Malnomen

Naenia, the being who creates Malnomen

Malnomen (禍 (まがつ) 名 (な) , Magatsuna, lit. "calamity-named") is a concept from Jun Mochizuki's The Case Study of Vanitas. The World Formula is the constitutive force that shapes every aspect of the universe as it is known, and similarly a True Name is the foundational element that makes up a Vampire, the manifestation of the Vampire's very self given form. And just as interfering with the World Formula causes distortions in the world such as the cataclysmic Babel Incident, the corruption of a True Name means the corruption of a Vampire's very essence and the formation of a Malnomen. Those who are infected by Malnomen are called curse-bearers (呪 (のろい) 持 (も) ち, Noroimochi).

Malnomen are regarded as diseases, for their afflictions involve a Vampire's True Name being infected by Maladies (改竄式 (びょうま) , Byōma) until irreversibly corrupted. Because contracting a Malnomen means a corruption of the self on a Formulaic level, it cannot be cured through any normal means. Curse-bearers are transformed from their regular, reasonable selves into hollow, monstrous, bloodthirsty imitations which will rampage until the Vampire's inevitable death. However despite being known for being uncurable, a method to cure Malnomen has been discovered and developed by one person.

Vanitas, a human man in possession of the Book of Vanitas. Though the Book is widely known in legends to be the originator of Malnomen, Vanitas utilizes it to cure every curse-bearer he can find, aiming to save the entire race from utter destruction. The main goal of Vanitas and his companion Noé throughout the story is to save every curse-bearer they can.

SPOILER WARNING!
This article contains plot and/or ending details for The Case Study of Vanitas.
Read at your own risk.

History

Following the events of the Babel Incident, caused by the human alchemist Paracelsus, numerous Formulae were altered, creating a race of beings with a penchant for blood and red eyes that could alter The World Formula - strengthening their bodies and producing magic as a result - called Vampires.

In one night of Blue Moon, Vanitas, a vampire, was born. After being shunned and later exiled by their peers, Vanitas swore that they would exact their revenge on the Vampires born under the Crimson Moon. They created a grimoire capable of interfering with the True Names of Vampires, as well as rewriting the World Formulae. Vanitas proclaimed that when The Book of Vanitas was opened, a curse surpassing even death would befall their betrayers.

Pathology

Symptoms

It is possible to identify Malnomen before the onset of its terminal symptoms. Malnomen is characterized primarily by an insatiable desire for blood. Unlike mythological vampires, Vampires within the world of The Case Study of Vanitas do not need blood to survive. The growing need for blood may be confused for blood addiction, so differential diagnosis may be necessary. A Vampire may survive for months or possibly even years without the manifestation of terminal symptoms- however, left untreated, disease progression is inevitable.

If Malnomen is left untreated and the curse-bearer is not first killed, it will progress into its terminal stage. The Vampire's body itself will corrupt and begin to change dramatically. Initial symptoms associated with the final stage of the disease include increased strength and speed, and an increasing need for blood. The Vampire's features will begin to twist, appearing more animalistic, a process which appears to be painful. Afterwards, Malnomen will manifest fully, and can be identified by its unique name.

Subsequent symptoms depend on the name of the Malnomen. Common features include a distortion of the body into an animalistic or otherwise non-humanoid form and uncharacteristic, inconsolable aggression. This is the most dangerous stage of Malnomen, as the infected loses all control over their disease and cannot resist the urge to drink blood. How long this stage continues appears to depend on the individual Malnomen- however, all will die soon after. In certain cases, the corruption of the body progresses so far it is impossible to treat the Vampire, and the only option is to kill them.

Transmission

Not all methods of transmission for Malnomen are known, and its precise mechanism of infection is unknown. According to Vanitas, most curse-bearers encounter the "Parade of Charlatan" immediately before their infection. Malnomen does not appear to be transmissible through biting, contact with blood or saliva, fomites, airborne particles, or other standard modes of infection for real life illnesses. As such, close contact with a curse-bearer is dangerous only as a major symptom of Malnomen is aggression. There is little to no chance of infection with Malnomen simply by being in close contact with a curse-bearer, even without precautionary steps or protective equipment. However, there is no known means of protecting against a Malnomen infection.

The Malnomen Naenia seems unique in her ability to infect others with Malnomen. She usually presents this as a request for the Vampire's True Name, at which point she will make mouth-to-mouth contact with the soon-to-be infected and through this mechanism inflict Malnomen. Those who are able to resist infection at least once are then presented with collateral in exchange for their True Name. Some Vampires thus become curse-bearers of their own will. However, the exact terms for the agreement are often unclear, and it is possible to deceive Naenia as to what the curse-bearer actually wants in exchange for their True Name.

While stated that the purpose of The Book of Vanitas is to inflict Malnomen, this ability has not been shown thus far.

Treatment

Once infected, a Vampire must receive treatment or else die. Normal medicine cannot cure Malnomen, though it is suggested that medicine can symptomatically treat its earlier stages. In order to cure Malnomen, one must be diagnosed by one who holds The Book of Vanitas and then receive a Formulaic treatment in the form of a "reverse operation." The Book of Vanitas accesses the Formula for the Vampire's Malnomen and creates an inverse operation to remove infected components and restore the True Name. Some Malnomen require additional treatment.

Prognosis

If left untreated, an infected Vampire will die.

If treated before the complete degradation of the body, a Vampire has a high (possibly 100%) chance of survival. It is unknown if a Vampire can be infected with Malnomen more than once.

As Malnomen progresses and the disease continues to corrupt the Vampire, treatment becomes more difficult. While it is unclear when exactly Malnomen becomes untreatable, it is implied one can determine progression of the disease by a Vampire's willingness to kill a loved one.

It is implied few infected with Malnomen actually survive to the final stages of the disease- as Malnomen is so dangerous in its final forms and treatment was until very recently impossible, most curse-bearers are executed once their infection is discovered. On the occasions a Vampire's Malnomen reaches its final stage, a team may be sent to dispose of them. In exceptional cases where danger to human life is eminent or realized, the Church may be called in for assistance.

Known Malnomen

Églantine, Prison of Briars

Amelia Ruth had been afflicted with Églantine, Prison of Briars (荊の牢獄 (エグランティーヌ) , Ibara no Rōgoku ― Egurantīnu) two months prior to meeting Noé Archiviste. She had been experiencing symptoms of being a Curse-Bearer and made arrangements to meet Vanitas in Paris in order to be cured. However, Amelia succumbed to her symptoms prior to reaching Paris; prompting Vanitas' intervention aboard La Baleine. Eglantine caused Amelia to drip black tears from her eyes and chest. From the pool of tears, Amelia summoned forth shadowed thorns, which she then used to attack the humans aboard La Baleine. Amelia was soon after cured of her Malnomen by Vanitas.

Known Afflicted Vampires: Amelia Ruth

Loup Garou, Wolf Who Hunts Crimson

Berneux had been afflicted with this Loup Garou, Wolf Who Hunts Crimson (紅を狩る狼 (ルーガルー) , Kurenai wo Karu Ōkami — Rū Garū) at an unknown point prior to coming across The Border two months prior to Noé's arrival in Paris. Lupe Garou forced Berneux into a murderous rampage at night, which ultimately lead to the murders of nine humans during his stay in Paris. Gradually, Lupe Garou would change Berneux's physical appearance, mutating him into the form of a werewolf for when he stalked his prey. Vanitas and Dante had been tracking Berneux prior to hearing from Amelia. While they put the case on hold in order to help Amelia, Dante resumed his search shortly thereafter, organizing a plot in which Berneux would be drawn out so that he could be cured by Vanitas. Riche volunteered to act as bait for Berneux, with Dante sending Vanitas and Noé shortly thereafter. Despite a run-in with the Hellfire Witch, Jeanne, Vanitas was ultimately successful in curing Berneux of Lupe Garou.

Known Afflicted Vampires: Thomas Berneux

Dissonance, Orchestra of the Wild Beasts

As a unique Malnomen, Dissonance, Orchestra of the Wild Beasts (獣達の楽団 (ディソナンス) , Kemono-tachi no Gakudan ― Disonansu) only becomes active when several Vampires bearing maladies gather in one location. Catherine, and several other Vampires, had been afflicted with Dissonance some time prior to Marquis Machina's Bal Masqué. As such, when Naenia's dirge resounded throughout the great hall - Catherine and the other afflicted Vampires became wild and began attacking the other guests. Before long, they raised a cry like that of a wild beast, which drove many of the unafflicted Vampires to madness. Thus when Naenia once again delivered her dirge, the unafflicted Vampires would be drawn to it and blindly attack whomever they encountered. While Vanitas was successful in curing most Vampires, Dissonance had progressed too far within Catherine - mutating her body into a horrific form as she was pushed to devour her own mother. As a result, Catherine could not be cure of Dissonance, and was killed by Vanitas using power from The Book of Vanitas.

Known Afflicted Vampires: Catherine, unnamed nobles

Prédateur, the Shadow

One afflicted by Prédateur, the Shadow (影法師 (プレダトゥール) , Kagebōshi — Puredatūru) will see their shadow take physical form, writhing and growing larger until it devours its host. Afterwards, Prédateur devours anything and everything nearby in an attempt to quench its uncontrollable desire to consume life. Ultimately this will prove to be the undoing of the Prédateur, as once its host's life has deteriorated and been consumed from within, Prédateur will fade away on its own. One such Curse-Bearer was kidnapped by Moreau alongside several other Curse-Bearers. However, during the experiments Moreau was conducting on these Curse-Bearers, Prédateur ultimately consumed all those it came up against. After Vanitas, Noé, Laurent Fortis, Georges and Maria storm Moreau's lab, Moreau is saved by Monsieur Spider - who unleashes Prédateur in order to cover their escape. With Noé's help, Vanitas manages to reach the Curse-Bearer at Prédateur's center, venturing into its mouth - which functions similarly to the Borders in that it can access other dimensions - freeing him from his Malnomen.

Known Afflicted Vampires: Unnamed boy

Beast of Gévaudan

The Beast of Gévaudan (ジェーヴォーダンの獣 (ベート) , Jēvōdan no Bēto) seems to be a Malnomen that turns the afflicted vampire into a large, wolflike beast. It can be resolved using a simple inverse operation with the Book of Vanitas.

Known Afflicted Vampires: Jean-Jacques Chastel

Naenia, She Who Harbors Death

A unique Malnomen which has existed for over one hundred years without the death of the infected, Naenia, She Who Harbors Death (死を囲うもの (ネーニア) , Shi wo Kakou Mono ― Nēnia) commands Charlatan. Unlike other Malnomen, she is able to infect other Vampires. She takes the form of a blackened mist with a grinning face and one hand with golden claws. This mist may look more or less human depending on the scene.

Known Afflicted Vampires: Faustina

Millie, Theater of Ice and Snow

According to the Book of Vanitas, those stricken by Millie, Theater of Ice and Snow (氷雪の劇場 (ミリー) , Hyōsetsu no Gekijō ― Mirī) become trapped inside a sealed, snowy space created from their own memories. Their memories play over and over again in this space (“theater”), eventually destroying the vampire. Millie cannot be dispelled by a simple inverse operation using the Book of Vanitas— the afflicted vampire must reject the theater themselves in order for the curse to be broken.

Known Afflicted Vampires: Chloé d'Apchier

Gallery

Églantine, Prison of Briars

Amelia affected by Eglantine

Loup Garou, Wolf Who Hunts Crimson

Berneux affected by Loup Garou

Dissonance, Orchestra of the Wild Beasts

Catherine affected by Dissonance

Prédateur, the Shadow

Millie, Theatre of Ice and Snow

Trivia

• The names and aesthetic senses of the specific Malnomen are consistently themed after a variety of fairy tales, including works from Charles Perrault, the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, and more.
  • Églantine, Prison of Briars—Sleeping Beauty, known in German as "Dornröschen" or Little Briar Rose.
  • Loup Garou, Wolf Who Hunts Crimson—the wolf of Little Red Riding Hood.
  • Dissonance, Orchestra of the Wild Beasts—the Town Musicians of Bremen.
  • Prédateur, the Shadow—The Shadow.
  • Naenia, She Who Harbors Death—Faust.
  • Millie, Theater of Ice and Snow—The Snow Queen.
• The main exception to this pattern is the Beast of Gévaudan, which has its appearance and entire narrative arc inspired by the real life Beast of Gévaudan incidents.
• Mina and Louis de Sade are thus far the only curse-bearers whose Malnomen are never identified and named.
• The Japanese term for Maladies, 改竄式 (びょうま) (Byōma), can be translated literally as "demon of ill health" or simply "disease," and is known to be a word that compares illness to a demon or monster.

Navigation

v - e - t	The Case Study of Vanitas
Characters	Main: Noé Archiviste • Vanitas Dhampirs: Dante • Johann • Riche Galerie Valentine: Manet • Nox • Parks Orlok Hôtel Chouchou: Amelia Ruth • Flute de Sade: Antoine de Sade • Chrysler • Dominique de Sade • Louis de Sade • Murr • The Teacher • Veronica de Sade Oriflamme: August Ruthven • Jeanne • Loki Oriflamme • Luca Oriflamme Chasseurs: Astolfo Granatum • Charles • Gano • Georges • Marco • Maria • Mira • Ogier • Olivier • Roland Fortis d'Apchier: Chloé d'Apchier • Jean-Jacques Chastel Blue Moon: Mikhail • Vanitas of the Blue Moon Archiviste: Noé Archiviste • Lady Archiviste Charlatan: Chèvre • Monsieur Spider • Moreau • Naenia • Plague Doctor The Vampire Senate: Faustina • Lord Bellator • Lord Paldence • Marquis Machina Others: Beast of Gévaudan • Catherine • Éric • Fanny • Fred • Gilles • Louise • Mina • Noé's Grandparents • Paracelsus • Thomas Berneux
Nobility	Archiviste Clan • Clan of the Blue Moon • House d'Apchier • House de Sade • House of Granatum • Oriflamme Dukedom • The Senate • The Vampire Queen
Terminology	Species & Factions: Beastia • Bourreau • The Catholic Church • Charlatan • Chasseurs • Dhampirs • Vampires Objects: Astérisque Flowers • Astermite • The Book of Vanitas • Miel • World Formula Alteration Device Weapons: Carpe Diem • Durandal • Hauteclaire • Louisette Events: Babel Incident • The War Miscellaneous: Malnomen • Mark of Possession • True Name • World Formula
Locations	Altus • Averoigne • La Baleine • Carbunculus Castle • Les Catacombes de Paris • Galerie Valentine • Gévaudan • Hôtel Chouchou • Doctor Moreau's Laboratory • Paris
Volumes	1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11
Episodes	1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • Recap • Special
Blu-ray/DVD	1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8
Drama CDs	Drama CD 1 • Drama CD 2 • Drama CD 3 • Drama CD 4
Soundtrack	OST • Sora to Utsuro • 0 (zero) • Your Name • salvation • Character Song Album 1 • Character Song Album 2
Character Songs	Le Formidable! • Hidamari ni Saku Hana～mon trésor～ • Na mo Naki Michi • Sekka
Other Media	Stage Play
Extra	Vanitashu no Karute • Author's Notes • Timeline • Real-World References
Author	Jun Mochizuki