The Case Study of Vanitas the manga by Jun Mochizuki
The Case Study of Vanitas (in the original Japanese Hepburn: Vanitasu no Karute) is a Japanese manga written and drawn by Jun Mochizuki. It has been published in Square Enix's monthly manga comic magazine Gangan Joker since December 2015. The Case Study of Vanitas is located in 19th century Paris and contains vampire stories and steampunk settings. An adaptation of the Bones anime television series premiered in July 2021.
History
During an airship trip to Paris, the vampire Noé Archiviste meets Vanitas, a human who claims to be a doctor who cures vampires, from their curses, which cause them to behave predatory against their will. The book with which he heals, Book of Vanitas , is related to the original Vanitas, the Blue Moon Vampire, hated by the Red Moon Vampires who form the traditional vampire society. Noah and Vanitas join forces to heal vampires, but there is a threat from an unknown force called Charlatan, which could be responsible for the corruption of sick vampires. The Book of Vanitas is a grimoire created by a vampire born on a blue moon night and feared even by people of his own kind. The initial purpose of the book was to eliminate all vampires; however, it seems that among his powers there is also that of canceling the curse.
Characters
Vanitas
He has the named grimoire The book of Vanitas and although he is human, he was bitten by the Blue Moon Vampire making him part of the Blue Moon clan with some vampire abilities. He believes the grimoire can restore vampires who have become “curse bearers” with uncontrolled bloodlust due to their name corruption. Enlist Noah in his research. When he was a boy, his parents were killed by a vampire and he was taken in by the Hunters, however he became a victim of Dr. Moreau's experiments to improve human abilities and was referred to as the number "69".
Noé Archivists
A vampire and son of the Formless. He is a member of the Clan Archivist, "the fangs that bare the blood", which has the power to read people's memories after drinking their blood. He was raised by the Master who sent him to Paris to discern the power of a grimoire called The Book of Vanitas. He joins Vanitas in his quest to save the cursed vampires and has a white cat named Murr.
Vanitas of the Blue Moon
The first vampire of the blue moon and creator of the Book of Vanitas. He was a vampire born under a blue moon who swore revenge on the "crimson moon" vampires who cast him out because of his origin.
Jeanne
Also known as Hellfire Witch, she is a former executioner and knights Luca. He wields the crimson glove called "Carpe Diem". She is attracted to Vanitas, but is embarrassed when he openly declares his love to her.
Lucius "Luca" Oriflamme
A young noble vampire. He is the grandson of Lord Ruthven and future Grand Duke of Oriflamme. He is looking for The Book of Vanitas which he hopes will provide a cure for his older brother who is an imprisoned curse bearer.
Dominique “Domi” de Sade
A lady from the family of the vampire aristocracy de Sade. Together with her older sister, she is the daughter of the Marquis de Sade, lord of Altus, and heir to the de Sade family. His orderly is Kreisler, who spits flowers and petals. He lost his older twin brother when they were children and blames himself for his death.
Louis de Sade
Dominique's older brother and Noé's childhood friend.
Dante Alighieri
A dhampir who sells Vanitas information. He is assisted by his partners, Richie and Johann.
Amelia Ruth
She was a "curse bearer" vampire whose "malnomen" or corrupt name was Eglantine, Briars Prison, but her real name is Florifel. She is rescued by Vanitas and now works as a waitress at the Hotel Chouchou where Vanitas and Noé are staying in Paris.
Orlok Parks
He was appointed by the queen to manage vampire affairs in human Paris. He argued that the carriers of curses had to be beheaded by bourreaus because he believed they could not be saved. Noé and Vanitas report to him. Control access to “The Barrier,” a spatial distortion that connects the human world to Altus, the world of vampires.
Nox
One of Earl Parks Orlok's personal security services. He works alongside his brother, Manet.
Manet
One of Earl Parks Orlok's personal security services. He works alongside his sister, Nox.
Veronica de Sade
Dominique's older sister, a Beastia.
August Ruthven
An influential vampire lord and peacemaker who helped end the war between vampires and humans. He now serves the vampire queen as a member of the senate.
Roland Fortis
A hunter who works in the Catacombs. Known as the Sixth Paladin or Jasper's Roland. Previously Olivier's second in command before becoming a paladin. He wields a powerful spear called "Durandal".
Olivier
Paladin hunter and old friend of Roland. He wields a violent sword known as "Hauteclaire".
Astolfo Granatum
The youngest hunter paladin. Known as Astolfo di Granato. He comes from a family with longstanding ties to the church. His family was killed by vampires. He wields a mighty spear called "Louisette".
Moreau
A scientist previously employed by the Chasseurs to research vampires, experimenting on both vampires and humans, including the young Vanitas who was later called "69". When Moreau became obsessed with becoming a vampire himself, he was exiled by the Hunters. He collaborated with Charlatan and secretly continued his experiments in his laboratory without the knowledge of the Chasseurs.
Teacher
Grandfather of Louis, Dominique and Veronica de Sade and has ties to the vampire queen. He also raised Noé, whom he affectionately calls "mon chaton" or "my kitty". He later sent Noah to Paris to learn about the Book of Vanitas
Anime
On March 28, 2021, it was announced at AnimeJapan that the series The Case Study of Vanitas would receive an anime adaptation from Bones, as a television series. The anime is directed by Tomoyuki Itamura, with screenplays overseen by Deko Akao and character designs by Yoshiyuki Ito. Yuki Kajiura is composing the music for the series. The series premiered on July 3, 2021 on Tokyo MX and other channels. It was later announced that the series will be split into two parts, with the second half airing at a later date. The opening theme is "Sora to Utsuro" by Sasanomaly, while the closing theme is "0 (zero)" by LMYK. [46] Funimation has licensed the series outside of Asia. Plus Media Networks Asia licensed the series in Southeast Asia and published it on Aniplus Asia.
On August 5, 2021, Funimation announced that the series would receive an English dub, which premiered the next day.
