English Dub Review: The Case Study of Vanitas “Snow Flower”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

With the world in peril, Chloe has a choice: she can either destroy everything or return to herself and also potentially be destroyed. Vanitas tries to talk with her while Noe is locked in combat with Astolfo, who chops is hand off. Chloe chooses not to destroy the world and everything is rainbows and puppy dogs after she fades back into herself. In the end, Jean-Jacques asks for his power to be taken away and he and Chloe return to their life together.

Our Take:

Snow Flower, this week’s new dubbed episode of The Case Study of Vanitas, brings the storyline that has stretched out this season to a close, but I have to say, it does it in the least suspenseful, most predictable way possible. There are no surprises, good or bad—but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t an entertaining episode.

In fact, I think this is one of the better episodes of the show’s second half so far. Maybe that’s because the story plays such a small part in this episode that it’s basically nonexistent. We already know all the backstory (because the show has made sure of that), we know what everyone’s hiding, we know what’s on the line. So the show is content to sit back and just let everything play out in gorgeously detailed animation.

And boy, does this episode look pretty at times! I generally find the aesthetic of the series a little too glammed up and filtered, but I think it really shines in the aftermath of Chloe’s decision when everything should have that sun kissed vibe. With the flowers falling all around and the beautifully slowed-down soundtrack playing in the background, I could certainly see why some people might be big fans of Vanitas even with all of its little quirks.

The action sequence between Noe and Astolfo was great, filled with interesting camera angles and cool weapons. Like, did Astolfo’s spear really split in two and launch a bomb? I mean, c’mon, you gotta admit that’s pretty badass.  Again, there’s no real suspense here, because the show has told us all about Astolfo’s backstory and then told us again in this episode just to make sure we know that Noe knows it. So there’s no surprise that he lets out his anger at Astolfo, but stops short of killing him.

Speaking of killing, how ’bout Chloe! Her eventual salvation was obvious from a mile away, too, but the aforementioned animation combined with a stellar vocal performance from Brina Palencia made it almost work anyway. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Vanitas episode without a problematic Jeanne and Vanitas moment where she kisses him and then tells him to take her life if there comes a day when he has to…which I’m guessing is going to be the final arc of the show. They’re my least favorite couple, but if the show can actually unpack their issues in a meaningful way, I’m onboard for next week.