We take another look at "Rosario To Vampire".
I will not be watching the second season, and I absolutely detest the manga of everything ever written. So for those of you who have an opinion about the second season, or manga in general; none of that will have any bearing on what I use as the source material for my review.
Wie will be examining the anime of "Rosario To Vampire", and nothing else.
The only reason I decided to initially start watching this anime was because it was on the list of anime published by 'Gonzo', the publishers of anime I like, such as "WitchBlade", and several that are pretty well rated by people that watch a lot of anime, like 'Gantz' and 'Full Metal Panic'. But publishing doesn't tell us the whole story does it?
Curious however, for me; is the outright hatred, many of the reviewers, have for "Rosario to Vampire". And for that reason, I think a little balance is a very good thing.
I am really beginning to detest comments like 'episodic', for one. This term is too often used as an attempt at a mild insult, as if it were a bad thing.
Does no one seem to "Get" television? Some of the finest television, made in the U.S., were episodic. "Twilight Zone", "Outer Limits", "StarTrek (the entire television universe of series)", "Battlestar Galactica (both series)", "Babylon 5"; and dozens of others were, and still are entirely episodic. While many of these shows had story arcs within them, sometimes for a dozen episodes, at their base was still episode after episode.
Some of which, if watched by themselves, were entirely awful. Not because it was an 'episode', but because at the end of that particular story, the episode itself didn't pass muster and should never have been made.
Each one of the great television shows, had something in common. The sum-total of the product held up, even when they contained a few bad episodes. The stories held the attention of the viewer, over the seasons it was broadcast. The characters were consistent and true to themselves. And the music became the stuff of television history.
But the largest mistake we make, as watchers of Japanese anime (other than those that actually watch anime in Japan on Japanese Television [because they're the only ones that actually will get this point]), is that we make a judgement about anime after we have marathon'd the whole 24+ episodes or so of a show, and then we have the audacity to get all huffy ... because it seems 'episodic'? I hate to burst everyone's bubble; but these shows were all meant, in the main, to be shown one at time on a weekly basis. Not continuously.
And so, we get to the reviewers who have the nerve to use 'episodic', so they can sound like they know from where they speak. In other words, too many of us use this term as a crutch, as a trading coin on your belief system.
Another term, that really gets me upset; then I'll quit on this topic. That term is "fan service".
Look folks, most anime (including the genuine art-pieces), are done for one reason, and one only. And that's so a bunch of guys/gals can make a living at drawing pictures. Something they love. But an artist has to eat. So they choose material they think will attract a large enough demographic to make a living. So they tease a bit, and sometimes more than a bit, with a little view of skin; or the implication that we might see some. And the gender doesn't seem to matter (even when the targets are predominantly female, the point remains).
If a person really has a problem with "fan service" and then he goes on to watch all of the episodes of an anime; one then has a legitimate right to question how strong the moral outrage really is. Even I'm guilty of being somewhat critical of "fan service", but only when there is the intention to harm a character by that contribution to the anime. In other words, did the 'fan service' lead to a strong beating, or rape, or a loss of reputation; or related ideas. If not, it's just good old advertising. When the TV advertisers stop using pretty girls to sell car oil, or car insurance, then we can start on issues like fan service.
After all, does anybody really believe the short skirts used on the original "StarTrek" were a legitimate uniform? Does anybody really believe that 'Seven of Nine' looked like that because she was a Borg? Does anybody believe the girl in the red dress in "Battlestar Galactica" was wearing that because she was a Cylon?
Moral outrage has its' place among the reviewers. No one should deny that. But moral outrage about something this minor; being blown out to something that requires condemnation, is beginning to appear a bit trite. Shakespeare had it right "... The reviewer doth protest too much, methinks ...".
The real point of any anime, for the reviewer is; "Did I enjoy the show?" "Was I entertained?" "Was the music contributive to my enjoyment?" Did the voice actors contribute properly to that enjoyment? Did the artwork move the story along? These questions are relevant for everything from art-piece anime to straight out hentai pornography.
And so, dear readers; I come back to "Rosario to Vampire".
As is most of the "Gonzo" products, the artwork is and was , more than adequate. It moved the story along, and properly described every one of the main and secondary characters. Some of the female characters were drawn so well, that the fact that some of the characters were really sweet persons came through via that artwork.
Did the voice actors do a good job capturing the audible essence of the character each was trying to portray? The answer is a resounding YES. I watched the dub version, and I have watched the sub version. I can report that the voicing of all the actors were excellent.
Was the music good enough? The answer is yes and no. The interior music and soundtrack was quite good. This was especially entertaining, when using music to describe events dealing with the interior Vampire inside the person of Moka. However, I absolutely hated the opening theme music, and all of the end-title tracks. While they were light and airy musical pieces, they were totally not appropriate to the show. This anime had some really ghoulish elements, and the OP and ED music failed to lead the viewer to the appropriate conclusions.
Was the story entertaining? While some parts of the show were a bit simplistic, or (wait for it, I'm gonna use a fancy word) hackneyed; in the main the story was quit good. Unlike many anime of this variety, this story actually does travel from a beginning, a middle and an end. And each part lends itself to an understanding that leads us to an understanding of the rationales that allow the actions in the next episode.
Most episodes contain a lot of humor, and comedy. In fact most of the anime is a sitcom. And in the main, I like a well done sitcom. Like this one. I even liked the fact that as the show transpires, Mr. Aono's character matures, becomes more courageous, and so liked (for all the right reasons), that almost a half-dozen girls become a friendship harem. Okay, so there's a harem. So tell me a political candidate doesn't trot out a harem of girls to make a male candidate look good? Tell me a rock band at a concert doesn't hire a bevy of female beauties to stand in the front row?
I especially enjoyed the 'crucifixion of Tsukune "Tsukki" Aono'. The cross used, was an historical artifact. Roman records clearly show that Jesus Christ was the first person ever crucified on a 'T' cross. All previous crucifixions were carried out on an 'X' frame. 'Rosario to Vampire' got it right, especially the symbolism that made this the first crucifixion of a Human in the monster schools' midst. And, as in history, for exactly the wrong reasons.
In the end, we have a story that amplifies on notions like friendship, affection for your associates, trust and the reclamation of trust; for the people you love. Defense of people who are standing up for the Right, even at personal risk; and most of all; true love. From quarters, even Tsukki Aono did not see coming. Who knew that 'Red-Eyed Moka' would go to the mat for the very person she originally despised for being weak and useless?
All of the previous, you will miss, if you never see (with an un-jaundiced eye) "Rosario to Vampire".
I give this anime a strong 7.
