the case study of vanitas who is vanitas

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Vanitas (ヴァニタス, Vanitasu ) is a protagonist and the titular character of Jun Mochizuki 's The Case Study of Vanitas . Contrary to the legend of Vanitas of the Blue Moon , Vanitas claims to be "an average human being" who happened to inherit the Book of Vanitas . It is his stated intention to save the Vampire race by any means possible, using the Book of Vanitas not to spread Malnomen but to cure it. As such, he refers to himself as a doctor who specializes in Vampires. He commissions the help of Noé Archiviste , a Vampire sent by his teacher to research the Book of Vanitas and the series' narrator, in finding cases of Malnomen and curing them. [1]

Originally the child of a former doctor and a performer, Vanitas's biological mother died in childbirth, leaving him to be raised by his father and the traveling players he worked with. Their party was eventually attacked by Vampires, leaving Vanitas as the only survivor. Subsequently, he was picked up by the Catholic Church , and trained to be a Chasseur . However, his death was faked by Doctor Moreau , [2] and he was kept as a test subject, renamed No. 69. [3] There he would meet Mikhail , known as No. 71, and come to regard him as a younger brother. The two were subjected to inhumane experimentation in hopes of turning them into Vampires, all to no avail. Eventually, it was revealed they had received the blood of the Vampire of the Blue Moon, being the only human subjects not to reject it. This gave them abilities somewhat beyond normal human capacity, allowing them to heal slightly faster. The two were to be forcibly linked to the Books of Vanitas in a procedure which would destroy their minds, but were rescued by Vanitas of the Blue Moon. [4]

Desperate, Vanitas and Mikhail went along with Vanitas of the Blue Moon, and were taken as their adoptive children. While Mikhail quickly warmed up to his new guardian, Vanitas remained distrustful, despite taking an active role in supporting them and Mikhail. After some time had passed, Vanitas of the Blue Moon confessed that Vanitas and Mikhail would likely soon die due to the strain the Moreau's experiments had put on their bodies. They said that, lacking any other options, the two could be saved by becoming the Vampire's Kin . While Mikhail, whose body had begun to break down, quickly accepted, Vanitas vehemently refused. He killed the Vampire of the Blue Moon after being Marked , in an event he believed to have killed Mikhail, thus leading him to believe he was the only legitimate Kin of the Blue Moon. [2]

• 1 Appearance
• 2 Personality
• 3 Powers and Abilities
• 5 Appearances
• 7 References
• 8 Navigation

Appearance [ ]

Vanitas is a slender, androgynous young man of average height. He has pale skin, large, expressive eyes, a round face, and a small chin. So blue are his eyes that they are used as an immediately identifiable trait, compared to the color of copper sulfate . An upper left canine tooth is especially pronounced, giving the appearance of fangs when his teeth were visible, though they are not as pronounced as vampires' fangs. His hair is long, black, and irregularly cut, his bangs falling into the center of his face. On either side of his face, his hair is straight cut, the left side to one level and the right side to two. Though he at times appears to wear a ponytail, his hair usually sits freely, the hair on either side of his head cut shorter than that down the middle. One cowlick sticks up from the right side of his head. Both of his ears are pierced, a simple stud worn in his right ear, while his left ear is pierced with a silver (gold, in the anime) hourglass-shaped earring that he inherited from Luna, and two rings through the helix.

Vanitas's reference sheet from volume 2.

While Vanitas wore several outfits over the course of the series, he usually wears a white shirt over black pants, a dark blue striped vest, a large blue bow tie, and an oversized black coat. As accessories, he wears a long, wide ribbon tied into a bow as a belt, short boots with white spats, and black gloves with claws embedded at the fingertips. His coat is long, with a wide collar and a single button, large enough to frequently fall over one shoulder. At its hem, it takes a baloon-like form, and is joked to float "through some mysterious power." Its sleeves are someone based on those of a furisode kimono . To his belt, he straps the Book of Vanitas, two knives, and two tool cases. His outfit is called "the outfit nobody understands." [5]

As a child, he looked much the same, though his hair was less cleanly cut. He was thin and physically diminutive, despite his active training as a chasseur. Prior to being Marked by Vanitas of the Blue Moon, his eyes were a darker shade of blue.

Personality [ ]

Vanitas seems to take nothing seriously, and almost always has a playful grin on his face. He acts impulsively most of the time, and his plans are normally reckless. Vanitas carries a mischievous air around him. He finds utmost amusement in Noé's abnormal reactions to things. However, he is capable of showing seriousness when the situation called for it, as well as anger. He is very flirtatious, as seen in the way he behaves around Jeanne.

Beneath his flippant attitude, Vanitas is a broken man who despises both humans and vampires, but hates himself more than either. Vanitas hates being vulnerable around people, refusing to go to sleep around anyone he doesn’t trust. He likes high places and is often seen hanging around rooftops.

Powers and Abilities [ ]

General: As a mere human, Vanitas is more often than not significantly less powerful than those around him who are Vampires , at least physically so. While he is demonstrably fit, athletic, and spry, his strength, speed, and endurance are only that of an average human being and no more. The exception is the rate at which he heals from injuries, which is accelerated due to Doctor Moreau 's experimentation. [4] To compensate for his generally inferior physical strength, Vanitas is extremely sharp, clever, and resourceful in battle. He can analyze situations and come up with appropriate solutions and counterattacks very fast, even in the middle of a dangerous battle. He makes use of every resource available to him and is not afraid to use underhanded tactics, to the dismay of those around him. [6]

Weapons: Vanitas's main weapons are a pair of knives whose hilts are rigged with wires. In addition, stored in some pockets on his belt are various "cheaters' implements" which he uses both in and out of battle. He has a tendency to try and keep his weapons and tools hidden, to allow himself the additional element of surprise should he need it, adding to his devious trickster-like fighting style. [5] He is also skilled in gathering information about his enemies and putting that to use in battle against them. [7] He favors being prepared and constantly having the upper hand against his enemies.

Chasseur Training: Vanitas's proficiency in combat seems to have originated from his training as a Chasseur. In addition to his combat abilities and weapons training, his brief time with the Chasseurs taught him in great detail the methods of fighting a Vampire. He knows that, as their eyes are the conduit with which they can access and rewrite the World Formula , the first step is to aim for a Vampire's eyes. [8] He has utilized this knowledge not only against Vampires he's attacked [2] but also against Chasseurs who have attacked him. [9] He also, through unknown means, has access to the drugs Chasseurs use to boost their physical abilities. He only uses them in the rare scenario where he has no choice but to fight a Vampire to the death. [10]

The Book of Vanitas : The main source of Vanitas's power is the Book of Vanitas and his control over it. The main method in which he uses the Book is in healing curse-bearers with what he calls an "Inverse Operation" ( 逆 ( ぎゃく ) 演 ( えん ) 算 ( ざん ) , Gyaku Enzan ). Contrary to Vampires' common belief and fears about the curse of the Blue Moon and the related Book, Vanitas uses the Book to interfere with True Names and heal them, extracting the Maladies that warp them into Malnomen . [1] He can also, before doing so, use the Book to identify exactly what Malnomen it is, though just as often Vanitas can name said Malnomen at the top of his head. This inverse operation requires a high amount of proficiency from the user, as the only other to own a Book of Vanitas cannot interfere with True Names on such a level. [11] On rare occasions the Malnomen will be too strong for him to heal on his own, and he will require the curse-bearer in question to reject it of their own volition and call upon the power of his Mark of Possession to complete the operation. [12]

Vanitas does not only use the Book for saving however, it is also his main weapon in battle. As the Book of Vanitas is able to rewrite the World Formula at will, he can use it to a variety of purposes. He can stun Vampires and render them immobile for a short period of time, [13] though a Vampire strong enough may be able to gain mobility sooner. [6] He can also interfere with Astermite , which allows him to manipulate automatons to do his bidding, go haywire, [14] even explode at his will. [15]

Menial: Aside from combat, Vanitas also has a number of skills in other areas of expertise. Despite his status as a doctor being largely self-proclaimed, Vanitas has had clear medical training and experience, likely from being raised by his doctor of a father. [2] He knows how to perform first aid, how to treat poisons, [16] and carries various medicines around with him. [5] He also knows a number of other practical skills, including how to cook, how to clean, [2] and has various knowledge about French history and culture, [17] even minor trivia such as different apple desserts. [18] He is familiar with the Latin language, likely the result of both his upbringing in the Church and his medical knowledge.

• “—Non! I am a doctor. One who specializes in Vampires. I came… to heal her!” [1]
• “I am Vanitas. I inherited this Book and the name from the Vampire of the Blue Moon, and I am… an average human being ! Lend me your strength, Noé!” [1]
• “I’ll do as I please… use methods I choose… and, no matter what you people want… I will save you without fail!!” [1]
• “You gave yourself something to protect. That’s why you’re weak.” [6]
• “But rest assured. There’s nothing to fear. You are truly fortunate! I—! I, who am Kin to the Blue Moon!! I tell you I will use the Book of Vanitas not to slaughter but to save you!! All you have to do… is tremble with humiliation and be saved!!” [19]
• “…No real reason. Right now… you could say I don’t much care what happens.” [20]
• “I have absolutely no interest in the sort of person who would fall for me.” [21]
• “Listen! I never act against my own wishes. The fact that I’m with the Vampires, that I infiltrated this place, that I just hurt you—I did it all of my own free will!” [9]
• “…If you ask me… there’s not much difference between humans and Vampires. They’re all terribly ugly, endlessly selfish creatures.” [14]
• “I… am a doctor. I am here to save Vampires!” [22]
• “Once there were no more curse-bearers, I stopped caring.” [22]
• “If that time comes, I’ll kill you. I promise… I’ll kill you. I love you. I’m the one who’ll make your wishes come true. It has to be me. So, Jeanne… there’s nothing to worry about.” [17]
• “I’m going. If there’s a chance I might find a curse-bearer, I’ll go anywhere.” [23]
• “‘Archiviste.’ I’m only going to say this once, so listen up. If you so much as try to drink my blood… I’ll kill you. Is that clear?” [23]
• “I came here to save Vampires. Are you here for some other reason?” [7]
• “‘Revenge is pointless, so don’t attempt it. It won’t make anyone happy.’ Is that what you’re getting at?” [24]
• “I’m telling you I’ll act on the assumption that you’re going to convince me . If you want them treated… make me feel like treating them.” [24]
• “I love you. I’m the one who’ll make your wishes come true. It has to be me. So spit it out. Tell me what you really want. No matter how trivial it is. Whether it’s an ugly emotion… or even a curse… I’ll accept it for you!” [25]
• “I know that face . It’s self-satisfaction… and self-absorption. The face of someone who’s made an arbitrary decision to die alone. It makes me sick!” [26]
• “Chloé d’Apchier!! Either vanish with this world… or live on in humiliation! Choose however you like!! Even if you survive, you’ll never regain your honor. The Church will never admit to the truth of the past, and you’ll continue to be hounded as the Beast. It’ll be hell either way! Even so—you make the choice!!” [12]
• “Don’t hesitate, Noé. Don’t think about whether Astolfo’s hate is justified or not. Both humans and Vampires act on their own concepts of justice. One’s just can be someone else’s evil. ‘Being right’… is ‘power.’ It can easily turn into violence that’s much harder to deal with than malice. Don’t brandish it. Keep it inside. Justice should merely be the light that illuminates the path ahead of you.” [12]
• “This isn’t about what’s ‘right.’ Base what you do on what you can’t concede. At any rate… in your case, that will work.” [12]
• “It’s revolting! The thought of someone falling for a person like me…” [27]
• “I’ll never become your Kin. No matter what. Even if I knew I’d die tomorrow… I want to stay human until the end.” [2]
• “Bring them… back to life? Don’t even joke about that. I’ve been working to erase their existence entirely. Do you have any idea… how much I’ve—!!” [10]
• “Enough of that. You’ve gotten the wrong idea about something. You and I were only working together because our interests happened to align. We’re strangers. If the other stops being useful, cut him loose. If he gets in the way, kill him. That’s all we are, and you know it.” [10]
• “‘If anyone tries to take my memories… no matter who they are… kill them. Kill them. Kill them. Without fail. Kill… Noé. Kill that Vampire !!’” [10]
• “…Why… can’t I… kill… Why!? Wh… why…?” [28]
• “I’ll never forgive Luna. I’ll erase every last fragment of the Vampire of the Blue Moon’s existence. I’ll consign them to oblivion. That… is my ‘revenge.’” [29]
• “If I— …get to choose how I die… If I can… wish, then… If I’m going to be killed I want Noé to do it.” [29]
• “As for the rest… nothing will change. I am a doctor. I’ll keep on treating curse-bearers. I’ll do as I please. I’ll save the Vampires, for the sake of my revenge.” [29]
• “He acts as if he prefers to resolve problems by talking them out… but he gets violent first thing. He marches right into others’ personal space with his muddy boots. He’s much too stubborn. What can I do but back down!?” [30]

Appearances [ ]

• Mémoire 1: Vanitas — In the Event of Rusty Hopes (First Appearance)
• Mémoire 2: Noé — In the City of Flowers
• Mémoire 3: Jeanne — The Hellfire Witch
• Mémoire 4: Femme Fatale — Love
• Mémoire 5: Archiviste — Fangs That Reveal Blood
• Mémoire 6: Altus — Other World
• Mémoire 7: Bal Masqué — Night of Sneering Masks
• Mémoire 8: Louis — Sinking in a Pool of Blood
• Mémoire 10: Salvatio — Uncertainty
• Mémoire 11: Deux Ombres — Point of Departure
• Mémoire 12: Pause 𝄻
• Mémoire 13: Glissando — Glissando
• Mémoire 14: Catacombes — Where the Dead Sleep
• Memoire 15: Chasseur — Those Who Hunt Crimson
• Entracte: Chambre d'enfants — A Dream of the Sound of Rain
• Mémoire 16: Galop — At the End of the Riot
• Mémoire 17: Cicatrice — No. 69
• Mémoire 18: Dos à Dos — The Shape of Salvation
• Mémoire 19: Serment — Spell-bound
• Mémoire 20: Serment — Promise (Part One)
• Mémoire 21: Serment — Promise (Part Two)
• Mémoire 22: Hurler — A Calling Voice
• Mémoire 23: Au Pas Camarade — Pace
• Mémoire 24: Forêt d'argent — Chance Encounter
• Mémoire 25: Endroit Approprié — Melee
• Mémoire 26: Dissonance — Creaking Laughter
• Mémoire 27: Cage de Neige — Dregs
• Mémoire 28: Dal Segno — Question Mark
• Mémoire 29: Chateau de Sorcière — The Witch and the Youth
• Mémoire 30: Strascinando — Tremolo
• Mémoire 33: Cauchemar — Rumble
• Mémoire 34: Jean-Jacques — The Vampire of the Chastels (Part One)
• Mémoire 34.5: Jean-Jacques — The Vampire of the Chastels (Part Two)
• Mémoire 35: Louisette — Pillar of Justice
• Mémoire 37: Vengeance — Hands That Touch a Nightmare
• Mémoire 38: Naenia — She Who Harbors Death (Part One)
• Mémoire 38.5: Naenia — She Who Harbors Death (Part Two)
• Mémoire 39: Poupée Fissurée — The Essence of the Witch
• Mémoire 40: Avec Toi — Alone Together
• Mémoire 41: Canorus — Snow Flower
• Mémoire 42: Encore une Fois — Love
• Mémoire 43: Encens Restant — Lingering Scent of the Dream
• Mémoire 44: Mal d'Amour — The Incurable Illness (Part One)
• Mémoire 45: Mal d'Amour — The Incurable Illness (Part Two)
• Mémoire 46: Un Autre — Scar
• Entracte: Jours Bruyants — Tales of Lost Children
• Mémoire 47: Hétérogène — Sneering Laughter*
• Mémoire 48: Rencontre — Blue Night*
• Mémoire 49: Douleur — Kind Child
• Mémoire 50: Petrichor — The Thread That Reels in the Past
• Mémoire 51: Tempest — A Silent Scream
• Extra: The Case Study of Vanitash!!!! —Expanded Edition— (Non-Canon)
• Mémoire 52: Sens Unique — Fall
• Mémoire 53: Pleuvoir — Rain Which Doesn't Know the Sky
• Mémoire 54: La nuit sans lune — Dark Night (Part One)
• Mémoire 54.5: La nuit sans lune — Dark Night (Part Two)
• Mémoire 55: Après la pluie — His Wish (Part One)
• Mémoire 55.5: Après la pluie — His Wish (Part Two)
• Mémoire 56: Faire un gâteau — Bittersweet
• Mémoire 57: Au Revoir — Again, Someday
• Mémoire 58: Observation — The Darkness in Between
• Mémoire 60: Bonne journée — Sweets, Complaints, and Reconciliation
• Entracte: Couche — On Clothing
• Mémoire 61: Jeu de paume — Court Tennis (Part One)
• Mémoire 61.5: Jeu de paume — Court Tennis (Part Two)
• Mémoire 62: Bourdonnement — Wingbeats of Scattered Thought (Part One)
• Mémoire 62.5: Bourdonnement — Wingbeats of Scattered Thought (Part Two)
• Mémoire 1: Vanitas -In the Event of Rusty Hopes- (First Appearance)
• Mémoire 2: Noé -In the City of Flowers-
• Mémoire 3: Archiviste -Fangs That Lay Bare Blood-
• Mémoire 4: Bal Masqué -Night of Mocking Masks-
• Mémoire 5: Réminiscence -Friends-
• Mémoire 6: Salvatio -Questions-
• Mémoire 7: Femme Fatale -Love-
• Mémoire 8: Catacombes -Where Death Slumbers-
• Mémoire 9: Chasseur -Those Who Hunt Crimson-
• Mémoire 10: Cicatrice -No.69-
• Mémoire 11: Serment -Promises-
• Mémoire 12: Deux Ombres -Point of Departure-
• Mémoire 13: Forêt d'argent -Chance Encounter-
• Mémoire 14: Château de Sorcière -The Witch and the Young Man-
• Mémoire 15: Oiseau et ciel -The d'Apchiers' Vampire-
• Mémoire 16: Chasse aux Vampires -The Beast-
• Mémoire 17: Vengeance -Hands Upon a Nightmare-
• Mémoire 18: Avec Toi -Just the Two of Us-
• Mémoire 19: Canorus -Snow Flower-
• Mémoire 20: Mal d'amour -The Incurable Disease-
• Mémoire 21: Un Autre -Scars-
• Mémoire 22: Rencontre -Blue Night-
• Mémoire 23: Pleuvoir -Tears like Rain-
• Mémoire 24: Après la pluie -His Wish-

(*) - Denotes that the character did not appear physically, but as a part of another character's memories.

• "Vanitas" is an artistic term referring to a symbolic work of art showing the transience of life, the futility of pleasure, and the certainty of death, often contrasting symbols of wealth and symbols of ephemerality and death. It derives from the Latin word "vānitās" which can translate to "emptiness," "nothingness," "falsity," or "vanity" in English. [31]
• Vanitas shares a character song with Noé, Le Formidable! , sung by their Japanese voice actors and composed by Sasanomaly.
• Around the Chasseurs, Vanitas uses the French name "Vincent" (in Japanese, ヴァンサン, Vansan ) as an alias. This is likely a reference to Vincent Nightray (using the English pronunciation, in Japanese, ヴィンセント, Vinsento ), a recurring antagonist from Mochizuki's previous series, Pandora Hearts .
• That said, oysters seem to be a favorite food of his. [32]
• According to an interview with Jun Mochizuki, Vanitas was going to be a vampire. The fangs from his design are something that remains from that original idea. [33]

References [ ]

• ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Mémoire 1: Vanitas
• ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Mémoire 49: Douleur
• ↑ Mémoire 47: Hétérogène
• ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mémoire 48: Rencontre
• ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Volume 2 Additional Content: Vanitas reference sheet
• ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Mémoire 4: Femme Fatale
• ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mémoire 25: Endroit Approprié
• ↑ Mémoire 14: Catacombes
• ↑ 9.0 9.1 Mémoire 15: Chasseur
• ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Mémoire 50: Petrichor
• ↑ Mémoire 54: La nuit sans lune (Part One)
• ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Mémoire 41: Canorus
• ↑ Mémoire 3: Jeanne
• ↑ 14.0 14.1 Mémoire 16: Galop
• ↑ Mémoire 51: Tempest
• ↑ Mémoire 27: Cage de Neige
• ↑ 17.0 17.1 Mémoire 21: Serment (Part Two)
• ↑ 18.0 18.1 Volume 3 Omake: "Apple desserts"
• ↑ Mémoire 7: Bal Masqué
• ↑ Mémoire 8: Louis
• ↑ Mémoire 12: Pause
• ↑ 22.0 22.1 Mémoire 18: Dos à Dos
• ↑ 23.0 23.1 Mémoire 23: Au Pas Camarade
• ↑ 24.0 24.1 Mémoire 34.5: Jean-Jacques (Part Two)
• ↑ Mémoire 39: Poupée Fissurée
• ↑ Mémoire 40: Avec Toi
• ↑ Mémoire 44: Mal d’Amour (Part One)
• ↑ Mémoire 53: Pleuvoir
• ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 Mémoire 55.5: Après la pluie (Part Two)
• ↑ Mémoire 60: Bonne journée
• ↑ Wikipedia: Vanitas
• ↑ Volume 5 Omake: "What Mademoiselle Amelia saw!"
• ↑ Anime da Vinci Interview

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The Case Study of Vanitas

A human wields a magic book that can cure vampires of their bloodlust, and sets out to find vampires to cure with the book. A human wields a magic book that can cure vampires of their bloodlust, and sets out to find vampires to cure with the book. A human wields a magic book that can cure vampires of their bloodlust, and sets out to find vampires to cure with the book.

• Zeno Robinson
• Alexis Tipton
• 10 User reviews
• 3 Critic reviews
• 3 wins & 18 nominations

Episodes 24

• Noe Archiviste …

• Dominique de Sade

• Noé Archiviste

• See all cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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• Trivia "Vanitas" is a term that refers to a work of art associated with the transience of life; the trademark of such a work is to contrast symbols of wealth and prosperity with symbols of death. A fitting title for a vampire story protagonist.

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• Apr 7, 2022
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• July 2, 2021 (Japan)
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Why Some Fans Think The Case Study of Vanitas Is a BL Anime

The relationship between Noe and Vanitas, as well as ambiguous scenes in the series, have caused some confusion over the anime's potential as a BL.

When it came out in 2021, The Case Study of Vanitas barely made ripples, much less waves; its first season reached a tepid score of 7.91 and only ranked #709 on MAL. However, the anime’s story about 19th-century vampires fighting against a spreading malady was captivating enough to grant the series a loyal audience. Currently, The Case Study of Vanitas has over 400 thousand members on MAL -- more than Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Arc, which is ranked #2 on the website. Its protagonist Vanitas, a human 'doctor' who wishes to cure vampires from the 'curse' affecting some of them, joins forces with vampire Noe, who decides to fight alongside him on his journey.

The strong bond building between Noe and Vanitas, as well as their chemistry, has caused some fans to wonder whether the anime may be moving toward a BL development . Similarly, when looking up the show online, some people seem to think that the anime is in fact a BL, without the plot ever proving that assumption correct. Is it all a matter of wish fulfillment, or is there some truth to the idea that there might be more to Noe and Vanitas’ relationship than is made explicit?

RELATED: Dakaichi Was Almost the Perfect BL Anime – Here’s Why It Fell Short

The Case Study of Vanitas Looks Like a BL Anime

The author of The Case Study of Vanitas is known for her stunningly handsome male characters -- as well as their beautiful female counterparts. When looking for a potential relationship to support, fans may be drawn to anime with pretty characters, especially if they are the protagonist duo. When the anime promises to center around the alliance between two men as handsome as Noe and Vanitas, potential fans will inevitably wonder where that relationship is going to go.

It doesn’t help that there is a lot of 'yaoi bating.' In Episode 7, upon discovering that Jeanne has bitten Vanitas, unwillingly marking him as her own, Noe admits to feeling "anguish" at the thought of them. Whether he is jealous of Vanitas is left up to interpretation, especially since he declares that he regrets that "Jeanne got to [Vanitas] first." Dominique -- Noe's childhood friend and love interest -- seems to think nothing of it. However, in a world where sucking blood is often depicted as a highly erotic sexual encounter, Noe’s thirst for Vanitas’ blood is curious, to say the least.

RELATED: The Summer Hikaru Died Is a Chilling BL Horror Worthy of Mainstream Success

The Series Focuses on Vanitas and Noe's Relationship

While Dominique and Jeanne are strong and self-assured, as well as well-rounded characters with peculiar quirks and fun personalities, their relationship with the main duo is secondary to the one between them. The show is clearly more concerned with what Noe and Vanitas feel for each other than what they might look for in their volatile attraction to the two women. For instance, while Vanitas spends a sexually charged night with Jeanne in Episode 14, the next morning, Vanitas seems unbothered by what happened between them, more preoccupied with finding Noe and saving him than being with Jeanne.

As in many romance stories, Noe and Vanitas start off as enemies. When they meet, they immediately fight and, even once Vanitas’ good intentions are uncovered, Noe still states that he doesn’t like him. Their antipathy hides an evident interest on both parts, which soon morphs into admiration and respect. Noe especially, who has no problem being earnest about his feelings, declares that he "is interested" in Vanitas and wants to follow him wherever he is going to go next. With the dawn on the horizon and a tender smile on Noe’s lips, it’s hard to resist the temptation to see more than the start of a platonic friendship.

Noe saves Vanitas numerous times and vice versa, Vanitas being the only obstacle between Naenia -- the curse-inducing antagonist -- and Noe. What is initially a lukewarm friendship quickly becomes a vital bond, and one that often forces one of them to risk their lives in order to get the other out of trouble. In Episode 16, Vanitas reciprocates Noe’s initial confession by promising that he will follow him to where he wants to go, despite disagreeing with him on the matter at hand. From such a closed-off character, it’s as good as a declaration of undying love.

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If Noe and Vanitas Ended Up Together, It Wouldn't Be Surprising

The anime wants the audience to believe that Vanitas and Jeanne will end up together, and that is probably what will happen. However, clues are hidden in off-hand comments and character traits that suggest other possibilities. For instance, Vanitas is very firm when he declares that he has no interest in someone who might love him; he also admits to not knowing what love is. Nonetheless, he keeps making exuberant confessions to Jeanne at every turn, never stopping even when she seems to be reciprocating his feelings.

Does he actually love Jeanne? To a shrewd viewer, it might look like Vanitas is very fond of his own buffoonery but struggles when it comes to articulating honest feelings. When he is worried about Noe or wants to give him his support, he always tries to avoid a direct approach. When it really matters, Vanitas is shy and awkward. If Noe and Vanitas were suddenly to pursue a romantic relationship and the anime had a homoerotic turn, it wouldn’t be all that strange. After all, both Noe and Vanitas are quite inconsistent about their attitude toward Jeanne and Dominique. Noe refers to Dominique as a friend and often compares his relationship with her to what he had with her brother Louis. Vanitas, for his part, goes from extravagant declarations of love to utter coldness, with Jeanne having to navigate the rollercoaster of his moods as if he were a bratty child.

While The Case Study of Vanitas is not officially a BL -- and won’t likely turn into one in the canon -- one can see why many think that it could or should be one. Noe and Vanitas’ intense relationship shows more chemistry than that of many couples in other romance anime. If The Case Study of Vanitas were to suddenly change its course, it would therefore be unlikely to encounter significant resistance from its audience.

The Case Study of Vanitas Manga Online

The case study of vanitas.

There once lived a vampire known as Vanitas, hated by his own kind for being born under a full blue moon, as most arise on the night of a crimson one. Afraid and alone, he created the “Book of Vanitas,” a cursed grimoire that would one day take his vengeance on all vampires; this is how the story goes, at least.

Vanitas no Karte follows Noé Archiviste, a young man who is traveling aboard an airship in 19th century Paris with one goal in mind: to find the Book of Vanitas. A sudden vampire attack leads him to meet the enigmatic Vanitas, a doctor who specializes in vampires and, much to Noé’s surprise, an entirely ordinary human. The mysterious doctor has inherited both the name and the infamous text from the Vanitas of legend, using the grimoire to heal his patients. But behind his kind demeanor lies something a bit more sinister…

All Chapters

• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 62.2
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 62.1
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 62
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 61
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 60
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 59
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 58
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 57
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 56
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 55.5
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 55
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 54.5
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 54
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 53
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 52
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 51.5
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 51
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 50
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 49
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 48
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 47
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 46
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 45
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 44
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 43
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 42
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 41
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 40
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 39
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 38
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 37
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 36
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 35
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 34
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 33
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 32
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 31
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 30
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 29
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 28
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 27
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 26
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 25
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 24
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 23
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 22
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 21
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 20
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 19
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 18
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 17
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 16
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 15
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 14
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 13
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 12
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 11
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 10
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 9
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 8
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 7
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 6
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 5
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 4
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 3
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 2
• The Case Study of Vanitas, Chapter 1

The Case Study of Vanitas: Who is Naenia?

Naenia stands as Vanitas and Noe's most dangerous adversary. Here's what fans need to know about the origin of this sinister character.

Warning: This contains spoilers for The Case Study of Vanitas

The corruption of true names and the ringleader of the Parade of Charlatan is not Vanitas, Vampire of the Blue Moon, like everyone believes. That honor goes to Naenia, a shadowy figure who, for reasons unknown, desires nothing more than to defile the true names of vampires. This boogeyman figure serves as the main antagonist in The Case Study of Vanitas.

She hunts down vampires and haunt them, torturing them with visions, fears, and nightmares, until they give her their true name. Naenia takes their name and corrupts it, turning them into a curse bearer, a violent, bloodthirsty creature who will stop at nothing in order to kill everyone around them, similar to an akuma in D. Gray Man . She had followed Lord Ruthven during the war with the humans, and stalked Chloe d'Apchier after she and Jeanne parted ways. She had successfully tortured the true name out of Amelia Ruth, Louis de Sade, but Jean-Jaques gave his to her willingly in order to become stronger. Most of Naenia's victims die at the hands of a Bourreau, putting them out of their misery and keeping other safe. It is only with the appearance of a human called Vanitas that Naenia's victims have some form of hope.

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Naenia, Leader of the Parade of Charlatan

Naenia's appearance as being of pure shadow with red eyes and a twisted opaque smile match her monstrosity perfectly. She appears to have the ability to appear anywhere and interact with different people at the same time. Only the golden claws and bracelet on her right hand give a clue to Naenia's true identity Queen Faustina, the first vampire of the Crimson Moon .

Not much is known about the vampire queen other than her incredible strength. Her power is so immense that no vampire of the crimson moon can disobey her. The only reason she is not currently ruling Altus is because she somehow became a curse bearer. Whether that was directly because of the Vampire of the Blue Moon or not, it seemed Queen Faustina could tell she was succumbing and so ordered two of her retainers, the Beastia Loki Oriflamme and Veronica de Sade, to kill her. The first vampire's strength was too great, and the Beastias failed, the two of them only being able to destroy Faustina's body . Her blackened, rotting corpse is kept in her room, tucked in bed, and the queen's current condition is kept under wraps by the vampire senate, specifically Lord Ruthven.

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Even with her body decimated, Faustina became a curse bearer anyway. Her malnomen bears the name Naenia, the one and only of its kind. While Noe has fought her many times, Naenia has only ever been damaged by Chloe d'Apchier. Chloe already hated Naenia for stalking her for years, but it was only when Naenia took Jean-Jaques true name that Chloe decided to kill her. Chloe finished a machine called the Alteration Device based on her family's research of the World Formula in order to solidify Naenia's existence, to bring that shadow into the light. She succeeded, but by giving Naenia a physical body, Chloe accidently reminded Naenia of her true idenity as the vampire queen.

Queen Faustina, Awoken

Once awoken, Naenia took back Faustina's appearance which bears a startling similarity to Luna, the Vampire of the Blue Moon. They share inverted colors, a bit like Vanitas and Noe, and the same long hair. The connection between the two is unknown as well as how Faustina became a curse bearer. Once the Alteration Device was turned off, Faustina's visage faded away into the darkness, and Naenia laughed, leaving to go find more true names.

With her origins and goals unknown, Naenia works as the villain the viewers don't see, almost like Michael Myers in her ability to appear and disappear. She could be anywhere at any moment, and currently there is no way to defeat her. Vanitas has not tried to heal Queen Faustina's malnomen either because he can't or he doesn't want to. He may only be able to heal her by finding her physical body, like with the kidnapped vampire in Dr. Moreau's lab, and so he does not have access to heal her.

Vanitas is aware that the queen is being hidden away by the senate and so maybe biding his time before he defeats Naenia completely, another anticipated showdown to look forward to in The Case Study of Vanitas.

MORE: Edens Zero: Who is the Demon King?

10 Anime with the Best Fashion

• Anime and Manga offer a wide range of unique and extraordinary fashion styles, making it a perfect medium for fashion lovers to appreciate and engage with.
• Some iconic anime series, like Yu-Gi-Oh!, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Persona 5 The Animation, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, and Yu Yu Hakusho, showcase characters with distinct and stylish outfits that have become fashion icons.
• Other series, such as Akudama Drive, Case Study Of Vanitas, Nana, Bleach, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, also feature characters with amazing fashion designs that cater to different genres and time periods.

A great advantage anime and Manga have as a medium is the ability to have any kind of outfit the talented mangaka can conceive. And in the hands of creators who truly understand fashion, this results in anime characters becoming worldwide known fashion icons. From streetwear to cyberpunk and avant-garde, anime has it all.

RELATED: Best Dressed Anime Characters, Ranked

Anime is a perfect medium for fashion lovers, making it easy to find unique and extraordinary styles in numerous different series. Some of these looks have been replicated by fans with great success, making it a new way to engage with and appreciate anime. There are plenty of wonderful aesthetic sights to marvel at in this medium, but here are the absolute best when it comes to anime fashion.

The Yu-Gi-Oh! card game and anime are one of the biggest staples in the anime community. Yugi and Pharoh Atem’s look is an indisputable icon of anime fashion. Atem’s impossible hairstyle paired with his spiky jacket over his shoulders, the Millennium Puzzle hanging from his neck, and his unnecessary but cool double belt is the peak main character design.

Seto Kaiba’s long white jacket is perhaps one of the most famous anime pieces of clothing ever, and that’s only in Duel Monsters. Yusei Fudo and the Signers in 5Ds are biker fashion taken to the next level.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED

With so many different Gundam shows, it’s hard to pinpoint the absolute best when it comes to fashion. But Gundam SEED definitely takes the cake. Every major character in the show is constantly wearing the most stylish outfits in the franchise.

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Kira Yamato, Athrun Zala, and Shin Asuka are easily the best-dressed protagonists in Gundam. In SEED, even the military uniforms are stylish; ZAFTs iconic wine-red uniform that Athrun and Shin wear is particularly beautiful. Finally, Lunamaria compliments it with her deep pink hair and short skirt.

Persona 5 The Animation

This one is kinda cheating given that Persona 5 is originally a game. But the incredible designs from it translate perfectly to animation as it already did in the game’s cutscenes. The Phantom Thieves wear unique takes of their school uniforms while in the real world, but things really get fun when they enter the Metaverse.

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Joker’s iconic mask and long jacket, Fox’s Japanese Kitsune-inspired ensemble, and Makoto’s badass biker outfit; each member of the team is distinct and unique, all of their personalities well represented through their clothes.

Cyberpunk Edgerunners

Studio Trigger’s anime adaptation of the world created in Cyberpunk 2077 became an instant hit with the anime and gaming communities. Boasting some incredible designs, every character in the show is oozing with distinct Cyberpunk fashion.

Lucy’s ensemble has already become the object of numerous fan art and cosplay, not to mention how David Martinez made an oversized yellow jacket look so stylish effortlessly. Kiwi’s sleek raincoat and hairstyle seem so simple, yet it goes so well, all of it coming together with her sci-fi metallic mouthpiece.

Yu Yu Hakusho

Yusuke Urameshi and his gang are some of the biggest 90s anime fashion icons. In the anime itself, as well as official artwork, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, and Kurama are always clad in stylish casual outfits.

Yoshihiro Togashi is a master at anime fashion, as seen in Hunter X Hunter , but Yu Yu Hakusho delivered his best work in this aspect. Yusuke’s green jacket, yellow sweater, and redshirt outfit have become iconic, and one of the first examples people come up with when discussing anime fashion.

Akudama Drive

A sleeper hit from 2020 with a Cyberpunk setting, Director Tomohisa Taguchi was inspired by the Danganronpa games as well as Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs when creating Akudama Drive. The main cast is all but deadly criminals, who in true Cyberpunk style, have a killer fashion sense.

Doctor’s femme fatale take on medical attire is nothing short of striking and unique. Brawler’s simple yet effective streetwear and red dreadlocks immediately speak lengths of his badass and violent identity. Even the Execution Division’s white and blood-red uniforms are oozing with style.

Case Study Of Vanitas

Set in 19th-century Paris, Vanitas is full of classic vintage fashion. The mangaka, Jun Mochizuki, has clearly put a lot of thought into the character designs, from Vanitas’ black, extravagant outfit to Noe’s perfectly matched white coat, black undershirt, and vest that pairs excellently with his dark skin. Not to mention Dominique’s breathtaking aristocratic attire.

Every single scene of the series is a feast for fashion lovers. Vanitas is sadly a pretty underrated show, so many fans are not aware of its visual spectacle.

Nana is a beloved cult classic for both rock and roll fans and the LGBT+ community. Ai Yazawa, the mangaka, has a fashion sense still unmatched among her peers in the Shojo Manga genre. Her Goth, punk, and streetwear style makes her a legend in the anime industry.

Since the Manga follows Nana and her band the Black Stones, punk rock fashion and lifestyle are always present elements in the series. Yazawa also has a massive love for Vivienne Westwood, who has greatly influenced Nana’s fashion.

If there’s something the entire anime community agrees on is the amazing character design and fashion in Tite Kubo’s Bleach . Kubo has stated that before he became a mangaka he considered working as a fashion designer, and this is quite evident when looking at the incredible original outfits he frequently draws his characters in.

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In many Manga covers and official artworks, and even some of the anime’s openings, the cast of Bleach is seen wearing the most stylish streetwear in all Manga. Kubo truly is an artist who understands fashion, and with that understanding, he’s made Ichigo a massive style icon in anime.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

If there is a Manga synonymous with high fashion it’s Hirohiko Araki’s legendary JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure . Araki is a massive lover of fashion and rock and roll, having many of his characters inspired by either fashion magazines or famous musicians like David Bowie and Prince, two Rock fashion icons.

JoJo’s is also the only Manga to have an official collaboration with Gucci, having Jolyne Kujo, the protagonist of Stone Ocean, as the title character. And Araki has made her the Queen of Anime Fashion. When it comes to style, there’s just nothing like JoJo’s.

NEXT: Anime Characters With Best Fashion Sense