English Dub Review: The Case Study of Vanitas “Friends”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

When Noé runs into Charlatan at the party, he isn’t sure what to expect, but it definitely wasn’t a traumatizing flashback to his childhood. Growing up, we see his early life as his backstory is more fully fleshed out and revealed. After the deaths of his human grandparents, he went to live with Louis and his sister.

For a while things were great, but when they got older, Louis found out he was a curse bearer and becomes more closed off. When Noé tries to save another of their friend group from being executed, the plan goes awry and ends up seeing Louis step in and then get beheaded in front of him.

Our Take:

Vanitas has always had a flair for the dramatic, and this week’s episode is perhaps one of the more dramatic outings yet. After the chaotic ballroom scene last week, we are transported to the distant past in Friends as Noé relives his childhood trauma and brings viewers along for the ride. It’s pretty bland as far as backstories go—despite the warning card at the beginning of the runtime.

That actually kind of set me up for some excitement, but alas, it was not to be. The most awful thing in the episode is the moment where Noé sees his best friend beheaded just a few feet from him. And yes, that does sound pretty bad, but it’s telegraphed from a mile away, and lost a lot of the impact it might have had. From the moment Noé’s friends are introduced, it’s pretty clear what’s going to happen will dictate Noé’s current adult obsessions.

Louis being a curse bearer is bad enough, but the way it’s revealed to poor Noé clearly has set him up with some serious issues emotionally. Growing up, Noé was always the cheerily optimistic person in the room. When one of their other friends is set to be executed for being a curse bearer, he’s the one who sets the group on a plan to run away with her. However, it backfires and she ends up attacking them. Noé is rescued by Louis, who asks him to kill him. Noé refuses, but only seconds later Louis’s ask is granted by Noé’s teacher.

Clearly, the kid has a lot of stuff to unpack. And it looks like he might actually get the chance next week, as this episode’s final moment reveals that it looks like Louis might have returned in some shape or form? This is a show where vampires reign and magic flourishes, so anything’s possible I guess. Next week’s episode will mark the halfway point of the series, so I’m expecting big things!