(L) Karin the Blood-Giving Vampire

[Vexx]

Unfortunately, the tack that because *some* vampires are bad, lets exterminate them *all*- doesn't throw a lot of sympathy to the humans (again... that should ring a familiar bell).
Elda *does* have an unfortunate side trait -- and she's a vampire from a "simpler" time. If she *doesn't* see that she's become a banner girl for the beliefs of Alfred's father and the ignorant mobs he manipulated, then yes she becomes evil. To some degree Karin's situation is a test of redemption for Elda -- will she understand the differences or will they simply have to seal her up again?

[brightredglow]

First time posting in this thread. Mostly just wanting to say how much I am enjoying this series. I started watching on a whim but steadily got hooked. The series started a little slow and even seemed a bit mundane in the details, but I now appreciate that it took that time so as to develop the "bond" between Karin and Kenta.

The aspect that surprises me the most is that Karin and Kenta are good without being boring. That's pretty darn special when you consider most heroes/heroines have problems up to their pointy noses. Karin and Kenta have their problems, but they do their best and are relatively angst free. (Even Karin's realization about how she feels about Kenta was not overly drawn out or overdone. All I can say to that is "thank you JC Staff!")

Karin is a sweetheart. Usually ditzy characters annoy me but she's got such a good heart and personality that she's completely irresistable.

Kenta's character is easy to overlook but he is key to the story. As a "hero", I find him refreshing in that he has a quirky look and he is not a pretty boy and he's not uber-powerful. He's just a guy and Karin, and the audience, grow fond of him, not because he is handsome or he's got the power to save the world, but because he's a nice guy. In this day and age of manga/anime, that is unique.

And I have to say that their relationship has to be one of the most charming and endearing "love" stories I've seen in a long time.

I like Karin's family and Kenta's mom. I'm as interested in them as I am in Karin and Kenta. Maki is adorable and I even like Winner.

About the only thing I can criticize is the Karin-molesting. She's got big boobs. We get it. Can we move on now? I hope it doesn't become an ongoing gag. That would be distracting from an otherwise excellent story.

Spoiler for Current eps...just to be safe:

Of the current episodes, Elda was a seamless addition. On the surface, she seems a straightforward "villain" but then they round her out to make her a little more complex. I find it intriguing that she wants to suck Kenta's blood for Karin's own good. Although there are hints that Kenta likes Karin beyond the friendship that is building between them, I hadn't thought he was in love with her in the same way that Karin was in love with him. It makes me wonder if Elda senses something in Kenta that he hasn't yet admitted. And given that he has placed such importance on being an upstanding citizen, I wonder if that goal may be compromised as he becomes more involved with Karin.

I totally look forward to Friday and Saturdays when the first glimpses of the raw comes out and then the fast fansubbing. This show is truly a treat.

And on that note, I have to thank the different fansub groups for their work on getting this series out to us. It is much appreciated.

[Vexx]

brightredglow: heavily agreed about the boob-checks... its one of the lamest gags in anime and from my rather limited survey of japanese femmes - an activity that lies 99% *only* in the minds of pathetic animators.

Most of them commend Azumanga Daioh for being pretty realistic in the locker room (verbal remarks... and thats it) and dealing with leering old men at an early age.

Its the only minus point so far in this series from my viewpoint.... unless we want to see more of Maki

To some extent, Kenta and Karin remind me of the couple in Lamune --- kind of destined for each other. So I'll be royally pissed if they take this romance comedy and drag it through some dark tragic-mode with no relief at the end.

[Eclipze]

Originally Posted by Vexx

To some extent, Kenta and Karin remind me of the couple in Lamune --- kind of destined for each other. So I'll be royally pissed if they take this romance comedy and drag it through some dark tragic-mode with no relief at the end.

But they're very different though. Ken and Nanami were childhood friends, and they've always been together since then. Karin and Usui, however, just met at school, in the beginning of the series. They have no history together (Rather, its Winner who has some sort of "childhood memory" with Karin), and the reason they "got together" was due to the vampire issue in the first place.

Had Karin not been a vampire, they'd probably never would had talked to each other at all and lead their seperate lives.

[Kaoru Chujo]

I get some Nanami/Ken vibes, too -- despite the big difference that they have no long history together. There's something unexpectedly comfortable in their relationship. Maybe more than in the manga.

[Vexx]

Like Kaoru said... I'm not talking about something as simplistic as a long history together ... its more like that deep "soul mate" kind of energy. They just seem innately comfortable around each other at this point.... they only seem to get nervous when its actually pointed out to them.

[Eclipze]

Well, if you're talking about that kind of vibe, then yea, I suppose so. But that kind of vibe seem to appear in quite a number of animes...Karin/Usui and Nanami/Ken's vibes are more of the, what I would call, "gentle couple". They dont really quarrel just for the sake of it (Rukia and Ichigo from Bleach, for example), nor are they perversely attracted to each other.

[Vexx]

ahhh, THATS IT! They don't spend all their time in domestic abuse!!!!!
(insert any Love Hina-esque series here)
In comparison, its like a Zen Garden with couples like these.

[Kitty-Cat in Blanket]

Just to inject on the whole vampire sucking traits thing... it doesn't seem that in the anime it makes them the complete opposite of what they were... it just takes one trait and takes it away. So if a girl was stressed, and Ren bit them, they wouldn't be beach bums. They just wouldn't worry so much. Karin's was a little too over-the-top potent, it seems.

Elda didn't make Alfred hate her. But having the knowledge of her being a vampire overcome by love was the reason he didn't kill her. Without that love, he had no reason not to kill a monster. I hope that made sense.

All in all I liked episodes 15 and 16 a lot. Boogie-kun isn't very funny to me, but Anju and Winner made it worth it. xD

[Catgirls]

No idea what really when on, but some quick observations:

Spoiler for Episode 17:

Hmmm....do I sense a couple forming here?



He has been somewhat of a father figure ... quirky and not wholly philosophical like a Dad might be, but...he has been one of the constant male figures in the show. Plus, he has a job and he's a nice guy. I'm pulling for them to become a couple.

Grandma can really be scary!



Whore Ray for catgirls!! (Even a Nun/Mystic catgirl ...which is rare.)



Poor Karin...always a bloody nose at the most inopportune times.



From what I could tell, it seemed like a very good episode. Though I sense an emotional show down coming up. The episode ends way too happy ... which is usually a set-up for some good old teen angst.

[Guido]

Well, that thing never happened in the anime, but I will comment on it in my next post.

YES!! Elda did make it

Spoiler:

into the festival. So prepare for a landslide of vampire mayhem for comedy purpose in episode seventeen.

There's lots of stuff that'll make you going around.

Spoiler:

Like Catgirls posted there's a lot of cosplay activity going on, including nekomimi .

A bad timing for Karin exposed her secret before Granny Elda.

Elda is at her most peak of vampire wickedness and stages the final assault against poor Kenta.

Vampire Maki is just so kawaii to be truth.

Elda remembers about Alfred, and a letter from Grandma arrives to Karin.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Another good episode. Have I said how good I think Yahagi Sayuri is as Karin? (Yes, many times.) What a rich voice!

NEWS: I see that Konami is advertising Yahagi Sayuri as one of the seiyuu representing them at the Tokyo Inteernational Anime Fair, in talks about their anime Otogizushi Akazukin on the 25th and 26th of this month. I guess this means that she has a role in the new series, which apparently will go this summer. That would mean she's already out of the late-night ghetto and into the comparatively lucrative (for the producers) kids' shows: this one will air at 9 a.m. Saturday, and stars Tamura Yukari.

Spoiler for ep17:

Elda is a great character. They did her justice. And yes, that's a couple to hope for (Kenta's mom and the manager from Julian's). Good people both. I could even stand Winner this time around. Maki is taking charge. She may even have a chance, and he may even be worth it.

[Vexx]

ep 17 babble:

Spoiler:

awwwwww, that would be just too great --- Kenta's mom and the sweet-hearted manager. I keep wondering what Maki thought "Karin"(Elda) was up to with that neck-nuzzle... I suppose some memory loss was involved but not enough to make Maki forget "she went thataway".
I've had way enough "stake through the heart" tragedy.... hoping that Karin gives us a Shakespearean "As you Like It" minor angst but then with 3 happy couples at the end.

[trademark]

Hm...episode 17 was....ok?

Spoiler:

I kind of wish Usui did get bitten, and even if he lost his 'love' for Karin he would still treat her in the same way like I was predicting before. But that didn't happen and it's been made apparent that Usui likes Karin also.

I'm curious as to what that 'thing' Guido was waiting to happen that did in the manga. Anyways, looking forward to next week's episode.

[Kamui4356]

Hmm... Did anyone else notice

Spoiler:

Elda's reaction when she heard Winner's name? Looks like evidence to support the theory he's a decendent of Alfred. At the very least, she knows the name sinclare from someplace.

[solwyvern]

*enters thread*
"I love Elda!!"

*leaves thread*

[Chiibi]

Spoiler for Episode 17 ranting

Spoiler:

Yay! That was such a sweet ep! Kenta loves Karin also! Though I kinda figured that (blushing is the key) No molesting of Karin or gratituous fanservice-very nice, very nice. Poor Elda though...I seriously sympathize with her. Wow Winner turned out to be useful for once...if it were not for him, Kenta'd be in deep trouble O_O but then W-kun turned useless again. YES! Elda's reaction to "Sinclair" most definitely means something!

Bge-kun's CM eyecatch was funny. XD I wanna know Ren's secret! What is it!? ZOMG!

[Furudanuki]

Great episode!

Spoiler for Episode 17:

"Vampire" Maki is simply... too... cute. If I wasn't already hopelessly smitten with Maki, I would be after this episode. And I love the way she is taking charge with Winner, even if he still can't (or won't) call her by her name. At least in this episode they show that Maki is not the only one he does that to; it seems like he also refers to the other girls in the class by their relationship to Karin - "Miss Karin-san's class representative".

Kudos for Winner in this episode - His voice still annoys the hell out of me and as a vampire hunter he is pretty hopeless, but his bravery and loyalty cannot be faulted. However I was fervently hoping that Elda would bite him and take away his fixation with Karin.

Kenta's eyes were the scariest thing in the haunted house! <snicker> But now that we've seen his dreams of married life, I guess we can safely say with confidence that his feelings for Karin have advanced beyond friendship.

Manager and Fumio FTW!!!

I also have to echo Kaoru Chujo's praise for the job that Yahagi Sayuri is doing as Karin's seiyuu. This episode has Karin going through a lot of different emotions and several rapid changes in mood, but the voicing was spot on every time.

[Guido]

The conclusion for the Elda arc was just thrilling and leaves the door open, since we haven't seen the last of Elda yet.

One of the best adapted plots from the manga to the anime.

That "thing" obviously never happened in the anime due to the added changes into the arc's storyline, henceforth, I will comment upon it now.

Spoiler:

Actually, there are two things that happen in the manga for the Elda arc.
1. (Trivial one) Elda comes up with a new method to stockpile blood. She makes an incision on her victims, then proceeds to extract the blood with a needle, and last deposit the red liquid into a fine glass of wine.

2. (Plot revelation) Elda has been going on blood-sucking escapades, because she's collecting the blood. After she and Karin returned home from the festival (having settled the affair with Kenta, fortunately for a positive outcome) Henry leads Elda back to the dungeon basement and shows her another coffin.
Inside, there's no other than Elda's husband: Henry's father and Ren-Karin-Anju's grandfather.
Grandpa Maaka did not wake up in time from his hibernation sleep and turned into a petrified husk. Elda proceed to drink the blood collected in the glass, then kisses her husband mouth to mouth to regurgitate the blood inside him.
Unfortunately, Grandpa does not wakes up and a touching scene has a teary-eyed Elda blaming herself for her incapacity.

The Elda arc, contrary to the anime, in the manga ends with Elda making the decision to willingly go back to her coffin for another hibernation period, but not before saying farewell to the family and particularly to Karin.

Also, Elda never found out that Karin is a blood-maker and took the Karin-Kenta love affair on a positive light, even going to such extents as mockingly tease and taunting Karin which for obvious reasons embarrassed the latter.

The conclusion for the Elda arc in the anime delivers a subtle cliffhanger, possibly hinting at new plot devices for a future episode to come.

Spoiler:

Elda's departure to go around the world for checking Karin's condition somehow will shed something not quite good for Karin and Kenta when Elda comes back with news about what she discovered.

However, with only seven episodes left then Grandma Elda will have to hurry and make a quick comeback, hoping not to rush the story or disjointing the pace.

The anime makes a nice job to elevate the importance of her character for the future storyline.

Quite things that I want to comment for this episode.

Spoiler:

1. Kenta's dread eyes of doom was the best comedy slap that I could laugh at. Children not going goosebumps with the vampire act rather just with Kenta's eyes does my day.

2. About Fumio and the Julian manager pairing, I think it is more for fanshipping purposes. Not like something serious will start between them, just that the two adults happen to be at the same festival, at the same time, and both encouraging Kenta and Karin with the youth romance going on in the atmosphere.

3. The red-brown haired girl with the ragged ponytail, that is first shown at the haunted house, happens to be Anju's classmate in the manga.

4. To be honest, I hope that the writers limit much the drag Winner by the ear routine in future episodes, because its effect is turning redundant upon me.
This could partly be fixed if dumbfounded Winner manages to recall Maki's name.

But I must give credit to Maki due that plucking Winner by the ear keeps him on check and in composure.

The climax quite hints and suggest connections what happened in the previous episode and what concludes at the end of this one.

Spoiler:

Elda is not surprised that Karin's a blood-maker, which implies that she either met or knew of another blood-maker in the past.

We cannot be sure whether Winner is Alfred's descendant or not. The shot of him and Elda, at flashbacks, during their last encounter leaves ambiguous what became of him. Either Alfred died in the fire or an enraged Elda systematically erased all of his memories, leaving his mind a blank page.
Whatever the case, a connection must be assumed between Alfred and Winner because Elda reacts taken aback with the call of the 'Sinclair' name.

I cannot stop pondering that at some point in her travels Elda will have a misadventurous meeting with the Sinclair family.

Even I am coming up that Karin and Winner have a closer connection than just their childhood meeting.

Actually, I'm cooking up that some member of the Sinclair family, other than Alfred if he's related, could probably have fallen in love with a blood-maker vampire.

Next episode maybe or maybe not will be based on the Ren special from the manga.

[Pellissier]

I think it's ok to talk out of spoiler tags now, since episode 17 has been out fansubbed from quite a while (more than a full day as for now)

As for the main topic. Well, I see everybody being happy about this episode, and so am I

It was just great, one of the best so far. The shows has really taken some benefits from Elda's incoming. There's not much of the things I wanted to say that hasn't already brilliantly said by the others, so forgive me if there will be some repetitions ^^

++ The pace. Karin (the series) has never suffered of flaws such as slowlyness or being boring, but with Elda definitely settled things up. No pauses and a constant alternance between seriousness (sometimes parodic) and humorism.

++ The romance. Ah... the romance... /me whispers. I have to say, out of all the ongoing series I'm watching and relative couples involved, Usui and Maaka are definitely the most romantic one With that sweet lighthearted love clumsyness that always brings a smile, if not memories. To quote the Julian's director : "To be young!" (not that I'm old now , but I always like these kind of things, they somehow convey feelings in me ^^)

++ The side characters. They keep the spotlight just greatly. Starting from M-san , who is friend of K-san and likes W-kun. I'd like to count how many times Takahashi Mikako had to read that line (It's Tokitou Maki!) during the whole show, lol .
W-kun, who likes K-san and is liked by M-san. Oh well, this time I didn't hate him like usual ^^ He was even useful to save Usui from a bad situation. His voice remains annoying but, they somehow limited his presence in the show / or either way, they made the character more plausible to be sympathyzed with.

++ Yahagi Sayuri.

They're all plus ^^ Yes, I liked everything about this episode so there's really nothing to blame about it.
Well, episode 18 preview reveals Ren will be the protagonist, he's definitely not my favourite character here, but I'll manage to deal with that ^^

I made a few static avatars as well.



I personally love the first one. I'd use it myself if it wasn't that I'm mostly for animated ones.
But that was such a nice and heartwarming sequence ... /me whispers again

Oh, I have also another one, better to cover it though ^^

Spoiler for scary Elda: