The Case Study of Vanitas

Alternate Titles

ヴァニタスの手記
Vanitas no Shuki

Synopsis

Set in 19th century France in a world where humans and vampires exist, a young vampire named Noé is on his way to Paris in search of a grimoire called the Book of Vanitas, which is said to be able to curse vampires. However, on the way there an incident leads to him meeting a self-proclaimed doctor specializing in vampires named Vanitas, and it seems he is in possession of the book. Soon, Noé finds himself thrust into a conflict that threatens the peace between humans and vampires!

Background

The Case Study of Vanitas began as a manga series written and illustrated by Jun Mochizuki that has been serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Gangan Joker shonen manga magazine since December 2015. As of June 2020, eight collected tankobon volumes have been released. In April 2020, the manga was put on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it resumed publication in November of that year. The manga is licensed for English release in North America by Yen Press.

An anime adaptation was announced at AnimeJapan in March 2021. It is being animated by BONES and features Tomoyuki Itamura Koyomimonogatari, Monogatari Series Second Season, Owarimonogatari) as director with Deko Akao (Arakawa Under the Bridge, Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?, Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway) handling series composition, Yoshiyuki Ito (Carole & Tuesday, Fullmetal Alchemist, Space Dandy) as character designer and chief animation director, and Yuki Kajiura (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Fate/Zero, Puella Magi Madoka Magica) composing the music. The opening theme song is "Sora to Kyo" by sasanomaly. The anime will premiere in Japan on July 2, 2021 on Tokyo MX, BS11, and other channels. It will run for two cours, but whether or not each cour will be consecutive is yet to be announced.

Characters

Vanitas (Voiced by: Natsuki Hanae)
A human who inherited his name and the grimoire Book of Vanitas from the “Vampire of the Blue Moon.” He is a self-proclaimed doctor specializing in vampirism. He has a tendency to achieve his goals by any means necessary, even if it drags in those around him.

Noé Archiviste (Voiced by: Kaito Ishikawa)
A young vampire who has come to Paris in search of the Book of Vanitas. He is an exceptional fighter and has a good battle sense. He is the type who acts on his feelings honestly.

Jeanne (Voiced by: Inori Minase)
A vampire girl known as the “Witch of Flames.” Despite her attractive appearance, she was once feared by vampires as the executioner Blow. She is now Luca’s Chevalier Knight.

Luca (Voiced by: Shino Shimoji)
A polite vampire boy who is second in rank to the queen. He works with Jeanne and is in search of the Book of Vanitas in order to save his brother.

Dominique (Voiced by: Ai Kayano)
A vampire dignified in both appearance and tone, she is the daughter of the Marquis de Sade, a prestigious vampire aristocrat and lord of the Otherworld. She is a childhood friend of Noe's and cares for her at every turn.

Teacher (Voiced by: Akira Ishida)
Noé teacher and the one who sent him the letter to find the Book of Vanitas.

Murr (Voiced by: Miyu Komaki)
Noé’s fluffy white cat. She has monochromatic eyes and wears a ribbon brooch around her neck.

Dante (Voiced by: Taro Kiuchi)
A young man whom Vanitas often uses as an informant. According to Vanitas, he is a jack-of-all-trades who can do almost anything for the right price.

Johann (Voiced by: Koji Yusa)
A young man who wears glasses and works as an informant along with Dante and Riche. He has a distinctive tone of voice and is somewhat overprotective of Dante and Riche.

Riche (Voiced by: Riho Kuma)
A girl who wears glasses and works as an informant along with Johann. She has a deep knowledge of history and speaks fast whenever she talks about it.

Music

• Opening Theme Song: "Sora to Kyo" by sasanomaly
• Ending Theme Song: TBA

• Official Site (Japanese)
• Official Twitter (Japanese)

• Original Creator: Jun Mochizuki
• Director: Tomoyuki Itamura
• Series Composition: Deko Akao
• Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Yoshiyuki Ito
• Sub-Character Design: Tomoyo Nakayama
• Prop Design: Shinpei Ishibashi
• Visual Concept/Color Design: Izumi Takizawa
• Art Design: Shuhei Tada
• Art Director: Shingo Kanai
• Director of Photography: Ying Ying Zhang
• 3DCG Director: Takuma Miyake
• Editing: Rie Matsubara
• Music: Yuki Kajiura
• Sound Director: Kazuhiro Wakabayashi
• Sound Effects: Sachiko Nishi (Sound Box), Shizuo Kurahashi (Sound Box)
• Animation Production: BONES