Chibi Vampire first premiered in the shōnen magazine Monthly Dragon Age in the October 2003 issue, and ran until February 2008.
In 2003, Tohru Kai began writing a series of light novels based on the manga, with Kagesaki providing the illustrations.
It was licensed for an English release to Region 1 DVD, under the original name Karin, by Geneon USA.
She convinces her parents Henry and Calera to make Kenta their ally, because he can help Karin during the daylight.
Karin and Kenta become friends, and as they spend more time with one another, fall in love, though they are slow to admit their feelings to one another.
As hybrids are sterile, Tachibana disapproves of Karin and Kenta's relationship, feeling any children they had would be unhappy like her.
Meanwhile, Tachibana is horrified to learn that not only will Karin be killed, but also raped until she has a child to produce a new psyche to replace her.
While Ren takes care of the vampire, Bridget, holding Karin captive, Henry battles Glark and the Brownlicks, joined belatedly by his mother Elda.
Karin's family sorrowfully erases all of her memories of them, so that she can live as a normal human with Kenta, while they quietly watch over her.
They had prepared to do so for over four years, and the process is successful; they cannot erase Kenta's memories however without him reverting to a 4-year old such that he is left having to keep the secret from Karin, who he marries shortly after.
[2] It was also published in fourteen collected volumes by Kadokawa Shoten, released between October 1, 2003 and April 1, 2008 in Japan.
A second side story is Maki-chan, Helping Angel of Love, concerned with Karin's friend Maki Tokitou.
In 2005, Tokyopop acquired the license to release both the manga and light novel series in English in North America.
[7] Tokyopop also released a collection of Karin short stories under the title Chibi Vampire: Airmail on August 31, 2010.
[7] In June 2008, Tokyopop restructured itself, breaking into two subsidiaries under a single holding company, and cut its publication releases by more than half.
[21] While Funimation is distributing the DVDs, Geneon is the licensor of the series, and also produced the English dub in association with Odex.
The English language light novel, and manga adaptations have received generally favorable reviews by various notable critics.
[24][25] In the tenth volume which was also given a B rating, Martin again praised the plot developments but said that the addition of the half-vampire character was "not particularly interesting".
[26] Martin gave the twelfth, and thirteenth volumes an overall grade of a B+ saying that there is more "intricate writing" than meets the eye.
Johnston stated that the addition of the vampire plot accentuates the humor, and gives the story more of a purpose than just puppy love.