Vampire Knight: The Gateway to Weebdom
In the vast landscape of anime and manga, few titles have had the impact and reach of Vampire Knight. This dark, romantic and controversial series became a defining entry point for many anime fans in the 2010s, airing on Australian “teen” channel ABC3. The anime often served as their first foray into the rich and diverse world of Japanese pop culture. For countless fans, Vampire Knight was not just a story about vampires and high school drama; it was a gateway to "weebdom" — the deep and passionate engagement with anime, manga, and super cool romantic love interests with questionable plot points and themes.
Released as a manga in 2004 and later adapted into an anime in 2008, Vampire Knight quickly captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Set in the mysterious and gothic Cross Academy, the series revolves around the lives of Yuki Cross, a girl with a forgotten past, and the enigmatic vampires Kaname Kuran and Zero Kiryu. The story's blend of romance, supernatural intrigue, and high-stakes drama provided a perfect formula for capturing the imaginations of young viewers.
When Vampire Knight first graced the screens of Aussie teens, it served as a distinct and unique show, heavily contrasting the light and often humorous TV shows they were used to. I mean, what teen doesn’t want to watch a super cool female lead fall in love with her vampire classmate while also still in love with her pure-blood vampire brother?
The 2010s marked a significant era for anime globalization. With YouTube and the internet making anime accessible to a whole new audience. This new generation of anime weebs had been raised on 4Kids adaptations of One Piece, Mew Mew Power and Sailor Moon so it was easy to adopt the broader anime world once Vampire Knight graced their screens with many then seeking out other series to watch like Ouran High School Host Club and Fruits Baskets, often being watched in 3 part chunks on Youtube or fan subbed on “totally legal” websites that were not at all filled with viruses and malware
There were so many incredible and totally not-suss themes that drew in audiences en masse! The complex relationships between Yuki, Kaname, and Zero drew viewers in, creating an emotional investment that kept them coming back for more. The characters’ struggles with their identities and the moral ambiguities they faced resonated with a broad audience (we all really do need therapy). The fusion of romance and supernatural themes made Vampire Knight particularly appealing to young adults (It definitely wasn’t the hot vampire dudes). The tension between the human and vampire worlds, combined with forbidden love, created a narrative that was both thrilling and breathtaking. Particularly when paired with the anime's distinctive gothic style and moody settings.
Beyond the surface-level appeal, Vampire Knight delved into deeper themes of memory, identity, and sacrifice. Giving the story a richness that encouraged viewers to think critically about the characters and their journeys, and whether it was okay to date your brother if he is not technically your brother?
For many fans, Vampire Knight was more than just an introduction to anime; it was a springboard into the wider world of Japanese pop culture. Discovering Vampire Knight often led viewers to explore other anime series, manga, and even aspects of Japanese language and culture. Conventions and online forums provided spaces for fans to discuss theories, share fan art, and cosplay as their favourite characters. Even today, Vampire Knight acts as a conduit of conversation as we debate who Yuki should have ended up with and share in the collective trauma as an act of some kind of group therapy.
Written by Remi Lih for Colin Magazine Edition 8