#the case study of vanitas august ruthven

[kyuriekiri]

I brought you what you asked for

[magnus-cinis]

Bro my neurons activated

[animehouse-moe]

I Miss The Case Study of Vanitas Because Sex

Okay, please forgive me for the clickbait-y title, but I just had to take it. The whiplash is too fun to me. Anyways, yes, I miss The Case Study of Vanitas (both as an anime and manga, since we've not gotten vol 10 in English yet) because of sex. Not the act in and of itself, but the appeal, the tension, the experience. Animanga isn't nearly as sexless as North American media, but it presents its own unique challenges and issues. So, if you don't mind, please humor my little foray into an attempt to explain the decoupling of fan service and sex appeal, with The Case Study of Vanitas as a medium.

⚠️Warning: I've done my best to keep it spoiler free, but by nature there is mild spoilers in regards to characters and certain interactions.⚠️

Is The Case Study of Vanitas about sex? Well, obviously not, no, it's about vampires. But as much as it's about vampires, it's also about despair, hope, penance and revenge, and the intricacies of the human condition. It just happens to feature vampires as the selling point. And I believe therein lies the best explanation of Vanitas: it's not about sex, but rather contains those aspects as a part of the people that exist in its world.

Fanservice has become a rather perverted term. Rather than appealing to a broad range of applications, fanservice tends to exclusively apply to displays that are sexual in nature (most typically in regards to catering to male audiences). In that way it's not particularly awful in how the term itself has shifted, but the use of fanservice is borderline pathetic in most series. A gaudy display of body parts, it hangs on excessive scale and movement to catch the eyes of touch starved individuals. I don't need a ballooned bosom besetting my vision before bobbing about in a baroque display for all too long. That's not the point.

But what is the point? Well, I've prattled on long enough so here's an example.

A look in the eyes, the right lighting. Even simple posing. Sex appeal is not limited to explicit displays of sexuality, but is rather the personification of both the character's intent as well as their external perception.

There are so many moments in this series that are in no way explicitly sexual, but can easily be perceived to have sex appeal or sexual tension.

But then, how would that appeal not feel weakened? It's a good question, honestly, and an important one to ask. When you display the chest of an underaged girl enough times, it won't elate the audience enough to be perceived as "good". It's a universal issue with storytelling, so how does Vanitas get around it?

My answer (and perhaps not the only answer) is how this appeal and tension is derived. I had sort of said it earlier, but didn't really explain. Its source is the very nature of the characters and world. It is not an external force exposing these facets, but the machinations of the plot and its pieces themselves.

Have a look at this example here. Vampires are hot, right? Their power, broody nature, and the concept of the unknown have played into their eroticism and appeal since time immemorial (seriously, look up Carmilla). Vanitas pounces on that concept and immediately plays into it. We don't get blood sucking every episode and every second, no. But we get it enough to provide variation, it appears at the right time to provide another layer to the nature of the story and characters.

Anyways, the example. Lord Ruthven and Noe. Two vampires, engaging in something strictly non-sexual. He is simply biting Noe. But the posing, the nature of the layout. It presents tension. It presents Ruthven's ownership and commanding nature of Noe in this moment. Domination and subjugation.

Even more is this sequence. The commanding nature that presents a clear power dynamic. The phrasing. It absolutely exudes sexual tension. But nothing of the sort is apparent in the actual interaction.

So what's the deal here. I know I had spoken on how characters themselves can convey tension and appeal without explicit intent to do so, but how can circumstance and interaction play into it as well?

Another lovely question. What comprises the act of sex? What are the pieces that elate, entice, and encourage someone? Well, aside from the answer that it's down to the individual, there's a few core pieces. The "top and bottom" dynamic is certainly the one that appears the most when dealing with pairs. Another, while a bit unseemly and slightly (?) taboo is the concept of fear and violence. Of course, I don't mean in any serious context, but the concept is how those things make you feel, and that they stem from that similar power dynamic. Perhaps that's the best word to describe it with: power dynamic. It's all about how two characters interact with each other, where they stand in relation to one another. The above image is the perfect example of that, and the following is how to build on it.

Vanitas and Jeanne, an incredible combination born not out of a mutual desire for the other, but the sheer interest of one and the needs of another. It's a one sided love spurred on by the actions of one that encourages the other to let loose. It creates the interesting dynamic of a power bottom that remains refreshing alongside the other relationships that exist in the story.

So here's a clip of that dynamic.

The way the camera and characters hang on each moment, the way the layouts aim to both obstruct but also apply razor focus. The voice acting. All of it, every single moments provides for that tension and appeal, and it extends past the act of sucking blood and into the souls of the characters themselves. A terrible plead that spills from blood stained lips, a promise that comes from the origin of that crimson.

This "sex appeal" and "sexual tension" is not something manufactured, but the absolute core of these characters. The act of domination, the incredible an undesired need of a substance, the mental fractures eroding at the ego of a person. All of these moments stem from the very souls of the characters and bubble up to the surface in these forms of expression. Where words will not do, actions speak in their place.

Also, Vanitas moaning. Yes please. The greatest benefit to this series is the fact that it's willing to lean into the men as well. This is not "just" for the guys (and lesbians), no. This is for everyone, but especially those that enjoy a side of insanity and toxicity to their romance.

So that brings us to the end. Vanitas is not "about" sex, Vanitas is sex and is the purest way to deliver on fan service while providing sexual tension and appeal. It's subtle, subdued, infrequent and benign. It does not bend to the desires of the viewer, but rather stems from those of the characters. And so many series need to take note. "Lucky Lecher" and perversely excessive displays have no home in my heart when there are far more artistic and desirable sequences that can be produced.

[ranaitsan]

my second ruthven draw!!!

If you like it💕 you will sure like ❤my novel☕ read my novel in my blog😺👋👋

[pivoletov]

[noes-pillow]

this reddit thread is absolutely killing me someone go ask them more questions...

[askvanipawsandfriends]

What kind of dog is Ruthven? I need to know 👀

was gonna wait until i made a proper ref for him, but i like these sketches too much to not post them for this ask. Ruthven is a Leonberger x Beauceron. he’s abnormally large, you’d think he’d be able to take down a bear. he would, and he’d win.

[grelleswife]

Still losing it over chicken!Ruthven and his resemblance to a vampiric Angry Bird in Noé’s imagination. 😆

Mochijun appears to have continued this visual gag in the omake, where Marquis Machina presents Lord Ruthven with some fluffy chicks of his own. 🐥

Behold, the face of an innocent man who has never committed crimes against queen and country.

[neversetyoufree]

So I finally got around to reading The Vampyre today, and

Apparently Mochizuki pulled more from Polidori's Ruthven than just his name.

[shizukais]

[huaenrose]

Theory that Ruthven's request to Noé will be for him to kill Vanitas and then we'll have Noé breaking his oath because of the intensity of his feelings for Vanitas as a parallel to Vanitas breaking his own hypnosis because of the intensity of his feelings for Noé.

[magnus-cinis]

Doodle dump (I'm alive)(the exams are coming)

Vnc

oc

genshin

Me

[existingtm]

fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, and especially fuck you

[littleoanh]

Being in a relationship with August Ruthven

Characters: August Ruthven x Human!Reader

Warnings: Split between SFW and NSFW, established relationship, mentions of eliminating (not towards reader) and being called 'blood bag' and 'food supply'.

A/N: @mekiza and I collaborated our ideas what it's like being with beautiful Lord Ruthven ♡. Thank you so much for indulging this with me, my love! Divider is made by @benkeibear.

SFW

August Ruthven is quite the perfect gentleman, he will treat you like royalty because you deserve nothing but the best. He enjoys spoiling you with food, clothes, bags, etc. Anything you want, you got it. Though he will tone it down if it gets too overwhelming for you.

You are the only person in the world that does not need to call him ‘Lord Ruthven’. You have special privileges to call him ‘August’. If anyone else calls him ‘August’, he will correct them with a dangerous glint in his eye that it’s ‘Lord Ruthven’ to them. 

He enjoys intimacy (not in a sensual way), he likes being so close to you. Holding your hand, placing his hand on your waist, sitting on his lap, or cuddling. He is the big spoon, but he secretly loves it when you cuddle him from behind. 

Leaves an imprint (a mark) on your neck to show you are his. If anyone dares sink their fangs on you, he will personally consider this as treason and have them be eliminated. 

He is a big and well built man, standing next to you makes him feel powerful and able to protect you from any harm. Also, he finds your height adorable because of how small you are compared to him (sorry if you happen to be taller than him).

 August loves listening to your heart beat at night, it brings him comfort and feel at peace. He can’t explain it, but he needs to have his hand on your heart. He may be a powerful and influential vampire, but you are his safe haven. 

This man DOES NOT get jealous easily, so good luck on trying to make him jealous. He is confident, put together, and financially stable. In fact, he finds it amusing to see other people trying to win your attention. There is no one better than him, therefore he knows what he is worth. 

He is usually a calm man BUT he will get triggered when someone dares call you his ‘blood bag’ or ‘food supply’. His eye color will change and the ground is shaking from his anger (don’t worry you are safe by him).

NSFW

Stating the obvious but it needs to be said … he has a big dick and a wide girth. The first time you see this, your jaw drops or maybe you’re drooling (take your pick). He finds it adorable when you are struggling to take him all in. But he will make sure to prep you, after all you are his precious human. He will not cause you any discomfort.

Has the biggest degradation kink. Grabbing your hair, talking down on you in bed and calling you by degrading names. What comes with his degradation kink is also praise. Calling you a good girl/boy when you follow his orders.

As I said before, August is a big man therefore he has a size kink. No matter what size you are, he can easily carry you without any struggle. He enjoys fucking while standing because of the faces you make when you are taking him so deep. 

August is a dom, you cannot make this man be submissive. If you try to, he can easily turn the table around. So there’s no point in trying. He enjoys being in control, taking the lead and showing his dominance.  

He loves leaving marks on your thighs, regardless if you’re ticklish he is strong enough to keep you in place. The more you squirm, the more aggressive his bites are. He will train you to get used to his kisses and bites on your thighs, this is his favorite body part.

His fingers are long and thick, he enjoys stuffing them in your holes. He finds it fascinating to see all the faces you make just by his fingers. It’s not even his cock and you are going crazy over them. After he’s done fingering you, he will lick his fingers to watch your expression changing into embarrassment. Again, he finds this adorable. 

Cockwarming. Sometimes duty calls where he can’t take time off and needs to handle proposals and paperwork. Having you on his lap, hearing your moans, whimpering or whining and watching you squirming on his big cock will make his work more tolerable.

Not interested in quickies, he prefers taking his time and having an emotional bond with you. He can take his time, pull several earth shattering orgasms out of you, and fill his load up over and over again.  

2023 © littleoanh — do not repost or translate my work on this platform or any other platform. likes, reblogs, and kind comments are welcome. must be 18+ to interact.

[ranaitsan]

august ruthven!!! I draw it by myself!

for more read my novel fanfiction about ruthven💕💕💕 and tell me your commants☕

[v4mp-wife]

Prettiest cast ♡