Rosario + Vampire Season 1 and CAPU 2 DVD Reviews
The first season of “Rosario + Vampire” entertains while the second season irritates.
“Rosario + Vampire” follows a teen named Tsukune who is attending a private high school called Yokai Academy. Unfortunately, this isn’t a regular academy. It’s a school for monsters. While there, he meets Moka who seems like a normal girl only she wears a rosary which conceals her inner vampire. From there on out in the 13 episode first season, expect plots about Moka protecting Tsukune from other monsters, a jerk monster student named Saizo, a succubus named Kurumu, Tsukune and Moka’s relationship developing, witches named Yukari and Ruby, a bus, newspaper club, a werewolf named Ginei, school crushes, a snow girl named Mizore, a lamia math teacher, summer vacation, the Public Safety Committee, and Tsukune’s secret as a human.
The 13 episode season 2 (AKA CAPU 2) takes place during the second year at Yokai Academy where we learn that Moka’s half-sister vampire (Kokoa) wants to destroy Moka. Other plots include: a disasterous Parents’ Day, Yukari turning into an adult, girls (Mizore, Moka, Kurumu and Yukari) competing for Tsukune’s affection, curry zombies, Tsukune’s mother Kasumi, an episode with short skits (involving Ruby, Gin, Nekonome, Ririko, and Kokoa), a ski trip, Mizore’s family, a student named Kotaro who has the power of hypnosis, Tsukune’s cousin Kyoko, the human and yokai world barrier issues, Tsukune’s father Issa and a search for a Rosario/rosary.
While over-the-top and goofy, the first season is surprisingly pretty watchable. One would think that with the overabundance of romantic vampire media out there that this show would just be yet another “Twilight” wannabe, but it’s actually very different in tone. This is very much a cartoony (and yes perverted) anime series that balances romance and action.
While it’s true that the story is simple and not the least bit challenging or original, it still manages to work thanks to well paced episodes. There’s never a dull moment here and the writers keep the show fresh by introducing new and unique characters throughout the first season. The second season, on the other hand, is a different story…
Everything that made the first season entertaining has been stripped away in season 2. Instead, viewers are treated to fanservice overkill, weak writing, lots of bickering, and a severe overload of romantic interests for Tsukune. Even worse, the show now resembles a goofy sitcom that has simply run out of ideas. I suppose you could make a case that the subplot involving Moka’s family was unique enough, but it was handled so poorly that it comes off as nothing more than clumsy or rushed.
Summary: “Rosario + Vampire” season 1 may appeal to anime fans, but I wouldn’t bother with season 2.
Video/Audio:
The widescreen picture quality is adequate. The animation is pretty plain and not very artistic, but it still looks solid overall.
The sets contain English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Japanese Stereo audio tracks. The English dub gets a pass here, but the Japanese track simply has superior voice acting.
Season 1 Extras:
* Trailers for “Heaven’s Lost Property,” “Yamada’s First Time,” “My Bride Is A Mermaid,” “Fairy Tail,” “Birdy The Mighty: Decode,” “Master Of Martial Hearts,” “Ikki Tousen,” “Dance In The Vampire Bund,” “Hetalia World Series,” and Funimation.com.
* Textless closing song.
* Art booklet.
CAPU 2 Extras:
* Trailers for “Sekirei,” “Yamada’s First Time,” “My Bride Is A Mermaid,”
Fairy Tail,” “Birdy The Mighty: Decode,” “Master Of Martial Hearts,” “Heaven’s Lost Property,” “Dance In The Vampire Bund,” “Hetalia World Series,” and Funimation.com.
* Textless opening and closing songs.
No comments yet.
Share This Blog
Robert Ham
dmanderson
Andrea
nicklyons1
DVD Corner 
Leave a comment