REVIEW: ‘The Case Study of Vanitas,’ Episode 9 – “Those Who Hunt Crimson”

The detective duo is in trouble as Chasseur Roland corners them in the Paris catacombs in The Case Study of Vanitas Episode 9. Based on the manga series of the same name by Jun Mochizuki (Pandora Hearts), the steampunk tale follows human Vanitas and vampire Noé as they solve cases in Paris. The fantastic anime adaptation is from Studio Bones (My Hero Academia). Last week, Vanitas and Noé followed a lead underground after a series of vampire kidnappings had occurred, but now they’ve been caught in the middle of their infiltration.

It is brief, but there is an interesting concept in the opening fight of The Case Study of Vanitas Episode 9. We briefly saw last time that Roland injected a serum into his neck. As it turns out, the Chasseurs drug themselves to give them physical abilities to take down vampires. It is ironic that to destroy what they deem blasphemous (vampires who can alter the world formulas), they alter themselves. Roland sends this home in almost every facet of his character, being cold and quick to fight one moment, and projecting comedic pity and emotion on Vanitas the next. All of it is voiced wonderfully by Kengo Kawanishi. While it is comical, Roland truly represents the more hypocritical religious zealot we often cannot stand in real life, with Vanitas’ reactions perfectly sending the comedy home.

It isn’t all laughs (but the many presents hit wonderfully) in The Case Study of Vanitas Episode 9. As much as Vanitas is creeped out by Roland’s patronizing, he is also enraged. There is a lot we don’t know about Vanitas, and his past seems a lot less cheery than he lets on. He bears a mark from the Vampire of the Blue Moon and swears revenge on him, yet is infuriated by Roland thinking he has been forced to help vampires. A consistency throughout this show is that whether human or vampire, Vanitas is tired of being treated as an “other” who is not in control of his actions. He is constantly trying to declare his own agency.

Noé is beginning to see this as well. He doesn’t pry, but it has been odd to everyone, viewers included, that Vanitas knows the Chasseurs’ lair like the back of his hand. Turns out, it wasn’t just the Vampire of the Blue Moon who likely took advantage of Vanitas as a child. Vanitas has been abused by humans and vampires alike and judges them all on the same playing field.

These great character moments fill The Case Study of Vanitas Episode 9, which is packed to the brim. It has great comedy that will keep viewers laughing out loud, and the animated fight sequences are thrilling to watch. Since viewers never know what will turn into a gag or a darker reveal, they will be kept on the edge of their seats. No one knows what Vanitas and Noé will do, but regardless we are all along for the ride.

The Case Study of Vanitas is streaming now, with new episodes premiering Fridays.