Rosario Vampire by Akihisa Ikeda
Author Biography:
Akihisa Ikeda was born in 1976 in Miyazaki. He debuted as a mangaka with the four-volume magical warrior fantasy series Kiruto in 2002, which was serialized in Monthly Shonen Jump. Rosario+Vampire debuted in Monthly Shonen Jump in March of 2004 and is continuing in the magazine Jump Square (Jump SQ) as Rosario+Vampire: Season II. In Japan, Rosario+Vampire is also available as a drama CD. In 2008, the story was first released as an anime. Season II is also available as an anime now. And in Japan, there is a Nintendo DS game based on the series. Ikeda has been a huge fan of vampires and monsters since he was a little kid. He says one of the perks of being a manga artist is being able to go for walks during the day when everybody else is stuck in the office. Information retrieved from Amazon.com.
ISBN: 9781421519036
Genre: Action, Romance
Reading Level: Grades 6 and Up
Reader’s Annotation:
Tsukune Aono is an average teenager with no special qualities about him except that he has enrolled in the worst possible high school imaginable – one created specifically for spirits, demons, and monsters. Many of the students who truly belong there take human form, and largely ignore Tsukune believing he is like them. He later becomes involved with Moka Akashiya, a vampire with a dangerous split personality. As Tsukune does his best to protect his human identity from the rest of the school body he must often rely on Moka to save him when things go horribly awry.
Plot Summary:
An average human enrolled in a dangerous school for monsters, Tsukune darts from class to class doing his best to do well in class and keep others from discovering that he is human. If the school does, there’s a very high chance he could be slain. As Tsukune tries to keep a low profile, he catches the attention of vampire Moka Akashiya, who becomes enamored with the taste of his blood. Unfortunately for Tsukune, Moka is something of a school idol and everyone takes notice that the two of them are spending time together. As a result, Tsukune becomes a frequent target of jealous boys out to take their frustrations on him, while some of the girls want to rip him away from Moka in a claim to remove her from her idol status.
Worse still, many of the classes Tsukune attends are extremely dangerous, as many of the monsters take the opportunity to attack and kill each other. Time after time Moka comes to Tsukune’s rescue, though only when he removes the cross from Moka’s choker, turning her into her incredibly powerful and dangerous alter ego.
As the series continues, more girls become interested in Tsukune such as succubus Kurumu Kurono and young witch Yukari Sendo. It isn’t long before all three girls are fighting for Tsukune’s attention, often putting him in life-threatening situations. With his host of female protectors, Tsukune’s life at school seems to be looking up, until one day he is nearly killed by a monster. In a desperate bid to save Tsukune’s life, Moka injects her own blood into him, granting him a tremendous amount of strength. His new power is not without cost, however, as the injections gradually turn him into a strong – but ultimately mindless and cruel – monster known as a ghoul. As Tsukune’s school year continues, he must frequently defend himself with his new power, but each use gradually destroys his humanity.
Critical Evaluation:
Rosario Vampire is part of the harem subgenre of manga, where a single male attracts a large group of girls who are eager for his attention. Initially, Rosario Vampire doesn’t extend much beyond this plot as three to four women constant vie for Tsukune’s love. The early part of the series has a heavy amount of fan service as well, with many of the girls in skimpy clothing or partially nude. As the story progresses, however, the characters begin to develop and mature showing greater dimension beyond foils for each other and love interests for Tsukune. For example, Kurumu literally needs love in order to survive as a succubus, and her discovery of Tsukune’s love for Moka nearly kills her.
While Rosario Vampire is unlikely to win any major literary awards, much of the book is lighthearted and flirty and will likely attract readers who enjoy action, romance, or both. Librarians should be aware of the heavy amounts of partial nudity and be prepared for potential challenges from parents.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
Defensive Maneuvers:
Book Talk Ideas:
Going to school these days can be pretty dangerous, but in Tsukune's case, it's literally filled with monsters. Given his situation, would you stick it out and try to survive there, or hop on the nearest bus out?
Why This Book?
Rosario Vampire is a funny, action packed, and occasionally sexy adventure that many teens will latch onto. Though the series is fairly by the numbers as far as shonen and harem-style stories are concerned, the art, characters, and comedy will likely make this a popular book in any collection.
Akihisa Ikeda was born in 1976 in Miyazaki. He debuted as a mangaka with the four-volume magical warrior fantasy series Kiruto in 2002, which was serialized in Monthly Shonen Jump. Rosario+Vampire debuted in Monthly Shonen Jump in March of 2004 and is continuing in the magazine Jump Square (Jump SQ) as Rosario+Vampire: Season II. In Japan, Rosario+Vampire is also available as a drama CD. In 2008, the story was first released as an anime. Season II is also available as an anime now. And in Japan, there is a Nintendo DS game based on the series. Ikeda has been a huge fan of vampires and monsters since he was a little kid. He says one of the perks of being a manga artist is being able to go for walks during the day when everybody else is stuck in the office. Information retrieved from Amazon.com.
ISBN: 9781421519036
Genre: Action, Romance
Reading Level: Grades 6 and Up
Reader’s Annotation:
Tsukune Aono is an average teenager with no special qualities about him except that he has enrolled in the worst possible high school imaginable – one created specifically for spirits, demons, and monsters. Many of the students who truly belong there take human form, and largely ignore Tsukune believing he is like them. He later becomes involved with Moka Akashiya, a vampire with a dangerous split personality. As Tsukune does his best to protect his human identity from the rest of the school body he must often rely on Moka to save him when things go horribly awry.
Plot Summary:
An average human enrolled in a dangerous school for monsters, Tsukune darts from class to class doing his best to do well in class and keep others from discovering that he is human. If the school does, there’s a very high chance he could be slain. As Tsukune tries to keep a low profile, he catches the attention of vampire Moka Akashiya, who becomes enamored with the taste of his blood. Unfortunately for Tsukune, Moka is something of a school idol and everyone takes notice that the two of them are spending time together. As a result, Tsukune becomes a frequent target of jealous boys out to take their frustrations on him, while some of the girls want to rip him away from Moka in a claim to remove her from her idol status.
Worse still, many of the classes Tsukune attends are extremely dangerous, as many of the monsters take the opportunity to attack and kill each other. Time after time Moka comes to Tsukune’s rescue, though only when he removes the cross from Moka’s choker, turning her into her incredibly powerful and dangerous alter ego.
As the series continues, more girls become interested in Tsukune such as succubus Kurumu Kurono and young witch Yukari Sendo. It isn’t long before all three girls are fighting for Tsukune’s attention, often putting him in life-threatening situations. With his host of female protectors, Tsukune’s life at school seems to be looking up, until one day he is nearly killed by a monster. In a desperate bid to save Tsukune’s life, Moka injects her own blood into him, granting him a tremendous amount of strength. His new power is not without cost, however, as the injections gradually turn him into a strong – but ultimately mindless and cruel – monster known as a ghoul. As Tsukune’s school year continues, he must frequently defend himself with his new power, but each use gradually destroys his humanity.
Critical Evaluation:
Rosario Vampire is part of the harem subgenre of manga, where a single male attracts a large group of girls who are eager for his attention. Initially, Rosario Vampire doesn’t extend much beyond this plot as three to four women constant vie for Tsukune’s love. The early part of the series has a heavy amount of fan service as well, with many of the girls in skimpy clothing or partially nude. As the story progresses, however, the characters begin to develop and mature showing greater dimension beyond foils for each other and love interests for Tsukune. For example, Kurumu literally needs love in order to survive as a succubus, and her discovery of Tsukune’s love for Moka nearly kills her.
While Rosario Vampire is unlikely to win any major literary awards, much of the book is lighthearted and flirty and will likely attract readers who enjoy action, romance, or both. Librarians should be aware of the heavy amounts of partial nudity and be prepared for potential challenges from parents.
Curriculum Ties:
- Monsters in popular culture
- Monsters in mythology and religion
Challenge Issues:
- Nudity, sexual situations
Defensive Maneuvers:
- Have the library's collection policy on hand and memorized. Even though you may have it committed to memory, being able to show specific provisions as proof with strengthen your position.
- Be familiar with the book. Having great knowledge of it will prove you understand the content and the way the challenged matters interact with each other. The sexual situations are more focused on girls falling over Tsukune, rather than actually having sex. Partial nudity never shows any exact detail of body parts.
- Cite any awards the book may have. Though the patron may disagree with the book, showing that it is well known and seen as having great literary merit will strengthen your defense.
- Have a few reviews ready from respected sources such as Amazon or VOYA. At the very least, you can prove you understand the material and reviews will corroborate that.
- Have a strong idea WHY that item is in the library. Explain its merits, who the intended audience is, and so on.
- State your library's commitment to providing intellectual freedom as written in the Library Bill of Rights.
- Stay calm. Getting defensive or hot under the collar will only weaken your position.
- And finally, be open to discussion and LISTEN. Even if you do not agree with the patron, their concerns are still legitimate and you should show that you are engaged with them. Listening to their concerns may be enough to take the edge off.
Book Talk Ideas:
Going to school these days can be pretty dangerous, but in Tsukune's case, it's literally filled with monsters. Given his situation, would you stick it out and try to survive there, or hop on the nearest bus out?
Why This Book?
Rosario Vampire is a funny, action packed, and occasionally sexy adventure that many teens will latch onto. Though the series is fairly by the numbers as far as shonen and harem-style stories are concerned, the art, characters, and comedy will likely make this a popular book in any collection.