[2] Rosario has been adapted into a drama CD and anime series, as well as some video games.
He also enjoys reading detective novels from "Holmes, Lupin, Kindaichi, Nijyumenso and the like".
[7] In an interview at Lucca Comics 2012, Ikeda says he is a big fan of Tim Burton and was inspired by his works, including The Nightmare Before Christmas, and particularly Edward Scissorhands because the monster has a sensitive soul.
His first character design for Rosario was Moka Akashiya, a beautiful girl vampire with a crucifix around her neck; he then created the school of monsters and Tsukune afterward.
He credits the beautiful girls for the series' popularity but added the fighting elements.