The Case Study of Vanitas (ヴァニタスの
On March 28, 2021, Studio BONES announced an anime adaptation, which aired from the summer of 2021 to the spring of 2022.
Plot[]
Centuries prior to the French Revolution, the "World Formula" theory was proposed by Paracelsus which posited that the world was governed by mathematical formulas whose variables could be identified and altered. He aspired to change these variables in an attempt to erase suffering and bring happiness to humanity, which resulted in the event known as "Babel." Innumerable calamities rocked the world to its core, causing massive amounts of death, and once it subsided new entities came into being in the world, primely the Vampire species. Deemed abominations before God, normal humans attempted to wipe out these new beings, and a race war ensued. This attempted genocide failed and Vampires began to hide their existences which came to be believed as no more than myth and legend, despite dwelling only one step beyond the human world.
Noé Archiviste, a young vampire living in late 19th century France, is sent by his Teacher to Paris to find the Book of Vanitas and discover its true nature. Supposedly, the Book of Vanitas is a cursed grimoire created by the Vampire of the Blue Moon from which the incurable disease Malnomen originates. Noé successfully discovers the Book on his way to Paris, as well as the person possessing it—a human calling himself Vanitas who uses the grimoire to cure Malnomen. Vanitas declares his goal to be the salvation of the entire race of Vampires, and Noé accompanies him for his entire journey, wishing to understand the true nature of not only the Book but also the enigmatic owner who wields it.
The story consists of Noé's memoirs on how he would come to eventually kill Vanitas with his own hands.
Terminology[]
Vampires[]
Though referred to as "vampires," the Vampire race within The Case Study of Vanitas are distinct from mythical vampires, and were in fact named after them for having certain similarities. The main distinguishing feature between Vampires and humans is the ability of Vampires to see and interact with the World Formula, allowing them certain superhuman abilities. Unlike mythical vampires, Vampires within The Case Study of Vanitas do not have to drink blood or harm others to survive, and the vast majority go their entire lives without harming humans. While most (but not all) Vampires do enjoy the taste of blood, it is not a biological need, and is compared to alcohol, smoking, or sex. Compulsive blood drinking only occurs in the case of blood addiction or Malnomen.
Most Vampires are born under the Crimson Moon, and have a natural fear of the Blue Moon. Those who are born under the Blue Moon, as in the case of Vanitas of the Blue Moon, are scorned and ostracized by other Vampirekind.
The Book of Vanitas[]
A cursed grimoire supposedly passed on to Vanitas by Vanitas of the Blue Moon themself. It is the originator of the disease Malnomen, created in revenge against Vampires for their prosecution of those born under the Blue Moon. The human Vanitas now has the Book of Vanitas within his possession and is the only person capable of using it. However, contrary to the Book's original purpose, Vanitas uses it to cure cases of Malnomen and desires to save the Vampire race.
Malnomen[]
A disease created by Vanitas of the Blue Moon. It attacks the True Name of vampires, causing their bodies and souls to warp. Those infected with Malnomen, usually called curse bearers, gradually grow insane and begin to obsessively search for blood, escalating until they assault and even kill others without hesitation. In addition, their bodies will corrupt, though the onset of physical symptoms appear to happen rapidly in the final stages of the disease. Once warping of the body occurs, the curse bearer will continue to attack others until it dies. Until very recently, there was no possible way to cure those infected with Malnomen, and thus all curse bearers would be sentenced to execution by decapitation once their condition was discovered. The human Vanitas reverse engineers the different forms of Malnomen to find and restore the curse bearer's True Name, curing them.
Media[]
Manga[]
- Main Article : List of Volumes (The Case Study of Vanitas)
The Case Study of Vanitas is written and illustrated by Jun Mochizuki and began serialization in Square Enix's monthly shōnen magazine Monthly Gangan Joker on December 2015. There are currently nine tankōbon volumes collecting serial chapters released in Japanese. The series is licensed in English by Yen Press and published simultaneously with its Japanese release.
Anime[]
- Main Article : Vanitas no Carte (Anime)
The Case Study of Vanitas is an anime television series adaptation of the manga written and illustrated by Jun Mochizuki. On March 28, 2021, Aniplex announced at AnimeJapan an anime adaptation for the manga, animated by the studio BONES. It started broadcasting on July 2, 2021.
Stage Play[]
- Main Article : Vanitas no Carte (Stage Play)
Stage "Vanitas no Carte" is a stage play adaptation of the manga written and illustrated by Jun Mochizuki. Announced by the official Twitter account on October 28, 2021. The show was initially scheduled from January 21st to January 30th, 2022 at the THEATRE1010 (シアター1010), in Tokyo, Japan. An encore was performed from March 10th to March 12th, 2023 at the Sunshine Theater (サンシャイン劇場), in Tokyo, Japan.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Vanitas first appeared in the final Pandora Hearts artbook 「There is.」, shown waving to the main cast of Pandora Hearts as he passed by alongside Noé with his back turned so that he remained unidentifiable at the time.