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