Vampire Knight ep.13 (FINAL)

July 2, 2008 | 21 Comments

Well, here it is, the final episode of the first season. I think the series has been an okay adaptation so far. The adapted character design is good but it's clearly hard to keep up with the quality. I hope that the second season have better budget and better animation to boot. The OP and ED songs are surprisingly good and fit the series really well. They are definitely one of the better elements of the series. I also think that the voice acting, despite some inconsistencies are generally okay. My main concern is where things will go from here. I don't think that the writers should rush season 2 if the manga is still not complete. I was a bit concerned with the last few minutes of the episode but after thinking about it, I don't think this will have much impact on the storylines that haven't been told yet.

Episode 13

A flashback reveals how Ichiru first met Shizuka and how the two interact with one another. Ichiru didn't like it when Shizuka took over Maria's body because her behaviour and appearance are not Shizuka-like. Ichiru also wondered why Shizuka doesn't want to turn him into vampire so Shizuka explained that it's because doing so would make him her servant. This means he can't say anything that he wants to say. Besides, Shizuka believed that the existence of vampires itself is a sad thing just like the vampire servant who was killed by the Kiryuus. She also explained that the man in question was actually a food for a caged beast that was her. But the man was actually observing her with interest so she had no hesitation to turn him into vampire. Unfortunately for Shizuka, the man was killed by the Kiryuus, who wanted to exact revenge on her.

In the present, Ichiru cries as Shizuka lets out her dying breath. She wonders if he really likes her and asks the guy if he'd like to come with her. At the same time, Zero feels a painful sensation as Shizuka disappears into thin air. Ichiru explains that it's his Level E reacting but now it's too late since Shizuka is dead. Ichiru is also jealous that even until her death, she still won't make him into a vampire. Zero thinks that's because Shizuka knows that being vampire is anything but pleasant but Ichiru doesn't seem to care. He also has lost interest in being jealous of Zero because he thinks the one standing in front of him now is just a Level E. As Zero lies in pain, he begs Yuuki not to look at him. When Yuuki returns to the room with Kain, however, she finds that Zero is no longer there. Instead, Cross tells him that Yagari has taken him to the council.

Meanwhile, Kaname remembers the time when he first met Shizuka. Back then Shizuka felt sorry for Kaname because he'd become the next Kuran leader. Back in the classroom, Yuuki suddenly study hard in her class and when she's asked about it, she claims that she's doing it for Zero, who can't attend class just yet. At the same time, Kain and Aidou reports to Kaname what they saw that night. They also inform him that chairman seems to be protecting Zero. When Kaname pretends that Zero was the one who killed Shizuka, Aidou becomes nervous but he doesn't have the courage to confront Kaname about what he saw. That night, however, Aidou asks Kain what he knows about Shizuka. Kain explains that from what he's heard, Shizuka was a vampire that couldn't be controlled and a danger to both vampires and humans.

Aidou then reveals what he knows about Shizuka. Shizuka had a vampire fiancee but she had an ex-human vampire by her side. Shizuka loved that servant but the servant's name was on the liquidated list of the Hunters' association. It was the hunters from Kiryuu family that killed the servant even though he hadn't turned into a Level E. This means, normally he wouldn't be on the liquidated list. In revenge, Shizuka killed Kiryuu family as a revenge. Aidou believes that the senior council are after Hiou Shizuka because she's a dangerous factor. He continues to tell Kain that Shizuka comes to this school because there's something that she wants and she's not the only one who goes after it. At the same time, Kaname finds himself having problem controlling his newfound power and ends up breaking the glass window inadvertently.

Meanwhile, Yuuki is in the middle of sitting by the fountain, worrying about Zero. Kaname then comes over to tell Yuuki not to blame herself because that's the last thing that Zero would want her to do. Meanwhile, Yagari and Cross are at their wits end because no matter what medicine they've given Zero, his Level E still goes uncontrolled. When they hear noise coming from outside, they decide to check it out. Unknown to them, Kaname has sneak into the prison to check on Zero. He's surprised to know that Zero still has his own consciousness. He then tells Zero that inside him is a pure-blood that can cure him. Kaname urges Zero to bite him but reminds him that he's not doing it for Zero but for Yuuki. Despite his initial resistance, Zero eventually sucks sucks Kaname's blood, causing the other vampires to be alerted.

Impression

That BL-like scene comes way earlier than it should have been in the manga but I guess this is a way to attract the BL-lovers? Leaving that aside, the season finale is not that bad but I really miss the time when a season ends in a nice happy note instead of on a cliffhanger like this. I guess the writers in Japan start to take note of US TV Series' tendencies to end on cliffhanger (ie. Supernatural). At any rate, this episode basically answers part of Shizuka's past. She turns out to be a human and Level E lover as well. Shame on her, what would the other proud pure-blood think? J/K. In her own crazy ways, I think she actually cares about Ichiru but since Ichiru has low self-confidence, he keeps interpreting her refusal to turn him into vampire as something negative. I kind of want to see him turned into vampire then gets roasted in the sun.

Moving along, I still don't understand why both her and Kaname wants to obtain each other's power. I also wonder why Shizuka thinks Kaname is one unfortunate person for inheriting the Kuran clan. As for Kaname, I think he was slightly redeemed in this one. I still think he's dangerous, ambitious bastard but at least he cares about Yuuki to the point that he was willing to give his blood to Zero. I still don't like the fact that he basically lied with a straight face to his subordinates about who killed Hiou Shizuka. This means that not only he endangers Zero's fate, he also absolves himself from any kind of responsibility for killing her. I kind of wish that Aidou had confronted him right there and then but I don't think that guy will have the guts to do it. Anyway, thank you for participating in the discussion. The show will return in Fall but next week its timeslot will be replaced by Natsume Yuujinchou.

Poll:

1. How did you like the first season? What really stands out for you and what fell off the mark?
2. If there's something you can change about the series, what would it be?
3. Would you be watching Natsume Yuujin-chou next week?

Posted by Garten

Comments

July 2, 2008 | asrai wrote:

haha ^^ the image captions are hilarious..

I'm looking forward to season 2...btw, do you know what part of the manga is this episode?

July 2, 2008 | Garten wrote:

I'm looking forward to season 2...btw, do you know what part of the manga is this episode?

I think it's around ch.20-22, IIRC. But they change parts of it with the original material towards the last few minutes.

July 2, 2008 | Teru wrote:

3. Would you be watching Natsume Yuujin-chou next week?

I definitely will, once subs get released for it. It's one the summer season's most anticipated for me at least.

Will you blog it?

July 2, 2008 | hashihime wrote:

I loved the series. It snuck up on me and rose into my top 3-4 shows of the season (Twenty-Faces, Macross F, VK, Kurenai). I'd give them a bit more money to spend time getting the animation on-model each week, but besides that, there isn't much I'd change. I certainly wouldn't change the ending. I've read the manga, and there just isn't any place to stop and get the finality you mentioned. So they rearranged events to give us this set-up for a new arc. One thing I'll remember this show for is seeing that there are some roles Horie Yui just isn't quite up to. Sure, I'll watch the first episode of Natsume Yuujin-chou. It looks promising.

July 2, 2008 | Garten wrote:

Will you blog it?

So far that's the plan. Here's hoping that the animation is pretty good.

July 2, 2008 | Kobato00 wrote:

I liked the manga version more , some changes were slightly small but it did took a different feling, speacilly the last scene, I was hoping for the manga version to not be altered but oh well. It had more .... emotion, not sure how to express it.

something to change, I would only have liked if they had sticked more to the manga, but of course not everything can be adapted to the anime version or can actually be animated [ I bet they had a hard time with the erotic scenes =p] also the problems with the animation that at times the faces loked kind of strange, hope they get a better budget for next season

As for Natsume Yuujin-chou I read the manga and I'm looking forward for the animation =3

July 2, 2008 | Kobato00 wrote:

Sorry the above coment is mine, totally forgot to write the nick, sorry again T-T.

I just saw the episode and wanted to comment right away, and yeah those are some hillarius captions

July 2, 2008 | Vicki wrote:

I was sure that Zero getting Kaname's blood was later on in the storyline, but I wasn't sure since it's been awhile since I read that part of the manga. Still, I think it makes a good end point, even if they did move it up (I generally don't mind changes in adaptations, as long as there is a good reason for them).

I think there is enough material for a second season right now and I think in the end this break is good, because it means that there is more time for the manga to be written and possibly finish (after reading the latest chapters, I think things are moving towards a conclusion, though it's still a ways away).

I still want to know whose hand it is at the end of the OP (the one Yuuki kisses). I was hoping they would reveal that now, unless they are using the same OP for the second season, which is possible but I generally doubt it. Oh well, you can't get everything I suppose.

July 2, 2008 | kaze nai wrote:

lol ..... thank god the kaname and zero scene didn go over the level ... but ya I think it's a good ending cuz it makes me really wanna know what'll happen nex! (didnt read manga but i know the main spoilers yuukii) 1st season was on zero so we pbviously know who it'll be on in next season :P can't wait .

I liked on/off opening for this anime but 2nd season ...i unno ...I hope it'll be something dark like op1 but otherwise i hope its good

July 2, 2008 | blue wrote:

I'm definitely watching Natsume Yuujin-chou .

The captions were hilarious. I really like the note they ended on. It makes me really want to see season two

July 3, 2008 | last_memory wrote:

I like the season ending, but I have a question. I have read until the last chapter published of the manga, but I don't understand why the 2nd season will be called "Vampire Knight Guilty", specially how is the word "guilty" related to what is coming ? o.O

July 3, 2008 | Birdie wrote:

I liked the anime adaptation, I felt that they explained a lot of things more thorougly than they did in the manga. Many of the character's motivations were often only implied in the manga, and in the anime, I noticed that they made sure to say it. I really don't mind if the anime diverges from the manga a bit, people can do good if given a little artistic lisence. I'm fine with this ending, it's got some finality to it, even if they did speed up the order of things, it shouldn't be too hard to sort out and follow the original plot.
I guess I understand Shizuka now, too, and I like her better for it. Though I still don't understand what she was after, or Kaname's agenda really. I'm also a bit confused as to what the chairman is planning on doing now; he doesn't seem to have much control over anything, although he should know about everything that's going on. I feel like he isn't doing as much as he could to, Idunkno, be more helpful. As for Ichiru, although they've gone to the trouble of thoroughly explaining what's up with him, it only reinforces his idiocy, in my opinion. And the minor sense of dislike I harbor towards Kaname hasn't ebbed. And Zero's life still sucks. I hope that Zero ends up with Yuuki in the end, it would be so much better for him.
The captions for the end there were pretty funny too, Garten. Good job there.

July 4, 2008 | anna_w wrote:

I can't believe that I didn't notice the captions before but those are some LOL-worthy comments.

July 4, 2008 | Cray00 wrote:

LOL, I don't remember any chains in the manga during Zero and Kaname's... err... moment! :3 :3 :3 Kinky BL!!! :D :D :D Ha-hah! Though, I honestly didn't expect that scene to come so early... but thankfully it did!!! I almost cried when I found out there would only be 13 eps. for season 1 (meaning no KanameXZero scene, LOL, and THAT scene was just one of the few I was so excited about in VK. Haha! XD).

The ending's nice.... but Kaname's really irritating!!!! How could he just say that Zero was the one who killed Shizuka??!!! Errgghhhh!!! I can't wait for season 2!!! I hope Kaname's smuggy face would disappear there!!! LOL! :D :D :D oh and ichiru... is it just me or did he seem soooooo gay?? and not the good kind of gay... but the annoying kind of gay!!! T___T ( no offense to anyone!!! ) -sigh- I prefer the ichiru in the manga... haha!!! I hope he improves in season 2!!! XD XD XD

July 4, 2008 | Cray00 wrote:

"let us commit something unforgiveable"
LMAO!!!!
nice captions!!! XD XD XD

July 4, 2008 | betise wrote:

Long time reader, first time commenting.

Regarding your poll:

1. How did you like the first season? What really stands out for you and what fell off the mark?

It started out great, but then, somehow, I lost interest. It was probably the fact that I read the manga in between episodes, but also, I got increasingly frustrated at the animation and how bad it was.

2. If there's something you can change about the series, what would it be?

If I could, I would make it so that the animation was fantastic, instead of having what I call a "Bleach quality " to it.

3. Would you be watching Natsume Yuujin-chou next week?

I will, solely based on the fact that it has a very...Studio Ghibli feel to it.

July 5, 2008 | Shanana wrote:

I would change that 'sweet dream' engrish line 'cause it always kills the episode's mood for me once I read it. c:

July 7, 2008 | loulou wrote:

1. I enjoyed the first season. I found that the opening and ending songs were well chosen - even if the sentences of the ending will actually makes more sense with the next part of the story. As for the animation, it didn't really bother me - I even found that for most of the serie, they had chosen well the colors (I was disappointed when I saw how light they had done Yuuki's dress). The only thing that was annoying me was those text in big bright colors here and there at the start of the serie (see the fight between Zero and Yuuki in the first episode).

2. Definitely the last part of the final episode - if I remember well, Zero NEVER fell to the level E in the manga; he wasn't far from it, but still wasn't there. Also, if I'm not wrong, it was said that once a vampire is level E, there's no return - so I feel that they are a bit wrong with their interpretation here. I'm a bit sad that they didn't fight each other before Zero resigned himself to take Kaname's blood, but it's alright :)

3. I had read some of the early chapters and it wasn't bad - so I'll probably give it a try.

July 7, 2008 | core wrote:

there's a reason why the second season is called guilty. or rather i understand the rational logic behind it. everyone would need however, in order to understand, dig out the vampire knight manga and start reading the chapters after this blood-sucking incident. it gets way darker and highlights a lot more about the vampire/hunters council... the kuran's family history and what we've been waiting for, yuuki's missing childhood memories.

p.s. >.> zero and ichiru was rather... uhm... i unno... i cried when i read the manga... but hmm.... =w= let's just say i don't like certain outcomes and prefer massive murder and brutality... wheras, vampire knight's just too shoujo sometimes for me.

p.p.s. there are no spoilers since i have no idea how to use a tag that i dunno if i can edit ^^;

August 9, 2008 | Joy717 wrote:

Now that the anime is over for first season.... this is what I'm thinking about Kaname. He doesn't love Yuuki and if he does, it's not enough to keep him from using her in some evil way. He obviously wanted that power.... and yea, he did let Zero drink his blood (creepy, but whatever) and that was like, wow, but I dont' know if it was really so then Yuuki could be happy or just so he could use them both... I'm still not liking Kaname till he comes clean and says exactly what he's thinking. That's just what I think.. I liked him at first, but not anymore. I love Zero though.... not exactly sure why, but I do. I like his personality and how he struggles. It's so... human and he overcomes most of what he is struggling with. I absolutely ADORE Yuuki and wish I was more like her. She's strong, spunky, and yet tender. She knows what needs to be done and yet, she still needs Zero and even Kaname. I think that's pretty cool.

September 24, 2008 | kanameslonglostlover wrote:

I loves this season! I felt that it stayed fairly close to the manga, and kept the plot the same. (soooo great cuz i heart the story line)

I cannot wait until season two comes out! (airs on october 6th i think.)

If you want to download these episodes (and MANY MORE) then go to www.veoh.com and download the veoh TV application. It's free and it's like limewire (cept it doesnt slow down the computer, and takes up less space) You can download tons of animes for free, including the entire Vampire Knight first season english subbed and all.

OH AND I MAKE VAMPIRE KNIGHT BACKGROUNDS. INTERESTED?

EMAIL ME AT vampire_knight_junkie@gmail.com

I can make you one if you'd like. just send in a request and i'll do the rest. :)

thanks people!

kapuchuu