise from anime fans.
Teaser Visuals and Shin-Yokohama
Teaser visuals released at the anime adaptation announcement effectively used Shin-Yokohama scenery. The visual, capitalizing on the distinctive element of the Shinkansen station, strongly impresses that the work’s setting is Shin-Yokohama.
Through such promotional deployment, the image “Vampire Immediately Dies = Shin-Yokohama” became widely established, and interest in the work also increased in local Shin-Yokohama. The synergistic effect between region and work has led to acquisition of new fan layers.
Official Anthology “Let’s Meet in Shin-Yokohama”
Appeal of Anthology Comics
The official anthology “Let’s Meet in Shin-Yokohama” published by Akita Shoten is a popular series packed with tribute manga and rare illustrations by a stellar lineup of writers who love “Vampire Immediately Dies.” With two volumes published, it depicts the hectic life in Shin-Yokohama from angles different from the main story.
Hunters, vampires, and vampire countermeasure staff all play active roles in this anthology where Shin-Yokohama is depicted from multiple perspectives. Shin-Yokohama described from various creators’ viewpoints reveals new charms not seen in the main story.
Meaning Behind the Title
The title “Let’s Meet in Shin-Yokohama” contains feelings of connecting fans, the work, and Shin-Yokohama as pilgrimage site. The title itself speaks to the importance of Shin-Yokohama and functions almost like a password for pilgrimage. Reading the anthology before visiting pilgrimage sites allows deeper experience of the work’s world. The diverse interpretations by multiple creators resonate with the multifaceted nature of Shin-Yokohama itself.
Local Shin-Yokohama and the Work’s Relationship
Coverage by Local Media
Local Shin-Yokohama media “Shin-Yokohama Newspaper (Shin-Yoko Newspaper)” also prominently featured the anime adaptation decision for “Vampire Immediately Dies.” Covered under headlines like “Setting is Shin-Yokohama” and “Close ties with the local area,” it became a topic among local residents.
Local media conveyed that author Bonoki walked around Shin-Yokohama to develop ideas and had genuine deep attachment to the town, raising local residents’ affinity for the work. The author’s comment “Though I’m sorry to tease it so much in the work” was received favorably locally.
Contribution to Regional Development
Increased recognition of Shin-Yokohama as an anime pilgrimage site has contributed to regional development. Fans visiting for pilgrimage use local restaurants and shops, creating economic effects.
Since Shin-Yokohama is slightly removed from Yokohama’s center, visitors other than Shinkansen passengers were traditionally limited. However, gaining attention as a pilgrimage site for “Vampire Immediately Dies” opens new possibilities as a tourism resource. More local residents are rediscovering Shin-Yokohama’s charm through the work.
The Daily Lives of Characters in Shin-Yokohama
Draluc and Ronald’s Office
The retired hunter’s office where protagonist pair Draluc and Ronald base their activities is set to exist somewhere in Shin-Yokohama. The specific address is not revealed in the work, but it is often depicted as a building like a commercial building near Shin-Yokohama Station, and fans attempt to identify it as a “pilgrimage search” target.
Attempts to identify real buildings from depictions of the office’s views and surrounding scenery occur, and this fan activity itself has become one of the pleasures of pilgrimage. The author may deliberately avoid identification, but that too is part of the work’s charm.
Episodes of Daily Life in Shin-Yokohama
The work contains many episodes where characters spend their daily lives in Shin-Yokohama. Shopping around the station, eating at restaurants, walking along the Tsurumi River—familiar everyday scenery to local residents is freshly depicted through the non-everyday existence of vampires and hunters.
This accumulation of daily depictions supports the work’s world’s reality. Readers and anime viewers can experience the sense that vampires exist in a world continuous with their own daily lives.
History of Shin-Yokohama and “Vampire Immediately Dies”
Shinkansen Opening and Town Development
Shin-Yokohama’s history begins with the 1964 opening of the Tokaido Shinkansen. The area, once covered by farmland, rapidly developed with the station’s establishment. Today it functions as the central hub of Minato-ku, Yokohama City for business and events.
This character as a “new town” may be one reason Shin-Yokohama was chosen as the setting for “Vampire Immediately Dies.” Different from historic central Yokohama, Shin-Yokohama’s unique atmosphere makes it ideal as the setting for a gag work that stands apart from traditional vampire stories.
Modern Shin-Yokohama and the Work’s World
Modern Shin-Yokohama is a complex town where urban functions centered on the Shinkansen station coexist with surrounding residential areas. Large-scale facilities like Nissan Stadium (Yokohama International General Stadium) and Yokohama Arena are also present, with many people gathering during events.
Meanwhile, slightly away from the station, quiet residential neighborhoods and shopping streets spread where local residents’ daily lives unfold. This multifaceted nature resonates with the diversity the work “Vampire Immediately Dies” possesses and functions as its setting.
Fan Community and Shin-Yokohama
Pilgrimage Events and Exchange
Within the “Vampire Immediately Dies” fan community, pilgrimage in Shin-Yokohama has become a popular event. On SNS, photos taken and experiences shared by fans are exchanged using hashtags like “#Sukushi Pilgrimage” and “#Shin-Yokohama.”
Fans sometimes encounter each other unexpectedly in Shin-Yokohama and exchanges are born. Fans who met through the work realizing “Let’s Meet in Shin-Yokohama” at the actual pilgrimage site exemplifies the ideal relationship among work, fans, and pilgrimage site.
Online Information Sharing
Pilgrimage information is actively shared on fan sites, SNS, and video distribution sites. Various content created by fans—detailed pilgrimage maps, comparison images with the work, recommended routes—serve as reference for those planning to visit pilgrimage sites.
Through such information sharing, barriers to pilgrimage are lowered and more fans visit Shin-Yokohama. Fan community activity creates a positive cycle further raising the work’s popularity.
Conclusion: The Future of “Vampire Immediately Dies” and Shin-Yokohama
The relationship between “Vampire Immediately Dies” and Shin-Yokohama in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture transcends the mere frame of “work’s setting.” The work’s world created as author Itaru Bonoki walked around Shin-Yokohama has become known to far more people through anime adaptation.
Through careful location scouting by the production committee, favorable coverage by local media, and fans’ enthusiastic pilgrimage activities, Shin-Yokohama has established itself as a pilgrimage site for “Vampire Immediately Dies.”
As serialization continues and new anime series may be produced, the relationship between Shin-Yokohama and the work is expected to deepen further. It is hoped that local residents, fans, and work creators will nurture this special relationship as one unified body.
When visiting Shin-Yokohama, enjoy pilgrimage with love for the work and respect for the community. Surely there, the noisy daily life of Draluc and Ronald must continue unfolding in “a certain prefecture Y city S town.”
