The story... starts off pretty generic. But it grows. It is classic formula, reminiscent of Love Hina with it's "vacation" arcs. There's a repetition, a monster-of-the-week drama, where Tsukune or someone else makes a mistake and has to do some character-development and apologizing before the villain is defeated.
However, unlike many repetitive formulas, these small, incremental moments of growth pay off. The story and overarching plot sneaks up on you, bit by bit...
Squint hard at the characters: Especially Moka and her inner-self. The subtlety in how she grows to accept Tsukune and the rest of the cast as her friends is... well, subtle. Not even fans of the manga recognize it, but there are moments where she breaks down in tears, or grins in admiration, and readers completely miss it. Please, do your best not to miss it!
Moka isn't the only character, though. Even then, the rest of the cast is pretty fantastic... Tsukune, the "typical protagonist", is surprisingly atypical, as the only human resident of Youkai academy. He strikes a balance between the "luckless wimp" and the "destined hokage", not being a pushover who relies on his friends, but not being the "second coming", either. Kurumu is more than just a rival, Mizore is more than just a sweet face. Even Yukari tries to break her mold of being a lil' girl.
The art improves! And then it improves so much it begins to develop an uncanny valley. But even then, the increased definition and quality of the art adds to the subtle maturation of the characters, as they live out their first year in school and begin to grow up... A wonderful mixture of story and art being cohesive and communicating a sense of maturation and the journey into adulthood.
And it fits with the tone. The seriousness of monsterkind, the comedy and restless moments of innocent youth - they seem to contradict one another and make the story seem inconsistent, but it's only through the use of these two opposite ends of the spectrum that you can achieve balance and moderation, and communicate a realisitic story of characters growing up and taking on daunting responsibilities, pursuing reckless, dangerous, but precious love.
...Definitely enjoyable. Hits all of the marks of a good coming-of-age romance story. To see Tsukune grow, to see Moka (especially her sealed side) open up to him, both wonderful storylines and a gratifying romance.
In a sense, Rosario Vampire is a better manga than its sequel, because it actually "concludes" on a conclusive, satisfying note. It doesn't promise so much, leaving the reader satisfied with a nice 40-chapter story that never overstayed it's welcome.
Of course, it deserved and necessitated a continuation with how it ended... but it didn't have to end with more stories on the horizon. Not everything has to be dramatic, not everything has to be emotionally pulverizing. Rosario + Vampire's conclusion is balanced and nuanced, harmonious and easy to read.
Generic is an easy term to use. But let me remind you...squint. With an appreciation to detail, and appreciating the entire context of the story, and the worth of this manga is clear as day.
