Dark Moon : Tsuki no Saidan [Episode 1]

Alright, let’s dive into the first episode of Dark Moon: Tsuki no Saidan—a show that’s been buzzing in the anime community, especially among younger viewers. From what I’ve gathered, this series is based on a webtoon and comes with a star-studded twist: the K-pop group ENHYPEN is behind the opening and ending themes. If you’re into vampire stories, reverse harems, or just looking for something with a supernatural edge, this might be up your alley. Let’s break down what Episode 1 brings to the table, based on both the official info and fan reactions.

First off, the setup. Sooha, our protagonist, has been hiding her superhuman abilities her whole life because people mistake her for a vampire. That’s a classic trope, but it’s given a fresh spin here—she’s not a vampire, but her powers make others think she is. The kicker? She’s accused of being one and blamed for her childhood friend’s death. Talk about a rough start! To escape the chaos, she enrolls in Decelis Academy, a night school where… wait for it… vampires are the main students. Yeah, subtlety isn’t this school’s strong suit. But hey, it’s a supernatural anime—suspension of disbelief is key.

Now, the characters. Sooha is our relatable underdog, but what really stands out is the group of seven vampire “brothers” at Decelis. Fans are already picking up on reverse harem vibes—one girl surrounded by seven guys, each with their own charm. According to comments, some viewers are comparing this to Twilight but with more guys, which is a fun take. One fan even joked, “Is this Twilight with a reverse harem?” and honestly, I can see it. The dynamic between Sooha and the vampires is intriguing; they’re drawn to her, but why? Is she a werewolf? A different supernatural being? The mystery here is a big hook.

Animation-wise, opinions are mixed. Some fans called it “average at best,” while others found the character designs cute. The mini reactions from the vampires—like their surprised faces when Sooha uses her powers—were a hit, with one commenter saying, “pretty fun episode i love their mini reaction very cute.” It’s the little details that make a show endearing, right?

The music is a major plus. ENHYPEN’s involvement has fans excited, with one user gushing, “Enhypen doing the op and ed is a blessing.” If you’re a fan of the group, this is definitely a selling point. The songs are from their 2024 EP Memorabilia, so expect catchy beats that fit the show’s mood.

Plot-wise, Episode 1 is all about introductions. We meet Sooha, the seven vampires, and get a taste of the school’s secretive atmosphere. It’s light on action but heavy on setup, which is typical for a first episode. Some viewers felt it was slow, but others are eager to see where the story goes. One fan summed it up: “Seems like this Episode was mostly meant to introduce us to our main cast… Beyond that, I cannot say much. Except why is she so freaking strong? Well, I’ll withhold judgment for now & I’m always an easy sell for a vampire story.”

The reverse harem element is a hot topic. While some are skeptical (“Is this Twilight with reverse harem? Well i liked Twilight but idk about the reverse harem situations tbh”), others are hopeful (“Reverse Harem would be good when it’s done right”). It’s a genre that can be hit or miss, but if the character development is on point, it could work. The vampires are already showing interest in Sooha, so we’ll have to wait and see how their relationships unfold.

Another fun detail: the show is adapted from a webtoon, which means there’s already a fanbase familiar with the story. Fans who haven’t read the webtoon are excited to dive in, like one commenter who said, “Not read the webtoon yet but I definitely want to.” This cross-media appeal is smart—it draws in both anime-only viewers and webtoon fans.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the Twilight comparisons. Multiple fans pointed out the similarities, with one even joking, “The Twilight saga got an anime, haha.” While the premise—human (or not-so-human) girl in a school of vampires—does echo Twilight, the reverse harem angle and Sooha’s unique powers set it apart. It’s a modern take on a classic trope, which is always fun to see.

For younger viewers, the show’s tone is light and engaging. The cute character interactions and supernatural mystery are perfect for keeping attention. One fan mentioned, “This might be too cute for me but we will wait for the third ep. And a rumbie is incoming!” (I think “rumbie” is a typo, but the excitement is clear.)

Overall, Episode 1 of Dark Moon: Tsuki no Saidan is a promising start. It sets up an intriguing world, introduces likable characters, and has enough hooks to keep viewers coming back. The ENHYPEN music, cute moments, and vampire lore are definite highlights. If you’re into supernatural romances or reverse harems, this is worth checking out. Just don’t go in expecting groundbreaking animation—focus on the story and character dynamics instead.

So, what’s next? Fans are already speculating about Sooha’s true identity, the vampires’ backstories, and whether the reverse harem will take center stage. With the webtoon as source material, there’s plenty of content to adapt, so the series has room to grow. Whether you’re a K-pop fan, a vampire enthusiast, or just looking for a new anime to binge, Dark Moon is off to a solid start. Let’s see where it goes from here!

P.S. If you’re curious about the ENHYPEN members’ character counterparts, fans are already connecting the dots—Sunoo and Sunghoon were mentioned by name in comments. Fun Easter eggs for K-pop stans!