Vampire Knight

I always love vampire stories. That’s how I’ve found Vampire Knight manga. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from the story but it had a surprise twist in chapter 35, drawing more attention to the series.

Vampire Knight is a manga by Matsuri Hino. In Japan, Vampire Knight entered serialization in January 2005 in LaLa magazine and now announced adapted into an anime series in 2008 (yaay!).

Story begins in Cross Academy, a private school which is divided as Day Class and Night Class. Day Class is made up of normal students, whereas Night Class consists of elite students (and they are completely gorgeous). Both classes use school facilities in rotation. When the classes change in the evening, Day Class crowd around to see those elite beauties of the Night Class. Yuki Cross, adopted daughter of the of the headmaster of Cross Academy, and Zero Kiryuu, who lost his parents to vampires at an early age, are the Guardians of school protecting the secret of the Night Class that they are actually vampires. Cross Academy’s real mission is to maintain a peaceful coexistence of the humans and vampires.

Here are the main characters:

Yuki Cross: As said above, adopted daughter of the of the headmaster of Cross Academy. She had been saved by Kaname Kuran from another vampire’s attack ten years ago and was brought to the Headmaster Academy. Headmaster Cross took her in as his own daughter. Yuki is a cheerful and carefree girl (and too childish and reckless >_< , I don’t like her). She is the Guardian and on the disciplinary committee. She has a crash on Kaname, obviously. On the other hand, her friendship with Zero turns into something intricate and deep on an vague layer, yet apparently going on a romantic setting undeniably, after she discover Zero’s secret.

Kaname Kuran: A pure-blood vampire. He saved Yuki from an attack by another vampire when she was 5 years old. Kaname is the class president of the Night Class, much feared and respected by the other Night Class students. He loves Yuki (damn! ) , always protect her and passionately hates Zero who drank Yuki’s blood (Yuki herself offered to do so later on, which is all the more reason for Kaname to hate Zero ) His only reason not to kill Zero is his death would sadden Yuki.

Zero Kiryuu: Son of a vampire hunter family. His family was killed by a vampire who bites him and takes his twin brother as her servant. Yuki’s childhood friend. Zero is also a Cross Academy Guardian and likewise on the disciplinary committee. Yuki has cared about him as a close friend, since he was brought into their home (the Headmaster’s). He hates vampires deeply, but he is a vampire himself because of the past incident. He doesn’t like Kaname, their feeling of hate is mutual. (In fact, he is a nice guy, but he is so worked up about his tragedy in the past and actually being a vampire. He is so depressing , always sank in misery and hatred. Can’t win against Kaname XD )

Fans divided in two on this love triangle debate; supporters of Yuki x Zero (as a couple ) and supporters of Yuki x Kaname. I’m one of Yuki x Zero supporters, just because I don’t like Yuki (i don’t like Zero either, perfect couple ; both pathetic or Kaname is too cool for this story , don’t know.). I believe Kaname deserves someone better than Yuki (hear me out Matsuri Hino sensei! ). Maybe I just don’t like Shôjo that much, at least the ones with a weak heroine and that feeds my Yuki dislike. Since chapter 35 has a intriguing twist of events, I’m hoping to see a stronger Yuki soon, it may turn out to be a coming-of-age plot. Just maybe then, I’ll say “OK”to Yuki x Kaname .

Though I’m not so fond of plot and weakling heroine (forgive me Yuki fans), I really like the artwork and character designs. I’m so looking forward to see the anime. (Well, after all, vampires are my little obsession. Unless story is awfully lame, I always love to watch/read them.)