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Title: Vampire Knight Vol 5

Author: Matsuri Hino

Publisher: Viz

ISBN: 9781421519548

May Contain Spoilers

I think this dark and moody series is finally starting to grow on me.  At first I was reading it for Matsuri Hino’s lush artwork, but now the story is starting to intrigue me as well.  I still don’t like the way that Kaname and Zero treat Yuki, and their behavior towards her initially turned me off of Vampire Knight.   They both treat her like a possession, especially Kaname.  Most of the male characters treat her like an object and not like a human being, and that aspect of the story really bugs me.

The Shizuka story arc was wrapped up in this volume, but I thought its ending was a little anti-climatic.  Kaname plays his hand here, setting much bigger events in motion and stirring up trouble for Cross Academy.  He uses Zero to his own ends, knowing that the senate won’t just sit idly by when Zero is accused of killing the pureblood Shizuka.  He interferes when assassins are sent after Zero, which was surprising to me.  All of the loose ends regarding Shizuka’s death would have been be neatly tied up with Zero’s death, there would have been no uncomfortable questions for Kaname, and there would be less competition for Yuki’s affections.

I do like Zero better than the cold and emotionless Kaname.  There are so many roadblocks for him to overcome, so I can’t help cheer for the underdog.  He obviously cares a great deal for Yuki, but her heart’s been snared by Kaname.  Zero is also fated to eventually go insane and become a blood-crazed monster.  That doesn’t make for prime boyfriend material, does it?  I don’t think he has a chance, but I’ll keep hoping he pulls down a win.

Grade: B+

Rated for Older Teen

Review copy provided by Viz