The Case Study of Vanitas: Episodes 1-5 [Review]

This season I decided to focus on a number of things to improve the blog, but in particular this show I know nothing about caught my eyes so I thought that I would review it as well. So I will be giving my thoughts on The Case Study of Vanitas (Vanitas no Karte) after watching the first five episodes as a sort of mid-season review.

Plot Summary

The premise of the story is a long time ago a vampire named Vanitas was loathed by his own kind and swore to take revenge. So he created a book to corrupt a Vampire’s True Name and that drives them into a murderous frenzy, with those who use the book gaining blue eyes and the drive to bring death upon the race.

In the present, vampires are apparently rare since a ton of them were killed in a fight between them and humans a long time ago so the majority decided to cross over some kind of barrier to a world called Altus. However, the ones that chose to remain still exist and go hidden in society, forbidden to attack humans unless they want to get the Church on them. However, once their true name gets corrupted and they get a thirst for blood, they become a curse-bearer and go into a frenzy which usually ends in death.

Our main character is a dapper, dark-skinned and white-haired vampire by the name of Noe Archiviste. His actions in the intro and first episode paint him as kind of a somewhat air-headed, if a well-meaning person looking for the Book of Vanitas on behalf of his mentor. He is supposed to find it and assess its true nature, so he heads to Paris as there had been sightings of it there. He is also the last of a vampire clan that possesses the ability to read memories by drinking blood, something that is actually pretty useful.

Our secondary character is the current owner of the very book that he’s looking for, a human (questionably) doctor taking the time to cure the vampires who lose their true names but won’t hesitate to draw a blade on someone he just met in order to try and get to his patient. He’s the current holder of the name Vanitas and more of a clown, but his goal is to stop vampire’s from going extinct regardless of what they want.

The end of the first episode sets up that the story is being told in media res, and that they would work together and go through a lot only for the journey to end when he kills Vanitas with his own hands.

Setting

The setting of the story happens to be a steam-punk lite variation of late 1800’s based on the vehicles and clothing, but they are clearly a lot further on the technology scale considering the Crimson Gauntlet and automatons.

This could be explained by the fact that Paracelsus basically found the key to the world of formulas beyond the material world and tampered with it, creating new things from rewriting existing items. Humans were among those rewritten in the Babel incident caused by his experiment, which gave rise to the first vampires.

That explains why vampires are effectively just Human+ rather than something else entirely. The divergent point was only around 400 years ago, which is enough time to develop a culture and customs but not be completely removed from humanity by existing for more than a thousand years. Yeah, the blood drinking gets intimate at times and it does have an influence on their behavior, but ultimately they’re still human enough to be relatable.

Characters

The characters are a blend of entertaining and eccentric, but most of them are likable.

Noe is an airhead, like I said. But he has seen some stuff in his past (we’re talking child slave here) and the moment he learns that Amelia, the vampire he met in the first episode, is scheduled to be executed even when she has regained her sanity, you see something in him snap before he just outright punts a desk across the room and grab the book before anyone can blink. Remember, he’s in front of the highest ranking vampire in Paris and basically wagers a gamble when moments before they were being threatened. He basically has certain things that set him off and the moment that happens he goes from being a male ditz to very competent.

Vanitas is eccentric, but he apparently means well and he happens to be pretty bright. He fights dirty when he gets into a fight, perfectly willing to blackmail someone into doing what he wants and move Noe around like a pawn. Then there was his kiss with Jeanne and how he licked his lips afterwards, which creeped me out about as much as it creeped her out. That is to say… a lot. But he make it clear him saving them is to spite the original Vanitas, so it is safe to say his bearing that mark wasn’t willingly.

The supporting cast is not bad per se, but I kind of had to reassess my expectations because these characters start off one way in particular before their circumstances paint them in a different light. Take Dominique, who literally has a machine attendant that spits out flowers and roses to enhance her entrance and puts a collar on Noe like a dominatrix. Not to mention stringing up Vanitas.

But the revealation of her past with Louis and Noe was outright tragic. It also paints an image of why she allows him to drink her blood. It might be romantic from her perspective, but at the same time its for emotional support.

Then there’s Jeanne, who is supposed to be a hardened killer but softens around Luca. Vanitas basically breaks that imagery the moment he gets his hands on her. Honestly, I was not expecting that going in and by the time the blood-drinking scene happens I am confused about what to think.

Animation & Sound

In terms of animation and sound, it’s a gorgeous show that occasionally dips into a comedic or chibi artstyle when it comes funny moments between the main pair. The first episode alone has beautiful imagery when Vanitas reclaims Amelia’s true name and when they fell from the airship to see the Blue Moon. There is also the scene where Noe enters the City of Flowers, the scene where he licks Amelia’s arm before biting down and diving into her memory, and the messed up Charlatan that stole her name.

Then there’s the intense scenes like when Vanitas is trying to convince Jeanne to suck his blood. The way her eyes focus on his neck and the shaking camera as she tries to resist her urge until she finally gives in. Then there’s the aftermath where she’s on top of him, half-horrified and blushing before she goes back and sinks her fangs into him a second time.

The music is… honestly a bit weird. The intro is rather upbeat while the outro is almost romantic and combined with the imagery this feels more like a boy’s love series. Which it isn’t… at least I don’t think it is. I could be convinced otherwise depending on how things go, but it might just be the vampires are naturally more intimate with one another.

But the reason it is weird is because this show gets dark given the themes and the fact that the vampires flip out against their will. The fifth episode alone has children dying quickly and horrifically to one of their own, with mercy killing being on the table. So after that you can imagine that ending theme being such a strong contrast that it almost gave me whiplash.

There are still some great pieces when there are deep and introspective moments, an underlying sadness played out with a violin in the background. And when the fights or the epic moments kick in, the music swells.

Overall Thoughts

The first five episodes does a great job of bringing you into the world and giving you just enough information to get a picture of the situation. Vampires are on a tight leash due to having lost their war against humanity and while they are allowed to exist with humans, they have a lot of restrictions placed on them with the primary one being that they are not to feast on humans. But there is some force called the Parade of Charlatan actively going out and corrupting them.

Noe has had people close to him succumb to the curse and so when he finds out Vanitas can do something about it, he is all about helping him even though he has no personal attachment to the guy. Meanwhile, Vanitas does help other Vampires as a doctor whether they want it or not. But his purpose is hinted at being for the sake of revenge, as he does not worship the Vampire of the Blue Moon.

This is interesting because it gives us a solid premise, on top of the show being beautiful with a lot of fascinating shots and symbolism. They even make the act of drinking blood something sensual and horrific, sometimes at the same time. For example, when Vanitas is having his blood sucked by Jeanne he is covering his mouth while clutching her dress as though its his first time but at the same time you might be worrying he’s about to kick the bucket. It skirts the line between sexual and violent you expect from a more romanticized take of vampires compared to a horror story.

However, it feels… rushed. I cannot say by how much given that I haven’t spoiled myself for once by reading the source materials, but one minute we’re in the middle of the discussion about a plan to deal with Jeanne and the next Vanitas is confronting her and Noe is nowhere to be found. But at the same time it probably hasn’t been at least three days since they got to Paris.

I am sorely tempted to just go ahead and read the source materials but for once I think I will control myself and just watch the series as it goes along… and then read the manga. But this is a solid show for the season for me and I would recommend it.

For anyone who does want to watch it legally, you can do so at Funimation.