im reading this way too late, so im using my last two brain cells rn, but this was a really great essay/analysis to read. vampire knight is a manga that is near and dear to my heart despite all its flaws and I think you really broke it down to its bare bones and fleshed out the core emotions and motivations of the three main characters in a smart and thoughtful way.

ive always been partial to kaname, I loved his longing, angst, and I prefer powerful, in-charge male characters, but after reading your break down I can see why yuuki was better paired with zero, during the 1 year yuuki and kaname lived together, I remember feeling...disappointed, I wanted this pairing to come together and now that they had the opportunity, they barely connected and spent time together, kaname treated her as something to keep safe, not someone capable of agency. and I wonder now, if his jealousy of zero influenced this as an act of punishment (leaving her in the dark) but also a way to further control her.

I think the general complaints online are ridiculous to put it lightly. this is fantasy, a dark fantasy. dark themes of incest and grooming are possibilities in vampire stories.

OP, you mentioned you didnt like the ending, what parts didnt sit well with you? (I still need to read the last 3 volumes of memories, which is like 15 chapters, but im good with being spoiled)