| “ | Everyone is alone. Whether they're human or Vampire... that doesn't change. | ” |
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Introduction
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Vanitas of the Blue Moon (
This article contains plot and/or ending details for The Case Study of Vanitas.
Read at your own risk.
Appearance[]
Luna wore a white robe, often times having the hood drawn up in order to conceal their face, with flowing sleeves and accents of dark blue hanging from the waist and being draped over their shoulders. Luna had a darker complexion, vivid blue eyes, and long white hair that they let hang from their hood, reaching down past their knees in length. As well, they wore a red bangle around their right forearm and a bracelet on their left arm which bore a small blue hourglass - something which Vanitas would later wear as an earring - while carrying a staff made of bone that separates into two prongs with thread tied in a crisscrossing pattern between them.
Personality[]
According to legend, Vanitas of the Blue Moon was scorned by, and in return scorned, other Vampires. The bedtime story about Vanitas of the Blue Moon tells the story of a lonely vampire cast out by other vampires who despised the Vampires of the Crimson Moon and swore revenge on them.
Contrary to this story, Luna seemed to be a kind individual who came to rescue Vanitas and Mikhail when Vanitas asked them for help. They had a variety of human acquaintances, and told Vanitas that humans and vampires can often get along well. Their true opinion on vampires is currently unknown. Luna was a very caring parental figure to Misha and Vanitas, despite the latter’s initial dislike of them, and treated them both better than many of the other adults in their lives.
Luna was very knowledgeable about Malnomen, and was eager to pass this knowledge on to Mikhail and Vanitas, acting as a wise teacher to them in that respect. However, they could also be childish, throwing a small tantrum when Vanitas insulted their cooking and telling him to "do it all yourself, then."
History[]
Unlike most Vampires, who are born on the night of the Crimson Moon, Vanitas was born on the night of the Blue Moon - known for stripping Vampires of their powers. For this reason, Vanitas was shunned by their peers, leading to their eventual exile. Alone, cold and shivering in the dark and snow, Vanitas continued to wander, swearing that they would exact their revenge on the Vampires born under the Crimson Moon.
Vanitas created a mechanized grimoire fastened with silver chains and black pages and bound by blue leather. The Book of Vanitas was capable of interfering with the True Names of Vampires, as well as rewriting the World Formula. Calling all those who shunned them fools, Vanitas proclaimed that when The Book of Vanitas was opened, a curse surpassing even death would befall their betrayers. It was thereby foretold that the one to wield The Book of Vanitas shall possess the same blue eyes as the Blue Moon Vampire, and before long, Vampires as a whole would be eradicated.
Although they're aware they're not male or female, Vanitas isn't really sure what they really are, stating that they're unlike any other living thing in this world. They claim to have tried to find out what they really are, but have come to deeply regret it for reasons yet unknown.
Tracking down an estranged scientist working for the Chasseurs named Moreau, Vanitas raided his lab - destroying all his research and reclaiming the two Books of Vanitas that had been stolen from them. Prior to leaving however, Vanitas was approached by two of Moreau's victims, No. 71 and No. 69. Disturbed by the horrific treatment of these children, Vanitas asked if No. 69 would like to leave with them and No. 71; something which No. 69 begrudgingly accepted.
Vanitas would bring both No. 69 and No. 71 to be part of the Clan of the Blue Moon, caring for the two from then on. While No. 71 was grateful for what Vanitas had done for him, No. 69 despised Vanitas because they were a Vampire - vowing to one day steal their power so that he can destroy all Vampires.
One day, while reviewing Malnomen with No. 69 and No. 71, Vanitas came across Prédateur. While No. 71 noted that Prédateur is somewhat "black and squirmy", Vanitas explained that Prédateur is the physical embodiment of a Vampire's shadow, which possesses an insatiable hunger. Growing larger in size, Prédateur will consume its host and proceed to devour anything it can before sapping the last of its host's life force; something which No. 69 made note of.
By unknown circumstances, No. 69 came to inherit Vanitas' name, as well as The Book of Vanitas and their blue eyes. He was also Marked by them in an effort to turn him into their kin. Vanitas then proceeds to pursue revenge against the Blue Moon Vampire, utilizing The Book of Vanitas to treat Vampires afflicted with Malnomen in order to tarnish the reputation of Vanitas of the Blue Moon.
It is explained that they were killed by No. 69 after having their true name stolen. They converted No. 69 to a member of their clan after he agreed to be converted to be able to kill Luna who would turn into a monster if not killed.
Powers and Abilities[]
Mark of Possession - Like most vampires who claim another for their own, Vanitas leaves a special mark when they drink blood from others. It appears similar to a cracked pane of glass, and spreads over more skin than most other Marks of Possession seen. Leaving their Mark on humans will imbue them with some of their power, making them their "kin" - however, using this power will eventually overwhelm and "rewrite" the human's body.
Relationships[]
Vanitas[]
Luna treated Vanitas like a son, although the two often bickered. Vanitas was initially wary of Luna, and even tried to kill Luna upon hearing their title of Vanitas of the Blue Moon, but the two ended up becoming closer than Vanitas would want to admit. Luna seemed to love him unconditionally, being aware of his distaste towards them and ignoring it, treating him no worse than Misha.
Vanitas once accidentally called them “Luna”, which they cheerfully accepted as their name.
Mikhail[]
Luna treated Mikhail like a son. Mikhail was attached to Luna from the moment they met, dozing off in their arms less than a few hours after meeting them. Luna in turn taught Misha and Vanitas about Malnomen and answered all of Mikhail’s questions about the Malnomen and the Books. Despite initially not wanting to go through with the process, Luna eventually turned Mikhail into their kin to save him from the deadly side effects of Moreau’s experiments.
Moreau[]
During Vanitas and Misha’s childhood, Luna broke into Moreau’s lab and rescued Misha and Vanitas. Moreau despises Luna for stealing his precious lab experiments; it is unknown how Luna feels about Moreau himself, but they have said that his ideas are worthless, and seem to care very little about damaging his experiments or even leaving him for dead.
The Teacher[]
The Teacher has some kind of fascination towards Luna, not only because of his interest in the Books of Vanitas, but also because he says that Luna — whom he calls Blue — is "the most beautiful creature in this world". The Teacher is said to be the only other character whose eye is said to be the same vivid blue as them — aside from the Clan of the Blue Moon — although the connection between them is yet unknown.
Quotes[]
- “Blue moonlight, like my own, will dwell in the eyes of he who holds this Book… And before long… he will become the one who will destroy all Vampires.”[1]
- “Well? What do you want to do? Will you… come with me too?”[2]
- “It isn’t possible to understand someone completely. No doubt most people live out their lives without even understanding themselves. But, for that very reason… people can nestle close to each other, sharing their warmth.”[3]
- “Somebody… yes—even after I’m gone… I hope you’ll have someone who’ll be close to you like this… No. I’m sure you will. Provided you don’t close your heart. If you avoid that, then I know… even when you’re alone, you won’t be. Just as the two of you are here for me… even you, the one who’s forever cold, will meet someone who’ll keep you warm.”[3]
- “…Regrettably, I have no name to give you. Or rather… perhaps I should say I still don’t have a name I’m satisfied with.”[4]
- “I’m here… because… you asked me for help.”[4]
- “I’ve learned something. You’re a very kind child.”[4]
- “If you have nowhere to go, come with me. We’ll search for a way to save you two together.”[4]
- “I always wondered about that myself. I tried to find out… Although at this point, I deeply regret it.”[5]
- “Every time someone looks up at the moon—every time they call its name—I… feel as though I’m there too. It’s wonderful.”[5]
Appearances[]
- Mémoire 1: Vanitas — In the Event of Rusty Hopes* (First Appearance)
- Mémoire 2: Noé — In the City of Flowers (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 4: Femme Fatale — Love (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 7: Bal Masqué — Night of Sneering Masks*
- Mémoire 8: Louis — Sinking in a Pool of Blood (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 11: Deux Ombres — Point of Departure (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 12: Pause 𝄻 (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 13: Glissando — Glissando (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 15: Chasseur — Those Who Hunt Crimson*
- Mémoire 17: Cicatrice — No. 69*
- Mémoire 18: Dos à Dos — The Shape of Salvation*
- Mémoire 40: Avec Toi — Alone Together*
- Mémoire 41: Canorus — Snow Flower*
- Mémoire 42: Encore une Fois — Love*
- Mémoire 45: Mal d'Amour — The Incurable Illness (Part Two) (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 46: Un Autre — Scar (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 47: Hétérogène — Sneering Laughter (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 48: Rencontre — Blue Night*
- Mémoire 49: Douleur — Kind Child*
- Mémoire 50: Petrichor — The Thread that Reels in The Past*
- Mémoire 51: Tempest — A Silent Scream*
- Mémoire 52: Sens Unique — Fall (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 54: La nuit sans lune — Dark Night (Part One)*
- Mémoire 54.5: La nuit sans lune — Dark Night (Part Two)*
- Mémoire 55: Après la pluie — His Wish (Part One)*
- Mémoire 55.5: Après la pluie — His Wish (Part Two)*
- Mémoire 56: Faire un gâteau — Bittersweet*
- Mémoire 58: Observation — The Darkness in Between*
- Entracte: Couche — On Clothing*
- Mémoire 1: Vanitas -In the Event of Rusty Hopes-* (First Appearance)
- Mémoire 10: Cicatrice -No. 69-*
- Mémoire 18: Avec Toi -Just the Two of Us-*
- Mémoire 19: Canorus -Snow Flower-*
- Mémoire 21: Un Autre -Scars-*
- Mémoire 22: Rencontre -Blue Night-*
- Mémoire 23: Pleuvoir -Tears like Rain- (Mentioned only)
- Mémoire 24: Après la pluie -His Wish-*
(*) - Denotes that the character did not appear physically, but as a part of another character's memories.
Trivia[]
- "Vanitas" is an artistic term referring to a symbolic work of art showing the transience of life, the futility of pleasure, and the certainty of death, often contrasting symbols of wealth and symbols of ephemerality and death. It derives from the Latin word "vānitās" which can translate to "emptiness," "nothingness," "falsity," or "vanity" in English.[6]
- "Luna" means "moon" in several different languages including Latin, English, Spanish, Italian, and others.
- They are the first of Jun Mochizuki's characters to be canonically neither male nor female.
- No gendered pronouns are used for the Vampire of the Blue Moon in the original Japanese text. In the official English translation, their pronouns prior to Mémoire 18 were always rendered "he," when Vanitas's narration refers to them as a woman. From that point on, their pronouns would be rendered "she," up until Mémoire 51, when the Vampire of the Blue Moon states that they are neither male nor female. This wiki will use the gender neutral "they" pronoun to reflect this.