Manga Review: Vampire Knight: Memories, Volume 3, by Matsuri Hino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3-3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: July 2019

Volumes: 5+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Immortal tales of the past and present from the world of Vampire Knight.

Vampire Knight returns with stories that delve into Yuki and Zero’s time as a couple in the past and explore the relationship between Yuki’s children and Kaname in the present.

Yuki and Zero have decided to become a couple. Though relations between the Hunter Society and vampires have improved, bombs have been set off in the city and the “Vampire King” is claiming responsibility. Yuki, Zero, Aido and Kaien enter the battle to protect those they care about.

Review:

We explore Yuki and Zero's relationship more in this volume. The dynamic they have, as they're forming a romantic relationship, but also as the leaders of the vampires and the pressures from that.

This is mixed a little bit with new information regarding Kaname. Most of this is supposedly being told to him, but every once in a while we get to see him in real time, meeting his children and re-discovering himself and the world. This might actually be the most interesting part of the story to me.

We get to see some of the other vampires' stories, as well, and I do appreciate that. They all formed very close relationships, and I do like quite a few of those relationships and characters.

Mostly, I really just want Hino to write something new. She's one of my favorite mangakas, and this feels like reminiscing on an old series that's well over and deserves to rest. I want new content.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Vampire Knight: Memories, Volume 2, by Matsuri Hino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2018

Volumes: 4+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Immortal tales of the past and present from the world of Vampire Knight.

Vampire Knight returns with stories that delve into Yuki and Zero’s time as a couple in the past and explore the relationship between Yuki’s children and Kaname in the present.

Neither the vampire aristocrats nor the vampire hunters approve of Yuki and Zero’s relationship. Zero must face opposition from the Hunter Society while also becoming the target of a vampire assassin. Meanwhile, Aido and Yori face obstacles as a pureblood vampire and human couple.

Review:

Seeing Kaname so many years later, with their kids, but with Yuki and Zero gone, is quite disconcerting to me. It feels odd, and kind of wrong. But also kind of sweet, knowing he is able to live again after such a sacrifice and after so many years have passed. It's sad, but kind of sweet, and kind of nice for him, I'm sure, even without Yuki. It's odd to me.

Aside from a little bit of that, we go back to seeing how Yuki and Zero decided to finally be together. Or, more accurately, how Yuki decided to get together with Zero, as everyone knew he was simply waiting on her. We see what leads up to this, how they struggle and argue with some people over it. We also get to see Ai's crush on Zero, and how maturely, and sweetly, it's handled by both of them.

Sayori and Hanabusa are probably my favorite characters in all this, though. Seeing them grow together and form a family, and seeing her decide and hold firm to her decision to stay human despite being surrounded and in love with a vampire, is really sweet, and I appreciate it. Their conversations and arguments are actually more interesting to me than the other characters. I'd like to just read a manga full of those two, as they steal every scene.

I don't mind this series, and I'll honestly read anything Hino writes. But I also wish that she'd write something new. I think I've almost had enough of these characters and their drama.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Vampire Knight: Memories, Volume 1, by Matsuri Hino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2017

Volumes: 3+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Immortal tales of the past and present from the world of Vampire Knight.
Vampire Knight returns with collection of stories that delve into Yuki and Zero's time as a couple in the past and explore the relationship between Yuki's children and Kaname in the present.
After a fierce battle between humans and vampires, a temporary peace was established, but Kaname continued to sleep within a coffin of ice...
Yuki gave Kaname her heart to revive him as a human being.
These are the stories of what happened during those 1,000 years of Kaname's slumber, and the start of his human life.

Review:

I guess this takes place during the time that Kaname is asleep, though parts are background and future; it's a bit mixed together.

The volume opens with Sayori, as we get to see her first impression of Yuki, and on through her life as Yuki's friend, as she grows older and they don't. Seeing her relationship with Hanabusa develop is really sweet, as he's a character I've always enjoyed, even if you know it'll be bittersweet.

We see glimpses of the other vampires, as they go on with their lives. We see Yuki and Zero as their relationship gets time to develop; they're always around each other, even if they're conflicted. And we get to see Yuki's kids as they grow older, Ai and Ren, as they wait for Kaname to wake up and tell him what's happened.

While the differences in timeline didn't really bother me, some of the story still felt a little off. I don't know if it's that Ren and Ai seemed under-developed or if I just didn't really care for them. And then Yuki and Zero's relationship... After everything with Kaname, I'm still conflicted on how I feel about them.

I'm going to read more, but I would like Hino to move onto something else, start a new story. I think I'm over this series, maybe.