2022 winter | Episodes: 12 | Score: 8.2 (138390)
Updated every Saturdays at 00:00 | Status: Finished Airing
Type: TV
Producers:Aniplex | Square Enix | Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures | Contents Seed
Streaming: Crunchyroll | AIS Play | Aniplus Asia | Aniplus TV | Bahamut Anime Crazy | Bilibili | Hulu | Laftel | iQIYI
Synopsis
Vanitas and Noé Archiviste head out to the town of Gévaudan in search of the "Beast," an enormous wolf-like creature that has slaughtered hundreds of people. Suspecting that the Beast is a curse-bearing vampire, Vanitas primarily aims to heal it using the powers of his grimoire. Along the way, the two get separated and suddenly travel back to the past—to the exact moment the Beast is lurking in the woods. After a battle against the gigantic wolf and a vampire hunter, Vanitas decides to team up with Jeanne in order to find Noé. Despite being allies, Jeanne's goal is the opposite of Vanitas', as she was tasked to kill the Beast—suspecting it may be someone she used to know. Meanwhile, a severely wounded Noé is picked up by the mysterious Chloé d'Apchier and her servant. Like Noé, Chloé is a vampire whose existence was erased from the public's knowledge. She has been a guardian for future generations and once tried to find a way to become human again. While Noé is grateful to Chloé for her hospitality, little does he know that she might be siding with forces far more dangerous than the Beast itself. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Voice Actors
Ishikawa, Kaito
Hanae, Natsuki
News
![Winter 2022 Simulcast List [Update 2/6]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.myanimelist.net%2Fs%2Fcommon%2Fuploaded_files%2F1640812873-9d25153d273bc8855c0f104e6899a45b.jpeg%3Fs%3D1f5ee44f237fd6b06a35433dd13654b6&w=640&q=75)
12/29/2021, 01:21 PM
In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of television anime acquired for simulcast release during the Winter 2022 season. Anime series licensed for hom...
12/27/2021, 03:22 AM
Here is a collection of promotional videos (PV), television ads (CM), and trailers for the last week. This thread excludes videos that have already been featured in ...
12/18/2021, 04:47 PM
In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of Winter 2022 titles with an accompanying promotional video, commercial, teaser, or trailer. This post will be...
12/10/2021, 06:16 PM
The official website of the Vanitas no Karte (The Case Study of Vanitas) revealed on Friday a pair of additional cast, key visual, and teaser promotional video for t...
06/05/2021, 09:09 AM
The advanced screening for the first episode of the television anime adapting Jun Mochizuki's Vanitas no Carte (The Case Study of Vanitas) manga revealed on Sat...
Reviews
EriolElfwin
I'm just leaving some thoughts focused on the adaptation from manga to anime, considering the 24 episodes as a whole. As a fan of the manga author Jun Mochizuki, I will probably write something about it in the future with more details on the evaluation of the story, but for now I love the manga with 10/10. The show has an aura of magic and mystery, with details and elements that are revealed and developed step by step throughout the arcs. One needs to accept this to enjoy the story and notice that it is very well built and fresh, which puts it aside from othergeneric vampire animes. The scenery and character design are beautiful. One thing I really like about this story are the characters. Each one is highly interesting and intriguing, with deep developments to them. The fact that it's difficult to discern who is the "hero" and who are the "villains" is a plus for me, I really like it, it gives a impression of reality. Also the fact that we do not know their intentions for now. Specifically for the anime, the music is amazing as expected from Yuki Kajiura, and although I have a problem with the fast-pacing, I think the direction of the sequences was very well done given the limited number of episodes. The adaptation is better than I expected with 24 episodes for 56 chapters and a complex story. There are two disbalances though. The first is the pacing. Part one has 12 episodes for 4 volumes (which already felt a bit fast-paced), while part two has again 12 episodes but this time for 6 volumes and more complex arcs. For keeping the standard of part one, it would have to be 18 episodes (3 per volume). Next, story and actions scenes were sped-up while romance and comedy scenes were given more time and development, which makes them seem a greater element of the overall show than it is in the manga. So basically the only problem I have with the adaptation is it's fast-paced and specially in part two leaves important details out. Maybe if I didn't know about the manga I wouldn't find this a problem, but it may also be I wouldn't have the information from the manga to fill in and this would be a problem instead. Another minor problem is that for me the visuals were a bit too bright. Overall I think it still pays off to watch it besides reading the manga, I'd give it an 8/10 for the whole 24 episodes.
I_Read_BLManga
(I will NOT talk about the manga ok? I am only talking about the anime.) I’ve read a good bit of the reviews for season one and season two I will have to admit season one originally turned me away from this series but after rewatching the first season years later and seeing and watching the new season the anime is much more enjoyable to me. I’ve also found that many are turned off by the vampire theme but this show uses that fact much better than your average “vampire high school” anime’s the main cast consists of more than one human and not allof the villains are vampires either allowing for much more diversity. I do warn the soft hearted that there are many themes that can be scary for these viewers but If you can handle more mature themes and scenes then you’ll be able to enjoy the show ie, (trying not to get in depth) harm to other people, blood, intense intimacy (if you could call it that) just to name a few off of the top of my head. Visuals are beautiful and it’s one of my top ten anime so hope you enjoy and that I haven’t scared you away :)
namjunes
This is a cumulative review of both seasons since I wasn't aware this was even considered a part 2. But this anime definitely could go both ways, for the bad the jokes were too much sometimes in serious scenes. I ended up just expecting it everytime it was an annoyance but in part 2 it finally dwindled down compared to part 1. For characters Noe is so useless IMO, he has to be pushed wayy too much to finally do something I'm surprised the man ain't dead yet. But the good about this anime was art style definitely beautiful, towards the end the story hadso much action I loved it the twist at the end was what did it for me. Even though I was kinda suspecting it I was still shocked. But yeah I can agree with other reviews on here that don't know who the bad guy is because it isn't being made clear with the actions some of these characters be doing or acting like.
Hiyoina
Every character has a good story development. Chloé in particular, but the main problem in the Vanitas series is that it's too much service for the fans. Especially Vanitas and Noé Vanitas and Jeanne have more interesting ideas than Vanitas and Noé. But it doesn't extend story the anime or manga. The plot of Vanitas sees a reflection of his fallen past through Jeanne's identity. Including seeing Luka as Mihail is not mentioned. Too many things are too vague. And the reconciliation between Vanitas and Noé is interesting.But in the end it was just the same idea. that is no different from the first time score 5/10 WordBuilding Vampire Crab is very interesting to follow. Relationships with other characters are good, but what I don't like is writing the relationship of Vanitas and Noe to loop.
vimai
Story 10/10: Where the first season lacked a “bigger picture” for all the arcs it threw, this season did not disappoint with the follow up. This show is a complex story executed nearly perfectly. Relationships develop, characters are fleshed out, and foreshadowing comes to fruition perfectly. I have absolutely zero complaints with the narrative. Besides the story itself being beautiful, the execution and pacing is nothing to scoff at. I was wary about the first arc stretching out so many episodes, but when I watched it, it never felt like it dragged on at all. Each scene was filled with purpose. It’s a near-perfect balanceof angst, comedy, and romance. I may be a little biased because the first half of the season gave me hard “Kuroshitsuji Emerald Witch arc” vibes (which hails as one of my favourite narratives from any manga to date), and the latter half gave me the character development I heavily desired. Art 10/10: Man the art and animation never misses with this show. From the vivid colours to the flowing animation to the flashy special effects, this show is eye-candy from every angle. The cinematography is stellar, with so many subtle yet important additions. Flickering shots of past events, zoom-ins on a character’s eyes (or, most notably, Vanitas’ earring, which I could write an essay about in terms of how it symbolizes his true feelings on certain topics). The backgrounds are drawn beautifully and are real places in Paris. Honestly it’s gorgeous from start to finish. Sound 9/10: I didn’t like the opening as much as the first season’s, but other than that the sound quality stayed the same. Character 10/10: I said in my S1 review that I was sure the characters would be amazing because, come on, this is the creator of Pandora Hearts here. I was not disappointed at all, and was glad to be proven right so thoroughly. Every. Single. Character. Introduced. Was given a back story. Maybe it’s a bit unrealistic that everyone has a sad past, but sad pasts make for the most compelling characters. I was especially satisfied with how they handled Domi, who I had always hoped would get her time to shine. Vanitas continues to be such an intriguing character that he carries the entire show despite the rest of the characters being 10/10s. Vanitas must be a 20/10. The character conflict was also spectacular this season. We get to see exactly what makes each character tick, and they are pushed to their emotional limits. I could probably psychologically analyze them if I wanted. They need therapy. Enjoyment 10/10: With the other points being 10/10, is it any wonder? I think it’s enough said. Overall: 10/10. I was never disappointed for a millisecond. A lovely and perfect adaptation of a beloved manga. I’d say more but I’ve been rambling for long enough. Cya
phantombild
If you enjoyed the first season and are curious about how the story continues, then give it a shot. Personally, it wasn't for me, but many other people liked it. STORY [4/10]: Generally, you can split this season into two main arcs (The Beast of Gevaudan and the Amusement Park arc) with a filler episode between them. I would say that the story of Vanitas no Karte is complex and the author has a habit of withholding information and giving it to us bit by bit when we need it. And normally, I’d love that (I liked that in the first season very much!), but in this secondseason, I just couldn’t handle it. The Beast of Gevaudan arc was awfully confusing which made me zone out after a while because I didn’t understand what was going on (I could not explain the plot of the first arc for the life of me xD). The first episode was already kind of insane and I had a lot of questions about the plot (What happened with the book? Who broke the chain? Where is Noé? Where is everyone else?). However, it was fine because I thought the confusion would clear up after a few more episodes. But, no! I was lost in the plot! I was more and more confused and maybe it’s my fault, maybe I just didn’t pick up the clues. Still, the pacing was off in this arc and I think everything was horribly explained (maybe it’s better in the manga, but I probably won’t check it out). The filler episode was okay. It was just to further develop the romantic relationship between Vanitas and Jeanne which I don’t care about. Though I have to say that I found it very funny and I giggled a couple of times. The Amusement Park arc was much better in terms of pacing and storytelling than the first arc. This one focuses more on the characters and their dynamic which was quite engaging. I liked the conflict between Vanitas and Noé. Finally, we find out more about Vanitas’s past and he and Noé had a nice bromance moment at the end of this season. ANIMATION [8/10]: The animation and art are decent and of the same quality as the first season. The fight scenes are nice, not much to say there. But sometimes it felt like they put more effort into the fanservice, specifically Vanitas’s and Jeanne’s scenes. SOUND [7/10]: Fine. The sounds and voice acting are as good as in the first season. What I have to mention is that I love the opening and ending songs of this anime. They truly never miss! CHARACTER [6/10]: This season focuses more on the backstories of the most important characters like Vanitas, Domi, Jeanne and Noé with newcomers like Chloé and Mikhail. Furthermore, Vanitas’s and Jeanne’s romantic relationship grows which is fine. I don’t see the connection between them except if we’re talking about lust (because let’s be honest: it’s mainly based on that aspect). The romantic feelings feel just too forced to be believable to me. I’m also not one of the people who would want it to be a BL anime/manga because I like the friendship Vanitas and Noé share. It reminds me of platonic soulmates or something like that and I think that it’s well written. ENJOYMENT [5/10]: The first half wasn’t it. I couldn’t care less about what happened in the first arc and as it turns out, it doesn’t even matter that much because it never came up during the second arc. The Amusement Park arc kind of saved the whole season for me since I enjoyed it though I don’t see myself reading the manga or even watching the next season (but who knows… that could change). The comedy relief in this season wasn’t always for me. A lot of times I’ve found it to be misplaced and it took me out of the moment on more than one occasion (there’s a serious situation/talk and it cuts off to some chibi-styled comedy).
Adelaide01
Vanitas no carte or should I say The case study of vanitas, this anime honestly deserves more hype. I would like to present my opinions on this one and I would also try to avoid giving as many spoilers as I can. So, to begin with... It has a perfect balance of friendship and love. The protagonist, which himself is VANITAS seems a really confident, intelligent and logical character, and as you move later on to the second season you'll also find how brave he is, to know that he is not as physically strong as all the other vampires but still the kind of characterhe has shown towards the end of the season left me with heart eyes. I know I'm being a little partial ( bcoz of my affection towards vanitas), but I loved how Noe, vampire of the crimson moon and closest to vanitas, acted so honestly right from the start. He is as amazing as vanitas(a little lesser>>). One thing that I absolutely enjoyed about this anime is the interaction of vanitas with jaenne, the hellfire witch, like everytime they meet, there is something new. Even though it was not a romantic anime but still, they feed us with so many awesome scenes of both of them at every interval of time. Talking about the plot, it was amazing...I really loved the concept of blue moon and crimson moon vampires. There are still so many mysteries to be unveiled, so can't wait for the next season.
DykeViews
(Note: haven't read the manga and don't care to, so no regard for accuracies or discrepencies) I liked the first half of Vanitas well enough, this 2nd portion has turned me off and I won't be watching any further, despite my deep love for vampires, period costumes and steampunk. The story is convoluted. It's ambitious, but doesn't match the pacing of the show. The first 7 episodes in this are dedicated to the Beast of Gevaudan, and I had no investment in the Chloe & Jean-Jacques, so it felt like it just dragged. The revelations weren't addressed for the rest of the season. This arc is followedby one filler episode, then 4 episodes in a completely different arc that was more appropriately paced. The filler episode is another one dedicated to furthering the relationship between Vanitas and Jeanne. They're really set on turning a relationship that started with male gaze, unwanted advances, and a non-consensual kiss into something that should be enjoyed. It's 2022, shouldn't we be beyond that? I know that consent can be a topic in vampire stories, but this isn't really related to that. Yes it's better than older animes, but that's a terribly low bar. Furthermore, this relationship seems just like comphet (compulsory heterosexuality) BS that gets in the way of Vanitas and Noe. This show needs to give us That Gay Shit™. This has so much potential as a BL story and they just want to bait us. So, convoluted story, unresolved arcs, glorifying relationships predicated on non-consent: those drop the score. It's a shame because there's so much potential for good but I can't see it happening any time soon.
UnlivedDisc03
This will be my review for the entire anime. Despite giving perfect 10's for everything I did not have an emotional attachment to this anime and therefore will leave a review with no bias. First of all, phenomenal. This anime felt far more interesting to watch than death note which is renown for its fantastic plot. This anime felt so much like full metal alchemist brother hood. The journey, the plot development, the backstory. It felt like half the anime was gargantuan plot development and then evenly split with action and backstory. I don't think i've ever watched an anime this story focused but itkept me interested 100% of the way. Granted this anime does have some classic autism japanese writers love to add but it does remain serious. The use of goofy shit balanced out nicely with the heavy underlying tones. The structure that was set since ep 1 really gives you a specific outlook on the anime that makes it so intriguing to watch. Every episode brings more and more story elements; so much that you have such a clear picture of everything. It felt like I watched 50 episodes instead of 24. I cannot put enough emphasis on how well written this was. The music was made by the same person who did most of the OSTs for sword art online so just off of that you can imagine that it aids very well in setting moods and tones appropriate for every type of scene. I've observed that the song composer tends to stick so close to things they already created so much to the point that the songs are almost identical to that of SAO songs but slightly changed. Almost like somebody tried to do a non-copyright spin of their own. By no means is this bad since SAO alicization is my fav anime and it had some great music for it. This shocked me as I was expecting an average 24 episoder since I didn't hear much about this anime but it easily exceeded my expectations. Just when you think you're hitting the lore climax it brings even more and more onto you. Due to the very similar feel of progression as FMA: BH it would have been excellent if they released the entire story. However that brings me to a negative. At the time the anime was created it has adapted all of the manga. In other words the anime was the entirety of the manga which means if we are to ever get another season it will be in an extraordinarily long time which is a massive shame considering how well it was written. Even if you were to continue on reading the rest of the story you wouldn't get far before finishing it in its current form and it most probably wouldn't be as impactfull as an animated version. The animation graphics and fights were pretty good but nothing amazing or over the top. Even though it appears as if it would be a an average top tier 2014 anime the story telling carries it to great heights. If you're one to appreciate cool action, you'll like it; if you're one to appreciate great writing and narrative, you will find it very enjoyable to watch. The characters, and by that I mean vanitas, is extremely well made. He's quite the schemer which is a really cool personality. Watching the way he does things in such a scandalous way is quite amusing. They definitely went all in on vanitas with his character development and the unraveling of his history to the point where he feels like the main character. Overall, very very very interesting to watch, arguably one of the few animes that absolutely glued me to the screen and made me want to uncover the truth more and more with each episode. An true gem hidden beneath a guise of mediocrity.
meg_lowde
This was definitely an interesting watch - though I have to say that I did prefer the manga. Vanitas and Noé definitely make for an interesting pair, and this pair is a mix of humour and more serious moments, the switch between the two oftentimes a little jarring. It did take me a while to get into this, but the mystery of the vampires, the setting in Paris, and the whole vibe was definitely right up my alley, plus the way it played with vampire lore and the mystery of Vanitas' background was enough to have me intrigued. This was a good watch, but unfortunately itdidn't have that extra level for me to really fall in love with it. Though I liked and appreciated the characters, the depth wasn't there for me and it didn't quite 100% hit the mark. This is definitely one that I enjoyed though and I am glad I finally delved into this series - I just think the manga will be more for me.
LimpLettuce
The only reason this is a 6 and not a 4 is because of the last few episodes (needed more foreshadowing but otherwise amazing) There are just so many ways that this series could have been so much better instead of a disorganized mess and the story just didn't take it Story; 6 First arc with the dog thing was a solid 4. Last arc with Domi angst and Vanitas' backstory (him being the character he should have been) was more like an 8 Art: 7 Nice igSound: 5 Just okay. The french accordion music was fitting Character: 6 Vanitas was less annoying than part 1 but didn't have any character development besides falling in love, which didn't even alter his actions much. Jeanne was there. She kind of just stood there the whole time and blushed. Noe and Domi were cool asf and I loved the expanded backstory and dynamic Enjoyment: 7 I zoned out for the first arc but the other arc was really exciting, so I actually liked it Overall: 6 So many missed opportunites
algoPotaku
Incredible this second part of the first season of vanitas. We see in this second part a little more the past of vanitas and we also see a little romantic development and the truth is appreciated, I think the anime is very cute. The animation is very good, almost as good as the design of the characters, they are all very cute, it's epic. The soundtrack is not bad, the character development is very good and in short it is a very enjoyable anime. I feel that this second part is better than the first one because it focuses more on developing vanitas and whohe is. I highly recommend it, if you like vampires you will love the series and if not it will at least entertain you. The season finale leaves us with an open ending so we can expect to see more in the future I hope. En español: Increible esta segunda parte de la primera temporada de vanitas. Vemos en esta segunda parte un poco mas el pasado de vanitas y tambien vemos un poco de desarrollo romantico y la verdad se agradece me parece muy lindo el anime. La animacion es muy buena, casi tan buena como el diseño de los personajes son todos muy lindos, es epico. La banda sonora no esta mal, el desarrollo de personajes esta muy bueno y en sintesis es un anime muy disfrutable. Siento que esta segunda parte es mejor que la primera porque se centra mas en desarrollar a vanitas y quien es. Lo recomiendo muchisimo, si te gustan los vampiros te va a encantar la serie y sino te va a entretener por lo menos. El final de temporada nos deja un final abierto para poder esperar ver mas en un futuro espero.
FlexySpagoot
Vanitas no Carte was a show I wasn't expecting to enjoy originally, but I definitely did, and made sure I caught the second cour when it released. My expectations were met, and I can safely say that I enjoyed this part as much as the first. It was a good continuation of the original that kept up everything I liked about the first cour and expanded the story and characters beyond the limits of the first cour. I was a big fan of Vanitas no Carte's characters and they continued to deliver, they all feel separate from each other and don't blend together. Each one islikable or intriguing in some special way that sets them apart from the rest of the cast. The characters were easily my favorite part of the first cour and they continue to be here. The story continues off from where the first cour left off, and sends Vanitas and Noe on a few adventures against vampires and otherworldly foes. The first arc was definitely my favorite of the two, as I didn't find the big (or little) bad of the later episodes to really be as interesting, although the arc served more as an introduction to an even bigger and scarier foe that I'm sure we'll encounter and learn all about down the line. The story wasn't ever too boring, and kept chugging on as the show progressed. The music, art style, and setting of the first cour stay largely the same, so I won't say much; if you liked them in the first cour, you'll like them in the second. Overall I think this was a great continuation of a what was a season highlight for me, and I can't wait to see where it will go next.
Imbeciel
I'll be relatively brief. I thought I would have to watch it all over again, in one go, to figure out if I actually liked it at all. The first half or more of the anime felt like there were too many things happening at once and also dragging, I couldn't care for the whole Gévaudan Beast part and that took a large portion of the show. Instead, I began to read the manga. Maybe it's just me but I feel like everything was explained way better and the anime doesn't really do justice to it. If it wasn't for that, I would have endedup feeling disappointed with the anime, but thankfully the latest episodes became much better and interesting. I'll keep my score at 7 because there were some really good scenes and I still love the characters and how their relationship is evolving. Also, the romance in this story is... Forced. I like Jeanne but whatever is meant to be happening between her and Vanitas makes little sense and, to me, has 0 interest at this point. That's part of the original story, so I can't criticise the anime for that. It's sad storytellers feel like they must add ANY romance to a story. Noe's and Vanita's frienship is imo the best of the show.
mythical_k
Spoiler Warning: Once again, it's time for another re-review, this time with the second part of this anime. Part two of The Case Study of Vanitas blew my expectations away from the first half of the series. The way the production for this series functions made me realize many aspects of this anime that I missed in my previous review. The concept of vampire anime never interested me, and after the second part, I can now say that this series is, by far, the most intriguing vampire anime I've ever watched. From here, I will further explain what the series did great and what the animecould improve on in the future with its production. Continuing from the first part of the anime, the second half focuses on a different area that introduces more characters who play significant roles for most of the episodes. Once the first half of the second part ends, it then returns to Paris to focus on developing the primary cast even further. What the anime does right is the emotional and dark tone of the characters' backstories, showcasing how tragic their lives were when they were younger. The execution of those backstories is so well done that they make us feel sympathy since certain flashbacks are hard to watch, and this anime did an incredible job with that aspect. While I find the comedy part of the anime to be a good point of relief, it can sometimes be overused, removing tension from serious scenes at times. Even though it didn't bother me, what somewhat surprised me was the anime's pacing. Unlike the first half, the second half was a little fast-paced, cutting out certain parts from the manga to adapt the entire thing in just twelve episodes. The story itself resumes Vanitas and Noe's journey to Gevaudan to learn more about a beast residing in said location. After a while, the primary cast struggles through many obstacles and eventually saves the two characters in that arc, allowing them to live in peace. For the remainder of the second half, the anime further dives into the backstories behind the main characters and later adds tons of intense and dark moments to make each episode more notable. At first, I thought this series was only about two vampires that bicker with each other working together, but the expansion of the characters made the anime even more intriguing to watch. The fact that each of the primary cast has their characters expanded makes is what made me love this anime. Considering the events during the final episodes, I'm intrigued to see how the story will continue to unravel after everything we witnessed in the finale. If everything in the story gets written neatly, then this could be one of Jun Mochizuki's masterpieces, but for now, all we have to do is wait. As usual, everyone in this series is still enjoyable to watch. Even with all the introductions to brand new characters, what makes each one of them intriguing is their chemistry between one. The romance between Vanitas and Jeanne is one of my favorite character interactions. Seeing as though they developed genuine feelings for each other is reassuring to watch. Another well-written chemistry is between Vanitas and Noe. Even though they dislike each other, they still work together. Such moments are why I find them one of my favorite anime duos. As for the backstories of certain characters, such as Domi, not only does it expand on how they truly feel on the inside, but it shows how tragic it was as well. After watching each backstory, I felt sad that they went through such pain, and some characters like Vanitas went through even worse hell. Overall, the balance between the comedic and tragic moments is done neatly. I believe that such a combination of those genres can put us at ease after enduring the painful past of each of the characters. The animation in this adaptation itself focuses more on the visuals in most scenes than the action scenes. After watching both types of those scenes in the anime, the former is what Bones did better in terms of its quality. That said, even though the fight scenes were smooth, I felt like the visuals in them were also the best part, as it shows just how beautiful the anime is when it features those moments. On a separate note, whenever there's a comedic moment, I love how most of the characters become chibi and describe how funny each scene is when it is animated. Even though the animation was wonky at times, it's still well animated for most anime moments. Once again, this anime's strong point is the breathtaking visuals, such as whenever the Book of Vanitas is used by the said character himself. I know that Bones still gave this series justice, and I look forward to seeing future series animated by them. I love the music composed in this series. I never mentioned it before, but the one that created the soundtrack for this anime is none other than the famous Yuki Kajiura. It only took me a few songs to realize that she made the music, and it matches the anime's atmosphere so much, and they sound incredible. By far, the pieces: Destiny Waltz and Inverse operation are my favorite OSTs in this anime. Kajiura did a splendid job composing each song, and it matches the vibes of each area perfectly. The opening song, Your Name by Little Glee Monster, took a little while for it to grow on me. But I find it to match the winter vibes that took place in the first half of the anime's second part as well as how it also came out during the winter 2022 season. The ending song, Salvation by MONONKVL, is not only a catchy song, but it also foreshadows what will come in anime when future chapters are eventually adapted. Despite the many flaws in this adaption of Mochizuki's work, The Case Study of Vanitas as a whole is a work of art. From the character expansions to the change in tone, this anime took me by surprise and is one of the best anime that studio Bones ever adapted. The beauty in the visuals and soundtrack were breathtaking, and it works well for the content of this series. Even though the anime adapted almost the entire manga, I'm nervous the anime might go the same route Black Butler took with its second season. Even though it may take years for another season to come, I hope a second season gets announced with enough source material in the future. I'm looking forward to seeing how the characters will continue this incredible story from this point onward.
PyraXadon
There’s something to be said when a series makes you uncomfortable…in the good way. Or make it possible to laugh so heartily in one scene before triggering your flight or fight response in the very next scene. Maybe it’s just me, but that about sums up my experience with watching this show. Story: As the story continues for our unlikely duo of Noe and Vanitas, new characters come out from the fray and end up as folded parts of the narrative. With a call for the elimination of the Beast of Gevaudan, the story that unfolds digs up some unsightly memories for our main cast as uglyor long forgotten truths start to resurface and corrupt the fragile relationships that have been built so far. My last look into the story of Vanitas no Carte had me perplexed at where the story was going to go, but hopeful that I was going to get the answers I wanted. While I don’t necessarily think I got everything answered, I got pretty damn close. Compared to its first cour, this second ‘season’ really likes to poke at and dig into the stuff that I wanted to see before. Knowledge of the enigmatic Vanitas as well as a further looksee into the pasts of Dominique and Jeanne become prominent story beats in the narrative as the weight of their characters becomes ever more present in the narrative. Which I think does well to flesh out their characters (and traumas more). Again, character study is the theme this time around, as entire episodes are dedicated to explaining the pasts and other various aspects of the show’s characters. And why their emotional attachments lie where they are. It again touches on the topic of how the negative aspects of our lives affect how we live. The chilling grasp of our regrets and traumas chaining us to events and memories that we want to forget. Drowning ourselves in a false hope of moving forward when all this selfish desire is doing is forcing us to run away from our problems. Dramatic and quite raw in its presentation, I feel like this season just elevated this part of the story so much more as the visceral imagery and topics shown in the characters’ backstories paint really grim pictures at how their twisted motivations became what they are. It really doesn’t let up, and this being one of the series’ boons (as well as Mochizuki Jun’s signature at this point) is why I think Vanitas no Carte is so captivating to watch. That being said, the story quality in terms of pacing is where I think this presentation starts to break apart. Particularly in the section regarding the Beast of Gevaudan. Vanitas no Carte is by no means a simple series to digest. There’re so many moving parts, character motivations, and raw human emotion that’s being portrayed here. On top of an entire world populated by a variety of vampire, human, and magic laws that build up the background. And we have…12 episodes to talk about it. Suffice to say, the show is very dense, and at times I felt like either something was missing or I had to stop and rewind a bit just to fully understand why and how everything was being done. At the end of the day though, I don’t think I still got it. Now this may just be a part of me not understanding everything, but I’m willing to bet that the showrunners struggled in some way to make everything fit and stuff had to be cut. Especially since they apparently progressed the series up to the point of where the manga currently is, so…that’s pretty fast all things considering. Because of this, I think the pacing in Vanitas no Carte is quite wonky and breaks apart at times. Not at all helped by the fact that rushing something like character breakdowns, a notoriously important story element that cannot be rushed, can make certain scenes or moments feel cheap or less impactful. In spite of that though, I don’t really have many qualms about the story. Sure there’re confusing aspects of the story…as well as a lot of ‘NOPE’ that triggers my fight or flight response, but I still thoroughly enjoyed my time with this show. I would hope that there will be a sequel season sometime in the future. Because there’s something awful to be said about shows that end just when they’re about to get good. And I really don’t want Vanitas no Carte to be one of those shows. Characters: Vanitas at last getting a backstory episode was uh…not as impactful as I wanted. The enigmatic part of his character is still present since I’m pretty sure we’re still missing a chunk of his backstory, but I will take the nice helping of information I got anyway. My opinion on Vanitas has not changed since the first season since he still kind of carries the same role of annoyingly cryptic bastard that’s occasionally helpful, but doesn’t do it out of the goodness of his heart. My expectations going into this was really if we were going to get a revelation to his backstory or if he was going to change in any significant way that would put a positive spin on his character…and we kinda got half of that. In spite of that though, my verdict really is to just call him a good character. He certainly carries a lot of narrative weight, but does so in tandem with the rest of the cast instead of being the sole provider. Something that’s helped by the fact that he definitely has a standout personality that makes him memorable. With the backstory we did end up getting at least putting in perspective some of his character traits and why he acts the way he does. Does it answer everything though? Absolutely not and I still don’t know what the deal with his terrible personality is. We might get the answer to that in time, but for now, not having it just kind of makes him an irritating puzzle to figure out. Noe by comparison kind of gets the short end of the stick with most of his attention being put more towards trying to push his character beyond his traumas instead of sullying on them. It’s certainly refreshing in a cast that relies so heavily on what hurt them in the past. But even if it is a standout trait, Noe himself…doesn’t really get that much attention. Because the narrative this time is so centered on what affected people in the past, he kind of just takes a backseat or is put in front of the audience’s view to deal with someone who clearly has a lot going on. A helpful role for sure, but not one that has so much narrative weight that it drastically affects anyone he’s fighting or himself. His little bit of introspection is nice though, so I’ll give him that as an upside. Chloe and Misha are our two standout characters by virtue of being new faces in the narrative that each take up half a season each. (Maybe Misha less so, but he definitely shook things up quite a bit.) Each is slapped with a rather hefty backstory that almost immediately puts their motivations and character in perspective. Personally…I’m not really that much of a fan? It doesn’t break up the narrative as much as I thought it would, but it certainly breaks up pacing since important action or story beats stop in their tracks to give a lot of story context before we can progress forward. For me, story writing like this feels a bit forced since it’s made solely to get the audience to care about the immediate character we’re talking about instead of folding the backstory in a more natural way even if the backstory is good and adds really helpful context. Especially since this kind of stuff eats up a lot of runtime and adds more to the overall density of the story’s presentation. Astolfo also falls into this category, but less so since he kind of just shows up as a part of the narrative in the moment but isn’t as heavily focused as the characters listed above. Much of the recurring cast like Dominique and Jeanne, as well as other lesser known characters get somewhat thrown to wayside, but less so than I initially expected. They mostly take a backseat to what’s going on, but for the girls in particular, participate in the plot ever so slightly in their own way through you guessed it, more backstory. (Admittedly I may be making the story and characterization sound worse than it actually is. I swear, the characterization is really good. It’s just entirely told through backstory.) The most I can say about the rest of the characters is that the show up in snippets that matter to their character and form relationships with other relevant characters, but do little else beyond that. The girls certainly get some character development, but something about the way their characters were approached in the story feels a little cheap to me. Maybe it’s just because they didn’t get as much time devoted to them, but they lacked the oomph that I expected them to get in the story even if the nuggets of info that we ended up getting about them were actually pretty good. Aesthetics: With Bones once again taking the reins of the series, Vanitas no Carte is no less spectacular than it was in its first season…and might actually be more harrowing to watch. Indeed, Mochizuki Jun’s visceral imagery and pained emotions are audibly painted on the screen. But something about this season feels harder to watch. Maybe it’s because the sexual imagery/forceful contact is painted as even more of a bad thing than the previous season. Or the fact that the characters this time often look even more dead inside with more disheveled or mentally exhausted appearances for the characters taking center stage as the traumas of past events resurface for this cast of broken individuals. It’s all very…uncomfortable to watch. And I felt really queasy at times watching this because the atmosphere in Vanitas generally feels really heavy what with the sense of dread and a desire to end one’s life taking over the psyche of multiple characters in this series. That being said, the show still does have its lighthearted moments and often come at the cost of some hilariously drastic whiplash that I don’t think I can recover from. The deformed chibis with how Vanitas physically abuses and yells at people complimented by ludicrously simple frames for comedic purposes are just…fantastic. It’s such a nice (and dramatic) contrast to what’s normally on-screen that for a second I forget the show that I’m watching and I can just have a laugh. Plus this shit just comes outta nowhere, so you can’t really anticipate it until it happens. Little Green Monster’s “Your Name” is a good song. But it is not as good as the first op, I’m sorry. It’s more of a yearning ballad that focuses more on its vocals rather that its choice of instrument. While it has that nice mysterious beat to it at the beginning I really don’t think it’s that standout of a track when the first opening last season just absolutely killed it in the memorability factor for me. Similarly, Mononkvl’s “salvation” just isn’t that interesting for me. It’s a similar ballad-style song that just doesn’t do it for me. Like it sounds nice and all, but nothing about it really makes me search it out to listen to it again. I’d say that OP wins out this time, but neither songs stand out that much to me unfortunately. Final Thoughts: Between the first season of Vanitas and now, I’ve read the entirety of Mochizuki Jun’s previous work, Pandora Hearts, in its entirety. So coming back to Vanitas with fresh eyes on understanding the kind of story this woman is capable of…well I can certainly see the similarities. The raw emotion of how negatively the human psyche reacts to trauma and how desperately it will cling onto the things that it perceives as pillars of safety is a fascinating topic that flows effortlessly into the narrative of this series. While real life certainly isn’t going to devolve to the point of people being so broken that they’ll only become dangerously suicidal, it does bring up an interesting narrative point at how toxic and twisted the bonds and memories we have can become if we chain ourselves to them. (Which chains seem to be something Mochizuki Jun is fond of I’ve learned.) Presentation aside, the narrative beat that the story revolves around is so well done that I can’t really say anything bad on a narrative level about this series. Technically though, I’ve definitely got my issues. But the core is good enough that I’m willing to forgive a few blemishes here and there because I’m sure there’re some things behind the scenes that caused those issues to appear. Either that or because she’s so annoyingly cryptic about making a domino effect that she’s just waiting for the narrative to reach a tipping point before letting everything fall apart and for all to be revealed. I certainly hope that this series gets another season some time in the future because there is so much potential for good stuff here and I don’t want it to end. Read the manga endings were annoying ten years ago, and they’re still annoying now. So if you have any mercy on me, Bones, you’ll at least say “Hey we’re gonna do another cour” later in a year or so. That’s all I need. And because I held my judgments until I knew a bit more to the story, I can definitely say that Vanitas no Carte is good…for the right audience. While the show is very good, I will say it has a lot of sections in it that would have issues doing well for a broad audience. Quite frankly, if you’re not interested in the complex interpersonal relationships of people, male and female, interacting each other in ways that are a wide spectrum of gray, then I don’t think this show will be for you. There is a lot to take in with Vanitas no Carte, all of it not very PG with even less of it being happy in most contexts. But if you’re willing to break past those relatively uncomfortable topics, you’ll be rewarded with a series that isn’t afraid to tackle the issues of its characters and how ugly and hard it is to climb over those traumatic mountains.
234Mannan
The case study of vanitas is nothing short of a complex story done right. From small wholesome moments to complex character relationships and psychological depictions not to mention the mysteries themselves. The strength of this Cour particularly lies with the progression of plot and unexpected revelations and character moments. What the author basically excels at is balance. Mostly complex stories dont take there time and throw a bunch of stuff at your face(I am only talking about the majority here) However Mochizuki is basically devoid of that. Taking a slow but pre planned approach not only makes it intriguing but immersive at the same time. You stillmight get lost in the story but events following that might just explain most of the questions you might have. However that's where the main complain lies as well Vanitas is "slow" The first Cour is needed to establish your link with the characters for delivering the main flavour in the 2nd one. For the most part, the story has still Just begun Strengths: Character relationships: Its very common for people to actually misinterpret the relationships between the characters since the writer is fond of writing complex, eccentric yet extreme relationships. Her approach is basically related to psychological trauma and self worth of the characters. However due to these things even friends can be mistaken for love interests since the depiction of "love" in her stories is completely different from what one might expect. Which kinda explains why people often ship Vanitas and Noe and of course some people due to their misinterpretation or biasness use it to criticise the series. Sadly people who actually do that dont understand her works or what she tries to potray however But back to the question, why would you consider it as a strength? It establishes an emotional connection of the viewer to the degree they might not expect, if you truly understand their bonds and psychology that is. If there is one thing the anime was able to depict properly, it was these relationships. Simply put, the writer explains the extent of a bond, whether its between siblings, friends or something entirely different in its most pure yet extreme form and that is its main appeal. The characters have conflicts but what results after that is nothing short of a worth it pay off due to these "relationships" Characters: OfCourse these relationships are great because the character themselves are written well. Every character in the story has a unique distinct personality that develops gradually and also they are always opposite of what a viewer might initially expect them to be(most of the time). For example Jeanne was shown to be quiet submissive in the drama of the "supposed" relationship between her and vanitas only to be proven false when they actually develop feelings for each other. Same goes for Vanitas. Who was actually the exact opposite of "the cool quirky character" he was shown in the start. And some characters are written in such a beautiful manner that you cant help but love them(yes i am talking about you Noe) From the mysterious "teacher" and creepy yet adorable Mikhail to the lovable "Vampire of the blue moon" every character has interesting characteristics and they are not just empty shells (Except Doc he is pretty annoying an i just want him to suffer) However the anime did not do justice to some characters(Mainly dominique) Plot and Worldbuilding: No work is great till the writing itself is something to behold. Vanitas as i mentioned above vanitas is still developing and even then the twists, conflicts are planned and executed with care. (the anime was a bit fast in depicting that however so it did not give the same experience in contrast with some parts of the manga) Its unpredictable, different and intriguing, opposite to a Typical mystery. The careful approach with all the things done with drip feeding, not to mention unique world building which takes inspiration from real historical events(Beast of gevaden, de sades and several other things) makes you realize how much care is put into the plot. And well that's all there is to it Final Judgement: Surprisingly the adaptation was great since I truly believe that Mochizuki works are hard to adapt. Even though the anime rushed at some parts during the beast arc and was not able to depict the same tension in the manga(most of the time), it was much better then I initially expected it to be. Manga is still better but the anime did a great job(comparable to the orginal) and I would obviously recommend it. If you read this far then thankyou and have a great day
Snapshot426
Say what you want about the quality of this season of anime, at least the sequels lived up to their respective hypes. That should tell you already how I feel about the new season of The Case Study of Vanitas. The first season was one of my favourites from last year thanks to its great cast of characters, great production values and an absolute brilliant ED. So naturally, I looked forward to this second season and to see where the story would end up next. Starting with the story, my main complaint with Vanitas season one was the lack of an overarching narrative to tieall these stories together. Season two sort of addresses this but doesn’t fix it. This season does start tying all these plot threads and storylines together, as if to say season one was just setup and season two is putting it all together. The plot threads start to connect and come into more effect as the story goes on. Yet the show doesn’t give a clear reason as to where the story wants to go. It still focuses on dealing with the now, rather than any potential problems that can come later. Like these two arcs don’t have any prior buildup besides a cliffhanger before it starts but are significant in terms of the plot for the majority of the core cast of characters. There is also a massive plot revelation surrounding the dark spirit Naenia that doesn’t leave an impact on the story as I would’ve liked. Sure, the way it was delivered was fantastic but It’s pretty significant plot revelation and the characters act like it doesn’t matter much after seeing it. This is where I think the show’s comedic tone at times, as much as I find it amusing, can hinder some pretty important narrative beats. That’s not to take away from the arcs themselves, they are still well told and are very engaging to watch. The first arc takes the bulk of this season and acts as as a sort of narrative high where the stakes get higher than they have before and the characters must act in order to stop it; with the second arc being smaller but very significant for character development. It continues the show’s story strengths, which is their direction, pacing and how our characters interact with it. Only now, character development has taken a step up from season one. I am more interested in these characters in this season than in season one. Now that could be because I already like these characters before the season started but this season continues to go in the right direction when it comes to the characters. So while the story still has the same problems, it still has the same strengths and continues its good but flawed narrative. The Characters though were always the strongest point when it came to this show. I love this cast of characters and their interactions with one another. But one of the main themes when it comes to season of Vanitas is character backstories. Noé and Domi were the only ones that got a dedicated backstory but this season gave us backstories for Vanitas, Jeanne, Domi again, Astolfo and newcomers Chloé, Jean-Jacques and Mikhail. They are thankfully engaging and help us get attached to the characters even more, while also being crucial to the narrative as they give more clarity into the situation as they do answer some very important questions. While I feel like they could’ve spread them out better over the course of these two seasons, they do contain plot points that would’ve been spoilers for what is to come so I get why they are clumped up here. But then again, you could’ve done some good foreshadowing for what is to come. In terms of the characters themselves I am so glad that the relationship between Vanitas and Jeanne has developed this season. Season one had its fair share of development between the two, but this season is where I think it has truly blossomed and I love the interactions they had with each other this season. Chloé and Jean-Jacques act as interesting antagonists because while they are the main threat in the first arc, they aren’t strictly evil as we soon learn, the situation is more than just being black and white and there is some complexity to it. By the end, you aren’t rooting for them to be stopped, you are rooting for them to see if they can be saved. Mikhail acts more antagonistic as a thorn to Vanitas’ side but you can clearly tell that something has warped this young boy’s mind. But he wasn’t as compelling as Chloé and Jean-Jacque but still good. Going back to the story quickly, I like how the show portrays how humans and vampires can both be monsters, especially in the first arc where you can clearly see how Humans affected Chloé’s life and how Vampires affected Astolfo’s through their backstories. It just goes to show that Vampires aren’t just bloodthirsty creatures of the night, they have their own flaws that makes the difference between Humans and Vampires not that much different. It doesn’t go into depth about the human, vampire dynamic than a show like Shiki, but does just enough to make it subtle and interesting. In terms of production values, it remain unchanged from season season one. It still looks great and sound great and I’m glad Studio Bones is able to keep it up. Although I do want to say the soundtrack has gotten some very notable new tracks that make the scene they are used in much much better. This season has made me like the ost more as its usage is very good. But I want to talk about the OP and ED since they are obviously new. Let’s start with the ED first. It was going to be VERY hard to top “Zero” by LMYK from season one for me. To me, that ending was my pick for best ending sequence from 2021. I loved the song and it was a great contrast to season one’s more upbeat OP with Noé trying to reach out to Vanitas at the depths of isolation, with Vanitas just simply waiting to grab his hand. It had a great rhythm, it looked great and…...hold on a sec, I need to go listen to it again………...”Was it you that I have been searching for? Spend my life alone and waited for?”…….Ok, I’m back. While I do admire the attempt by "Salvation" by Mononkul, it just doesn’t hold a candle to Zero. While the visuals are on par, forshadowing Noé and Vanitas’ strenuous relationship, the rhythm and pacing of the song just feels weaker than Zero. It really is just the case that Zero was the better song by a mile that doesn’t make this ED as good as season one’s ED. The OP however, I do think is better than season one’s OP. Titled, "Your Name" by Little Glee Monster, the OP is not as light hearted as "Sora to Utsuro" by sasanomaly, the OP does a better job at showcasing the, “I need you, I don’t need you” relationship Noé and Vanitas has where they are off doing their own thing and end up just looking for each other anyway while the synthesized lyrics and calm instruments play in the background. While season one’s OP was more fun, I feel like season two was more clear and realistic with the relationship between our two main leads. Overall a great OP. So where does this lead to where to how I feel about season 2? Honestly, I got the same amount of enjoyment as I did with season one. The story was the main aspect of this show I wanted to see happen next and while it does take steps forward, it also takes some steps back and doesn’t address some of the criticisms I had with season one. The characters though are the heart and soul of this series and to see them still being fun and engaging to watch with the new characters not brining it down does make this season still worth the watch. While I would like to know where the narrative ultimately wants to go, the arcs themselves through good pacing, direction and character development do help make up for it. The Case Study of Vanitas still remains one of my favourite Vampire themed anime alongside Hellsing Ultimate and Shiki and even after I did my review on season one and now with season two, it’s still worth the watch. Story: 7/10 (While the arcs are engaging to watch due to good direction and pacing alongside some payoff with these plot threads, there is still a lack overarching story to drive the narrative forward) Characters: 10/10 (This is still a great cast with fun and interesting interactions, only now, their development has gotten better) Animation: 8/10 (Remains unchanged from season one. Bones still nailed the Aesthetics and animation of this series) Sound: 8/10 (While the ED has taken a backseat, the new OP and some new OSTs make up for it) My Personal Enjoyment: 9/10 (This still remains one of my favourite vampire anime and most of the things I loved are still great) Overall Score: 8.4/10 Recommendation: Watch It
KANLen09
Jun Mochizuki's epic vampire tale continues after a season's break, and is it just as good as the 1st Cour back in Summer last year? I mean, come on, it's gotta be good, and I assure you that it delivered the same and more. In the 2nd Cour, right after the events of the Chasseur Hunters, the two main focal events are The Beast of Gévaudan and Amusement Park arcs, which covers the manga progression continuing from Volume 6 to the most recent Volume 10, meaning that the anime has fully caught up with the source material, which in my mind, sums up the perfect adaptationof an esteemed series by an esteemed author like Jun Mochizuki. Spoilers be warned for intensity. The Beast of Gévaudan arc, which takes up 2/3rds of Part 2 / 2nd Cour, this arc really displays the magnificence of Vanitas no Carte's world-building as a whole, which combines both vampires, humans, Charlatan, Chasseurs, and the diabolical plan of the Beast: the Silver Witch known to all as Chloé d'Apchier. As the daguther of Marquis d'Apchier and being a "curse-bearer" vampire herself, she was the hidden vampire of the family, and her presence mattered because Jeanne's parents were Lord Ruthven's students when she was young, and Jeanne got to know Chloé because Ruthven introduced the former to her, taking care of her well-being until it was found out that she was the Beast, and you can imagine that all hell broke loose right after that fateful incident. And this time, the Book of Vanitas becomes a lot more relevant as it's used to create the Alternte Engine in an effort to make her human again, and there will be none to stop her, other than getting past her protector Jean-Jacques Chastel, which he is always prepared to sacrifice his humanity to play the scapegoat game as the Beast to lure people off Chloé from her oppressors. Along with the inner conflict of the Charalatan that continues to haunt people's past, makes for one hellish nightmare that requires a lot of sacrifice, reconciliation and realization to turn people to the truth, that like Noé friends turned curse-bearers before, it's the same story but on a larger, grand scale. And if you'd thought that was enough, the Amusement Park arc which displays the final 1/3rd of the 2nd Cour, is where I like to call: personal friends settle grievances towards each other. Vanitas's past is on full display this time, since we the audience never really got the chance to dive deep into his psyche in the 1st half, and it's forced through this little boy known as Mikhail. Not just Vanitas's, but combining Domi, Louis and his past, paints a picture of a moment in that time the human of the Blue Moon would not want to diverge and forget about all that's happened between him and Mikhail. If you remember the eccentric vampire doctor that is Moreau, he was employed by the Chasseurs to research on vampires, and declared Vanitas as No. 69. But, BUT, there was actually another person hiding in the sidelines: the young kid Mikhail, whom like Vanitas, is subjected to inhumane research. Why do I say this, is because both Vanitas and Mikhail were rescued by the original Vampire of the Blue Moon, being raised by him/her and teaching the young-uns all about the world of vampires consisting of the malnomen, astermite, and most importantly, the Book of Vanitas, which is why Mikhail has another copy of it as well. The past that Vanitas wishes not to be digged into, forces Noé to confront him and save those he cares about fondly, and ultimately understand Vanitas as a whole in his most vulnerable stage. As I've said in my 1st Cour review, Jun Mochizuki really knows how to use character development to her advantage, and using that to course and piece the events of her epic story, it's just as well done as Part 1, if not on par with it since this is a continuation after all. Her stories are fearsome, yet have balance at stake to weigh the pros and cons, and this is the mark of a very talented writer that I honestly just have no words to say, but even more jaw-dropped at its capability to warp understanding even in the most intense manner. It's ambition at its most darkest, yet gleaming with light at the end of the tunnel. Vanitas's core staff team from Bones are back, and the quality retains its action-packed violent gore that simply just is breathtaking to watch. The OST is just as great under the invincible woman of flare that is Yuki Kaijura, but I feel it's a tad under for Jun Mochizuki's standards when it comes to the OP/ED. Little Glee Monster's 2nd half OP isn't bad, but compared to the 1st half with Sasanomaly's, I really gotta take the latter's anyday. For the ED, I would like to believe that Momonkul's ED song is without a doubt, purposeful. As is by the song title of "salvation", this 2nd Cour's teaching point is that everyone deserves salvation, regardless of the right or wrong actions done addressed towards themselves or others' lives. Vanitas no Carte a.k.a. The Case Study of Vanitas is more than just a work of art, it's about the allegory and juxtapositions of life, and the extent of putting others at risk just so that you could preserve your history. That's why this show is a play on the classic case study teaching quantum, and will be a Case Study worth examining that I will never forget.
SingleH
When I reviewed part one, I talked a lot about the director, the studio, the production—that was a mistake. Because who cares? That shit is boring. And fuck the “plot” too. What people really want to read about is hot goss, and Vanitas no Karte continues to deliver. This show reminds me of Gossip Girl. There was always stuff going on at the school, and there was always some pretense that what you were watching was a young woman’s coming of age story, but the only reason people really watched it was for the juicy teen drama, and I think Bones putting less effort intothe fight scenes than they put into the kissing scenes says a lot. The user Sarwan111 created a forum thread where he asked a question which, whether intentional or not, served as a scathing critique of this show’s flawed characterization. What he asked was, “Can anyone explain me who is the protagonist in this?” And no one could give him a straight answer. After all, there isn’t one. If this were a boys’ love manga adaptation structured like a shoujo manga, especially one written by an author like Jun Mochizuki, then the answer would clearly be Noé. At the end of the day, you experience most of the story with essentially the same information he has, and most of the internal monologging we get is from his perspective. Shoujo protagonists are typically introduced living very reserved, plain, innocent lives, and the story begins with a dashing, mysterious, domineering older male love interest suddenly appearing out of the blue, spicing up her mundane life, and sweeping her into a new world of wonder and passion. This handsome heartthrob would of course be Vanitas. Initially, the plot usually focuses on her arc of self-discovery, and the story usually then moves on to her new boyfriend’s hidden past and the melodrama that comes with resolving it. The problem with this understand of the story, though, is Vanitas and Noé don’t fit these roles. The author is merely shoving them together to make the audience ship them and draw yaoi doujins. The real love interests are Jeanne, who Vanitas just sexually harassed until she liked it (which is actually great, but don’t pretend it’s anything more than a fanservice device), and Domi, who’s whole existence is frustrated by the author’s deliberate refusal to explain why Noé hasn’t fucked her yet. They both like each other, and they have seemingly no reason not to hook up. The result is an awkward story with no real protagonist, but rather two “main characters” who compete for the right to undergo even the slightest bit of a character arc. To top it all off, despite the shoujo-style characters, the actual plot progresses much more like a weekly shounen manga, with no well-defined goal and endless meandering between tensionless fight sequences, tactless exposition dumps, and meaningless reveals to nebulous mysteries which could’ve come at any time. The term “comedy relief” is a literal phrase; if executed correctly, jokes add levity & help scenes flow. This show, however, uses chibi regardless of the tone or atmosphere, even cutting into life or death situations. This art style is obviously being abused so Bones can put as little effort as possible into the drawings. The overuse of chibi screams laziness, and considering that whole incident back in part one where just episode nine itself needed eighteen different animation directors working on it just to stay afloat, the state of the production is obvious. People were impressed when they saw a show that didn’t immediately and outwardly look like total trash and then overpraised it before they could realize it was just any other inconsistent, otherwise decent-looking romp. Ultimately, the visuals continue to look mediocre at best, and despite all the show’s actual attempts at comedy, that CG book continues to be the funniest, most memorable thing on screen. Thank you for reading.
Animanga