1. Story:
It starts with character introduction, concept introduction, and hint what will happen. Personally I am not confused at all with Vanitas no Carte, this type of story telling is not strange but since Jun Mochizuki's world sometimes really different with real world, there are a lot of information we need to remember. The thing is: if you are confused, don't lazy to read again. It's okay to be confused with new concept like you are learning new information at school. The story is interesting. There are cases in Vanitas that become the ground to reveal their past and what happen to the world and the characters. You will be given hint every chapter about their past and the world. So the most mysterious part of Vanitas no Carte is the world, the characters and the connection between each characters. There are many plot twist so prepare yourself.
2. Art:
Beautiful. Nothing less. And she is always detailed to show us emotion of the character from face, shading, background, etc. Just from looking at their face, I already know the complexity of their emotion. And the colored version of her manga always so beautiful.
3. Characters:
Many character in Vanitas is complex. Almost all of the characters made by Jun Mochizuki have backstory this is why all of their behavior, way of thinking, and perception can be traced back to their past. Jun Mochizuki loves characters and make characters that have certain exterior until you know what's deep inside their heart in later chapters (You will know this information from her interview). This is why your impression about the characters in the beginning maybe different with your impression after you read many chapters.
Both of protagonists are really different but they match each other and their interaction is interesting. Except mad scientist, Jun Mochizuki always create conflict in which we can't really take side. The reason is because we understand why the other think like that and we can't really blame them. So the conflict often appear from clash of purpose and way of thinking. Even if this is shounen which is for teenager, I personally think you need maturity to be able to see this story from each character perspective and not blame them.
4. Enjoyment:
I enjoy it a lot! I don't really like detective story kinda mystery but I really love this type of mystery in which the world and characters themselves are mystery.
Again, this manga by Jun Mochizuki become really personal for me. As someone who have similar personality (We are ENTP lol), decision making, way of thinking and have the same problem with Vanitas (Chapter 44), looking at Vanitas make me know more about myself. I never acknowledge this side (I don't even realize it affect me a lot and it's something wrong) until I meet him. Characters in Jun Mochizuki's manga is relatable. Some people maybe relate to Dominique, Jeanne, Noe but for me it's Vanitas.
Jun Mochizuki's world is full of despair, loneliness and darkness but there is always hope and salvation. We will be shown a lot of ugly side of human, greedy, jealousy, hatred, betrayal, and how human is so fragile, easily influenced but also strong. This story also question, "What is salvation?" so I believe in the end of story, We will be shown salvation. I know by reading this story, it's like I am walking at my own route toward sadness especially since I love and can relate to Vanitas so much (We already know what happen to him in chapter 1). But I know I won't regret this journey.
"Please... no matter how much despair awaits them... Let what remains at the end of their stories… Be like that sunny day… Full of gentle light."
-Xerxes Break, Pandora Hearts-
