Vampire Hunter D

Alternate Titles: None

Original Japanese Release Date: 1985

Episode Length/Run-time: 80 Minutes

Summary:

Doris Lang lives in the futuristic world of 12,090 AD under the fear of vampires and other monsters.  When she is chosen to be Count Magnus Lee’s new bride she solicits the help of a vampire hunter who goes by the name of only D.  D’s history is shrouded in mysteries and mysticism as a half human, half vampire.  But even to the count’s surprise, there is more to D than meets the eye.

Review:

Vampire Hunter D was illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano, one of my personal favorites.  His character designs create a dark and gothic world for these semi realistic and interesting characters to live in.  The animation, as a result, is extremely well done.  While the movie does show its age, it really serves to enhance the dark and gritty feel.  Though the music showing it’s age is significantly less impressive.

D is an interesting character, one of your strong, stoic types he fits the role perfectly.  His mysterious hand which is a wind tunnel face (which I suspect Inu Yasha ripped off?) creates some clever banter in the show.

The show’s violence and adult themes also work for it as it doesn’t hold anything back for the viewer.  The story, however, is somewhat basic and seems cliche now, the viewer needs to remember that this was one of the first vampire animes out there.  It’s nice to see vampires at their gory and dark roots (as opposed to the shiny hot kind).

Overall it’s a good show and supports itself well.

[starrater]