Aono Tsukune isn’t doing well in school. His terrible grades have made it impossible for him to find any high school that would accept him. At the last moment, his father arranges for him to attend Youkai Academy, unaware of the fate that awaits his son. On his first day, he takes a special bus to the new school year. Upon arrival, he quickly realizes that this school is very different from others. It’s attended by all sorts of monsters, characters from fairy tales, folk tales, and youkai. The boy quickly befriends a young vampire named Akashiya Moka, but it’s very difficult for him to find his place in the new environment as a human.
Rosario to Vampire (2008) – Audiovisual Design
Visuals
With Gonzo’s productions, it was either hit or miss: either their series looked stunning or were overloaded with cheap 3D graphics. Fortunately, in this case, we’re dealing with the former option. The drawings are beautiful, the backgrounds are detailed, character designs have plenty of intricacies, and the shading in most scenes is very pleasing to the eye. As expected, the heroines are adorable.
The animation of more dynamic scenes is at a fairly high level, especially when it comes to this type of comedy series. Importantly, there are no noticeable drops in quality throughout both seasons.
Audio
The cast is comprised of almost entirely stars, and even living legends. Many of these voice actors are still active, and some of the names are from my list of favorites. Kugimiya Rie, Mizuki Nana, Inoue Kikuko, Fukuen Misato, Kishio Daisuke, Seki Tomokazu, Koyasu Takehito, Hisakawa Aya, Yukana, Asumi Kana. These names speak for themselves, although some may only be familiar to veterans acquainted with older anime.
The soundtrack of Rosario to Vampire didn’t particularly stand out compared to other series. Nonetheless, a few tracks caught my ear. It’s worth noting that it did an excellent job of setting the atmosphere. It’s a different story with everything else surrounding it. I particularly enjoyed the song used in the opening of the first season. It’s no wonder, given it’s from the 2000s and sung by Mizuki Nana. Each of the heroines naturally had her own single, sung by her respective seiyuu. It’s always worth checking out such materials, as I’ve found more than a few gems this way.
Rosario to Vampire (2008) – Plot and Characters
Wstęp
Rosario to Vampire had been on my watchlist for many years. I’m not exactly sure why I delayed watching it for so long, but I’m glad I finally gave this series a chance.
A Quick Overview of Rosario to Vampire (2008)
Aono Tsukune wasn’t doing too well in school. His terrible grades made it impossible for him to find any high school that would accept him. However, with some good news arriving at the last moment, his father returns home. He announces to the whole family that he has secured a place for his son at Youkai Academy, unaware of the fate that awaits him. Soon after, Tsukune boards a special bus to the new school year. Upon arrival, he quickly realizes that this school is very different from others.
The school is attended by all sorts of monsters, characters from fairy tales, folk tales, and youkai. The boy quickly befriends a young vampire named Akashiya Moka, but it’s very difficult for him to find his place in the new environment as a human. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that he hasn’t heard any positive comments about his race.
What is the series about
The structure of most episodes in the first season is similar. At the beginning, the plot is slightly pushed forward, then a new character is introduced. A conflict arises within the existing group (usually with the main character at its center), followed by the resolution of the problem, and the new character joins the main cast or becomes neutral. Rarely do anime that rely on episodes with a single formula do so well without becoming monotonous (such as Jigoku Shoujo). In the case of Rosario to Vampire, the situation is somewhat different. There’s no sense of monotony here because the characters are really well-written, and you quickly become attached to them. The variety of youkai and other creatures, along with interesting characterization, made me enjoy returning to the series.
The creators didn’t hold back on fan service. They seized almost every opportunity to showcase the lingerie and charms of the heroines. However, they did it so skillfully that these views quickly merged with the overall scenery and became an integral part of the visual presentation. Especially since there was no shortage of details. This aspect is definitely a plus.
Each character received a decent amount of screen time to tell their story and go through a conflict process, eventually becoming friends with Tsukune.
Throughout all the episodes, there are plenty of references to other popular series from that era. If someone is familiar with that period, they certainly won’t have trouble catching many of them.
Characters
Main Character
Aono Tsukune is the main character of the Rosario to Vampire series. He’s an ordinary boy who accidentally gets enrolled in Youkai Academy, a school for monsters. There, he meets a girl named Akashiya Moka, who is a vampire. However, this is just the beginning, as each subsequent week brings other beautiful girls representing various types of creatures into his circle of friends. No one at the school has any idea that Tsukune is human because one of the school rules states that students are prohibited from revealing their true identities in order to adapt well to life in the human world. Adaptation is one of the main principles of Youkai Academy.
Tsukune’s main female companions
Akashiya Moka is a vampire with a unique dual identity. Her outer form is kind and delicate, kept in check by a rosary that limits her vampire powers. When the rosary is removed, her true, stronger vampire nature is revealed. This transformation brings about a radical change in her appearance and personality, emphasizing her vampire traits. She possesses superhuman strength, speed, and regenerative abilities. Akashiya Moka is a key character in the series, keeping other students in line at the school for youkai and other supernatural beings.
Kurono Kurumu is a succubus with blue hair. She is in love with Tsukune and competes for his affections, particularly with Moka. Kurumu has typical succubus abilities, such as casting an irresistible charm and manipulating dreams. Her character evolves from an antagonist into a more friendly and loyal companion to the main characters of Rosario to Vampire.
Sendou Yukari is a young, talented witch. She is characterized by high intelligence and magical abilities. Initially rejected by her peers because of her powers and young age, she eventually gains friends at Youkai Academy. Yukari quickly befriends Tsukune and Moka, forming close bonds with the main characters.
Shirayuki Mizore is a yuki-onna. Her distinguishing feature is her purple hair and her ability to manipulate ice (according to Japanese folklore about youkai). Initially portrayed as cold and distant, she gradually reveals her more emotional side, especially in her interactions with Tsukune.
To be honest, I would have a hard time choosing my favorite character. However, Moka and Kurumu were the closest to me, while Mizore would probably end up at the bottom of the list. At least when it comes to the characters presented in the anime adaptation. Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to interact with the manga yet.
Rosario to Vampire (2008) – Evaluation and Summary
Rosario to Vampire is a great old-school comedy. If someone (like me) enjoys such vibes, they definitely won’t be disappointed after watching it. The variety of characters, well-executed visuals, and legendary voice cast all speak for themselves, urging one to dive into this anime sooner rather than later. It’s worth pacing oneself while watching the episodes. Binge-watching the whole series in one or two sittings doesn’t make much sense and probably won’t have a positive impact on the overall experience.
Finalny werdykt
Final evaluation
Which translation do I recommend to watch Rosario to Vampire (2008)?
- Tsundere – by far the best option available.
Gallery
