The dimensional plane is the spatial foundation for the operation of the setting of Jun Mochizuki's Pandora Hearts. The concept of multiple dimensions coexisting at once unbeknownst to human perception is central to the lore of the universe. Most significantly, the relation between the world the characters dwell and function within, the "real world" so to speak, and the Abyss from which originates all that is supernatural and magical, is the most vital aspect of the universe. Mainly what is most seen are those two dimensions, the material world and the Abyss, and the way they interact with one another. However there also exist glimpses of many more beyond just that pair, existing either within or completely outside of the context of the keystone worlds. The following lists all individual dimensions that have been seen in the story and their relation to one another.
This article contains plot and/or ending details for Pandora Hearts.
Read at your own risk.
Material World[]
The material world is the main setting of Pandora Hearts. On occasion it will be referred to in relation to other worlds as the "real world" and is the in-universe analogy for the actual real world of the author and audience. It is identical in appearance, structure, and general makeup as that of Earth, and is inhabited by plants, animals, and namely humans. The places in which it diverges from real life are the fantastical elements such as the supernatural abilities certain beings possess and the otherworldly creatures that appear. From the aesthetic sense, political atmosphere, and general societal structure shown, the story seems to take place in roughly Victorian era England. This is only the time period most often shown though, as by the nature of the story, it will at times display a time period either significantly earlier or later than that of said historical era.
The material world exists parallel to the Abyss, which in contrast is entirely fantastical from its conceptual presence to its empirical effects. While the Abyss and the material world are entirely distinct dimensions, occasionally the powers of the Abyss will encroach upon the material world in the form of the Chains inhabiting the former will open up spatial tears called Paths to access the latter. This cross-dimensional interference goes against the natural order of things, and as such the Baskervilles consider it their sacred duty to keep the Abyss and the material world separate. Despite being naturally separate however, the material world and the Abyss are deeply integral to one another. Their connection to each other is the most important aspect of each world, and it is impossible for one to exist without the other.
It is eventually revealed that the material world and the Abyss were created by the deific entity with abilities and power unmatched by any other known being, the Jury. The purpose of the worlds' creation is to serve as a "Tale" to be preserved in the "Library" of the great beyond with its own unique "End." Thus the material world is as entirely fictitious as its counterpart, its purpose for existence to express a narrative. The material world is not the only one however, as countless other Tales exist that are infinitely identical or convergent, the unfolding of events always distinct. What makes the material world inherently unique is the specific manner in which this Tale has spun, unlike any other of its kind. Thus the purpose for the world is to house the Tale through which is told and connect the Tale with those who will view it.
Abyss[]
The Abyss (アヴィス, Avisu) is the dimension existing parallel to the material world, and the most important aspect of the entire universe of Pandora Hearts. True to its status as counterpart to the "real world," the Abyss is completely fantastical and the source of everything that can be called "magical" or "supernatural." It operates on a mystical power with the ability to bend space, connect to all moments in time, and even grant life to those with no will. Though it initially appears as dark and twisted and unfathomably chaotic, this is not its true nature, and the significance of the Abyss stretches far past any one concept. The Abyss is the world, the Abyss is a living being, the Abyss is a person—the Abyss is the story itself.
The Abyss had been created at the beginning of time, alongside the rest of the entire universe, by Jury. The purpose for its creation was to serve as a "Tale" to be preserved in their "Library," and thus needed its own distinct "End." Thus, the Abyss was created only to be destroyed. Despite having such a callous reason for existence, the Abyss was demonstrably alive and even its own person with full capacity for human emotion. Particularly the Abyss as a person—that is, personified as the Core of the Abyss, is primarily characterized by the emotion of loneliness. The Core for most of her existence was subject to enforced isolation by beings who sought her eventual destruction, and thus all she could feel for the longest time was desolation so deep she didn't even recognize it as loneliness. The Core's yearning for connection is what defines the Abyss, what drives the events of the Tale that spins from it, and what gives meaning for the conclusion eventually reached.
The Abyss is the beginning of everything as well as its end—it is the catalyst for all conflict that has ever happened, and the destination everyone is reaching for once the endgame comes to occur. To save the Abyss from a lonely death is to save the world from senseless destruction, to save the Tale from a tragic End. If the material world which it parallels exists to support the story and allow it to be told, the Abyss is the Tale that spins out—the story of Pandora Hearts itself.
Cheshire Cat's Lair[]
Cheshire Cat's Lair (チェシャ
Cheshire Cat's Lair more than any other aspect in Pandora Hearts is the most inspired aesthetically speaking by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. The dimension is twisted and chaotic and warped, deeply saturated with Abyssal power in every inch and corner. Its appearance somewhat resembles a dollhouse but extremely spatially distorted, almost mutilated, with contradictory gravity that makes telling right-side-up and upside-down impossible and filled with monstrous dolls that come to life with murderous intent. Lined along the walls of the dimension are mirrors that take in the memories of those who view them, using that to ensnare trespassers to suffer for eternity. However this only consists of about half the dimension; the other half of the dimension, while more coherent, is much more dark in reality. As it was originally created from Alice's memory, the deepest parts of the dimension will resemble in excruciating detail the places within the Baskerville Clan's estate as it looked during the Tragedy of Sablier, burning down and filled with death. At the very center, the deepest part of the dimension and memory, is the site of Alice's death.
Cheshire Cat's Lair eventually gets destroyed by the combined powers of the B-Rabbit and the Mad Hatter, their Chain-killing abilities laying waste to the dimension. As the powers of the Abyss were the force holding the dimension together and giving it life and structure, once dismantled the dimension reduced to its original form as Alice's fragmented memories. The core of the dimension is the physical manifestation of these memories, taking the form of a cat bell tied to a red ribbon, which Xerxes Break eventually gets ahold of. This however is eventually destroyed as well due to the interference of Vincent Nightray aiming for the memory's destruction, and afterwards there remains nothing left of Cheshire Cat's Lair aside from the titular Cheshire himself. After the destruction of his dimension, Cheshire retreats into the space between dimensions to heal his wounds, only surviving by the sheer strength of his devotion to the Intention. While his Lair is destroyed, Cheshire persists in his purpose and devout duty: to protect and make the Intention—to make Alice happy.
Courtroom[]
The Courtroom (
The Courtroom, true to its name, appears as a court of law. A circle of seats for the Jurors to occupy is situated upon arches and columns, with the rows of seats stretching so far up and away that it seems they never end. The Jury who observe uncaringly seat themselves high above in a watchful ring while the world of the Tale and those who inhabit it are situated far below at the very bottom at ground level. Incorporeal and literal chains appear to be the only force holding the two dissonant dimensions together, temporary as their union is, while underneath the seats of the Jury and beyond the edges of the world is a space of unfathomable nothingness with no end in sight.
The Courtroom appears once the Tale starts to reach towards its conclusion, whereupon Glen Baskerville attempts to fix the world by altering the past and consults Jury to do so. In response she calls upon her fellow Jurors and the Courtroom assembles. The Jurors' discussion leads to them deciding to bring the Tale to an "End" right then and there regardless of the senseless destruction that would be wrought, citing that their choice would result in the events to unfold being much more entertaining. In response, Oswald utilizes Vincent Nightray's powers as a Child of Ill Omen and his own Contracted Chain Jabberwock to ragefully attack Jury and lay waste to her dimension. The Courtroom begins to fall apart, losing its tenuous connection to the world, and so the Jurors decide to continue watching the Tale no longer interfering.
World of Another Tale[]
The World of Another Tale (
The World of Another Tale is identical to the material world in general composition setting, and key characters; everything foundational to the world of the original Tale remains completely unchanged. There is only one key difference that is central to all the divergences of this alternate world: the way the Tale has spun. All the violence and suffering and tragedy that so deeply defined the original Tale for so long seems to be completely missing in this world. All those who had tragically died have survived and are thriving, such as Elliot and Break. Those who were supposed enemies are embraced as friends, all the Baskervilles joining the party enthusiastically. And even the conflict which remained steadily in both worlds seems to resolve seamlessly, the tension between Xai and Oz settling peacefully.[1]
It is a world made of endless warmth and joy and love. And in that sense, at its foundational core it is no different than that of the Tale of Pandora Hearts.[1]
