Before The Case Study of Vanitas, There Was This

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Before The Case Study of Vanitas, There Was This

Key Takeaways

  • Natsume’s Book of Friends and The Case Study of Vanitas share a focus on the importance of nomenclature in driving the story.
  • Both series feature orphans deeply connected to powerful books central to the story and accompanied by fantastical beings.
  • The concept of true names used in both series propels the narrative forward, exploring the significance and consequences of names.

As a long-time enthusiast of manga and anime, I find myself captivated by the intricate connections between “Natsume’s Book of Friends” and “The Case Study of Vanitas.” Both these masterpieces, in their unique ways, delve deep into the realm of nomenclature, a concept that has always held my fascination.

Since “Natsume’s Book of Friends” is making its comeback on TV after a gap of 7 years and marks its 15th anniversary, it’s particularly exciting because it’s also part of the bustling Fall 2024 anime season that boasts several new and returning supernatural shows. Interestingly, despite being such an exceptional series, it has only a modest following on the aggregator site MyAnimeList. To pique interest in this fantastic title, we might draw parallels with another popular show that garnered a significant fanbase when it was aired in 2021.

“Natsume’s Book of Friends” is similar to, or could be considered as a precursor or successor of, “The Case Study of Vanitas.” This relationship might be due to direct inspiration, or a more spiritual connection between the two anime titles.

A Quick Glance At Both Titles

Some Background Information

Before The Case Study of Vanitas, There Was This

Natsume’s Book of Friends is adapted from a manga series written by Yuki Midorikawa and published in LaLa DX magazine from Hakusensha’s shōjo manga section between June 2003 to April 2008, with additional serialization in LaLa from July 2007 up until now. The anime, initially created by Brain’s Base, has completed six seasons, the first of which aired for 13 episodes from July to September 2008, while the seventh season, produced by Shuka, is set for release this Fall.

The story revolves around an orphan named Takashi Natsume, who discovers an ancient notebook that once belonged to his grandmother, Reiko Natsume, a formidable exorcist. She was skilled at capturing powerful spirits like ayakashi and yōkai by recording their names in the book, thereby making them obedient to her commands. Takashi resolves to restore these captured names from the notebook, often referred to as “The Book of Friends”, with the assistance of a cat-like spirit named Madara, who is also a wolf, and is affectionately called Nyanko-sensei.

Before The Case Study of Vanitas, There Was This

Vanitas no Carte, also recognized as The Case Study of Vanitas, originates from a manga written by Jun Mochizuki, which has been published in Square Enix’s Monthly Gangan Joker since December 2015. The collected editions amount to a total of 11 volumes. The anime adaption consists of one season, divided into two parts. The first part was broadcast from July to September 2021, while the second part ran from January to April 2022.

The story unfolds in an imaginatively crafted 19th-century Paris, merging the steampunk style with supernatural elements such as vampires. In this narrative, we follow Vanitas, a member of the Blue Moon vampire lineage, who is in possession of The Book of Vanitas – a powerful tome that can mend vampires affected by an uncontrollable bloodlust caused by the distortion of their True Names due to a phenomenon called the malnomen. This condition might be instigated by the influence of a shadowy figure known simply as “Charlatan.

The Biggest Similarities Between Natsume’s Book of Friends and The Case Study of Vanitas

The Importance of Nomenclature

Before The Case Study of Vanitas, There Was This

It’s worth noting that these titles share a common thread: they both employ the concept of True Names significantly within their narratives. For instance, Mochizuki wrote “The Case Study of Vanitas” as a departure from her popular manga series, “Pandora Hearts,” aiming to create an engaging story with dynamic fight sequences and a central theme revolving around secret identities.

In both stories, the two primary figures are orphans who share a strong bond with a book crucial to the narrative. Vanitas received this book from a vampire who once saved him as a child, while the other character is associated with the main supernatural aspect of their respective worlds. For instance, Madara frequently bridges Natsume and the yokai world, and Vanitas is accompanied by Noé Archiviste, who can read memories through consumed blood. These tales vary in style, as The Case Study of Vanitas features more action and combat compared to Natsume’s Book of Friends, which has a calmer, everyday life vibe; however, both narratives delve into the enigmatic pasts of their heroes by having them explore the histories of the mystical beings that inhabit their universes.

Before The Case Study of Vanitas, There Was This

The choice of names holds significant importance in both narratives, as they drive the story by shaping relationships and consequences. In both instances, holding onto one’s name can lead to peril for the character, as their names represent their essence, encapsulating their abilities and life experiences. For Takashi Natsume, utilizing the power of his Grimoire of Friends temporarily drains his spiritual energy, yet it is a valuable artifact that many yokai factions covet, making him a desirable target. Similarly to Takashi, Vanitas can use his Book of Vanitas due to his family lineage – for Takashi, this lineage traces back to his grandmother, while Vanitas’s bloodline stems from the Vampire of the Blue Moon, enhancing his powers beyond average human capabilities.

An Age-Old Concept

Nomenclature: The Tie That Binds

Before The Case Study of Vanitas, There Was This

Mochizuki found inspiration for her unique portrayal of vampires in the character of Vanitas, who heals other vampires from their afflictions, by avoiding a narrative focusing on surgical intervention for vampires. Instead, she delved into the concept of true names, a common theme in Japanese folklore and media, to imbue his healing with a more abstract quality that aligns with the recurring theme of concealed identities in “The Case Study of Vanitas“. It’s plausible that “Natsume’s Book of Friends” shares similar inspiration for its mechanic, although rather than healing yokai, Natsume uses the notebook to restore their names and thus, returns them to their original selves, which is remarkably similar to Vanitas’ objective.

Natsume’s Book of Friends and The Case Study of Vanitas are available to stream on Crunchyroll.

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2024-10-04 03:35