VnC reread Day 1 - the significance of set ups and introductions
Very disorganised thoughts have fun. tw vanitas typical sa mention
Firstly we're introduced to Noe of course. I think it's interesting that the first thing we're shown is 'Teacher' telling Noe to never let anyone steal his true name. Now we know this isn't out of any sense of genuine concern or compassion as he had no reservations about his own grandsons true name being stolen so this must be important to whatever experiment he wants Noe for. Now there are two options for this, he wants Noe to stay alive and lucid so the experiment won't be interrupted OR he's setting Noe up for his relationship with Vanitas by making him think about this even before everything with Louis happens. This is also probably just classic Mochijun forshadowing of Noe eventually losing his true name but who knows.
Next interesting thing - the way we're first introduced to the concept of vampires is through humans fear and repulsion towards them. Idk what this means but it's interesting.
"I hear Paris is a steam-powered city to rival even London" - bro can they go to London I wanna see London
Luna and Naenia thoughts that I can't articulate yet. The narrative confusion between them and their roles in vampire history is very intentional. I keep thinking maybe they were twins but I don't know how that would be possible if they were born under different moons. Like Luna in the fairytale and Naenia irl look verrry similar.
I think the framing of "he will become the one who destroys all vampires" over vanitas' face could either just be misleading the audience to believe he is a villain when he first appears OR it could be that and genuine foreshadowing bcs I think it's kinda suspicious.
Notes on Naenia stealing true names - Vanitas assaulting Jeanne in a later chapter is really fucked up but I think now it's probably in line with the themes. The horror of loss of autonomy as well as sexual trauma specifically are present throughout the manga. I think the way Naenia takes someones true name (non-consensual kiss exactly the same as what vanitas did) is a notable parallel though I'm unsure at this point what to extrapolate from it.
I'm curious as to how vanitas can find the names of malnomen, it may be said later in the manga and I've forgotten, are they written in the book of Vanitas?
Symbols of misfortune - Blue moon, ? astermite, twins
'Teacher' smiling at Noe saying the bloon moon is beautiful again probably links to whatever experiment noe is to him.
People have already commented on how the "we're alive it makes no sense" is a little sus but yeah agreed wouldn't be surprised if something is keeping those two alive.
Returning true names is called an "inverse operation" which does imply the original purpose of the book(s) was to take true names away.
"yes you're funny and I've decided I like you" real smooth vani
"child of the ark" probably some deeper meaning there.
"an average human being" we believe you
Lots to think about with Noes narration monologue but I think the most interesting frames are "of all we gained" with presumably Domi but lowkey who knows could be louis /j... Unless. "and lost" with presumably Lokis chained hands which is very interesting and DEFINITELY implies he will be a more significant narrative player later on. But who knows maybe they're both Louis /j /j I swear lmao.
"I won't die Noe even if I'm no longer here" verrry interesting. Ik this isn't sentimental bcs it's vanitas who r we kidding so what does this mean? Especially paired with "I would kill him with my own two hands" I don't think vanitas' 'death' will be so cut and dry as we might assume.
