Rosario + Vampire 9

Well, the turn we’ve been wondering about may have finally arrived. 95% of the episode was cute and fluffy (and they might have finally bumped the animation up a notch–about time). Then in the last thirty seconds, all hell broke loose.

Arguably, until now, Gonzo has not made large changes to the continuity. They’ve re-ordered some events, and put people where they weren’t previously, in order to support the revised timeline, yet they have not deviated with an event that completely challenges canon. Until now.

But first, some cheesecake, because Gonzo thought it would be a lot more fun if the summer vacation involved a trip to the beach, instead of camping in a hotel room!


“No time for emo lolis.” Damn straight, I’d watch that before I watch re-runs of “No Time for Sergeants” on TCM. Wait…did I just say I wanted to watch lolis? That’s not what I meant, honest!

In my next life, I’m coming back as a swimsuit. But with my luck, it will probably be Rosanne Barr’s.
Ewww. Now I need a brainscrub. Fortunately, I’ve got the cleanser right here.

You know, I think Gonzo had the right idea. Beaches > hotel rooms.

Yeah, I could chill with that.

Uh, no. What makes you think Kurumu is my favorite?

Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads… In the clearest evidence yet that this is a 13 episode series, instead of the ulterior motives behind the gang being brought here, neko-sensei just wanted to eat fresh fish from the human world.

On advice of my counsel, I am invoking my fifth amendment right against self-incrimination.

Lose the one in the hat, and I’m all over this. By the way, while a hat is a good idea at the beach, isn’t that one just a bit… conspicuous for the human world?

And now for something completely different….. Listen, when you’ve just put the smack down on the evil witch and destroyed her minions, it is NOT a good idea to cruise off high-fiving and engaging in your usual activities of arguing or trying to kiss… while she’s still standing there.

It can result in serious bodily harm.

Very serious bodily harm. And then things can really go off the rails.

Ok, this is bad enough.

But this is really, really bad news.

Especially when it’s not supposed to be possible.

Funny thing was, I had been going, “Hey guys, why are you all acting like it’s over… Rubi is still standing there, and she hasn’t exactly confessed to the error of her ways!” Yep, she reminded them life isn’t always fun and games, and the bad guys don’t quit from embarrassment.

The interesting thing is this picture seems to be some kind of amalgam of Moka and alt-moka. There are other visual clues that indicate that alt-Moka may not be fully in control or manifested. The question I have is whether or not we’re going to see the reverse bite, and Moka inject Tskune with her vampire blood for the first time in the anime. If so, then that may indicate that the point where Tskune goes out of control will be against the Public Safety Commission, not the later bad guys. Or perhaps it will happen here, in the human world and the PSC is sent after them. I don’t know, but it seems that this is another indication that the series is indeed, only 13 episodes.

With four episodes to go, and one being part 2 of the Witch Hill arc, Gonzo is going to have to hurry a lot, to stay within 13 episodes. Rubi is not going to have much time to reverse course and become a fifth haremette by the end. In the manga, the story lasted several chapters, and arguably at least one of them was dedicated to showing how she came to switch sides. There was a slow middle part where they got to know each other, and it laid the groundwork for her change of heart. For Gonzo to dedicate a similar amount of time to make it believable, this would need to be a 3-parter, which would cramp the PSC storyline. Instead, I think they’re going to push to keep Witch Hill fast-paced — but I’m worried that will sacrifice Rubie’s creditability and the audience’s credulity.