Rosario+Vampire ReviewWhen I first picked up the manga Rosario+Vampire, I was immediately drawn to the story. It opened up a supernatural world that was different from what I've seen in other books and movies. After seeing adult monsters, what were their teenage years like? Akihisa Ikeda's manga helped with that answer.
Rosario+Vampire is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akihisa Ikeda that tells the story of Tsukune Aono, a human high school student who is accidently sent to Yokai Academy. He quickly finds out that it's a school for monsters! Worse yet, any human who sees it is killed on sight. One his first day there, Tsukune has a run in with Moka Akashiya, a beautiful vampire who quickly befriends him after sucking his blood. As the story goes on Tsukune meets other supernatural creatures including a succubus, a snow fairy, witches and a werewolf. Being the only human in a school full of monsters makes it hard for Tsukune to fit in, but with the help of his friends, he doesn't have to worry about being alone.
I've watched the anime in Japanese and enjoyed it just as much as the manga. The characters in the anime matched the personalities that Akihisa Ikeda wrote in his books for them. I couldn't wait for it to be dubbed in English. The aforementioned company is well-known for releasing anime favorites such as Soul Eater, One Piece, Sekirei, Hell Girl, Fullmetal Alchemist, and the Dragon Ball sagas. When it comes to picking the right actors for dubbing, Funimation doesn't disappoint.
Alexis Tipton voices Moka Akashiya, the beautiful vampire who befriends Tsukune Aono on their first day at Yokai Academy. She does a wonderful job of bringing out Moka's kind-hearted nature with a soft spoken voice similar to Orihime from Bleach. Reading the manga, this was the voice that makes sense to read her lines: a warm kind personality such as hers deserved an actress to match. Alexis' best known roles include Mizuki Himeji in Baka and Test, Emi Kizaki in Linebarrels of Iron, Musubi in Sekirei, Black Butler's Queen Victoria (Young), Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos- Julia Crichton.
Moka's vampire or "Inner" self is voiced by Colleen Smith Clinkenbeard. She has provided voices for a number of English language versions of Japanese anime films and series, most notably, Monkey D. Luffy in One Piece. Most of the characters Colleen voiced are usually high voiced and excited characters like Luffy or Matsu, so it was interesting to hear her express the darker demeanor of Moka's prideful vampire self.
In the Japanese version of the anime, Moka's voice actress is Nana Mizuki, who is also responsible for performing the theme songs for both anime seasons.
Todd Michael Haberkorn voices Yokai Academy's lone human Tsukune Aono. I imagined Tsukune awkward and nervous in this unique twist on the classic high school coming-of-age story. Not only does he have to keep his grades up but he also has to contend with keeping the fact that he is human secret from the monstrous students of Yokai Academy. However Tsukune's biggest problem is keeping the cute girls who have taken a liking to him from killing each other.
Todd's voice acting with Tsukune is very entertaining especially with the situations that the character is thrust into. His other roles include Hell Girl - Ren Ichimoku, Sekirei - Hayato Mikogami, Soul Eater - Death the Kid, and Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition - Yun.
Moka isn't the only girl infatuated with Tsukune, however. Our hapless human soon has a run-in with Kurumu Kurono, a cute and busty succubus who seduces Tsukune to get back at Moka for ruining her plan to turn all the male students into her personal harem. At first, Kurumu is spiteful and conceded but soon changes her ways when Tsukune saves her from Inner Moka. Since then she has chosen Tsukune as her "mate of fate."
Brina Michelle Palencia is the voice behind Yokai’s seductive succubus. Given her other roles (Dragon Ball Z Kai - Chiaotzu, Puar Hell Girl - Ai Enma, Sekirei - Yukari Sahashi) it was no surprise that she would bring out the arrogant, spiteful personality edge in Moka, as well as her ability to be gentle and caring.
Yukari Sendo is a young witch who was skipped a couple grades because of her high intellect. She tormented and played pranks on Tsukune and other students using her magic. It wasn’t until Tsukune came to understand her loneliness that Yukari atoned for her pranks and joins the group.
The young impetuous witch is voiced by Monica Jean Rial (Dragon Ball Z Kai - Bulma, Sekirei - Miya Asama, Soul Eater - Tsubaki Nakatsukasa). Some of the characters Monica plays are just excitable as Yukari so her performance works well.
With a love sick succubus, a wily witch and the school’s hottest vampire hooked on his blood, what else could happen in Tsukune’s school life. How about that chilling feeling of constantly being watched? Mizore Shirayukiis a snow fairy who has developed a crush on Tsukune through the articles he writes for the school paper. After a fashion, Tsukune befriends the shy snow fairy.
Tia Lynn Ballard puts the icy chill in Mizore’s soft spoken voice. Other roles include Sekirei – Kusano and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Xiao Mei. Mizore’s quiet cool demeanor is brought out nicely by Tia.
Since attending Yokai Academy, Tsukune has longed for the chance to return to the human world. His chance comes during spring break when the Newspaper Club gets an assignment to write about the human world. There, he and his friends meet a witch named Ruby Tojo. After a confrontation, she makes a return appearance to help the Newspaper Club when they get in trouble.
The eccentric Ruby is voiced wonderfully by Leah Clark who has also voiced Sekirei - Homura, Soul Eater - Blair, and One Piece - Coby, Paula, Pukau (young), and Wyper (young).
Ginei Morioka is a second year student at Yokai Academy and Chief Editor of the Newspaper Club. He is a shameless peeping tom. Though his affections lie with Moka, he has no second thoughts about trying to impress other girls.
Ian Sinclair is a joy providing Gin’s smooth-talking, womanizing personality. He has also voiced for Bamboo Blade - Toraji Ishida, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Liam, and One Piece - Ian.
Akihisa Ikeda has created some interestingly entertaining characters in Rosario+Vampire as well as a fascinating storyline. The English Dub anime is just as humorous and charming as the manga and Japanese anime. Tsukune reminds us of that awkward first day at a new school some of us can relate to. Moka and the other girls just may have been the friends we had in school. And the outrageous situations Yokai’s lone human is thrust into—other monsters threatening to kill him or getting him to join a gang (in the manga)—might’ve been similar to an awkward moment we’ve all had…minus the teeth and claws of course. Rosario+Vampire English Dub DVD gets 4 out of 5.
Brian M.
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