I’ve known about today’s subject matter for a long time. If you recall from my top-10 anime: new school edition post, I discovered Rosario + Vampire the anime due to my friend Amanda back in 2007. For the most part, I enjoyed it. Granted, I liked the anime for pervy reasons (I’ll get to this in a bit), but I liked it all the same. Then I found the manga around 2009, and boy of boy did I suffer some whiplash! There hasn’t been many times where I came across an anime, only to find that the manga is so diametrically opposite.
So, for the second time this year, it’s time to find out which is better. The anime or the manga? Let’s begin!
Story
The base core of the anime & manga’s story is essentially the same: Tsukune Aono is an average joe that can’t get into local high schools because of his grades. His folks enroll him in a private school (Yokai Academy), only for him to find out that it’s a school for monsters (Not monster girls.....sadly). He bumps into Moka Akashiya, who shortly after their encounter reveals that she’s a vampire, and become friends. Over the course of time, more supernatural women cross Tsukune’s path, becoming friends with him in the process. However, trouble brews, and it’s up to Tsukune & his paranormal harem to solve the problem.....and that’s where the two are the same.
The difference’s between the two, however, are radically different! For starters, the story within the anime is considerably watered down when compared to the manga it’s based on. The comic has a surprising amount of depth, good characters, and a mood & atmosphere that comes across as life-like & realistic. With the anime, we have something completely different. With the show, we have a far more watered-down version of the comic’s story. Things are focused much more on the romantic comedy aspects, and with a shocking amount of unnecessary fan-service. If any of you know me, you’ll be surprised by that statement. This watering down of everything trickles to all the other components, but suffice it to say this isn’t good.
Things are worse when it gets to season 2! The 2nd season is basically an extension of the first season: same characters, same setting, etc. If anything, the second season of the show continues to use a weakened version of season 1's, and just cherry-picks pieces of what the animators & editors liked from the 2nd season of the manga.
Setting
The one thing that doesn’t completely change is the setting. Both the anime & the manga take place at Yokai Academy, the school where monsters go. What is different is where both mediums go: whereas the anime seems to stick to mostly the school & a few select places, the manga goes all over the place, and has a far more dynamic world. You’ve still got the school, but you’ve got Tsukune’s home, the beach, the forest & a field of sunflowers, and so many other places. Because of this, the world of Rosario + Vampire in it’s manga form is much more believable & alive.
Characters
Oooookay, where to begin.
If the story was watered-down, then Rosario + Vampire’s characters are almost a drought! So much was sucked out of all the characters in the anime, they are practically shells of their former selves. Tsukune, for example, comes across as far more spineless & whimpy, although he has a moment to shine on occasion. Moka comes across as way more girly in her normal form, and just a generic Tsundere in her greater form. Kurumu comes across as a valley girl in the anime, a far cry from her manga counterpart. Yukari the witch isn’t completely different from her anime incarnation, but does act a bit on the childish side. Mizore is a lot like Yukari in that she’s not completely different, but the anime focuses much more on her stalker side. And that’s just the main anime cast!
Side characters are all over the place. Some remain truer to their manga counterpart, but others might as well be new characters completely. It’s a incredible disservice, as the cast of Rosario + Vampire is one of the best sets of modern manga characters. A shame!
Speaking of radically different...
Mood & Atmosphere
Wow. Just wow!
The anime is a far cry from it’s manga counterpart. There’s much more of a morally-grey/realistic vibe, but still has plenty of room for some lighthearted & comedic moments. It feels believable, much like it’s setting. With the anime, oh hell no! There is far less danger, far fewer threats to the character’s livelihood, and focuses far more on the brighter side of things. Because of it’s focus on the comedy, romance, and fanservice, there’s something sickeningly sunny about everything. Even when it does get serious, something goofy or lighthearted always seems to happen not long after. While I’m normally not a fan of stories with a morally grey edge (Long story), something about having that along the lighter sides of the manga makes for some interesting reading material.
So Which Is Better
Rosario + Vampire could have......no, it should have had a great anime! The manga is awesome, and despite being a Shonen title, has a surprising amount of universal appeal. So with this potential, you would think that it would translate over to an animated medium. You are wrong! I had the misfortune of watching both seasons a year prior to discovering the manga, and I’ve been regretting it ever since. Maybe in bursts the anime is fine, but if you’ve read the comic, you will want to stay away unless you’re morbidly curious.
Rosario + Vampire: The manga wins over the anime hands down!
Now that I’ve got this out of the way, it’s time for some Halloween-themed Heavy Metal! So tune in next week, when I’ve got 1 of 2 spooky metal overviews for you. Until then, hope things don’t suck!
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