Vampire Knight

Vampire Knight is a Shojo manga that stands out from the crowd. To clear up any misconceptions, Vampire Knight surpasses many other vampire-themed stories like Twilight and The Vampire Diaries. It achieves this effortlessly because those stories don't resonate well with many readers if you conduct a survey (please, no hate mail, thank you).

For those familiar with it, Vampire Knight revolves around Kaien Cross establishing a school aimed at fostering coexistence between humans and vampires. Cross Academy, the private institution in question, has an ideal mix of students supporting or opposing Kaien's vision.

The story centers on Yuki Cross, who harbors feelings for Kaname Kuran, a vampire who saved her life a decade ago. Meanwhile, Zero Kiryu, a boy with a deep-seated hatred for all vampires, is also part of the narrative. Both Yuki and Zero are members of the "Disciplinary Committee," tasked with ensuring the safety of the human Day Class from the Night Class vampires, who attend classes during the night due to their nocturnal nature. Despite his role, Zero often torments the Night Class due to his animosity towards vampires, leading to frequent reprimands from Yuki. However, this might not be their only issue.

Though there's a love triangle involving Yuki, Kaname, and Zero, it doesn't dominate the storyline, which is refreshing. The artwork is stunning. Interestingly, many fans, including myself, find side characters more intriguing than the main trio. While the central characters aren't as compelling, the love triangle isn't as overwhelming as one might expect. Yuki doesn't constantly dwell on Kaname, which is appreciated. One downside is the occasionally lengthy dialogue scenes, but the action sequences are surprisingly engaging and can be quite humorous at times.

In conclusion, I recommend Vampire Knight for anyone having a tough day or looking for a good Shojo read. Regardless of what you're seeking, many will enjoy delving into Vampire Knight's world.

I am contemplating how to begin this review because I genuinely feel the need to write one for those who plan to read this manga. My advice is not to let reviews influence your reading.

Initially, I really enjoyed the anime version of Vampire Knight. However, as I was looking for something good to read, I decided to give the manga a try. The first volumes were, naturally, identical to the anime, so I read other reviews to see if the manga was worth finishing. Based on the reviews, I began doubting myself because, as the manga progresses, it gets tiring with lots to read and starts becoming too complicated. But since I couldn't bring myself to stop halfway, I decided to finish it, and I'm glad I did. It was totally worth my time.

Story - 7
The story was great. It has twists and turns to the point where it sometimes gets too complicated. But all the mysteries and questions are answered in the very last chapter.

Character - 8
The characters have their own significance and parts. Each one has their own stories that develop eventually.

Art - 9
The art is really nice. VK is well drawn, so yeah, I like the art.

Enjoyment - 7
The manga is enjoyable despite its length. Take note: this manga will make you feel tired or sleepy because there's a lot to read. But it's definitely worth it. No worries.

Overall - 8
Overall, don't start and read this if you're planning to stop halfway. Read until the end. Don't let the initial happenings make you judge VK because the ending resolutions will shock you.

This review is based on my opinion.

Hino Matsuri — another one of my favorite manga (after Watsuki Nobuhiro). She paints very beautifully, but so cleverly that it seems as though each character is endowed with a soul. Especially beautifully painted Kaname. He has no equal! Yuuki... I like her when she's a vampire: long hair, a more mature and intelligent look... Yes, Kaname tried... The plot is gorgeous, though a bit confusing...

Still, I admire Hino Matsuri! The manga "Vampire Knight" continues in production. And it pleases me.

Chapters 43-45 of the manga will conclude in the anime. It would seem like quite a logical final denouement, where everyone goes their own way, and all that. But it is precisely these ways that begin anew after some windows on one page, labeled "After 1 year."

Matsuri begins to weave a new story on the ruins of the old and distant. The plot becomes much deeper and does not resemble the shoujo genre. It turns into a heavy vampire drama.

The humor has become much less frequent.

Beautiful eyes are seen less often.

Here I am now reading the last chapter released and sighing. How lovely and carefree the main characters were at the beginning, and how gloomy they have become now.

I wholeheartedly root for Kaname. I love him.

P.S.: It's too bad they won't remake the anime.

Disclaimer: I watched the first season of the anime when it was released, but season two wasn't out yet. A few years passed, and the final volume of the series came out. In a major misstep, I blindly trusted in the masterpiece that was the first season of the anime and bought the manga box sets (volumes one through nineteen) before discovering how bad the second season would be. My disappointment was immense as I saw this beautifully written story slowly get worse with each chapter. I genuinely enjoyed Vampire Knight, so I was extremely disappointed by the direction the author chose after season one.

The first ten volumes, which I like to call "season one" for the manga, were honestly the best thing I've ever read! The characters, premise, and mystery were super intriguing and on point. I was excited every chapter to find out what would happen next. I was immensely invested in the mystery surrounding Yuki, Zero, and Kaname. I also really liked how well-written the three main characters were. They felt unique and alive. I especially loved the relationship between Yuki and Zero, especially if you read about their past of how they met. Without going into too much detail, something happened in Zero's past as a child where he didn't care for his life at all. But Yuki, our adorable protagonist, brought happiness back into his life. From then on, he decided to keep living because of Yuki. He basically lived for her sake—it was beautifully written, and I was eager to see what would happen next.

Everything is beautiful until you reach the end of volume ten, where the author drops a bomb. From volume eleven onwards, everything changes drastically. Everything I loved about the series—the relationships, characters, and premise—felt like it was thrown out the window. Something big happens in volume ten, which was shocking, but the real issue was that things just got worse and worse with each chapter. The story felt dragged out for no reason. Everything felt stagnant, and I kept hoping each chapter would bring the series back to how "season one" felt. Then, I reached the final chapter and realized, "Oh... it's over."

Honestly, for anyone considering checking out Vampire Knight, I highly recommend reading it—but only "season one" (volumes one to ten). After "season one," it's far from the fun and enjoyable atmosphere it had. The artwork gets better as the series progresses, and while volumes eleven to nineteen are gorgeous art-wise, the story left a gaping hole in my heart. "Season two" took the characters I loved and butchered them until they were unrecognizable. After reading "season two," I questioned why I liked these characters. Yuki became hesitant and indecisive, losing her cheerful demeanor. Zero, who used to have some heart, became entirely emotionless and edgy for no reason. Kaname also developed unnecessary edginess for plot convenience, losing his allure. In some ways, "season two" killed them off, which hurts me to say.

"Season one," volumes one to ten, was a 10/10 for me—super enjoyable, awesome story, lovable characters. "Season two," volumes eleven to nineteen, was a 3/10. Honestly, I want to give it a 1/10 because it was hard to read, but out of sentimental attachment to "season one," I'm giving it a 3.

For anyone considering the series, I highly recommend reading the first ten volumes—they're super enjoyable. Just be warned that from volume eleven onward, the story deviates completely from the first ten and has a completely different feel.

P.S. If you read this far, I want to highlight my biggest gripe that signaled the series' downfall after "season one." Remember how Zero's only reason for living was because of Yuki? Zero didn't want to live prior to meeting Yuki; he only decided to continue living because of her. However, something happens at the end of volume ten, and Zero uncharacteristically abandons Yuki. This was the biggest no-no because Zero could give up anything except Yuki. He was written as someone who would love and protect Yuki no matter what. Yet, for plot convenience, the author has Zero abandon Yuki and regard her as his number one enemy—which breaks my heart. This boy went through a lot and only decided to keep living because he wanted to be beside Yuki, and yet he just up and abandons her. Great. Makes a lot of sense [heavy sarcasm]. At that moment in the manga, it was a true tragedy for the series. A beautifully written character was killed, and everyone else followed suit, leading to a long, confusing mess.

There's a new manga, "Vampire Knight: Memories," a sequel to the original series, released a few years after the final volume. However, personally, I'm done with this series. My heart has been broken enough by Vampire Knight. I don't think the new series will mend my heart anytime soon, so I'll leave this heartfelt review here and say my peace to Vampire Knight. I absolutely loved it and will try to pretend I only read "season one" and forget about buying the atrocious "season two."

VK is not a manga to be taken seriously. After 93 chapters of devotion—hoping that characters would evolve, that you'd get some satisfaction or at least closure—you get absolutely nothing but the bitter taste of disappointment.

Story 6/10:

There's a great sense of mystery in the beginning, and the relationship between Yuki, Kaname, and Zero is so deliciously mysterious and drama-filled that it's easy to get hooked. You have the basic ingredients for a love triangle and lots of angst. You have the taboo vampire/human relationship and the beauty of longing for something out of reach. There was a sort of self-deprecating love/frustration going on with the characters that made you bounce back-and-forth between your feelings for them. So there's initially a lot going on for the story. With that being said, the beginning relied a lot on unknown factors of each character—so their past and motivations—but once that gets cleared (to a certain point), the intrigue drops significantly.

The premise is straightforward and isn't too convoluted: vampire school and the stigma between vampire/human relationships; perhaps that's why it worked. As the story progressed, it feels as though the author tried to take her story a little too seriously and added way too many subplots. It became too messy, and a lot of characters were lost along the way (no closure) because Hino tried to have too many things happen at once.

After the first arc ends (so approximately after the first 10-12 volumes), that's when things go completely downhill. The plot begins to become inconsistent with too many plot holes; things are introduced and never fully explained. There are too many scenes that seem to have deeper meaning, but they really don't—they're for pure aesthetic reasons or simply 'filler'. The last arc until the very end is a complete waste of time. It just became boring, and the sense of the mysterious forbidden was practically nonexistent, becoming simply 'a race against time story'. There was too much rehashing, and it became all too glaringly obvious (or confusing since Hino DOESN'T explain). A lot of things took place that seemed to have no impact or significance to the story as a whole.

For anyone who was a fan of the manga, many feel disappointed and angry (such as me) because we invested in the story only to be left with utter BS. So many questions are not solved, and there are a lot of things you are left to presume.

It had potential and started off well enough; however, it feels as though Hino gave up after the first arc ended and didn't know what to do with the second part. It's a bit of a mess, but the beginning is worth a look.

Characters 5/10:

This is where disappointment hits you the hardest. I can initially accept characters' faults in the beginning, so Yuki is a naïve and helpless girl that seems to be a little too clueless. She has a contradicting mix of selflessness and selfishness that sometimes leaves you mind-boggled at her daftness. Initially, it works for the story; however, when the story progresses and the plot 'thickens,' there has to be some character development, so some maturity on Yuki's part. Well, there's little to none that happens. Instead, I would say Yuki becomes even more transparent, selfish, and desperate, to the point that you forget she's even the main protagonist and not a crutch for the main male leads to fight over or protect.

The focus turns to the only decent character in the story, Kaname, and you wonder if VK is truly about Yuki. Kaname is a redeeming quality of the manga; he's vastly superior because he's such a complex and contradictory character. His manipulation, intelligence, obsession, selflessness, and mystery drive the story. He's really the only character that is never fully predictable, and every decision he makes impacts the story and all the other characters. The other male characters are not as engaging or interesting as Kaname. Zero constantly remains the broody, revenge-driven emo that remains very much pathetic until the very end. Everyone else remains the same predictable stock characters; they're there for exposition's sake.

Art 10/10: It is a truly beautiful manga, perhaps one of the reasons I stuck around reading the story until the end (without counting Kaname). All the characters are beautifully drawn, and there's a lot of attention to detail. The scenery and the character design are a real treat.

Enjoyment 5/10: Beginning is all good, but the second part is pure rubbish. It will leave you ripping your hair in frustration and end with great regret or disappointment.

Overall 6/10: The first arc is worth the read, but the enjoyment drops significantly once it ended, leaving me feeling sad and frustrated. There's little closure, the character development is poor, and it leaves you hating the manga more than you should.

I truly enjoyed this manga. It sparked my fascination with vampires. What sets it apart is its unique take on vampires, steering clear of clichés. These vampires possess powers, follow a system, can be born into vampirism, and the transformation process is distinctly different. I absolutely adored the storyline, which was captivating and filled with intriguing plot twists. The characters, however, were somewhat stereotypical. Most had dual personalities; for example, Kaname appears gentle and mysterious but is usually cold to others (except Yuuki). The artwork is fantastic! It's highly detailed, and all characters are beautifully illustrated.

Overall, I rate it a 9. While not the absolute best manga out there, it's certainly among the top. I recommend this manga if you're a fan of vampires, unexpected plot twists, love triangles, and lively debates among fangirls. =D

I could write a lot about this manga, both positive and negative aspects. It had its highs and lows, but ultimately concluded with what I consider a beautiful ending.

Let's be honest, the story wasn't particularly original from the start, and the characters were somewhat stereotypical or idealized versions of men and women. Although Yuuki, our heroine, fits into this category as well, she was my favorite character at the beginning. That changed after a significant event occurred (I won't spoil it for you, though it's quite obvious). She is cheerful, hard-working, and always striving to do her best. Kaname and Zero are typical male characters: one being the sexy, elegant, kind man and the other the sexy, stubborn, hard-working bad guy. They aren't anything special, but fans of shoujo might grow fond of them. :)

If you're looking for an excellent review of this manga, there are plenty of honest and insightful writings available. The reason I wrote this is simply because I've just finished reading Vampire Knight, and I truly appreciated the ending, which in my opinion was far better than the last 30 chapters. It was a human ending, likely causing many fans who loved the manga and its characters to shed tears. By the time you reach, say, the 15th chapter, you can already sense that the story will have a somewhat gloomy tone without a genuinely happy ending. This outcome couldn't have been otherwise; anyone who read the first few chapters should have anticipated it.

In any case, it leaves me without sorrow or longing for another volume, not even a side story – although it’s highly possible one will come out. Overall, I give it an 8. I'm glad I didn't stop reading halfway through; the ending surpassed my expectations – it was much better than I initially thought it would be. I recommend reading it even if you've watched the anime.

(Sorry for my English, it's not my native language)

Vampire Knight was the first manga I ever picked up, solely because I adored the anime so much that I felt compelled to dive into the source material. It's a fantastic manga, far from your average shoujo story, with rich narratives and well-crafted characters that keep you thoroughly engaged. The plot is intricately woven yet presented clearly, leaving readers on tenterhooks for the next chapter.

Story: 10/10
The storyline is nothing short of marvelous. Its complexity isn't merely due to the love triangle; the main characters and antagonists are interconnected through their pasts in an astonishing manner. Mixing mystery, drama, romance, and humor, Vampire Knight stands out as more than just a typical shoujo romance. While it has elements of shoujo—primarily its dramatic flair and art style—it transcends the genre by keeping you guessing at every turn, constantly asking, "What happens next?"

Art: 10/10
The artwork is simply breathtaking. Each character’s appearance reflects aspects of their personality or interests, making them unique. Hino Matsuri never bores us with repetitive designs; each character boasts distinct features. She avoids monotonous hairstyles or eye shapes, offering a diverse visual palette that enhances the storytelling experience.

Character: 10/10
Every character is meticulously crafted, each bringing something special to the table. From tough guys and ladies to mentally unstable individuals and deceptive villains, this manga covers all bases. Each vampire character possesses unique abilities tied to their bloodline, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative. This diversity keeps readers hooked and invested in the story.

Enjoyment: 10/10
I've rarely enjoyed any manga or anime as much as Vampire Knight, save for Dengeki Daisy. It made me feel like I was living alongside the characters, understanding their emotions deeply. There were moments of sheer joy that brightened my day, and others so heart-wrenching they brought tears even days later. Unpredictable twists kept me on edge, unsure how to react. The excitement never wanes, and when the stakes get serious, you find yourself growing even more attached to the story.

Overall: 10/10
This ranks among my all-time favorite mangas. The unpredictable nature of its plot keeps you guessing, ensuring you’re always on your toes. Vampire Knight is a masterpiece, blending everything a great story should have. It’s truly unparalleled.

I genuinely enjoy this manga, and its art is especially captivating to me. However, I can't help but feel that the story is becoming repetitive. Something terrible happens, followed by about four pages of dialogue that doesn’t seem to add much, and then Yuuki and Kaname have some kind of 'intense' conversation. Add a few scenes of Zero looking utterly miserable and Kaien acting goofy, and there you have it—54 chapters summed up. I've been both watching and reading for roughly a month now, and I sincerely hope with all my heart that Hino-Sensei will steer this manga in a new direction because it has so much potential.

I've read up to the current chapter and decided to review the series.

Story: 6/10
At first, it was quite straightforward. It wasn't complex, just a simple start. After one of the antagonists died, things got more complicated. There were many twists that didn't always make sense. Various elements started blending together. Initially, it was interesting, but by chapter 66, it feels dragged out. If it weren't so dull and repetitive, it would still be engaging. Sadly, it has lost most of its intrigue.

Art: 9/10
The character designs are stunning. I love how detailed the hair is since not many artists put that much effort into it. Some hairstyles are similar, though Kaien Cross, the Headmaster, stands out. Most characters have traits reminiscent of others who aren’t related to them. On the positive side, the designs match their personalities well. In the beginning, the eyes were very detailed, but now Matsuri sometimes omits certain characters' eyes. For several later chapters, Aido’s eyes were often unfinished or absent. The average reader might miss this, but my friend noticed and pointed it out, and I agreed after checking again.

Character: 6/10
Initially, most characters developed regularly when they appeared. Less than 30 chapters in, only the main trio received development. Now, it seems like Yuki and Kaname dominate (Yuki more so). Honestly, I’m tired of their constant development. Matsuri should focus on other characters for a while or at least give a break from those two for a couple of chapters. The rest feel underdeveloped nowadays.

This is a shojo, and usually, you can relate to the main female character. But here, relating to Yuki and her situation isn’t easy. Few people forget everything before age five, nor is everyone in a love triangle. It's nearly impossible to relate to Yuki. Actually, it’s easier to connect with Ruka, who loves someone who doesn’t love her back. That’s relatable since many girls have experienced that.

Dialogue: 5/10
Sometimes, the dialogue is cheesy, with only parts being interesting. Characters repeat themselves from earlier in the manga or even on the same page. Sometimes, it's hard to follow, and lines can be confusing, requiring re-reading to understand. Other times, they say things that contradict what they said earlier or their personality.

Enjoyment: 5/10
It was enjoyable until the main villain's death in the school arc, which is where I think it should’ve ended. After that, it slowly became dull.

Average: 6/10

If you plan to engage with Vampire Knight, I suggest watching the anime adaptations, Vampire Knight and Vampire Knight Guilty. They’re less confusing and easier to handle. If you watch the anime, stick with English subtitles as the dub isn’t great.

I've read up to the current chapter (74), and I honestly believe this is the best manga in the entire world! The artwork is beautiful and incredibly detailed, and the story will captivate you, keeping you hooked forever. You never know what's going to happen next; it's unpredictable, which is great as it keeps you guessing. This is definitely not your typical vampire manga! It’s very funny at times. Vampire Knight will make you laugh, cry, and experience just about every emotion under the sun. xD

Story: 10
Art: 10 - Absolutely fantastic.
Character: 9 - Good character development; you learn more about them as the manga progresses.
Enjoyment: 10
Overall: 11 - Can't wait for the next chapter!

To be completely honest, the only aspect of this manga that truly stands out is its artwork. Even then, the dialogue bubbles can be quite perplexing, and all characters are depicted as "undeniably beautiful," which becomes a bit monotonous. While the artistic style is indeed appealing, good visuals alone do not suffice to carry the story.

The plot is rather dull. Initially, I found it intriguing, but over time, the repetitive nature became increasingly frustrating. It seems like the same three main characters dominate the narrative, while others who might have more potential receive minimal screen—or should I say, line—time.

Yuuki, the protagonist around whom the entire world seemingly revolves, is your typical romantic heroine. There's nothing particularly unique about her character.

Regarding enjoyment, the peculiar love triangles in the story are quite off-putting. The narrative includes a fair amount of incest, and certain parts of the story are confusing. Additionally, it feels as though the author, Matsuri Hino, is sidestepping the essential elements of the plot, possibly in an attempt to extend the series. Instead of diving straight into the critical aspects, she fills the manga with unnecessary, uninteresting panels.