Vanitas no Karte
The Case Study of Vanitas

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I saw there were no reviews about this manga (no surprise, only two chapters are out right now and they are very hard to find for free), and I wanted to say what I thought about it so far..

Story : 8

Those first chapters were… Confusing. Like, really. There are a lot of informations, this is not a bad introduction but you can’t tell exactly where the story is going to go, even though you know the end at the beginning. There is a good background universe : steampunk, vampires, early 1900, Paris. I’m curious about the way Jun is going to put all these ... ingredients together. As for the first chapter, action begins very quickly and the main characters are both introduced right from the start. There is humor as well, and mystery starting the very first chapter, and the end of a chapter makes you want to read the next chapter. To put it clearly, the story is confusing BUT it is catching. You might need to read the chapters again to understand the point of some things, but this is okay. There are more good points than bad points and I noticed a few things when I read it for the… 3rd, 4th time ?

Art : 10

This artwork is simply amazing. Details, colors, for the colored pages, character’s outfits… everything is gorgeous, you can see it for yourself on the pictures given !

Characters : 9

This is only the beginning of the story and we can already see the main character’s personalities, be it Noé or Vanitas and I think this is good. Plus, there is a special relationship that is already being developped between the characters and we can see, by ourselves, that this realtionship is going to evolve into a veeeeeeeery complicated relationship, you understand it right at the end of the first chapter !

Enjoyment : 9

I didn’t wait months for a new manga of Jun for nothing, the story is still a little bit confusing, but this is probably going to become great, reading such a beautiful manga is a gift and I can’t wait for the first volume to be published !

Overall : 9

I’m very curious about how the story is going to evolve, but I think these first chapters have a good potential to make a great manga. So overall I give a 9, because being able to master so many things with so few chapters is just amazing.

This is a story about a man named Noe who write notes/memoir/手記 about his journey with a man named Vanitas. How they lose and gain many things. How they regret something. And how their journey will end (Chapter 1 and chapter 11). So most of the time, the story revolve around the two of them.

1. Story:
It starts with character introduction, concept introduction, and hint what will happen. Personally I am not confused at all with Vanitas no Carte, this type of story telling is not strange but since Jun Mochizuki's world sometimes really different with real world, there are a lot of information we need ... to remember. The thing is: if you are confused, don't lazy to read again. It's okay to be confused with new concept like you are learning new information at school. The story is interesting. There are cases in Vanitas that become the ground to reveal their past and what happen to the world and the characters. You will be given hint every chapter about their past and the world. So the most mysterious part of Vanitas no Carte is the world, the characters and the connection between each characters. There are many plot twist so prepare yourself.

2. Art:
Beautiful. Nothing less. And she is always detailed to show us emotion of the character from face, shading, background, etc. Just from looking at their face, I already know the complexity of their emotion. And the colored version of her manga always so beautiful.

3. Characters:
Many character in Vanitas is complex. Almost all of the characters made by Jun Mochizuki have backstory this is why all of their behavior, way of thinking, and perception can be traced back to their past. Jun Mochizuki loves characters and make characters that have certain exterior until you know what's deep inside their heart in later chapters (You will know this information from her interview). This is why your impression about the characters in the beginning maybe different with your impression after you read many chapters.
Both of protagonists are really different but they match each other and their interaction is interesting. Except mad scientist, Jun Mochizuki always create conflict in which we can't really take side. The reason is because we understand why the other think like that and we can't really blame them. So the conflict often appear from clash of purpose and way of thinking. Even if this is shounen which is for teenager, I personally think you need maturity to be able to see this story from each character perspective and not blame them.

4. Enjoyment:
I enjoy it a lot! I don't really like detective story kinda mystery but I really love this type of mystery in which the world and characters themselves are mystery.

Again, this manga by Jun Mochizuki become really personal for me. As someone who have similar personality (We are ENTP lol), decision making, way of thinking and have the same problem with Vanitas (Chapter 44), looking at Vanitas make me know more about myself. I never acknowledge this side (I don't even realize it affect me a lot and it's something wrong) until I meet him. Characters in Jun Mochizuki's manga is relatable. Some people maybe relate to Dominique, Jeanne, Noe but for me it's Vanitas.

Jun Mochizuki's world is full of despair, loneliness and darkness but there is always hope and salvation. We will be shown a lot of ugly side of human, greedy, jealousy, hatred, betrayal, and how human is so fragile, easily influenced but also strong. This story also question, "What is salvation?" so I believe in the end of story, We will be shown salvation. I know by reading this story, it's like I am walking at my own route toward sadness especially since I love and can relate to Vanitas so much (We already know what happen to him in chapter 1). But I know I won't regret this journey.

"Please... no matter how much despair awaits them... Let what remains at the end of their stories… Be like that sunny day… Full of gentle light."
-Xerxes Break, Pandora Hearts-

When I first picked up the series, I was still a bit bitter about Pandora Hearts ending. Part of me expected this would negatively affect the experience but how could I hate it? It's a Mochizuki manga. There wasn't much information when it first came out-- all we knew about the series was the genre, setting, and it had vampires--but I paid for the chapter anyway because it's Mochizuki. I fell in love with the characters easily and could barely wait for the next chapters to be released.

Story: 9

A lot of detailed information necessary for world building is explained early on, however, the chapters don't ... feel heavy with exposition. Transitions are fluid and the reader is only told what is necessary to understand the basics of the world. It's clear Mochizuki is keeping many secrets. However, retrospection and subtle foreshadowing keep the story cohesive while the plot remains complex and unpredictable.

Art: 10

I'm convinced Mochizuki is constantly intimidating her assistants with her ideas for the next chapter. The scenes are so detailed. Through Pandora Hearts, we've seen her art improve. VnC definitely benefits from her past experiences. Everything from the background and character design to clothes and facial expressions is amazing.

Character: 9

The complex characters was a major reason why I loved Pandora Hearts. Characters influence the plot which pushes characters to act and develop. There were clear protagonists and motivators but the story was much bigger than themselves and almost everyone at least had a chance to make a terrible mistake. Readers could remain emotionally invested in the characters even as their opinion of the character shifts. The expectation was high but, so far, Mochizuki doesn't disappoint.

Noe is both relatable and likable, absentminded and thoughtful, the perfect foil for the volatile and impulsive Vanitas. Their interactions feel genuine. I love that they could be dorks one minute and serious the next.

Enjoyment: 10

I'm enjoying the series.

Overall (so far):
9

I haven't been this hooked on a manga ever since Pandora Hearts, which is by the same author. As much as possible, for this review, I'll try not to compare it with Pandora Hearts. Just know that if you loved PH (the manga, not the shitty anime adaptation), you'll absolutely love VnC too.

STORY:

Vanitas no Carte pulls you in right from the first chapter. A lot of mysteries and action are presented that you have to keep reading the next and the next and the next chapters in order to find the answers or at least, try to figure it out on your own. And knowing ... Mochizuki, I'm sure she'll blow our minds away with how intricate she's able to weave everything together.

Every chapter moves the plot forward. The pacing is neither too fast nor too slow. Each chapter, we learn something new and also find ourselves asking new questions.

Mochizuki's take on vampires for this story is also really unique. But to avoid spoiling the story, all I can say is that don't expect too much bloodsucking.


CHARACTERS:

The characters are really interesting. I absolutely love them, even Vanitas. I don't know if he's good or evil, what motivates him or what he's after, but I want to see it through. His personality is kinda similar to Dazai Osamu from Bungou Stray Dogs; he can be funny, serious, sinister, lighthearted, but most of all, mysterious.

Noe, the other main character, is like Vanitas's opposite. He's too kind, trusts people easily, and is very honest. I don't usually like people like him in dark plots because they tend to be weak, pretentious and stupid, wanting to save everyone even if it's impossible for them to do it and so they'll have to rely on others to do it for them.

But Noe is different. He doesn't say or do things out of false courage or baseless hope. He's a good fighter, has connections to the aristocrats, and is ACTUALLY AN ADULT. Like thank god, Mochizuki-sensei isn't burdening some 14 or 15-year old kids with the future of the world like she did with Pandora Hearts (referring to Oz mainly).

This is why I don't hate Noe. Because even if he isn't the smartest of persons, when he says he's gonna do something, I find myself believing that he can. And if I were to believe in a "hero," I'd rather believe on his abilities and capabilities to act than on abstract things like his feelings, hopes, or dreams. yuck.

On the other hand, Vanitas is actually the one who wants to save everyone (at least, all the vampires). Though his motives behind it are still unclear, having a morally ambigous character like him take on the "savior" role is both refreshing and amusing. I'm excited to see where it goes.

But what really draws me in to this manga is the interaction between Vanitas and Noe. (And it's not because I ship them). They argue a lot but they make a good team. Vanitas is the brains and Noe's the spear, but they can both think and fight separated too. They also inspire each other without even realizing it. And after chapter 1's horrifying and intriguing reveal on how their relationship is fated to be, I am constantly at the edge of my seat praying that it won't be a repeat of Leo's and Elliot's from Pandora Hearts.

ART:

The art is breathtakingly beautiful. And the colored pages? Magical. The sceneries and architecture of the buildings are so detailed too.

Character design is A++. It's not everyday I see a dark-skinned animanga character with the main role. Vanitas looks similar to Leo from Pandora hearts though, but I don't really mind that.


FOR PANDORA HEARTS FANS:

There was one chapter that had a pandora hearts reference, and considering there are only 32 chapters right now, there are probably more to come <3

Since its by the same writer who has done pandora hearts, its no surprise that this manga to is in a league of its own. Jun muichizuki implied before that she doesnt really write stories that appeal to the major audience infact she writes stories that appeal to her the most before anything else and that is precisly why pandora hearts was so perfect and its the same with this one. To start with the beginning of the story is rather fast paced but at the same time enticing.
There are few predicatable reveals(In comparison to pandora hearts) which were intended ngl( considering the next ... reveals). The art is as usual amazing and detailed, and the best is the world building and characters. Its phenomenol with the power system, history and everything connecting to the present.
The best characters are easily vanitas and chloe imo. I do hope the anime does justice to the manga though.
And since the anime is just around the corner, i hope it gets the attention it desrves.
All in all 10/10

Warning contains spoilers.!!!
I'm a fan of Mochizuki. Unfortunately, people were more interested in the ship than the character's actions in the story. Every character has their own reasons. Some characters do it just to survive, no matter how selfish it is , but Vanitas and Jeanne certainly reminded me of Alice and Oz in Pandora Hearts.

story 9/10
The story is set in the world of 19th century steampunk x Paris, where the protagonist Noè comes to look for Vanitas at the behest of teacher. The series is written confused and dazed. In the style of Mochizuki Jun , The character relationships in ... the story are psychological and complicated in the emotional trauma of the characters. (All overall relationships are toxic, communicating in different ways, such as Vanitas and Noe or Vanitas and Jeanne.)

I quite enjoyed their dynamic. including contextualizing vampire sexuality through biting.

Edit :
Vanitas episodes 58-60 were very good episodes. I saw Vanitas and Domi's relationship which was very well written. It communicates the context of love in every way well. But I'm disappointed that Jeanne's role was left out in a strange way. (Overall, I think Vanitas will be forgiven by Jeanne in the future.)

I'm glad Mochizuki confirmed that Vanitas is bisexual and I hope to see Vanitas finish with both Noe and Jeanne.

I hope Mochizuki stays healthy and doesn't push herself too hard.

art 10/10
The lines are beautiful and flawless. It's quite gorgeous and detailed
especially in Gévaudan At the end Vanitas is being embraced by the contemplation. There is a small heart symbol. up on the cheek Shows Mochizuki's attentiveness.

Character 9/10
Characters have their own reasons , No one is wrong or right , I love how Mochizuki tries to portray the character in different ways.

Finally, I still enjoy and love the series, but the problem with vnc and ph is that Mochizuki never gained a customer base that matched himself. which is very disappointing
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Vanitas stole a kiss from jeanne because he hated the vampire and don't want to be killed. So he tried to protect himself from others. regardless of method.

I was a huge fan of Pandora Hearts but Vanitas no Carte is shaping up to be even better.

The main characters are well-developed, and as is key with Jun Mochizuki's stories, the relationships between the characters is really important to the story. There are a lot of funny arguments which normally I might not appreciate but they are very well done. The relationship of Vanitas x Noé is especially fascinating.

The art is great, especially the clothing and the facial expressions. I love the emotionally expressive characters. If you appreciate feminine looking men and boys, you'd probably like this.

I've read through book 5 at this ... point and am looking forward to more. Highly recommended!

I might seem biased on my rating, especially since I just finished the manga (from the chapters that are currently available), but I thought this manga was absolutely amazing!

The story, characters, and development is flowing so smoothly, and I'm curious to see how it ends (as well as worried). I'd highly recommend reading this series! While the first chapters are confusing, its expected, as the author is setting up a new world for us to read and indulge ourselves in! After a while, we start to see the characters personalities really come into light, along with what kind of manga this starts to be: a ... mystery, with romance, comedy, fantasy, steam-punk, and all wonderful things bundled into one!

Enjoy the characters as they go through their journey, and discover new possibilities in this world where one vampire and human make their way to cure the 'evil' in their land, while also spicing things up for the audience.

Please, try it!
We need more readers out there.

Note: This manga doesn't focus on straight relationships, there are some hints of same-gender romance ;)

haven't seen any reviews for a while. The anime is out and I picked up this manga and read all the chapters in like a day. This was def interesting and you should definitely read it if you're interested in the characters and the plot.

The story is so good, every time I finished a chapter I quickly went on to the next. Its so complex, and the world's rules are very cool as well.

Art: Pandora hearts art was good but I wasn't expecting even better art from the same author. Its so detailed and pretty. The execution of the panels were easy to understand ... and the amount of detail was crazy. I literally saved so many manga panels because I cant stop staring at the art LMAOO.

(spoiler warning)

At first I really enjoyed Noe and Vanitas' friendship it was so fun to read and the anime adaptation makes it even better. But the recent chapters felt a little confusing, the sudden romance between Vanitas and Jeanne was (kinda)sudden. To me it feels a bit forced, and I would've enjoyed Jeanne never being in love with Vanitas for the sole purpose that Vanitas would continue loving her because she could never love him back. This is more of a complaint than a review but whatever, I personally dont mind Jeanne x Vanitas but I wish there was more of a slow burn. Also Vanitas has so much baggage, I feel like he wouldn't be able to open up properly. (especially in chapter 51)

Noe and Vanitas' relationship in the recent chapter 52 is definitely... something. I wonder what will happen yet and even tho I know Vanitas is probably going to die, I really don't want that to happen, I would like to see Noe and Vanitas have an everlasting friendship but thats not how this author plays. Either way I love the story and all the characters are so damn hot. I rest my case.

I never wrote a review and i definitely don’t think I’m good at it but I'll try my best for my favorite manga!

Story: 10/10

i absolutely love the development of characters and their environment, the story is well written, its pace is just right for what it's telling and what it’s telling is beautiful. I really like the way the dialog is written too... i don’t know how I'm supposed to review the story, i can just say i was captivated by it.

Art: 10/10
Jun Mochizuki is the perfect word group to describe the art, no, more seriously, Im an artist myself for now 6 years and ... i can't even draw half as good as that... Jun puts a lot of efforts in showing the characters' emotions, the background is detailed, the funny faces, the "shading" and the way the monochromatic part of a manga is used so well, i can also say the effects really bring life to it. It’s truly pretty.

Characters: pretty/10
The characters are probably one of my favorite aspects of the Manga. I got really attached to them and feel like they could actually be real people and probably the only unrealistic part is how pretty they are, no, seriously, they’re really attractive. My personal favorite is Jeanne ( Im a simple person, I see kind people, i love kind people) but i really liked all of them even if some a bit less then others. The way they are written is indescribable . Vanitas is arrogant and a little frustrating piece of crap but you can discern that he has other feelings and something else (not going into spoilers) Noé is stupid but if you mix that up with his kindness he becomes really likable . of course there are multiple other characters that i also love but I don't know exactly how to express my love for how they’re written and it'll get too long so i'll just leave it there.

Overall: 10/10
"This is pure art" is what I'll say to recap it all.


sorry for my poor review, but i recommend it to everyone.

When I read the first chapter of Vanitas no Carte, I was instantly hooked. Action sequences, incredible costumes, everything was drawn with extraordinary attention to detail and with a good deal of style. The relationship between the main two characters was funny and felt real to me, and the mangaka has some serious guts to reveal how the entire manga will end at the end of the very first chapter. It sunk its teeth into me as soon as I read that.

In short, I think it's one of the best opening chapters I've ever seen. Which is why I'm mystified how it all got so ... muddled so quickly to make me drop it. I think too many plot points and too many characters were introduced too quickly, until it reached a point at which I started flipping back pages to try and remember who was who. The art often has style overpower substance to the extent that I can't figure out what's happening, only that it's being done with great panache, until reading the manga feels like riding a very attractive but still out of control roller coaster.

Secret organizations of vampires operating in steampunk turn-of-the-century Paris should be a slam dunk, but in the end not even Vanitas' pretty smirk can save this.

I gave it a 7, but it would be more like a 6.5. Why? Well, the story and the art are good- especially the art is just stunning, and I love vampires and steampunk so very much. If you love these as well, chances are you'll be attracted by this manga, too. However, there are a bunch of things that keep it from, in my opinion, reaching its full potential. Spoilers ahead:

For starters, there's a reason why most stories have a trio rather than a duo. It's just far more dynamic when the people interacting are 3. Vanitas and Noé are good main characters, but ... I kept on thinking that if there was a girl in that duo to shake things up a bit and stop them from bickering with each other all the time, it would have been better. The anime did well in cutting some of that bickering, which while it can be fun, it can also get tiring when it goes on for so many panels.

The point about adding a girl to the main trio brings me to my second criticism. The female characters are not necessarily badly written, but they're all romantic interests to the main characters. Now, I do like romance! And I'm all for mangaka who discard the trend of no romance being canon until the very end. But in this manga, the female characters start off as love interests, rather than the other way round i.e. being introduced as their own character, and *then* becoming a love interest. Again, having a main female character who isn't a love interest would have somewhat lessened this criticism. I honestly wish they kept the girl Vanitas cured at the very start and have her join the two main characters since she was forbidden from going home anyway. Unconvinced? Read the mangaka's previous work, Pandora Hearts, and see what I mean. It has a trio and a bunch of female characters who aren't meant as love interests, and it's more interesting that way.

The humour doesn't always land either. I'm a massive fan of Gintama, so I don't get mood whiplash when a story suddenly switches its tone, but chibi humour veering on the cute side doesn't work the same way as humour which pokes fun at how outrageous a situation is. This might be more of a personal issue though, as comedy is very subjective. However, given how heartbreaking some of these characters' backstories are, it's sometimes quite noticeable.

Last but not least, while the lore is incredibly enticing and might in fact be my favourite part, there are so many things which are muddled, which frankly shouldn't be after 57 chapters, aside from those things which are obviously kept as mysteries as they will unfold later on.

Overall I'm glad I'm reading and will catch up when/if further chapters are released. However, I'm still waiting for that one vampire steampunk story which hits all the right notes.

I feel sorry that so many people abandoned Vanitas because of the shipper that, regardless of vanoè and vanijeanne, in true to the charm of mochizuki Jun is that she wants to write as she wishes and don't care about the flow of people around you Even though people disagreed about the destruction of their ships, Which is a shame. The trend of readers wanting to push Vanitas to be bl, forgetting what is most important is the core plot, such as the existence of the Vanitas series.

Character relationships are not just romantic as lovers/special people. ... But there are also stories of friendship and family , Including problems with characters that cause toxic relationships between other characters.

Many elements incorporate the atmospheric theme at Mochizuki Jun tried to create that world. It looks very beautiful But I'm very disappointed. If Mochizuki chooses to push the plot or cut out characters like Jeanne, because from my point of view, the relationship vanoè and vanijeanne are both important and help develop Vanitas in a different perspective, I hope the story will be expanded especially vanijeanne+ domijeanne+noejeanne and other characters.

I think other characters have potential for character development like Amelia and Nox, but Mochizuki's problem is that the character roles are not evenly distributed. (There's a problem since the old story. I wanted the main characters like Vanitas and Noé to be lessened. Focus on the roles of other characters)


At present it's okay to focus on other stories like Domi and Vanitas and the teacher, but evenly balancing the chapters and crossing stories still seems strange. Overall I still enjoyed it but I hope Mochizuki finds a way to fix this one day.

More : Don't get me wrong because I adore vanijeanne and domijeanne and love art. including her story But I accept that the distribution of the script and the explanation of the problems the characters had were not clear. Just got good in Noe's episode. (Second half of the story)

I don't know if Mochizuki really saw the problem. that vanijeanne and vanoe's relationship goes beyond just one cannon And the relationship is more like a polyship or 3p. In other words, Vanitas seems to have two husbands like Jeanne and Noe. When they write it as a single canon, it's strange. And I think 3p blood drinking between vanitasxjeannexnoe It's sexier than someone being on top or bottom (I mean mxm,mxf, I think it would be better if the relationships were written together as both male and female relationships, making the main characters have a more sexual relationship. Husband and wife together + go out via polyship)

Vanitas No Carte is an "overrated" manga series and is only good for its art.

That Paris scene Mochizuki has put quite a lot of effort into depicting the atmosphere of Paris which shows her determination.

But my problem when reading her series is that the chapters are not evenly distributed like an amusement park. It is a very clear example. And she chose to push the most interesting female character in the series, Including Vanitas' relationship with Jeanne that was strangely skipped.

Sometimes roles that should be focused on get pushed too much to main characters like Vanitas and Noè. To the point that ... sometimes it doesn't seem necessary, like Chloé's role, which should have a scene that reveals a conversation after a terrible event and Jeanne's comments Instead, it was unnecessarily pushed to two partners.

Compared to "Pandora Hearts", it's not the best manga series but at least it has well-written character relationships, but "Vanitas No Carte" didn't make me connect with any of the characters. (both Vanitas and Noe and Jeanne) except Vanitas and Luna's relationship And only Domi and Vanitas.