The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 5

Mochizuki, Jun. The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 5. 2019. 208p. ISBN  978-1-975383-68-8 . Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

When Vanitas discovers that Lord Ruthven has connected with Noah, he realizes that his friend is in danger. He returns to the hotel, only to discover that Noah had been sleeping this whole time. Or had he? Noé's thirst for Vanitas' blood has in fact been rekindled by Lord Ruthven in The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 4. Lord Ruthven's name also comes up in relationship with another threat, that of the Beast of Gévaudan, a large vicious wolf-like monster which is once again terrorizing the Auvergne region of France following an absence of more than two-hundred years. The chasseurs have sent one of their best, the paladin Astolfo Granatum, to eliminate the beast, but so far they haven't managed to locate the creature.

As Noé and Vanitas head to the snowy reaches of France's countryside to resolve this issue and discover what the link between the Beast and vampires is, Jeanne, who tried to cure her love for Vanitas but find herself rescuing him again following his encounter with Astolfo and the Charlatan, encounter that left Vanitas without his book. Noé, meanwhile, finds himself the unwilling feeding target of Chloé, the Beast of Gévaudan ...

The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 4

Mochizuki, Jun. The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 4. 2018. 236. ISBN 978-1-975381-06-6. Available in the Graphic Novels section of the library.

Having infiltrated the Chasseurs’ underground headquarters underneath Paris, Noé and Vanitas manage to convince Captain Roland and his soldiers that they are on the same side. Vanitas reveals some information about his past, including the fact that he spent time with Dr. Moreau, a mad scientist who has been experimenting on vampires, trying to create the best hybrid human / vampire. Their plan to bring Moreau to justice is undermined, however, when the Doctor manages to escape, leaving a deadly curse-bearer behind.

With Vanitas on an errand, Noé meets Lord Ruthven, who binds him to his will after he discusses Vanitas’ old master, whom vampires consider a threat. Meanwhile, Vanitas and Jeanne are spending time together. Convinced that she hates Vanitas, Jeanne has come up with a clever plan to make him dislike her. She will make herself available, and proposes a date. Unfortunately, things don’t turn out the way Jeanne was expecting ...

The story continues in The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 5.

The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 3

Mochizuki, Jun. The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 3. 2017. 239. ISBN 978-0-316-47168-8. Available in the Graphic Novels section of the library.

Noé and Vanitas barely survived the masked ball, thanks to Lord Ruthven’s intervention. As his guests, the two of them are protected from vengeful vampires. Lord Ruthven and Vanitas share a common interest in solving the issue of the curse-bearers. Noé remains puzzled by Vanitas and by his actions. Is Vanitas mad that Noé saved him, or is he mad that he wasn’t able to save himself? Vanitas commits a faux-pas on purpose by insulting the Vampire Queen in front of Lord Ruthven, revealing that Grand Duke Lucas is indeed the Vampire Queen. Through this action Vanitas earns himself a powerful enemy, and both he and Noé are exiled from Altus.

Back in Paris, Noé and Vanitas meet with Master Parks and report their action, only to be informed that several curse-bearers have vanished, kidnapped by the Chasseurs, an organization of humans fighting for the Church and dedicated to killing all vampires. Vanitas decides to investigate the Chasseurs’ presence in the Paris catacombs, and Noé comes along, ignoring Vanitas’ requests to be left alone. Disguised as priests, they explore the tunnel system, only to stumble upon one of the six Captains of the Chasseurs, who has been looking for Vanitas. Noé and Vanitas manage to escape, but as they are being chased by the Captain and reinforcements, they feel observed ...

The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 2

Mochizuki, Jun. The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 2. 2017. 239. ISBN 978-0-316-47168-8. Available in the Graphic Novels section of the library.

Noé and Vanitas are now guests of Count Orlok after proving to him the power that the Book of the Vanitas grants Vanitas to remove the curse that afflict vampires. During a meeting with the Count, Noé tells the assemble individuals that he’s an archivist, a vampire with the ability to remember memories of other people simply by drinking their blood. He drinks Amelia’s blood and reveals that the Charlatan, the leader of a masked group resembling a carnival troupe, is behind the curse.

Dominique, the granddaughter of Noé’s teacher, interrupts the proceedings and informs Noé he needs to travel with her back to the Paris of vampires, across the Babel border. The vampires are holding a masquerade, and Dominique hopes to connect with Lord Ruthven, who is also investigating the curse-bearers. Vanitas follows, though he is only human. He reveals himself in front of the assembled participants, who promptly decide to bring him down for his impertinence. Amid the turmoil, however, several curse bearers manifest themselves, and even the Charlatan appears on the scene.

With the vampires in disarray and violence everywhere, will Noé manage to save Vanitas, or is Vanitas strong enough to protect himself?

The story continues in The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 3.

The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 1.

Mochizuki, Jun. The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 1. 2016. 240p. ISBN 978-0-316-55281-3. Available in the Graphic Novels section of the library.

Noe has departed from the forests of Averoigne for the first time, traveling aboard a majestic airship named La Baleine on his way to a steampunk Paris. A young vampire, he seeks to find the Book of Vanitas, supposedly written by Vanitas, a vampire not born during a crimson full moon, but rather during a blue full moon. He wishes to learn more about the book and its power. That vampire wrote the Book of Vanitas as a way to punish and slay the other vampires. Now Noe’s teacher reports that the book has been found in Paris.

While on board La Baleine, Noe meets Amelia, a vampire who has been warped by the maladies that affect those whose vampires whose true name has been discovered. Their meeting is interrupted by Vanitas himself, or, at least, the heir to Vanitas, who has in fact inherited the Book of Vanitas and is now using it to heal rather than the kill vampires.

Unfortunately, others are not convinced that this is what Vanitas is doing. Vampires who seek to capture the book begin to lurk, while others continue to suffer from the maladies. Can Noe and Vanitas form an alliance and learn to work together to avoid falling prey to their mutual enemies?