This Vanitas no Carte review contains spoilers. If you haven't seen the chapter yet, we recommend that you do it and then go back to read the review.
Chapter 8: "Catacombs"
Vanitas no card it continues its story for another week with the long-awaited meeting with Lord Ruthven. In the heart of Altus Paris, the Queen's Castle, Vanitas and Noah are welcome for answers and questions cleared. However, Vanitas destroys the dialogue by insulting the queen in order to get the information she wanted. Though Lord Ruthven gets angry and immediately casts him out, Lucas Doubts confirm his suspicions about the Queen and her relationship with the "malnouns". Eventually it turns out that Lucius is second on the throne after the queen, which is why his life is in danger and he is protected by his uncle.
In Paris, Count Orlok reacts angrily to the news of Noah and Vanitas a week later. However, Dante and his friends "dhampiros" provide him with information about a kidnapped vampire with "malnomen". The only clue is a badge that leads to the "chausseurs", the vampire hunters of the church. In a first attempt, they investigate the catacombs of Paris, which are overcrowded by tourists, but do not provide any clues. Vanitas later decides to investigate at dawn and is surprised by Noah, who wants to accompany him. They arrive at a cathedral and take the costumes of two "chausseurs" with them, who gag them. Vanitas immediately leads him through a secret corridor and they move through the catacombs hidden from the public. There, in a room with vampire skulls, they are surprised by a paladin, Roland Fortis. It seems that he believed they were companions, but then he locks Vanitas up and leaves Noah almost blind, whom he recognizes as a vampire.
Analysis: Catacombs, Skulls and Inquisition
Vanitas no card he delves deep into the famous catacombs of France to enrich his cultural allusions and use them as a metaphor for what lies hidden in his story. The journey into the bowels of the earth, where the skulls of the past sleep, also becomes a journey of initiation into truth. In the darkness of the tunnels, learn details about the ancient war between vampires and humans, the fine line that exists in peace, and the true origins of vanitas. Mochizuki simulates a reverse route to the cavern of platobecause instead of going into the light to unravel the secrets, we must descend into the darkness.
The achievement of this alternative flower city Paris is a cultural and aesthetic delicacy. That already shows up in the manga, but the study bone he amplifies it with the visual magnitude of color and movement. Because of this, the addition of the Paris of the Catacombs makes for a vision as attractive as it is important. If only we are left with the city of the surface and the tart "tatin", we won't scratch the depth of the plot, the story stays in a cake world that can create satiety ... you know, that feeling of having something too sweet , sweet. In addition, the author introduces us to the catacombs of tourists and the authentic catacombs, which reinforces the idea of descending more and more into the bowels of Paris. Let us remember that the great historical cities are like onions because they build the new into the old and the deepest layers always remain underground. In this sense it seems to be a very successful trip to meet Vanitas and the “Chausseurs”.
Regarding the appearance of Roland and the vampire hunters, the staging is by no means disappointing. The character adaptation is perfect and the soundtrack that introduces these antagonists - for now - in Vanitas no card It's very original, it introduces exotic elements that go very well with the “chausseurs”.
Finally, in relation to the relationship and development of the protagonists, Noé reinforces his personality, which combines moments of innocence with intellectual sharpness. Accordingly, he follows his own instinct and reaffirms his decision to follow Vanitas, which gives in uncomfortably. Obviously, our doctor continues to close his true self to everyone, but Noah's persistence creeps in with every opportunity.
Finally
Vanitas no card exerts a contrast between the city of flowers and the city of skulls, where the secrets of Paris, the war between humans and vampires and fragments of the history of Vanitas itself are hidden. To discover the hidden truth, we must go deep into the catacombs.
Here, too, cultural allusions have the double function of enriching the setting and the plot and of being very well chosen. The episode has a pleasant, entertaining narrative; the staging of the “chausseurs” and the music that introduces them are very successful for me, with exotic overtones. Also noteworthy is the evolution of the relationship between Vanitas and Noé, especially in terms of personality. Noah is a very original combination of naivety and intelligence. His desire to know everything draws him to Vanitas, and the less he knows, the more he wants to explore, understand.
