The Case Study of Vanitas - Reviews

Oh where to begin. My simple review is: It was made for people who haven't read the manga.

The story was lacking. In the best way, it was too soft. Vanitas' issues were downplayed. Especially during the ball and he was reduced to "Silly looking Vani wants to play doctor." It's supposed to be bread crumbs. A slow fall. Important things were dropped. Things in the catacombs were dropped. Foreshadowing is a key player here.

Animation was good. It kept the pretty boy style and didn't rob Jeanne of her shape. I really have nothing to say about sound.

Characters, characters, characters. Yes I love the characters but not as much here. Vanitas went from angry at him self to sad boi. Domi had more to her character. Her obsession with Jeanne was not simply to dance and make Noe upset. Olivier... I won't start on him. Characters had corners chisseled off. They were ironed out. They were watered down. It's disappointing.

What saves this and gives it a better review? Animation and sound.

But a note to everyone getting upset about the ending being given away in the beginning: It's a history. That's why episodes and chapters are called memiors.

Adding on as RIPAnime suggests: I find the characters watered down because there wasn't enough time to explain the issues they have. Parts that could help were skipped. Vanitas has issues with his past and he has those issues today. Dominique isn't upset simply because of Noe not returning her feelings. She likes and cares for Jeanne genuinely, but the affection isn't there enough. Character development does happen later, but it seems like it will be harder without these starting pieces. While we don't get to the bottom of their past at the beginning, we haven't gotten far from the surface when we should be digging a hole.

this shit is fucking amazing. good job bones for doing the manga justice.

Initially I did not pay any attention to Vanitas no Carte, because the aesthetic indicated series more geared towards women. In particular women, which like to watch pretty boys having romantic tension with each other. However, I knew I had to watch it, when that one scene [1] stirred some controversy, because it changed my initial impression of the main protagonist. Otherwise, I would have dropped the series after watching the first episode and never looked back.

The story is set in some sort of alternative world and takes place in 19th/20th century Paris, where Eiffel tower was not built and vampires exist, but for larger part separated themselves from the world after long conflict with humans. Vampires are important, because everything in the series revolves around them including characters involved in problems people have with vampires and especially problems of vampires with other vampires. There is ongoing conspiracy and sense of mystery in the story. What is most enjoyable about the series are interactions of characters. Vanitas, main character, in particular is enjoyable for his rather ostentatious behaviour to purse his objectives. The guy is at times jerk, provocative, silly, smart, deceptive, deeply troubled by his past, laughing like a maniac, a walking contradiction. One can only speculate how much of it is purposefully overplayed in order to shield himself from his past. It’s one of the more enjoyable characters of the series. Which I can’t say about the other main character Noe. Don’t get me wrong he can be funny, but he is kind of dum-dum. Vampires sucking blood is in some series connected to sexuality. Vanitas no Carte is no different in that regard. This comes into play with several character in the series. Some hints are made, but nothing is going beyond that. Personally, this annoys me when it comes to Noe. I still can’t believe there is not even tiny miniscule BL label associated with this series. Putting that aside there is decent action and comedy it could classify as shounen series. The story doesn’t go far. It felt very much like opening arc to longer series. Nothing concluded in the story and some surprises for the MC were just prepared.

Visual side of the series is pretty nice. Aside from the action it shows significant historical places in Paris. The fidelity is not usually high, but the series feels like combination of older and new art styles. Soundtrack is pretty fitting to underscore events going on the scene. I don’t care about OP nor ED. It’s very meh for my taste.

Overall, it is one of the more interesting series of the season. I did enjoy it even, if there were things, I wasn’t particularly fond of. I recommend to watch at least first three episodes before deciding to drop or continue.

Spoilers

[1] I’m speaking of the scene, where Vanitas forcibly kisses Jeanne.

Vampires in Paris, The City of Flowers, beware, something evil lurks, hunting for your true name. Child or elder, it matters not. Parade of Charlatan will twist you, make you a monster. You're own family will be your feast.  

Your only salvation is the infamous clockwork grimoire, The Book of Vanitas or death.

Noé Archiviste searches for the book, only to have it come to him via a charismatic, unhinged young man calling himself Vanitas, a vampire doctor.

Whitty, bloody, and sexy (but not ecchi); it's quite the fun ride. As the series progresses we learn more about the characters' dark, blood splattered pasts all with beautiful art and comedy mixed in. 

If you like this series, I recommend reading the manga of the same title to get deeper into these characters. The anime is nearly all canon, but there are a few things that are glossed over.  

I rate it 16+. A child is beheaded right in front of their friend. Lots of blood and thoughts of suicide. 

I LOVE this anime, The relationship between charecters and the over all story has me hooked. The last episode left me dying for more. Seriously when is the next season coming out? D: 

SPOILER!!!:

I did not see the part where Noe gets the curse happening. That was compleltly shocking to me and I am so intrigued to see what will cause Vanitas to figure it out and how he will react/deal with it. 

100/10