Vampire Knight
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General Information:
| Title: | Vampire Knight |
| Author: | Matsuri Hino |
| Director: | Kiyoko Sayama |
| Studio: | Studio Deen |
| Licensor: | Viz Media |
| Seasons: | 1 |
| Episodes: | 13 |
| Demographic: | Shoujo |
| Genres: | Supernatural, Mystery, Drama, Romance, Action |
| Rated: | PG-13 (Violence, Suggestive Material, Sexual Situations, Supernatural Elements) |
| Ending: | Suspense |
| Sequel: | Vampire Knight Guilty |
Synopsis:
Yuki Cross is the adopted daughter of Kaien Cross, the headmaster of Cross Academy. Her earliest memories are of a cold, horrific night when a vampire tries to attack her, and yet, is saved by another, kinder vampire. Due to this event, Yuki quickly forms a strong bond with her vampiric savior.
In the process shortly after, she befriends a boy named Zero at Cross Academy, who hates vampires and swears to never trust them. Zero's past—along with his own beliefs—reveal that his hatred towards vampires is anything but coincidental and without reason.
Yuki is later conflicted not only in a love triangle between her savior and her best friend, but also with understanding why she is haunted by her memories of that fateful night 10 years ago.
Critique:
Critique Rating:   |
Story Rating: C | Character Rating: B | Visual Rating: B+ | Score Rating: A- | Growth Rating: B |
I have to admit when I first started watching Vampire Knight, it seemed to have a slow pickup and an uneasy understanding of what's exactly happening. However, the series gradually opens up and begins to explain how things occured, and how certain characters are related. The characters are what really drew me in, because I felt as if each had their own unique personality, and were always showing loyalty to their hierarchy. It gave me a reason to understand why, which was pretty exciting!
What seemed to be slightly confusing to me is understanding some of the minor side characters' role throughout the series. Their names weren't as distinguishable as the main characters either, and were somewhat hard for me to remember. For me, it made it that much harder to keep up with when they spoke in dialogue about someone who wasn't in the scene. Maybe it's just me, but I'm much more focused on what's going on when I can quickly pinpoint who that character is talking about.
One thing that seems to be a reoccuring element in the series are flashbacks. Now, they're not too terrible in the sense that they bore you. In fact, it's quite the opposite. I often felt as if the series tries to cram in a lot of information in any one scene so that you feel "caught up" with current events. Many times I felt that dialogue was often dragged out to purposely keep you in suspense. And while that may get one hooked on watching episode to episode nonstop, it can become tiresome if the majority of the episodes are formatted in that style.
Overall, if you're a fan of the supernatural genre—or more specifically: vampires—then this series may just be the one for you! I had a pretty enjoyable time getting to know the characters and the plot as it began to unfold. And although the series leaves you in a cliffhanger of sorts, the story picks right back up from where it left off in its second season sequel series.
