When I came across this series, Rosario + Vampire, I thought the premise to be unusual enough to watch; the concept of an ordinary mid- teen human kid accidentally going to a school of monsters was a cool one, and had a lot of potential.
Rosario did not disappoint. Though monsters, most of the students at Yokai Academy are pretty good looking in their human form, including Tsukune, the male protagonist, while the girls are unsurprisingly pretty sexy. You have to get used to the amount of fan service the creators provide, but, like watching girls in bikinis on a beach, after a while you get used to it and it's not that big a deal, just a very pleasant spectacle; however, the girls ARE very attractive, and the various mini story arcs constantly remind one of their powerful sex appeal. That, and the pretty decent animation, plus great music, makes it an entertaining thing to watch and listen to. The adorable Nana Mizuki has a great voice, and does a wonderful job with the songs-as well as the sedate Moka's voice - even if in Japanese; if you have a chance, look this charming little lady up!
There is no overwhelming story to take in, other than the adventures of a teenage human boy in a school of monster people, but the little ones they provide, and the resulting fights that the gorgeous Moka Akashiya has in her powerful vampire state, are very cool to see; but, of course, Moka always is, no matter what state she's in. The series is strewn throughout with comic moments, which one can see is what the creators decided to make this, rather than an anime with hard science, plots, and dramas, which is what it appears confuses those people who also read the manga. I didn't. Rosario doesn't try to become something terribly serious and dramatic, although it does have some interesting dramatic and semi-serious moments in it; but ultimately they give way to more humorous and amusing resolutions. Tsukune is a charming young boy with a naive but very good heart, and it's easy to see why the girls - otherwise in a school of high-octane monster males - love him. His human scent is not the reason, it's just there, and something more that interests them; but the love they have for him is because of his good, accepting nature and wishes of good will for everyone, which, in a school of monsters, makes for many comic moments.
Altogether, Rosario's characters are attractive and charming, male and female alike, the anime colorful and pleasant to watch, the villains (who are only villainous for a short time) interesting and then amusing, and the story lines light and entertaining; that is why it has its popularity. And of course, there are Moka, Kurumu, Mizore, & Yukari (not to ignore Rubi Tojo, the exotic adult witch, Ririko Kagome, the super sexy & busty math teacher, & the nearly as sexy & always funny homeroom teacher, Shizuka Nekonome) all of who are always attractive, captivating, slightly erotic, & very entertaining to watch. But it is always the dazzling Moka Akashiya that is the central focus of the series, who manages to stir up most of the action & drama, one way or the other, and is any man or boy's dream girl; and if you have to offer up a little blood every once in awhile, well, that's the price for having a stunning vampire girlfriend who adores you. It's a definite hoot, and worth watching a few times.
