Primary Navigation MenuHomeFeaturesColumnsCulture VulturesIndiciaContact UsSite MapPrimary Navigation Menu
Features - Interviews Features - Articles Columns Report Card Culture Vultures Gallery Archives Interior Secondary Navigation Menu

Rosario + Vampire Season II Vol. 6

by Sheena McNeil

Reviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk.

Publisher
Viz
http://www.viz.com

Credits
Writer: Akihisa Ikeda
Artist: Akihisa Ikeda
Distributor:
Translator: Kaori Inoue
ISBN: 978-1-4215-3831-0

Grade: 8

Fangfang Huang has transferred to convince Tsukune to join his family's mob. He's a yasha that can summon and control many different demons and creatures ... but he can't control which one will appear. He also sounds like he wants Tsukune in a sexual way (and he actually agrees to show Tsukune the ways of love between men), but he also gains the support of all the girls, except Moka, by pointing out that polygamy is an option if they join forces. His sister Lingling (a hopping zombie) shows up with other hopping zombies to help cheat-to-win during the Sports Day activities that force Tsukune into a betting position. Then, Fangfang accidentally swaps bodies with Yukari, but this allows Yukari to see herself in a new light and mature a bit. Inner Moka also gets a chance at a normal day ... and cooking.

I love the addition of a guy to Tsukune's harem. Fangfang is annoying, and a bit sad in his attempts to rival yet admire Tsukune. However, his sister (who also sort of joins the harem of Tsukune-followers / lovers) makes up for it with her cold, calculating ways. Of course, she's an oddball too — she is dead after all (which she says often, sometimes while removing her head). The Jiang Shi, or hopping zombie is a strange and new concept for me, but I kind of like that these zombies hop (and they are fast like in Zombieland). The best part of Sports Day is having the mothers of Kurumu, Mizore and Yukari show up to help even the odds. Well, that and Moka's rage and the fact that she looks smokin' hot in a top hat!

The body swap is great. I'm a little surprised it's taken till volume 6 of the second season to have this happen, but then again, it just wouldn't have worked for Tsukune to swap with any of the girls. Plus, it adds to the Fangfang / Tsukune shipping idea. I like that it adds both humor and enriching experience for at least one person. I also had to smile at Gin and Haiji getting caught for peeping on Koko. I have to assume that Yukari is also on the cover of this issue, but it looks nothing like her; it does on the back, but not the front. I was wondering who this new girl is for a while....

The last part of the story has a slight bittersweet feel. We already saw Inner and Outer Moka bonding over cooking for Tsukune (and raging when that bento was destroyed). Now, Inner Moka gets a whole day to be "normal," and she practically destroys the school and her friends while trying to cook thanks to her vampiric powers and strength. It's scary and fun all at the same time. It ends with a pleasant surprise followed by a problem! This cliffhanger has been captivated — I must read the next volume!

As has been the trend in this series, there are extra comic strips in the back. This time, there are even more in order to cover Yukari's mother feeling outcast and unnoticed as well as the author's (and the character's) reactions to the fan-outcry about whether or not Rosario + Vampire is a Moe — read it and you will understand all you need to about Moe. They even transform to that style (which just ruins the whole strength of the series and characters). Thank you Akihisa Ikeda for making this a harem series with a real plot and not a Moe!

Written: September 25, 2011
Published: September 26, 2011



Tart: Sheena McNeil
Manga: Rosario + Vampire Season II Vol. 6
Series: Rosario + Vampire
Month: September 2011
March 2024: All | Manga


SiteLock