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ファイト／ステイナイト 
I have to admit that I'm quite surprised with the decision that the animation team made in regards to this adaptation. At first I thought they'd be staying away from all of the erotic part of the series but that's not true at all. This episode is particularly kinky with all the neck, blood, and finger licking good that each vampire does to another vampire or human. This also makes me realized how unfazed I am with this kind of thing anymore. A few years ago, I would be too embarrassed to include some of the screenshots that I took for this episode. Now, I just don't see the problem with it and sometimes they kind of amuse me. It makes me wonder if anime does lower my inhibitions or it just makes me shameless. XD Wait, maybe I shouldn't have wrote that because this is how the media over-exaggerates things and claims that anime is an evil influence that turns good people into the perverted types that anime fans are known for. :D
As promised by the head of vampire hunters association, a man has arrived at Cross Academy to conduct his report on Zero. At the same time, Cross headmaster is placing a bracelet on Yuuki's hand, telling her and Zero that this is a jutsu that was used by ancient vampire hunters to tame vampires. Together with Zero's tattoo, Yuuki's bracelet perform some kind of magic when they are close to one another. The result sends a power strong enough to flatten Zero on his back and pin him with some kind of magical Kunai. Because of this, he suggests that Yuuki uses the bracelet to stop Zero next time around. He also informs Yuuki that Kaname has allowed Zero to stay in day class as a favor for her. Cross then gives Zero some blood tablet and tells him that if he's really desperate for blood, he can suck Cross' neck. Zero responds to this by beating up Cross and sends him hurling across the room and into the nearby wall.
The next day, Yuuki and Yori are rushing to the class only to find the rest of their classmates looking excited because a new teacher is coming. The minute the man introduces himself as Yagari Touga, Yuuki realizes that Zero has a shock expression on his face. Yagari foolishly lets the students ask questions about him so he has to deal with questions such as "Are you single?", "Do you have a girlfriend?", etc. One girl, however, asks him if his eyepatch is a fashionable thing and for some reason, Zero looks gloomy upon hearing this and decides to exit the class. As Yuuki excuses herself to chase after Zero, Yagari tells the class that what happened to his eye is a compensation for a life. Outside the class, Zero and Yuuki meets Cross, who send them on an errand to do some shopping. Later on, the two shop at a coffee shop and Yuuki orders a giant sundae for two. Zero, however, tells her that he wanted to eat Shio Ramen.
Yuuki decides to use the opportunity to ask Zero if he knows their new teacher but they are interrupted by a waitress asking Zero if he's from a night class. Zero is not happy to hear this and tells Yuuki he'll wait outside. He then wonders if he smells like the rest of those guys. He then becomes startled when he senses the presence of another vampire so he goes off to find the creature. Yuuki, who can't see Zero anywhere when she's out of the cafe, decides to look for him. Unfortunately, she's attacked by a Level-E vampire the minute she enters a quiet alley. Zero arrives in time to help her but before he can attack the creature, it's already sliced in half by none other than Ichijou and Shiki. They tell Yuuki to come to the moon dormitory tonight if she wants to know why they killed that Level-E vampire. On their way to the dorm, Zero gives Yuuki his gun, asking her to kill him should one day he becomes a Level-E like that vampire they saw in the afternoon.
When they arrive at night dorm, they are greeted by Aidou and Cain so Zero points his gun at them. The vampires, however, tells him that they're simply asked by their dorm leader to greet them so they asks Zero to lower his gun. As they walk through the dorm, the two realize that there are other vampires in the area. Much to their surprise, the reason Ichijou invited them tonight is because tonight is his birthday. Yuuki, however, tells Ichijou that they are not here to play. She just wants to know why they attacked the Level-E vampire even though they are the same. Aidou tells Yuuki that they are not the same with Level-E. Ichijou explains that in vampire society, those at the top are called "Pure-bloods". The next one are "Nobles". And then there are normal vampires and vampires who used to be human. The one that they killed today is something lower than human vampires. It's called Level-E. One day ex-human vampires will turn into Level-E.
Kaname then appears and tells Yuuki that the others were ordered to hunt Level-E on his request. Kaname then summons Yuuki and Zero to come close to him and orders Yuuki to sit next to him. Ugh. Yuuki is reluctant to do this especially since the other vampires look jealous but Kaname insists and tells her that next to him is the safest. He then tells her that ex-human vampires should not have been created. When vampires were at war with vampire hunters, some vampires wanted to turned humans to increase their combat ability. Nowadays, however, vampires from Noble class takes the duty to manage the remaining of these types. Zero can't help but tell Kaname that hunting vampire is a vampire hunter's responsibility. In response, Kaname asks Zero why he didn't kill that vampire. He then takes off Yuuki's bandage and kisses the wound in her arm. He also takes a swipe at Zero by asking him if he pitied that vampire.
Zero retaliates by pointing a gun at Kaname's head but Seiren also points her arm at Zero, threatening to kill him if he doesn't lower his gun. Kaname, however, tells Seiren that it's okay since he's the one who spoke callously. Aidou is not happy that Zero points his gun at Kaname and tells him that the only reason they don't attack Zero is because they don't want to violate Cross' peace agreement. However, the only reason they are here in this school is because of pure-blood Kaname. Yuuki is shocked to hear this because pure-blood vampire is the same vampire who killed Zero's family and turned Zero into vampire. Kaname wonders if Yuuki is afraid of him so Yuuki tells him that the truth is she's been a little afraid of him since they first met. In order to calm everyone down, Ichijou reminds them that Yuuki and Zero are his important guests. Meanwhile, Cross is in the middle of showing photographs of Yuuki and Zero to Yagari.
Yagari also informs Cross that there's an E class roaming around the streets today. However, it was quickly dispatched by the night class. Yagari is not happy about this because he feels that those vampires are only killing the E types to have fun. He also believes that the ones who should be hunting vampires are vampire hunters. Back at the party, Yuuki realizes that her wound is not painful anymore so she wonders if this is Kaname's power. Despite this, she feels that she and Kaname come from two different world. Near the cake, Ichijou asks Shiki to cut the cake but because Shiki pulls the knife a bit too quickly, he accidentally scrapes Ichijou's finger with the knife. Upon seeing the blood, Shiki can't help himself from licking Ichijou's finger before sucking on it. Zero who sees this is completely repulsed and has to run away from the party. Yuuki decides to excuse herself as well and go after Zero.
Meanwhile, Cain asks Kaname if he's okay with Yuuki leaving like this but Kaname tells Cain that one day Yuuki will return to his side. While Zero looks like he's dying and gasping for his breath, the vampires at the party are drinking their blood tablet. Shiki thinks that ex-human vampires are dangerous because their body tend to reject the blood tablet. True enough, Zero can be seen vomiting the tablet near a lake. When Yuuki gets close, Zero tries his best to resist his attempt to bite her but eventually he can't resist the lure of real blood. Yuuki herself seems unable to stop Zero using her bracelet so she lets Zero sinks his fangs into her neck. When they fall into the lake, Zero manages to control his vampire self and gets himself and Yuuki out of the lake. When they submerge, however, Yagari is already pointing his gun at Zero. He then pulls the trigger and shoot Zero's shoulder. Much to Yuuki's surprise, Zero address Yagari as his teacher.
Impression
I give up. I did go into this episode trying to see Kaname on a more objective level but his arrogance is too much for me. At the same time, I also don't want the impression to turn into some kind of Kaname-bashing so I better stop talking about him until I can say something good about the character. Anyway, I am surprised with the amount of blood/neck/finger licking that are shown in this episode. I thought the producer would be too afraid to show it but I guess that's not the case. It's interesting to see the caste level that the vampire society applies to their own kind. In a lot of ways, the author seems to draw influences from society class used a few centuries ago. I am referring to the times when words such as "Aristocrats" (born with wealth), "Bourgeoisie" (wealthy due to good jobs and education), "Proletariat" (the lower class) were still used. I think most societies already ditch this kind of differentiation although some countries do still have royalties and I am not sure if countries like India has got rid of their caste system. Personally, I don't believe the cast system, that the pure-blood impose on the others.
To me it seems like a way to insert their authority over the other vampire class. They just claim what is obvious like ex-human will eventually turn into Level-E but I doubt they ever attempted to find a way to prevent this. After all, if you are from the top of the vampire level, of course, you don't want to mix your blood with those on the lower chain. However, this also means that there are a lot of inbreeding going on to ensure the purity of the pure-blood vampires. I guess since they are vampires, there's no taboo whatsoever about this. Moving on, it looks like despite the resource on her hand, Yuuki will never use that bracelet that Cross gave her. It kind of makes the entire thing a moot since she's supposed to stop Zero if he has a blood craving not indulge him with her blood. I believe, however, there is a point for this and it'll be revealed a little bit more as Zero is getting closer and closer to become a Level-E vampire. Speaking of Zero, I wonder why the vampire hunters association send Yagari of all people to write a report on Zero.
Surely they are aware that he's Zero's teacher and therefore emotions are probably involved as well. Despite what he has said and done, I doubt that he'd be able to kill Zero in cold-blooded if he needs to. Yagari actually looks a lot better here than in the manga. I remember having difficulty figuring out what he looks like in the manga. He also reminds me of a character from another anime and it's not until I saw this adaptation that I remember what anime. I think he looks a lot like Captain Harlock from the Galaxy Express series. I mean even the eyepatch is placed on the same eye. It makes me wonder if the author is a big fan of Leiji Matsumoto's work and decides to incorporate some elements of it in her work. Let me know if you recognizes other series elements that are included in this series. Last but not least, does anyone know other reason why other vampires are so respectful of Kaname apart from that one reason that will be revealed soon? What I meant is this a respect that is earned or something that Kaname was born with?
Poll: If you didn't see the question in the first paragraph, do you think anime lowers your inhibitions or increase your tolerance for things that you originally were embarrassed with or refused to see?
0_0 They included the finger licking scene? I'm impressed. I take back anything bad I've said about Studio Deen before.
About the question, the answer is no since I'm pretty deviant in the first place. :P
>> http://www.designchronicle.com/memento/images/vampireknight/05/vampireknight0527LG.jpg
Is that Seiren? She looks so much better here. I remember thinking that she looks plain in comparison to the other Vampire girls.
Watching anime does make me more tolerant of things. I still can't watch things with too much fanservice like Code Geass though. Especially when the girls are like 3/4 naked.
I just can't seem to dig this series (try as I might) as much as I want to because I do feel that it has a lot of potential. I don't dislike it like how I do Special A, but neither do I really like it. And the animation really gets to me; it's sometimes nice and sometimes really bad and flat (which I noticed it as well in Amatsuki, another series Studio Deen is in charge of). The guys are especially affected!
I think manga does to a larger extent than anime. I can't stand to watch things with too much fanservice too, just seems weird :/ Lucky Soul Eater's fanservice is pretty minimal.
@Berceuse -- Yes, that's Seiren. I thought she was great in the ep, and I even liked how her figure was drawn, simplified as it was.
@Cas -- Yes, the drawing can be all over the map. But I don't mind, personally.
@poll -- I think anime gets us used to seeing whatever it shows on screen, but I don't see any demonstration that it changes what we might do in real life. And I think there is nothing in the least wrong with eroticism, as long as it isn't being imposed on people who don't want to see it. In my opinion, there is plenty of subtle eroticism in this show, but I haven't seen anything close to pornography.
Am I the only one who think that Zero's manly voice is now slowly morphing into Tamaki's voice X( I hate it when I recognized the seiyuu's voice. I can't get their previous roles out of my head.
I think anime does open me a little bit more to things I otherwise wouldn't consider. But y'know, it depends on the people because there are people who still can't stomach yaoi/yuri, etc.
About the inbreeding:
Re: your question, anime only lowers your inhibitions as much as you let it be. No matter what, incest is a line that I refuse to cross be it in life or in real-life. It's too gross to contemplate.
I hate hate hate Kaname. I don't understand why anyone could like him when he's being such a possessive creep. The way he ordered Yuki to sit next to him was repulsive.
This is a really good episode even though the animation is a bit all over the place.
Strangely, I'm not a fan of either Zero or Kaname. Yagari, OTOH, rawwrr. I wish my teachers were that hot.
uwa... again thanks for the shots~~
every week this anime turns me into a crazy kyaa-ing idiot
I still find Zero very annoying =.=;
Yuuki eating ice cream is so cute..
I really can't understand why you have moved from a KanameXyuuki to ZeroX yuuki~~
*runs off* cya again next week XD I took the finger-licking sexy duo from your screenshots XD thankies
I really can't understand why you have moved from a KanameXyuuki to ZeroX yuuki~~
I think there's a misunderstanding. ^^;; I have never been a Kaname x Yuuki fan. Not even in the beginning. At first I didn't actually think much about the pairing but after a while, I just feel that Zero is better for Yuuki, if she has to be paired with either one of those guys.
Ack... um have you read the manga of Vampire Knight? I love the bishonens and kinkness of this series.
Personaly i dont like kaname... and i dont like zero... i think tha Akatsuki is the best... i think hanabusa is funny and shiki?... well...
I think kaname should be gay and i hate the way he slaps hanabusa too much when he always stucks by his side (-_-)
Personaly i dont like kaname... and i dont like zero... i think tha Akatsuki is the best... i think hanabusa is funny and shiki?... well...
I think kaname should be gay and i hate the way he slaps hanabusa too much when he always stucks by his side (-_-)
I just had to post here even though I've never posted before. I've been reading this blog for years by the way. I love this blog!
Honestly, the reason why I'm posting is to defend Kaname-senpai, seems there is a lot of Kaname-bashing and Zero-loving around.
A lot of times, I think Kaname is misunderstood and his actions, while high and mighty to some people, do have their reasons. I don't know how to post spoilers, so I would write more about this part but I'll just stop here.
Asking Yuuki to sit beside him does have a point. I mean, Aidou did try to get a taste of her blood before. Now that she was in a place full of vampires, won't Kaname want to protect the person whom he loves so dearly?
haha, I think it was a lot of other things that lowered my inhibitions.
Hum.. the ones that really truly respect Kaname is not because he is a pure blood. Most of them are just putting up an act. I don't want to say much more because I don't want to spoil things.
Sadly, I'm the same as you. I tried to like Kaname but as the series went on he just got worse and worse, even after his secret was reveled.
Hello!!
First thanks for blogging this. I am more of a fan of the manga than the anime, but I enjoy reading your blogs and analysis.
In answer to the "why vampires respect kaname"
early in the manga Ichijou mentions that he respects Kaname because he earns the respect of vampires naturally rather than using his "power"
also
Uh, well, to me, its just ok to see that stuff cause I'm older now, like 18 years old, at an adult age. So, anyone could be able to handle all that.
Uh, well it just makes me amused just how vampires are still protrayed in this lifetime. I thought that the 'caste' system' for vampire has disappeared. Huh, I guess not.
Well, I , myself, am not a Kaname fan either. I don't see good qualities in this character, more like possessive, selfish, manipulator, greedy, a lot negative themes coming out of this character. I tried to accept this character, but he's too[ what other people love in a character, really strange XD] evil.
I still think people should considered Zero, he's life isn't all candies and butterflies.
[Sighs] Sadlly, no one gives a crap about a character like Zero.
[Sighs] Sadlly, no one gives a crap about a character like Zero.
LOL, that's not true. There are alot of Zero supporters, more so than Kaname.
I personally don't find Kaname that bad. I guess I'm just a sucker for guys who are protective of their girls (which is the basis of 90% of all shoujo anime/manga). Although I'd like to support ZeroxYuuki, at this point there's very little chance of them getting together, with Zero's condition worsening day by day.
As for whether or not anime reduces my inhibition for things - yes, to some degree. Provided that the "embarrassing" scenes are tastefully done and mature, and not just randomly sticking a pair of boobs/yaoi scene/lolita scene.
Hi there Garten!
Anime didn't lower my inhibitions or increase my tolerance for things that I originally were embarrassed with or refused to see. I don't need anime for that reason. (Well, I think this question is best answered when you are not 30 year old like me =.= urggh.. I felt old already!)
If the animation team decides to follow the manga at this kind of pace, I expect to see my favourite scene next week - involving Yuuki & Zero. ^^
As for your question, (apart from the reason which will be revealed soon), I think other vampires are respectful (or afraid, to be precise) of Kaname is because the power of a pure-blood is somewhat unthinkable. They have the power to make other vampire listen and does things for them. But Kaname rarely uses his power - which makes them respect him more (to agree with "traveling through"'s comment above). He was born with the respect but he also earned that level of respect (or perhaps intimidation).
I sounded like a Kaname fangirl there, didn't I? I love Zero!! But I don't loathe Kaname despite of his possessiveness and arrogance. Those are traits of superior vampire afterall.
I'm genuinely surprised that there are actually a lot of people who like Kaname. I thought I'm the only one here. Can we please have a show of hands as to which one like Kaname better than Zero, which one only likes him but prefer Zero, and which one likes Zero better?
Ooh, I can't wait for the next episode now, labeled "Their Choice". I hope Studio Deen does justice.
@Zara : I think both characters are very unique (though I love Zero better than Kaname). When I first read the manga, I actually like Kaname for his gentleness towards Yuuki, he's not afraid to let others know of his feelings for Yuuki and he is a soft-spoken person even when he's about to kill somebody.
Zero, on the other hand is very reserved, mysterious and stubborn. But such guys can be more appealing because (most of the time) deep inside, he cares about others but tends to keep his true feelings for himself. But when he does (reveals his true self), I was like - kyaaaa~~!! *drooling* ^^
Picture the role play below:
Kaname: Come, Yuuki. Sit by my side. The safest place is beside me.
Zero: (in his mind/heart) No, Yuuki! You don't have to be by his side to be safe. I am able to protect you. (attempting to reach Yuuki's hand)
Yuuki: ??
^O^ I am probably thinking about Vampire Knight too much! LOL
Have you noticed that in the opening sequence the man who strokes yuuki has a white shirt on.... the night class wear black shirts... i think it might be zero... i sure do hope so!!!!
I think it'd be interesting to see Zero and Kaname in a battle especially now that we know....
But I suspect they wouldn't ever be in a battle. In a way they really are similar to Kyou and Yuki in Fruits Basket. They hate each other but they never confront each other directly.
@rhirhi: There are several instances where Kaname is wearing a white shirt as well, when he's not in his uniform.
But with that said, I still feel that it's gonna be Zero X Yuuki :(
@Zara: I prefer Kaname, which is strange because I am usually rooting for the underdogs. But Zero, ehrm, yucks.
I don't know whether it is that I haven't watched enough anime, but all those kinky vampire scenes still made me cringe :P If anime truly desensitizes you to *stuff*, then I think i need some recommendations for "educational series" that aid in desensitization :P
I think generally though, I think any form of media desensitizes a person, if they become exposed to it enough. I have to say, I've become very, very inure to all those articles that are based on "research studies", touting one wonder-diet/fruit/nutrient after another... Movies generally have become more and more violent and graphic in order to hold your attention. So I don't really think it's a problem with anime.... I think it might be the summation of all the media that you were exposed to that desensitizes you.. not just anime :)
I almost had the feeling, watching this episode, that Shiki sliced Ichijou's hand open on purpose. It's just the way he acts, and how he apologizes in a very monotoned voice..... he doesn't sound sorry at all! If you sliced ur friend's hand open, I would expect you to react with slightly more surprise!
.... but then, i wouldn't expect my friend to start licking my hand either (eewwww......) so maybe I should just put realistic expectations aside :P
In response to your poll: yes, I'm afraid -- but it's also made me a little less scared of those kinds of things too and I'm kind of glad for that. A little bit of desensitizing isn't in all ways negative.
In response to the poll: It did actually help lower inhibitions, but I think it was for the better. I think it helped me become more open-minded about things. Besides, like Birdie said, it's not always negative; the fact that anime does cross boundaries sometimes can help us realize how important or unimportant censoring certain parts of our lives are (kids sharing a bath? not scandalous, it's just what they do in a different culture, and it's not like they're making the show all about it).
But I think that like everything else, it should be taken with moderation. When I watch anime, I think it should have fanservice, sure, but too much of it takes over the story and makes it unattractive to me. Will I try to emulate stuff in anime in real life? No, it's called separation between reality and fantasy. People who try to blame all their problems on things like TV and games seem to not realize how important knowing the difference is.
/rant off
//btw, hi, again.
Sure it does. I mean there are so many things in anime that are so shameful. I don't want to make this sound like it is entirely the shows fault that we are more open to these sorts of things though. It's everyone's own decision whether they watch something or not. If something passes your own personal limits then by all means just do not watch or read it. There are some manga I have for sure felt that with, and have given up.
Vampire Knight is for sure not one of them though! I love the eroticism. I prefer the manga though. The animation is just not as nice. I was just reading the manga yesterday and realize this episode seems to cover alot of ground. I'll have to watch it for the party. I wonder if that cute girl with the dark hair is in it.
I did not take you for a prude Garten. ;)
I'm just kidding of course.
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