Dark Moon: Tsuki no Saidan [Season 1 Episode 1]

Dark Moon: Tsuki no Saidan Episode 1 Review: A Vampire Reverse Harem That’s Equal Parts Cringe and Captivating

Let’s cut to the chase: if you’re here for a groundbreaking vampire story, Dark Moon: Tsuki no Saidan Episode 1 isn’t it. But if you’re down for a Twilight-esque anime that leans into K-Pop flair and reverse harem tropes—with a side of “why is this low-key addictive?”—then settle in. Produced by Troyca (known for Aldnoah.Zero) and tied to HYBE’s ENHYPEN webtoon universe, this January 2026 premiere drops us into a world where high school drama meets supernatural secrets, and fans are already split on whether it’s a guilty pleasure or just guilty.

First off, the premise: Sooha, our protagonist, hides her superhuman strength to avoid being labeled a vampire. After her childhood friend’s death gets her accused of being one, she enrolls in Decelis Academy—a night school that allegedly bans supernatural beings. Spoiler: the school is crawling with vampires. Specifically, seven “brothers” (the ENHYPEN-inspired characters) who are immediately drawn to her. Cue the reverse harem vibes, as one fan put it: “Seven guys, 1 girl. One school with these vampires. I’m also getting reverse harem vibes… perhaps they’ll do character relationship developments with each of them and Sooha.”

Visually, the animation is… fine. “Average at best,” as another viewer noted. The character designs are cute—think soft pastels and sharp fangs—but don’t expect Demon Slayer-level fluidity. The real star here is the music: ENHYPEN’s OP/ED tracks (from their 2024 EP Memorabilia) are a highlight, even if some fans called them “OK at best.” For K-Pop stans, though, it’s a win: “Enhypen doing the op and ed is a blessing,” gushed one commenter.

The episode itself is mostly setup. We meet Sooha, learn she’s weirdly strong (seriously, why is she so buff?), and get introduced to the seven vampire brothers. Their interactions are cute—“I love their mini reaction very cute,” said one fan—but the plot moves at a snail’s pace. “Seems like this Episode was mostly meant to introduce us to our main cast… Beyond that, I cannot say much,” another viewer admitted. The “night school that bans vampires” logic is laughable, but that’s part of the charm: “A night school that doesn’t let vampires get into school… yeah, not raising suspicions at all lol.”

Now, the elephant in the room: the Twilight comparisons. Fans are obsessed with this angle. “We got Twilight anime before GTA 6,” joked one, while another added, “Is this twilight with reverse harem? Well I liked twilight but idk about the reverse harem situations tbh.” It’s hard to deny—Sooha’s mysterious strength, the brooding vampires, the forbidden school—all scream Bella Swan 2.0. But here’s the twist: Sooha isn’t just a damsel. Her hidden powers hint at a bigger secret, and the vampires’ fascination with her (not just romance) adds a layer of intrigue. “Just what is Sooha, if not vampire maybe a werewolf?” wondered a fan.

The reverse harem aspect is divisive. Some are here for it: “Reverse Harem would be good when it’s done right,” while others are skeptical: “This might be too cute for me but we will wait for the third ep.” But let’s be real—for 20-somethings who grew up on Twilight and Fruits Basket, this is nostalgic catnip. The banter between the brothers is lighthearted, and Sooha’s fish-out-of-water energy makes her relatable, even if her “I’m not a vampire!” schtick gets old fast.

So, should you watch it? If you’re a HYBE/ENHYPEN fan, absolutely—seeing the K-Pop group’s characters come to life is a treat. If you love vampire stories, it’s worth a shot (just lower your expectations). And if you’re here for high art? Skip it. But for those of us who enjoy a little cheesy fun, Dark Moon Episode 1 is a promising start. As one fan summed it up: “Pretty fun episode… I’ll stick with it since it’s dubbed.”

Final thought: It’s not perfect, but it’s fun. And in a world of dark, edgy anime, sometimes fun is enough. Bring on the vampire drama—and more ENHYPEN bops.

Rating: 6.5/10 — A guilty pleasure that’s just begging for more bite.