Tsuki to Laika to Nosferatu

"The vampire cosmonaut"...This is going to get strange. Allow me to preface this by saying I highly enjoy vampire anime but most suck...hard (pun not intended). Only a few series have been able to pull of the vampire genre and not made it turn into a mishmash of cringe and cliche. Additionally, anime about space, the cold war, the "UZSR" and 20th century politics does not gain my attention. I solely watched this because of a cute vampire girl. So how does "The vampire cosmonaut" handle the vampire genre? Mehr. Honestly, you could have replaced vampires for any other oppressed group and it would have worked. 99% of the time I forgot that she was a vampire, but perhaps that's her mysterious vampire allure at work? Getting down to the actual review, the show was alright. It was a bit rigid in places and the whole premises is nonsensical but disregarding that, I give this an 7/10. The characters were average, Irina (the vampire) carried the entire show without a doubt. I'm not going to break it down like others, that isn't my style. For me this does not have re-watch value, just because of how stale it can get.

Disclaimer: I have not read the light novel (LN) of this series, thus I am unsure of how accurate the anime adapts from the original source. Therefore, most of the comments here will be analysing the anime as an original show rather than an adaptation of the LN. Story: The story is set in an alternate reality of Earth where the events are similar to the Space Race period. The story is self-explanatory based on the idea that the Space Race is about whoever gets to reach Space (in the context of the anime) first. As a result, there is little world-building required and the story mainly concentrates on the characters and their interactions highlighting their different personalities which concentrate on the theme of human connection. Hence, the main selling point of the story is by adding a character that is different from everyone else (i.e. a vampire) would human connection still apply and where will it take them if it does happen. As such, the story focuses on the connection between the human main character (MC), Lev Leps, to the vampire girl, Irina, using the Space Race as a commonality between their race (and relationship). The story was enjoyable and simplistic since it is quite predictable that the interaction between the MC and vampire girl will lead to a direction where trust becomes a focal point leading to a possible romantic relationship (or some undertones of it). Preferably, I felt that some world-building on how the vampires came into being and some more cultural connection between them to Space will give the connection between humans and vampires as well as the common goal of going to space to be more impactful. The way the story ends is somewhat unsatisfactory but if it follows how the LN ends then I cannot say anything more than that. Character: All the characters have simple personalities with little characterisation to them which makes sense considering the theme of the story is about the human connections to others (especially to species other than their own). Therefore, these simple personalities just further highlight the connection between the MC and the vampire girl as well as the unity they have towards achieving the same goal. This makes sense since the main point is to focus on the connection between the MC and the vampire girl. Sound and Art: The art and animation were well done. As for the sound and music used in the anime, it was quite repetitive on using the same insert song over and over (although I am aware that this was intentional, I wasn't just a fan of that music). The OP was enjoyable, wasn't expecting ALI PROJECT to be singing it, though it does fit and the ED was fine as well. Overall: A very simple story based on events that are similar to the Space Race in the 20th century. Although, there could have been more on the backstory between vampires and humans as well as the connection between vampires to Space (or maybe the moon) it does not fundamentally change the story. Although the connection between the MC and vampire girl had a predictable outcome it still was enjoyable to observe what events need to happen in order for them to form the bond.

Sure my review will have some spoilers and I don't know if it'll be helpful for you the reader. I know there'll be a lot better review out there by professional anime watcher and reviewers. I'm only a working guy stressed at work and enjoy watching anime to relieve stress. Also dont expect me to name the characters, as I loved giving them my own term. I decide to watch this anime adaptation of a light novel series from Gagaga Bunko, and as of now it was licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment for an English release next year, around mid-2022. That made me interest on this series. Story Vampire, and outer space. The concept is new for me and also kinda weird but its the taste that made it interesting (against all those isekais) One of the pros of the story is, yes, the vampire who dreams to go to the space or moon, whatever. She was trained and used, and through out the course, she had develop relationship with the main dude who also dream going to the space. But behind those dreams are some bloody history of her kind. A certain faction on the government where she live, killed her kind. That made her resent the other kind, aka humans. And by that, the main dude which also the very best good guy in the training regimen of the "cosmonauts to be"was assign to her as her coach because the guy was demoted (he is a good guy hinesty sometimes makes shit happens), and this become his way of salavation to be part of the "cosmonauts to be" I dont know if you enjoy that part of the story, but its the one that carry it all along with the... Politics, I can say this is a side dish of the story. I really dont get it but in the end, I find that there's 2 faction, pro and anti vampire. Some want her to be killed after the mission, which I think the other country wants to do. And the pro ones are those who just go along in the end. The first cosmonaut was a vampire, hurray! Ps. I can accept if they can drink a room temperature carbonated water in that cold water but eating ice cream, for real? Its already freaking cold. Character I can say both main characters guy and the vampire, somewhat grow but there's nsome immaturity in the last episode. If there will be a season 2, it would be good to see the vampire talk to other humans, but i dont know if we will have some. Also the side characters carry the high school trope, where the other "cosmonauts to be" bully he main guy and the vampire and they did change after the main characters able to do their goal. Art/Animation The fact, I like the anime visuals compare to the light novel illustration. Theres no problem with the visuals as we dont need sakugas whatever. The studio did well for the Soyuz, on how it took off and how the first stage disengage when you see it from the ground, it creates the cross like the real one. And the vampire is cute during funny moments, that made her a lovable character though her tsun- is always given. For the use of CGs, its the always the odd one for me like the moving vehicles. Sound/FX/VAs All voice seems natural except for the vampire but I given up and accept its the way used to be. As she doesn't interact with the other kind for so long. Which make the voice sounds robot like and angry. For the soundfx, its passable. Enjoymenr/Conclusion I enjoy the flow of the main dish, but not the side dish yet the main characters pulled it well, except for the last episode. I need season 2 if theres any. I gotta used of thay vampires voice, that made her characterization shines enough, "oh its the vampire" I don't know if there's some romance here, but i didn't expect it. I only expect the unexpected like the guy getting killed during the mission or the vampire getting killed after. The story and the characters push the story that both of them will experience the outer space but not yet the moon. Hoping if it'll will have some and make some changes in the history. First vampire in the moon. This is worth watching if you like rockets and into nerdy things like space exploration and stuff ....as well vampires.

Tsuki to Laika no Nosferatu is an anime that I think could have really grabbed me, it had a unique concept to say the least, but it doesn't capitalize on that aspect and instead feels cliché and generic, amounting to a very 'ok' show. The first thing I'll mention is what the show got right, which has got to undoubtedly be the little musical jingles they play before and after commercial breaks (just looked it up and they are called "commercial bumpers"). The little bit of music they play just screams the 60's. It meshes perfectly with the setting and I find it pretty neat. Other than the bumper and ED though, the music was pretty much average, barring a nice insert song they used once. I also think there was definitely a good idea behind this project. A space race oriented anime is a pretty unique idea, and one I would have loved to see more realized. Vampires don't necessarily have to be a part of it, but I'm sure you could work them in somehow. Despite my praises of the concept, I think it really suffered in its execution, which I'll elaborate further later on in my review. The art was honestly a mixed bag, I think the colors were pretty fine (the orange they used for the space suit really popped and was quite nice), and the characters didn't look horrendous, and the animation was fine. Nothing really wowed me all that much, and I feel they really missed an opportunity, because I'm sure you could do some cool aesthetics with a Soviet setting. There were a few details I noticed in the design of some elements being clearly based off of Soviet designs, such as the busses and rockets, but I don't think it went that deep. The main thing I'd have to say about the characters is that they are just kind of cliché, which is a common theme throughout most of this show. Lev, the main character, is your average nice-guy protagonist, and other than being Russian and an astronaut has little actual backstory or character elements. He also doesn't really get any development, making him even more boring. Irina is slightly better, but only because she gets some development, because otherwise she just fits the "tsundere" archetype to a T. She also is given way more of a backstory, but none of it's really explored, so it doesn't add much to the show as a whole. The next thing on my list of things is the story. It really wasn't that impressive, it's a storyline that has been told 1000x before, albeit in different circumstances. 2 people love each other but some force doesn't want them to be together. This plotline is pretty average, and only feels even remotely unique because of the backdrop of the Soviet Space Race. The romance itself isn't even that good, with it feeling kind of underdeveloped and rushed. Furthermore, they don't even kiss once in the whole show, so the relationship never really gets farther than the "I love you" stage. Now on to my final point, which is both critique and speculation on what could have been. I feel one of my most prevalent feelings with Tsuki to Laika to Nosferatu was how cliché everything felt. Their depiction of the Soviet Union is just really generic, and this setting never really ties into the story other than to say, "We are the evil government and we kill people we don't like." It really just feels like the most boring and surface level setting ever, barring a few specific details they include in a small number of scenes. I think this show would have been way better if they focused more on the unique setting and made a more historically-accurate show, that is more about exploring the USSR during this fascinating time. You could keep the vampire if you want to (she was cute after-all), but I think a more informational focus could have really made this show stand out as not just unique, but good too. This show was disappointing, while I never really hated it, it was certainly far from being good. There were still some good ideas at play, but they we're outnumbered by the number of less good aspects, leading to an overall pretty mediocre experience.

This story follows our 2 main characters as they are working towards achieving their goals and becoming closer to each other,with some minor politics that were fitting with the mood and plot of the story. As expected our 2 main characters they are the ones that get the most fleshed out stories,with some minor characters getting something here and there. The art was on the good side,animation was okay and the musci was fitting. Overall it delivers on whats its promised but how much you are gonna enjoy depens on how much you like the bonds between the 2 main characters and how much you are invested in their goals.

The story is meh but the main characters have more depth than most of the other romance anime I've watched. I wouldn't recommend it unless you like cutesy romance shows, otherwise it is a solid watch. Story: 6 The story is nothing captivating, but I enjoyed the setting of communist "Russia." The story is fine for what it is. Art: 7 The animation is fine. A few cute especially cute moments, but otherwise average. Sound: 8 Overall sound design is average, but I gave it an 8 for the ED. Character: 8 The characters in this show have a surprising amount of depth. I really enjoyed watching Lev and Irina work together, bicker with each other, and just talk. The dialogue and character development is where this show really shines. Enjoyment: 7 What can I say, the show was cute and I enjoyed it a lot. Overall: 7

Set in a world similar to Cold War era Soviet Union in 1960, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut is set during the space race between the Zimitra Republic and United Kingdom of Arnak to attempt launching the first person into space. Lev Laps is part of a cosmonaut candidate training program, who was demoted to a backup candidate due to insubordination against a superior officer. Needing to test how the conditions of space would affect human candidates, Lev is tasked by the Zimitran government to train a teenage vampire named Irina Luminesk to be used as a guinea pig for testing out how humans would fare in a space expedition. As Lev becomes acquainted with Irina through their time together, the two come to confront their prejudices toward one another and become closer as the series progresses. As commented on in my opening paragraph, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut is meant to be a sort of historical fiction anime as the two major world powers in the space race within the series are obviously made to represent the real-life Soviet Union and United States, the former being given prominent focus through the Zimitra Republic. For the most part, the series is fairly accurate to depicting the historical times within 1960 Soviet Union with the government's oppression, purging, and censorship of anything that makes its country look weak to the world at large, is critical of the government, or threatens said government's authority and influence. Other elements of the country like naming, food, technology, and environmental conditions are also pretty accurate to the time period as well. There are some inaccuracies with elements to the anime's depiction of the Soviet Union through Zimitra that are mostly minor, but one glaring inaccuracy that stuck out was Zimitra having a female cosmonaut candidate with Rosa when this did not occur until 1961 with the Soviet Union months following Yuri Gargarin's launch into space. But whether or not you fret over such minor changes will depend on how fickle you are with the details of Irina's historical accuracy. Setting aside the details of historical accuracy, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut is largely focused on its main pair of Lev and Irina, and the series is largely pretty typical fare with how their chemistry plays out with Lev the "nice guy" and Irina acting largely like a tsundere. The series devotes a good amount of exploration on their characters with how both got to their present situations and how both overcome their personal prejudices for their different kinds and has its amusing moments with the chemistry between the two as Lev works to break through Irina's seemingly cold personality. The two become closer as they come to care for the well being of each other, with the series implying things are getting to a romantic point yet the series ends inconclusively before getting to such a point with their relationship developments. While the chemistry developments with the two are nothing new as far as anime titles go, the series still devotes enough focus and fleshing out of the pair to have you come to care for Lev and Irina. As far as other characters go within the series, they are kind of hit and miss. Many exist to fulfill roles to aid in or deter the efforts of Irina and Lev in their training as test subject and cosmonaut candidate respectively. Some like Anya and Rosa do have development or fleshing out with their characters in regards to how they view their relationships with our two lead characters. Anya's developments come off genuine with the chemistry she has with the two characters and the effort she goes through to aid them. But Rosa's focus in a later episode comes off feeling kind of sudden as her character didn't have much in the way of fleshing out throughout the series beyond being antagonistic toward Lev and Irina in her occasional interactions with them. In short, Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut comes off feeling like a mostly solid series with the largely faithful historical accuracy of the space race between the Sovi... er, Zimitrans and Arnaks. Lev and Irina are pretty typical as far as characters go, but there's enough fleshed out in their chemistry and developments to have you care for them. Supporting characters, for the most part, don't have much to them beyond largely fulfilling some sort of role to aid or deter the two lead characters. While not breaking new ground to a good degree as far as plot and character developments go, I was still entertained with Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut for the most part and have interest in seeing a potential second season, as the title's light novel source material has yet to be fully adapted and recently wrapped things up with its story from what I gather.